Columbus Regional Hospital - Health Matters

6 CRHEALTHCARE.ORG Mor a Hpita COLUMBUS REGIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM BELIEVES IN REWARDING STUDENTS WORKING TO ENTER THE HEALTHCARE FIELD. HOSPITALISTS ARE OFTEN THE UNSUNG HEROES IN PATIENT CARE. WHEN ACUTE PROBLEMS OCCUR, THOUGH, IT'S OFTEN A HOSPITALIST WHO HAS YOUR BACK. INVESTING IN THE FUTURE HOSPITAL When asked to explain how these two medical partners work together, Evangeline Gonzalez, MD, medical director for the Columbus Regional Healthcare Hospitalist Team, describes a well-organized system. Q. What is a hospitalist's role? Dr. Gonzalez: The Hospitalist Team offers patients 24/7 access to care, since there is always a hospitalist positioned at Columbus Regional to take care of admitted patients with acute issues that need immediate attention. Before this system, primary care providers would have to make the drive to the hospital, which meant longer wait times and overworked providers. This way, specialized care is always around the corner, no matter the time of day or acute problem at hand. Q. How does a hospitalist help balance the care continuum? Dr. Gonzalez: As a hospitalist, you see things happen in real time and can address issues in real time. For instance, you may see how social issues directly play into a patient's acute problems and can offer insight on the spot, ideally reducing hospital readmissions. Q. How will the primary care provider know what is going on with a patient during a hospital stay? Dr. Gonzalez: If we need to communicate immediately, we have a secure texting system in place, or we can always place a direct call. With the help of electronic healthcare records, we can input additional notes for the provider to read. Plus, the patient is scheduled for a follow-up appointment with their provider, usually a week after discharge. Primary care providers and hospitalists are on the same squad, and with their healthcare talents combined, patients win. Heroes Four students who completed their second level Health Occupation Class earned $1,000 scholarships for taking interest in Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), an international organization for future health professionals. FIRST STEPS Health professionals aren't made in a day. They need community members and organizations that believe in their dreams and support their push through nursing or medical school. Instead of just offering them words of encouragement, we also present them with tangible resources to help them get from the starting point to the finish line—a tradition we've continued since 1997 with the support of the CRHS Foundation and the CRHS Auxiliary. "We couldn't be more thrilled to take an active role in these students' lives by offering them these scholarships," says Terrie Priest, VP of Business Development and Community Relations. THE WINNER'S CIRCLE The 2016 HOSA students selected for this esteemed scholarship include: • Anna Caroline Pate (WCHS) • Simone Spaulding (ECHS) • Emmie Conner (WHS) • Carly Brooke Boyd (SCHS) All winners attended a luncheon we hosted as another way to say, "Congrats on a job well done!" EVANGELINE GONZALEZ, MD

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