We encourage anyone to come and walk for the steps your baby never got to take or to support those who have lost a child or children. The walk will conclude with a memorial service where each baby’s name is read and a tree is planted in their memory. The memorial service is not just a remembrance but a celebration of each life, no matter how long or short. The walk is a wonderful way for parents to connect with other people who have lost a child. We encourage participants to create a poster or bring a photo for the memory wall to further remember the babies we hold in our hearts.

The North Country Health Services Foundation and its Community Relations Committee are proud to present a seminar for a healthier you.

North Country Peak Performance First Annual 5K and Fun Run

North Country Health Services of Bemidji, Minnesota, has announced the hiring of a new nurse executive to oversee the nursing function throughout the organization. Shirley Heintz was selected after an extensive national search process over the course of the last several months and is slated to begin her new duties mid-September 2010. Heintz replaces long-time Chief Nursing Officer, Joseph Dahlby, who retired in May of 2010. He held that position at NCHS for over 20 years.

Neilson Place, Trillium, and WindSong are currently providing a Summer Healthcare Internship for a local post-secondary student. Funding for the program is provided through a contract with the Minnesota Department of Health’s Office of Rural Health and Primary Care.

Otter Tail Power Company recently donated $15,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation qualifies Otter Tail for membership in the Foundation’s Business Investors in Health Club.

Each year, North Country Health Services recognizes employees for their longevity. The contributions long-term employees make are critical to an organization’s success. Thank you to all of these employees who have committed their career to providing the quality healthcare for which North Country Health Services is recognized.

Knife River Materials recently donated $5,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation qualifies Knife River Materials for membership in the Foundation’s Business Investors in Health Club.

Visitors are as important to us as our patients. North Country Regional Hospital supports the involvement of family members in providing care for our patients.  While some patients and families are celebrating, others may be experiencing painful situations.  Our visitor guidelines promote involvement of families and friends in patient care while also recognizing the need for rest, privacy, and quiet times for all patients.

Eight $1,500 scholarships were awarded this spring by the North Country Health Services Auxiliary to students pursuing careers in a health-related field. Funds for the scholarships are from profits of the North Country Regional Hospital Gift Shop. 

2010 PULSATIONS

EAPC Architects Engineers recently donated $1,500 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation qualifies EAPC Architects Engineers for membership in the Foundation’s Business Investors in Health Club.

BeFriender Ministry is a new opportunity for select volunteers to help expand spiritual care services at North Country Health Services. BeFrienders are people who are themselves on a journey of growing in faith. They are trained non-clerical volunteers who provide spiritual care for people in all kinds of difficult or transitional situations. BeFriender Ministry is not a ministry of “doing,” but of “being,”—being present and listening quietly. A BeFriender is someone who:
*Listens with compassion
*Accepts people as they are
*Respects another’s spiritual journey
*Embodies the caring presence of God

The North Country Regional Hospital (NCRH) Imaging Department in Bemidji, MN, recently acquired the use of the Dillon 6800 Gamma Camera to offer Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) as a complementary diagnostic tool to detect breast cancer when post-mammogram evaluation is indicated. With this addition, BSGI is now available to help physicians in the Bemidji area detect early stage cancers, identifying suspicious and difficult-to-interpret breast abnormalities, and differentiate between benign and malignant tumors. 

Paul Hanson, President and CEO of North Country Health Services (NCHS) stated today that the recent discussions by and between the Department of Health and the legislators have offered some hope that policymakers will recognize the need for coverage of those with high medical assistance needs.  “North Country Health Services would benefit under the proposed legislation.  As we conduct our internal analysis of the proposal and its financial impact on our operations, we also recognize that this is an estimate and an estimate only.” Hanson said.

BEMIDJI, MN—At a recent North Country Health Services Board of Trustee meeting a changing of the gavel occurred. Past Chair Kari Howe handed over the gavel to incoming NCHS Board Chair, Sylvia Wildgen.

North Country Health Services (NCHS) is pleased to announce that Joy Johnson has accepted the VP of Business Development and Marketing position on its leadership team.  She will begin her new duties effective January 4, 2010.  Joy has approximately 30 years of health care experience.  She most recently has served as the VP Planning & Ancillary Services at Riverview Health located in Crookston, MN.  She has served in this role for the past 14 years and has been instrumental in assisting Riverview in expanding and developing new service lines and providing the economic viability for that organization. 

Bemidji was one of ten rural areas in Minnesota selected to participate in Stratis Health’s Minnesota Rural Palliative Care initiative to establish or strengthen palliative care programs in their communities.

The Home Care division of North Country Home Care and Hospice has been named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite™, a compilation of the top performing home health agencies in the United States. This annual review identifies the Top 25 percent of agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, quality improvement, and financial performance.

The Bemidji WalMart Supercenter recently donated $1,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation supports new Bedside Medication Verification (BMV) system at North Country Regional Hospital. BMV technology is one component of the Foundation project as well as an important patient safety initiative throughout North Country Health Services.

The North Country Health Services Auxiliary recently donated $30,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation supports new Bedside Medication Verification (BMV) for the Emergency Department at North Country Regional Hospital.

Kraus Anderson Construction recently donated $15,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation supports room renovations at North Country Regional Hospital.

Paul Bunyan Telephone recently donated $50,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation provides for flat screen televisions in Same-Day Surgery at North Country Regional Hospital as well as Internet kiosks throughout the hospital and at Neilson Place on the WoodsEdge campus.

North Country Regional Hospital’s Labor and Delivery Department has earned a Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) Patient Safety Excellence Award for its work in preventing retained objects such as sponges during labor and delivery.

Beltrami Electric Cooperative recently donated $7,500 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation supports room renovations at North Country Regional Hospital. Renovations to 12 rooms at the hospital are one of the components of seven that are a part of the Excellence in Healthcare package to enhance healthcare services and facilities for our region.

TruStar Federal Credit Union recently donated $5,000 to the North Country Health Services Foundation’s current project, Excellence in Healthcare. The donation qualifies TruStar Federal Credit Union for membership in the Foundation’s Business Investors in Health Club.

The Family Care Center at North Country Regional Hospital is no longer able to offer parents of a newborn the opportunity to purchase a safety car seat. Expectant parents are encouraged to obtain a safety car seat for their newborn prior to being admitted to the hospital.

Following an extensive nation-wide search, North Country Health Services Board of Trustees welcomes a new President and CEO, Paul Hanson. Hanson fills the position following the retirement of past NCHS President and CEO, Jim Hanko.

Pulsations