MDNews - Greater Kansas

Wesley's NICU averages more than 1,200 admissions per year and provides the highest level of neonatal care in south-central Kansas. For more information about Wesley Medical Center and its services, please visit wesleymc.com. VIA CHRISTI VALVE CLINIC MOVES TO ACCOMMODATE GROWTH WICHITA — Via Christi's Valve Clinic has moved to a larger location within Via Christi Hospital St. Francis. It is now located on the second floor, in space that formerly housed the Via Christi Cancer Outreach and Risk Assessment program, which moved to the freestanding Via Christi Cancer Center last month. The Valve Clinic's new space, adjacent to an elevator only steps away from the hospital's west entrance, has twice the number of rooms it previously had for evaluating patients for advanced thera - pies including: • Trans-catheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) • MitraClip for repairing mitral-valve regurgitation and Watchman for left atrial appendage closure. • Percutaneous cardiac defects closure for stroke patients • Watchman for left atrial appendage closure for atrial-fibrillation patients seeking an alternative to long-term anticoagula - tion therapy It also provides Via Christi's growing structural heart program with a larger reception area for patients and additional office and storage space. "We've become a comprehensive program — one that of - fers a vast spectrum of therapies in order to match patients' needs — and we simply needed more room to accommodate our growth," says Bassem Chehab, MD, the structural heart special- ist who serves as the program's medical director. Other mem- bers of the team include surgeons Brett Grizzell, MD, and Sanjay Khicha, MD, both of Wichita Surgical Specialists; cardiologist Richard Steckley, MD, Cardiovascular Consultants of Kansas; and physician assistant Richard Allenbach, who serves as the Via Christi Valve Clinic's Director. In less than four years, the team has performed nearly 500 TAVR and more than 100 MitraClip procedures in St. Francis' specially equipped hybrid OR — with outcomes that place the program among the top centers in the nation. WESLEY HEALTHCARE NAMES MESSER NEW CHIEF NURS ING OFFICER WICHITA — Wesley Healthcare has named Judith Messer, RN, MSN, a nursing executive with more than 17 years of leadership experience, its new Chief Nursing Officer. Messer, who grew up in the Kansas City area, is currently chief nursing officer at Medical City Alliance (MCA), in Fort Worth, Texas, and is also responsible for operations at that hospital. There, she also served as chief staffing officer and patient experience officer. "Judi has a tremendous nursing back - ground, and she is known for her passion around quality outcomes, patient experience and building a positive nursing culture," says Bill Voloch, president and CEO of Wesley Healthcare. "I'm very excited about her commit- ment to build upon the strong culture we have within the hospital and the nursing teams." In addition to her roles at Medical City Alliance, Messer has held several other hospital leadership positions, including chief nursing officer at Denton Regional Medical Center, in Denton, Texas, associ - ate chief nursing officer, executive development program and chief staffing officer at Medical Center of Lewisville, in Lewisville, Texas, and the director of women's services at Las Colinas Medical Center, in Irving, Texas. "I was so impressed by the culture of Wesley during my visit to the hospital," Messer says. "It was clear during my time at Wesley that the entire organization was engaged and committed to the care and improvement of human life. I look forward to being a part of that culture." Messer earned both her Master of Science in nursing administra - tion and Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington, in Arlington, Texas. She was also a recipient of the Frist Humanitarian Award in 2008. VALLEY HOPE ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY NORTON, Kan. — Valley Hope recently launched the next chapter of its existence by remembering its first 50 years. The addiction treatment organization started as a small center on¯the plains of northwest Kansas, in 1967. Fifty years later,¯Valley¯Hope has grown to include 16 facilities in seven states. The organization has helped more than 300,000 people over- come addiction. "Valley Hope marks our 50th anniversary to celebrate the lives who have been transformed for the better and to recognize that our work is far from over," says Valley Hope President and CEO Pat George. "We will continue to pursue our mission of helping those suffering from substance-use disorders with love and compassion." Valley Hope officials announced its first ever multi-million- dollar comprehensive campaign, called "Building Hope," to raise $15 million in five years. Ten million dollars will be used for capital improvements for facilities. The remaining $5 million will be used for treatment programs and to help patients on a case-by-case basis pay for treatment and services that may not be covered by insurance or other means. The festivities also included the dedication of the new courtyard and other renovations at Valley Hope of Norton. The renovations cost approximately $1 million and were started in the fall of 2016. The work featured the removal of a parking lot and the creation of a serene courtyard of sidewalks and lighting, as well as the renovation of a gazebo and installation of a fountain and recreational equipment. In addition to the newly renovated courtyard, a new parking lot and entrance for the facility were constructed. Betty Nothnagel of McCook, Nebraska, received the Golden Heart Award, which is an annual recognition given to an individual or orga - nization that shows exceptional support for Valley Hope's mission. Nothnagel has been a longtime supporter, referral source, donor and volunteer for Valley Hope. She currently serves as the local Hope Builder Board chairman. ■ 2 7 M D N E W S . C O M /// M D N E W S G R E AT E R K A N S A S ■ 2 017

• Cover