Hospital News - 3rd Quarter 2007

Knee surgery prep

 

Dr. David Liao waits for a knee replacement surgery to begin as the patient is prepped by surgical technicians Sandy Beringer and Angela Childers.

 

 

Keep our students safe this year
by Richard Carter

September 4, 2007 - September means school has started, it’s only three months until Christmas and it’s time for football.

I don’t know about the rest of you but the first indicator has me a little bit excited this year. I’m thinking it’s going to be a good year for our local and area schools in Hunt County. Not just in sports, although we have plenty of winners there. From all indications, it’s going to be a good academic year, also.

Of course this takes a lot of work, not just in cracking the books or turning on the computers, but in staying healthy and in good physical condition, which means the mind can function a little better. Exercise, watching the amount of junk food consumed and proper rest make for good grades.

This is also a time to think about school safety and to make certain our youngsters are prepared to deal with situations that might come up.

Just recently a man named Bob Stuber appeared on one of the early morning talk shows to discuss this very subject. He is the founder of Escape School, a group that “aims to keep kids safe.”

The group, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, trains people throughout this country and Canada to work in every area from abduction to water safety. The reasoning of this organization is to use good old common sense, something I fully endorse.

I want to share with you some of Mr. Stuber’s top safety suggestions as a new school year gets under way:

Research Route to School: Parents and kids together need to map out what route to take to school, and any alternate routes. In addition to feeling comfortable with the busy streets, etc., it's very important that parents know who lives along the child's path. Megan's Law requires that any person jailed for a sexual offense and then released be "registered" in the neighborhood where they live. This is public record and parents should utilize it by visiting the police station and researching the route to school.

Encourage Responsibility: Yes, adults in cars should always be on the lookout for kids in the street, especially in a school zone, but we all know this often doesn't happen. Kids should not expect cars to look out for them; they need to take responsibility and protect themselves. Don't allow your child to walk to school wearing headphones or playing a Gameboy because this will make him oblivious to his surroundings.

Watch Your Child Reach Safety: If you drive your child to school, don't take off the moment she steps out of the car. Make sure she gets inside, or at least to the front lawn/sidewalk where she's with other students and teachers. Don't feel pressure to pull away just because cars are piling up behind you - this is important. Many kids disappear between Mom's car and the school. Also, the congestion of many cars and buses can be dangerous.

Advocate for Safety Changes: Parents often don't realize how much power they have to change things within a school. If you think your child's bus should have a crossing gate, or your school needs a call-back system (the administration calls if your child does not arrive at school), then gather other parents together and complain. Don't wait for these changes to be instituted as the result of a tragedy. Stuber says administrations are very open to listening and responding to parents. They don't want to be blamed for an accident, and they know that they're funded by the parents' tax dollars.

Another safety issue for parents is how to protect "latchkey" kids who are home alone after school, says Stuber. There are really only two rules parents need to give their latchkey kid, he says.

The first is to keep doors shut. Instead of telling kids not to let a stranger in, the real rule needs to be: Keep the door shut and locked at all times. Don't fill your child's head with "don'ts"; simply tell them to keep all doors closed. If someone comes to the door, your child can communicate with this person through the door

The second is to set a check-in time. Parents should ask their child to call and let Mom or Dad know that she is home safe. Set a consistent time for the child to call each day. Give her 10 minutes plus or minus to allow for a slow bus, etc ... then start to worry if she doesn't meet this deadline. Also, find a close neighbor who is usually home around this time. If the parent can't be reached, the child knows to call this person. Parents need to remember that kids who are home alone are much more likely to encounter dangers such as fire from burning popcorn or falling down the stairs than being abducted by a stranger. Parents need to consider some of these issues facing their families and deal with them accordingly.

Bullying has also become a more recognized problem, although it is certainly not a new discipline problems. There were plenty of bullies around in my school and they were very effective in keeping kids somewhat shaken up.

"Bullies make the child feel terrible and make the whole family miserable," says Stuber. "This can't be a wait-and-see issue; parents need to be aggressive on this one."

Kids don't usually admit they are being abused at school. Parents must make it clear to kids how essential it is to share this information. When parents discover their child is the victim of a bully, Stuber has three steps for them to take:

Visit School in Person: Talk to the principal or counselor. Explain the situation and give them a chance to deal with the problem. You MUST go in person to show the school how serious you are about the bullying and make sure you have the administrator's full attention.

Request Meeting with Parents: If the school doesn't stop the behavior, ask to meet at the school with the bully's parents. Make them aware of what's going on and ask them to deal with it immediately.

Get Police Involved: Finally, if you have seen no changes, go to the police. This step rarely has to be taken, but it can be effective if necessary. Going to the police doesn't mean you want to have the child arrested; think of the police as another mediator, one the bully's parents may be more likely to respond to. Sit down with the police, explain the steps you've taken to stop the bullying, and ask for advice. They may have information you didn't know before such as, this boy has been a problem in the past. You can then go back to the bully's parents, tell them you've spoken with the police and threaten to officially lodge a complaint if the bully's behavior doesn't stop.

We hope this is a good year for all our youngsters and their parents. Again, the best way to keep safe is to use good old common sense and to communicate. Kids shouldn’t be afraid to tell mom and dad or their teachers about situations that can be taken care of even before they become a problem.

Carter is Chief Executive Officer of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.

Occupational Health Network gets award

August 30, 2007 - The Occupational Health Network of Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville, which performs drug testing for more than 100 clients in and around Hunt County, has achieved accredited status from the Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA).

Rita Woodall, director of the Network, was notified earlier this month of the accreditation as well as that of Certified Professional Collector (CPC) and Certified Professional Collector Trainer (CPCT) designations of the staff.

This is the first accreditation designation for the hospital and the Network by DATIA, according to Woodall, who helped establish the program in 1994.

Anyone who has taken a job with an industry in the Hunt County area within the past dozen years-plus has likely paid a visit to the 8th floor of PHG.

Thousands of industry employees from Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman and Collin counties have been tested for drugs by Occupational Health Network, as well as employees of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.

“The Accredited Collection Facility Program involves upholding the highest professional standards in the two main areas of the collection facility and its operations, and the personnel,” according to DATIA. To obtain accredited status, collection facilities are required to adhere to strict standards in areas such as regulatory compliance, company services standards, specimen handling, operational practices, business ethics and facility equipment. Most of the drug testing is done at the hospital.

The facility was also recognized for its minimal number of rejected specimen samples due to errors at the collection site, saving companies time and resources.

“As part of Hunt Memorial Hospital District, Occupational Health’s mission is to provide top quality occupational health services at a cost effective price to area employers,” said Woodall.

“In order to achieve and maintain this level of service we are so proud of our recent accreditation. I would like to thank the Hospital Board of Directors and Hospital Administration for their continued support of occupational health. Also, thanks to the staff of Occupational Health, Donna Tubb and Misty Stailey, and to both of our off-site nurses, Kim Randolph of Rubbermaid and Dolores Turner of Tyco.

“Without their hard work and dedication this accreditation would not have happened. We look forward to many more years of partnering with local business in providing to their employees the best occupational health available,” Woodall concluded.

Tubb has been employee health nurse for the past six years and with PHG for 10 years, and Stailey serves as office manager and has been with PHG for three years.

DATIA was founded in 1995 as the National Association of Collection Sites and has grown to represent more than 1,300 members, serving the entire spectrum of drug and alcohol services providers. It represents the drug and alcohol testing industry in Washington, DC on key legislative and regulatory issues; expands the workplace drug and alcohol testing market; provides members information, resources and benefits important to their operations; and promotes the highest possible standards for the industry.

"healthbeat" magazine to debut

August 30, 2007 - What do Robert Sanders’ golf game, Dr. David Liao and Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville have in common? They are the subjects of the cover story in the new “healthbeat” magazine of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District that debuts this month.

Produced by the Development and Communications Department, it is designed to focus on the hospital, its programs and its people, the HMHD Charitable Health Foundation and regional healthcare issues.

The first issue will feature Sanders’ knee replacement by Dr. Liao using computer-guided techniques available at PHG, designed to allow precision alignment. As a result, Sanders has now been able to join his coffee-drinking buddies on the golf course and take 3 ½ -mile morning walks with his wife, Ruth.

Also included in the magazine’s pages are stories on Dr. James Sandin, Karan Ellis, a new art therapy program, a recap of the Foundation’s “High Tea” and the Presbyterian Hospital of Commerce Heritage Program for Seniors.

The quarterly magazine will be mailed to patrons in the hospital district, and a limited number of copies will be available in the Development and Communications offices.

“This full-color publication will provide information about the hospital’s programs and people that will be both educational and enjoyable,” said Jack Gray, director of the Development and Communications Department and the Foundation. “The magazine is among the newest tools to reach the public, along with our new “healthbeat” program on KETR, and our Presby Press monthly publication in the Herald Banner,” he said.

At left, Robert Sanders tees off at Wright Park Municipal Golf Course recently on two good knees. His experience with computer-guided knee surgery is the cover story of HMHD’s new “healthbeat” magazine.

 

New Art Therapy program offered
by Susan Spoonemore

August 20, 2007 – Area residents dealing with physical illness or emotional distress will soon be offered a new therapy program designed to help them through a difficult time.

Beginning Sept. 7, Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville will hold the Art Healthy Therapy Program. The program, taught by Greenville artist Shannon Trad, will help its students express themselves while learning to paint with pastels. Classes will take place at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville over a period of four weeks, with one two-hour class each Friday evening.

A cancer survivor herself, Trad knows first-hand the anxiety and depression that comes with fighting a serious disease. “When I found out I had cancer, it was a real whirlwind,” she says.

While fighting her disease, Trad used music and art to cope. Now, she sees her experience as a calling to help other people. “My main concerns are for anyone suffering from emotional or physical illness,” she says.

She says was inspired by the “Gilda’s Club” program. Gilda Radner, most famous as a regular on “Saturday Night Live,” died in 1989 of ovarian cancer at the age of 43, and was an advocate of “living with cancer” through the arts.

The cost of the program is $25 to help cover the cost of supplies, which are provided by the hospital district.

Anyone interested in the program is encouraged to call (903) 408-1615 for more information or to make reservations.

The therapy program begins with the addition of Hunt Memorial Hospital District’s new cancer center on the horizon. The center will provide chemotherapy and radiation treatments and oncology services that most cancer patients currently have to drive to Dallas to receive.

Trad has a background in interior design and holds a B.S. in Home Economics Interior Design from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She also has undergone some counseling training and has volunteered her services at several organizations, including Terrell State Hospital.

Spoonemore is public and customer relations coordinator for HMHD.

Associate Director named in Commerce

August 15, 2007 - Teresa McNeil, who joined the Hunt Memorial Hospital District staff in 2004, has been named associate director of Presbyterian Hospital of Commerce. McNeil replaces Stephanie Thomas who has returned to work in the apparel industry.

McNeil has spent the past three years working in both Commerce and Greenville in Health Information Management (HIM) and has 15 years of experience in healthcare management.

“We are pleased Teresa has accepted this position and are fortunate to have her talents on our team,” said Administrator Mike Klepin in making his announcement. “Teresa is a qualified and competent person to fill this position.”

She spent seven years as assistant director of Health Information Management at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and four years as director of HIM at Lake Pointe Medical Center in Rockwall.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to work with a great staff, the hospital volunteers and the doctors in the community,” McNeil said, adding she was looking forward to becoming more involved in the community as a way of staying connected with their needs.

She says her main focus will be on carrying out the hospital’s mission of providing quality, cost-effective and service-oriented care for the patients.

She calls herself a Navy brat who moved around a lot with her family. She received her undergraduate degree from Texas Woman’s University, but says it was in high school she became interested in health care.

“A friend of mine said I should consider getting into something that is guaranteed to be around for a long time, such as health or education,” she said.

McNeil and her husband, Jeff, are the parents of 15-year-old twin sons, James and Jeffery, and a 5-year-old daughter, Rebecca. They live in Greenville and attend Bridgeview Baptist Church in Quinlan.

As for special interests, McNeil says she is involved in scouting with her sons and other activities of her children.

Teamwork eased the ordeal of the fallen crane
by Richard Carter

August 12, 2007 - It was Monday, July 30, and the first “weekday” of a family vacation. (Actually, the family was vacationing; I was on my way to an educational conference.) All was going quite well until about 3 p.m. when I got a phone call telling me the 260-foot crane being used to build the new wing of the hospital had collapsed. I could tell from the tone of the voice this was no joke.

Immediately, a number of images flashed before my eyes: scores injured, maybe some deaths; the new wing collapsed in a heap of steel and concrete; the top floors of the existing building in rubble; power outages – you name it, I imagined it.

Fortunately, however, there were only two minor injuries, and damage to everything except the crane itself was light. I was assured there was no need for me to return to Greenville; that the staff personnel could handle everything. I really wanted to be there and would have been back as soon as possible, but then I had second thoughts that maybe they felt I would just be in the way.

In fact, the reason the call came to me more than an hour after the accident was that everyone was busy taking care of business, making certain everything was under control.

By the time I returned to Greenville the following weekend, I could hardly tell anything had taken place, except for the absence of the crane and the missing bricks from a small portion of the eighth floor facade. There was also the dented air handler unit on top of the new wing, which looked like it had cushioned the blow to the newly constructed framework, preventing major structural damage.

Of course, it didn’t all get back to “normal” overnight. In fact, work is still being done on the damaged areas and it could be another three or four weeks before all is totally “normal,” my sources tell me.

Mainly, we are just so thankful that no one was seriously injured. One of the construction people received a laceration to his arm, and our own Terry Baughman, the pharmacy director whose office is on the eighth floor, was slightly cut on his head. He was sitting at his desk when the end of the cable hit the roof, causing concrete to fall through to the floor of his office. I’m told that had he not been able to get out of the way so quickly, the 50-some-pound chunk could have landed on his head.

Terry said he dove out of the way just in time, and if that’s the case, I can see that all the softball playing paid off just as if he were diving head first for second base. Fortunately, there was an emergency room nearby where both men were treated and held for observation. However, Terry was back at work that same afternoon, making sure everything was OK in the pharmacy next to his office.

We had one other “near miss” when part of the crane swung over a corner of the tower and was left dangling on the side of the building, smashing a window, sending shards of glass all over the six-floor office. The person who occupies the office had taken the day off.

It was what you couldn’t see that was pretty amazing while all this was going on. We had just been through a “mock” or tabletop disaster drill days before, which had refreshed our “Code Yellow” mode of operation. Usually one thinks of disasters outside the hospital when going through one of these drills (explosions, fires, highway disasters, train wrecks, etc.), but it also provides training to handle episodes that go on inside the hospital.

Everyone did a marvelous job in making sure everything was taken care of in a calm and orderly fashion.

All patient rooms were checked and those people on the west side of the building were moved to rooms on the east side of their floor or to available rooms on the other patient floors. The top non-patient floors were evacuated for a short time until extent of the damage could be assessed. The patients in the Intensive Care Unit, the closest patient care area to the accident, were moved within minutes to the day surgery and recovery where they could continue to be monitored. They remained there overnight until the unit was declared safe.

Similarly, just below the ICU is the kitchen and cafeteria which was shut down until damage could be checked out in that area. The staff hardly missed a beat, and by dinner time they had a makeshift kitchen set up in the sixth floor board room from which they would deliver meals to the patients.

All of the “official people” who needed to be at the site were there in no time, and we want to extend our thanks to the City of Greenville and the police and fire departments for their assistance, as well as to the visitors who were in the building at the time, for their cooperation and understanding in moving their vehicles and leaving the rooms.

No doubt, we were blessed.

It’s hard to stay away at times like this, but I was assured that everything was under control. I felt OK about it all and quite satisfied that I could continue my absence without feeling apprehensive or guilty – that is until I heard that our administrator, Mike Klepin, got to be on “Live at 5” on the Channel 8 news.

 

Carter is chief executive officer of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.

Bargain Box in Commerce is a big bargain for hospital

July 23, 2007 - Most area residents have paid a visit to Presbyterian Hospital of Commerce at one time or another. Those seeking flu shots, x-rays, or any other sort of medical attention find themselves at the small building with the neatly groomed landscape. However, many aren’t aware of how part of the organization is supported.

The Bargain Box is a local resale shop run exclusively by volunteers to support the Commerce hospital. The store opened its doors in 1992 and has since been operated by the “Pink Ladies,” the hospital’s volunteers.

The store accepts gently used items, such as clothing, toys, and household items. It then resells the donations to raise money for items that would benefit the hospital. Betty Casselberry is the manager of the Bargain Box. She explains how proceeds from the store are used. “We were able to buy chairs and tables for the hospital rooms,” she said. We recently gave the hospital $35,000 for equipment.”

According to Casselberry, unlike other resale shops in the area, the Bargain Box ultimately benefits all citizens of Commerce. “We’re unique in that all of our dollars stay here in Commerce at the Commerce hospital,” she said.

In addition to benefiting the hospital, the store also helps those in need. Last winter it provided coats and winter clothing to three children who were in need. “We always need coats and blankets during the cold time of year,” said Casselberry. “You’d be surprised at how many people need blankets.”

The Bargain Box also was there to help when Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees arrived in the area. Clothes were donated to people staying in Commerce as well as those in other shelters.

The Bargain Box is located in Commerce at the corner of Maple and Monroe. It’s open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. During the holiday season, the Christmas store, at the same location, is open Mondays.

Currently, 20 volunteers rotate shifts at the Bargain Box. Those interested in helping are encouraged to pick up an application at the store or the hospital.

 

Presbyterian Hospital of Commerce volunteers Jean Enochs, left, and Jane Cox, have some fun showing off some of the items available at the Bargain Box, a resale shop from which money is raised to buy items for the hospital.

HMHD hospital volunteers provide valuable service

July 23. 2007 - The value of service provided by volunteers to the Hunt Memorial Hospital District topped the half-million dollar mark in 2006, according to CEO Richard Carter.

“Our cadre of volunteers provides an exceptional service to our hospitals in Greenville and Commerce and in supporting other programs District-wide,” Carter said, noting that the work of volunteers helps the hospital district operate more efficiently and reduces personnel costs.

Presbyterian Hospitals in Commerce and Greenville are both supported by active auxiliary organizations, often referred to as Pink Ladies.

During 2006, the Greenville group of approximately 60 volunteers provided 16,950 hours of service, while the somewhat smaller Commerce group’s volunteer hours exceeded 10,000, said Jeanye Roberts, Director of Volunteer Services for the District.

According to the Independent Sector, a nonpartisan worldwide coalition of charities, the value of each volunteer hour worked in Texas was $18.20 in 2006, which represents a combined value of $490,490 for hours worked during the reporting period by auxiliary volunteer at HMHD’s two hospitals.

“When you also include the huge number of hours volunteered by groups such as the HMHD Board of Directors, the HMHD Foundation Board of Trustees and several others, volunteer service to our hospitals in Hunt County is considerably more than $500,000,” pointed out Jack Gray, director of the HMHD Charitable Health Foundation and development and communication for the District.

Volunteers at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville recently purchased nine sofa/beds for each patient room in the maternity center, enhancing the total family friendly atmosphere. They also purchased a television wall unit for the second floor waiting area of the medical pavilion.

Pictured with the sofa/bed are Marjorie Moore, Evelyn Hall, Kathy Bullard and Janice McWhirter.

 

My, how time flies!

July 23, 2007 - Retired Hunt Memorial Hospital District Administrator Homer Horton and now-retired HMHD Materials Management Director Karan Ellis share a laugh during a recent reception honoring Ellis for her 47 years of employment at the hospital. Horton hired Ellis in 1960 as an evening registration clerk.

Through the years, during which Ellis has been a major player in three major expansion projects, she has served as the administrative secrtary, purchasing agent, director of support services and resource manager which included managing security, laundry, maintenance and housekeeping. “She’s done just about everything except deliver a baby,” said Richard Carter, HMHD’s chief executive officer.

The reception was held in the Homer Horton Jr. Board Room of Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville. Horton retired in 1987.

Podiatry Residency Program
by Richard Carter

July 16, 2007 - One of the most exciting programs here at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville is our Podiatry Residency Program from which we have just “graduated” Lesley Richey-Smith, D.P.M.

Dr. Smith is our second graduate, and, fortunately for us, has chosen to remain in Greenville where she has gone into practice with Dr. Stephen Brancheau, the program’s director, and Dr. David Minchey. In fact, the Board of Directors of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District, at its June meeting, appointed Dr. Smith to the medical staff.

Dr. Smith is from Edmond, Okla., and attended Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. She is married to Clayton Smith, and they are the proud parents of a 2-year-old son, Hunter.

As Dr. Smith leaves the program, we welcome Dr. Catherine Casteel of Palestine (Texas), a graduate of New York College of Podiatric Medicine. She joins our now-senior resident, Dr. Mitch Williams, who hails from Fort Worth and also attended Temple, and Dr. Dave Northcutt, from Greentown, Indiana, who graduated from Des Moines (Iowa) Podiatric University.

The three of them, under the tutelage of Dr. Brancheau, are based in Greenville, but travel to numerous surgery centers in North Texas to participate in surgeries that will provide the best learning opportunities.

While concentrating on the field of podiatry, residents get a feel for the “real life” in the hospital. Residents take emergency calls, and rotations in pathology, psychiatry, and orthopedic, general and vascular surgery.

It’s exciting to watch them grow, not just academically and clinically, but also in maturity. This is so important to their patients and to the healthcare facilities they will be serving.

Dr. Brancheau is internationally known and respected for his work and has brought to PHG podiatry services unique to hospitals our size. This makes a great deal of difference not only in patient referrals, but in drawing quality resident candidates.

The overall cost of the residency program is approximately $185,000, with almost all of that offset by Medicare. Other funding comes from grants and fundraising.

I see it as money not spent, but money well invested in our hospital’s future. It makes a big difference to the people of Hunt County and surrounding areas to have a medical facility in their midst that can boast of such diversified programs on its list of available services.

Dr. Lesley Richey-Smith (left) is the most recent graduate of Presbyterian Hospital’s Podiatry Residency Program.

She is shown with program director Dr. Stephen Brancheau. She will be joining Dr. Brancheau in practice, along with Dr. David Minchey.

 

Carter is Chief Operating Officer of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.

Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville names PCA of the Year

July 2, 2007 - Patrick Harrison, a Patient Care Associate in the Emergency Department, has been named PCA of the Year at Presbyterian Hospital of Greenville.

Fellow workers describe him as dependable, a role model and friendly. “Patrick Harrison is self motivated and a very hard worker … he is recognized by nurses for his work ethic … he knows what tasks need to be done and does them without the nurse having to ask … I really appreciate having him on our shift and having him as a co-worker.” Those were just a few of the nomination comments.

 

Patrick is continuing his education, hoping to earn his nursing degree from Paris Junior College. He is a graduate of Greenville High School and is the son of Skip and Shirley Harrison of Greenville. Pictured with him are Bambi Pish, Chief Nursing Officer for HMHD, and Kim Mulder, Emergency Department director.

Resource Management director retires
by Richard Carter

July 1, 2007 - As I look around at our new West Wing under construction, I see lots of concrete pillars holding up the building. Sorry to say, we are losing one of our human pillars of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District and the Hunt County community.

After 47 years, Karan Ellis, our Resource Management director, thinks she’s ready to retire after having done everything for the local hospital scene except operate on a patient, start an IV or perform an MRI. I don’t think she’s ever delivered a baby, either.

But, she’s admitted patients, headed security, taken hundreds of hospital board minutes, headed housekeeping, maintenance and linen service, ordered all the equipment and supplies for the entire hospital, kept the books and paid the bills.

It’s hard for us to imagine one person doing all this, but as the hospital grew her job continued to take on a different perspective and her responsibilities were refocused to more specific tasks.

Karan, who moved here to Greenville with her husband from Oklahoma, took a job at the old Greenville Surgical Hospital On Sept. 15, 1960 as a evening admissions clerk. During the sixties she served in various jobs including secretary to Administrator Homer Horton, purchasing agent, business office manager and resource manager.

She moved with Mr. Horton to the new four-story hospital (now our eight-story tower) under the auspices of the Greenville Hospital Authority. As the hospital facility grew to eight floors she was assigned to tasks that included purchasing agent, director of support services, material management director and back to support services.

When she “officially” stepped down Saturday, she had been the only director of Resource Management the district has ever had.

Her department is like a finely-tuned engine in which everything from gauze pads to hospital beds are ordered and delivered to their appointed destination. There might be six floors separating the office from the storeroom, but there’s no space between the functioning of the department. Karan shares that success with her staff.

After having gone through four construction programs, all of which required additional responsibilities for the Resource Management department, Karan decided it was time for someone else to take over so she can do a little traveling and spend more time with her family outside the hospital.

Her daughter Christi, who was born at the old Greenville hospital, lives at Hideaway Beach, and her son, Bryan is a Greenville resident. Granddaughter Jennifer is a student of the University of Arizona, Karan proudly points out. She lost “Skeet,” her husband of 49 years two years ago, and her oldest son, Cliff, in 2003.

The Karan Ellis I know is really two people. When she’s working she is all work, turning in a performance of 200 percent. When she’s having fun, everyone around her has fun, whether she’s enjoying a serenade from Elvis or learning a new dance.

We are going to miss her beyond words, but heaven knows she has earned retirement. We hope she’ll not forget us. She knows her family at the Hunt Memorial Hospital District wishes her only the best and will always be there for her.

 

Elvis was in the building!

The King (a.k.a. Bill Salamon) stopped by the staff's surprise farewell party for Karan at their regular monthly potluck lunch on the 6th floor.

 

 

 

Carter is Chief Operating Officer of the Hunt Memorial Hospital District.

 

 

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