Hospital sponsors annual EMS Week celebration

The Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point Emergency Medical Services Academy, which trains most paramedics and emergency medical technicians in south Lake County, annually sponsors a cookout in honor of National Emergency Services Week, which was May 19 to 26 this year. This year’s event on May 23 was hosted by Crown Point Fire and Rescue and proved to be a cook-in, due to cool, windy, rainy weather.

Shown at the grill is Justin Gettler, a Crown Point firefighter. Taking a break from their duties is Jack Eskridge, left, a former 34-year paramedic, who also was Lowell fire chief; and Rob Dowling, Emergency Medical Services Academy director.

Cancer survivors will celebrate their day at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point will offer a Celebration of Life on National Cancer Survivors Day June 2.

The Burrell Cancer Center on the hospital campus, 1201 S. Main St., will host the free event from 2 to 4 p.m. and offer games, prizes, a range of activities, snacks, free chair massages and yoga demonstrations.

Registration is required by May 30 by calling (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan St. Anthony will join hundreds of communities worldwide in noting the 26th annual observance.
Local event sponsors include the Breast Care Center at Franciscan St. Anthony Health, Cancer Health Treatment Centers LLC, Michiana Hematology Oncology and Premier Oncology Hematology Associates.

National Cancer Survivors Day is a time for pause to honor America’s nearly 14 million cancer survivors. “A ‘survivor’ is anyone living with a history of cancer – from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life,” according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation.

The event provides an opportunity for survivors to connect with other survivors, celebrate milestones, and recognize the health care providers, family and friends who have supported them.

“When most people hear the word ‘cancer,’ they automatically think the worst,” says Foundation spokeswoman, Laura Shipp. “But the truth is that more people are living longer and better quality lives after cancer than ever before. National Cancer Survivors Day is an opportunity for these cancer survivors to come together and celebrate this new reality in cancer survivorship. There is life after cancer. And that’s something to celebrate.”

The nonprofit National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation provides free guidance, education, and networking support to hundreds of hospitals, support groups, and other cancer-related organizations that host National Cancer Survivors Day events in their communities. For more information on the program, visit: http://www.ncsd.org/about-us.

"Nurse's nurse" receives annual Nightingale Award

Bernie Puplava, left, a 24-year endoscopy registered nurse at Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point who has been in her profession for 44 years, was honored May 10 with the hospital’s annual 2013 Nightingale Award during National Nurses Week.

She shares a light moment with Carol Schuster, Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region chief nursing officer, shortly after receiving an honorary pin.

The hospital’s Professional Development Council of Shared Decision Making chooses the winner from among nominees, of which there were four this year.

Puplava was commended, for, among other attributes, putting patients’ and physicians’ needs above her own, often responding to requests during odd hours for emergency situations and for working holidays; and for her compassion, commitment and accountability. She also was lauded for treating patients’ family members respectfully, for being a consummate-professional team player, and for being dependable and trustworthy.

Puplava told a packed room during the award program of her love for the profession and expressed gratitude to her coworkers.

The award is named in honor of legendary nurse Florence Nightingale.

Celebrating National Nurses & Hospital Week 2013

A special message from our Mission and Spiritual Care Team:

May 6-12, 2013 is National Nurses Week. No other profession touches people the same way a nurse does. Our nurses touch the heart, soul, mind and body of each patient.

A patient commented, "I am 82 years old and the nurse saw that I was frightened and she asked if I wanted her to stay with me…. She stayed and comforted me…. I loved the concern and I felt safe!!!" Another patient commented, "Nurses may not be angels, but they are the next best things…."

Although each day is a challenge, and the work is often physically and emotionally demanding, what a privilege the nursing profession must be. Florence Nightingale – the Founder of Nursing – put it well: nursing is a "higher calling" for the special few who can combined art and science into a thing of beauty, compassion and caring at the bedside. It is not just a job, it is a mission.

Following Nurses Week, we celebrate National Hospital Week, May 12-18, 2013. For years, Franciscan Alliance hospitals have touched the hearts, souls, minds and bodies of thousands in Nortwest Indiana and South Chicago land. It is a continuing mission that begun 150 years ago by Mother Maria Theresia Bonzel – the Founder of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Perpetual Adoration. Little did Florence Nightingale and Mother Theresia realize that over a century later their visions would converge across the Atlantic as Franciscan Alliance.

Let us honor and celebrate our nurses and staff for continuing to answer the call to bring Christ’s compassion and caring to others. WE ARE PROUD OF OUR NURSES! WE ARE PROUD OF OUR STAFF!

Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point scores a safety for Tri-Town Raiders

Attendees or participants at Tri-Town Raider youth football games henceforth can have a greater sense of security in knowing that should a health emergency strike, help will be closer at hand, thanks to the donation by Franciscan St. Anthony Health - Crown Point of a potentially life-saving Automated External Defibrillator.

The AED is a portable electronic device that diagnoses potentially life-threatening cardiac problems and is able to treat them through defibrillation that stops arrhythmia and allows the heart to re-establish an effective rhythm.

The donation of $1,500 to purchase the device came about when Dave Ozsust (standing, second from left), a St. John police officer and Raiders coach, contacted Rob Dowling (center), Franciscan St. Anthony Health Emergency Medical Services Academy director, seeking advice on how to obtain such a device. Dowling subsequently contacted David Ruskowski, hospital president (second from right), who agreed to the fund the purchase.

“You perform a great service to area children through your program and we are proud to help to be able to be to provide a life-saving piece of assistance,” Ruskowski told team representatives, who thanked him for the gesture.

Also shown are coach Ricardo Guerrero (left) and Raiders president Tim Arvanitis (right), a Schererville police officer, who was instrumental in organizing the Schererville-based organization, beginning in 1991. The group, which also includes cheerleaders, has grown to more than 200 participants, who range in age from 5 to 14. Shown in the front row (from left) are Ricardo Guerrero Jr., Megan Ozsust and Brandon Ozsust.

Every minute counts: the facts you need to know about stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. A stroke results when blood flow to the brain is interrupted and nearby cells die from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Treatments are available that can greatly minimize damage caused by a stroke—but you must recognize symptoms and get to a hospital immediately to avoid disability. Every minute counts

What are the symptoms of a stroke?

The warning signs of a stroke have a quick onset, and include sudden:

• numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
• confusion
• trouble speaking or understanding speech
• difficulty seeing in one or both eyes
• trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance/coordination
• severe headache with no known cause

If someone is having stroke symptoms, perform the FAST assessment:

(F)ace: Ask person to smile; look for facial droop and uneven smile.(A)rms: Ask person to raise both arms. Can he/she do it evenly?
(S)peech: Ask person to say a simple sentence. Listen for slurred speech.
(T)ime: CALL 911 and get to the hospital immediately!


Am I at risk of having a stroke?

The following are stroke risk factors that can be minimized with medical treatment or lifestyle changes:

• High blood pressure: This is the number one cause of stroke. Know your blood pressure and have it checked regularly.
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
• Physical inactivity and obesity
• Excessive alcohol use

Knowing your stroke risk is the first step in prevention. Have regular medical checkups, and talk with your health care provider about what you can do to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Online Stroke Assessment
Our online Stroke Assessment can help explain your risk factors and recommend steps for reducing your risk. Take the Stroke Risk Assessment >

Because May is National Stroke Awareness Month, on May 22, 2013, Franciscan Alliance stroke coordinators Kari Kerstetter and Amy Linsemeyer will be discussing stroke recognition and the importance of early activation of 911 at the monthly Mallwalkers event at 9 a.m. at Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart. The Mallwalkers program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance and the mall, takes place on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the JC Penney court on the first floor. Blood pressure screenings also are available.

Managing Change

Submitted by: Cathy M. Cinko, LCSW

Change is one mainstay in our lives today. Change affects us in our home lives, but also in our workplace. Change is all around us. Change is not only persistent, but it is also consistent. Do we want to embrace change or resist change? Embracing change is an adaptable quality. Resisting change is maladaptive. Resisting change could be perceived by others as being rigid and inflexible. Embracing change, on the other hand, could show others that we are flexible and a team player.

Some people view change positively. This change is viewed as a learning opportunity or growing potential. Others may view change negatively. Change is perceived as something to fear or avoid. Fearing or avoiding change will only prolong the inevitable. If change is feared then sometimes it is important to develop coping skills to assist an individual with embracing the changes. Coping can be defined as behavioral and cognitive strategies to deal with experiences that are perceived as negative.

Coping with change means that you take charge and be a part of the change solution, including managing your feelings. Ask yourself if this change is going to affect you in a positive or negative way. People who have a positive outlook find it easier to engage in the change process. Use positive thinking techniques like positive affirmation statements while visualizing a good outcome. Ask yourself questions: Is this change likely to ease your work load or enhance your skills?

If the change is a perceived threat then knowledge can translate to power and control. Be proactive, and assertively ask for news updates. Being proactive is an important action step to help navigate the changes. The famous self-help book, Who Moved my Cheese, by Spencer Johnson and Kenneth Blanchard, is an amazing resource for individuals that struggle with change at work and at home.

Embrace change by becoming a change-agent! Remember: change is inevitable!

Cathy M. Cinko, LCSW, is a therapist with the Employee Assistance Program for the Franciscan Alliance hospitals in Northern Indiana.