Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/870560
Excellence Reverence Integrity Compassion CHI St. Joseph's Health Board of Directors Kathy Henry Chair Park Rapids John Warren Vice Chair Walker John Lageson, MD Chief of Staff Kevin Brauer Park Rapids Jeffrey Drop Catholic Health Initiatives Kurt Hansen Park Rapids Deane Johnson, MD Park Rapids Ben Koppelman CHI St. Joseph's Health President Sr. Doretta Meier Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls Michele Thieman, MD Family Medicine Physician Cliff Tweedale Park Rapids Janine Weideman Park Rapids President's Perspective BEN KOPPELMAN President Ben Koppelman CHI St. Joseph's Health Companions on the Journey For healthcare providers, doing no harm includes doing everything possible to prevent a patient from leaving a care facility with a new, serious problem that could have been prevented. In this issue of HealthLine, we describe how the CHI St. Joseph's Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee works to safeguard our patients by reducing potential exposure to antibiotic-resistant bacteria infections. The best practices this committee implements have already paid off, helping us to provide outstanding care. Education is a crucial part of this effort, and it involves both providers and patients. Informed and empowered patients ask questions about their care and take control of their health, and Scotty Kyllonen, 77, is a great example. She did everything possible to manage her chronic back pain before recognizing the need to do more. Dr. Brennen Smith, CHI St. Joseph's Health Orthopedics & Spine Surgery Center surgeon, performed two procedures to resolve the conditions that were restricting her mobility and quality of life. Read her success story in this issue. This year, the brightly decorated Christmas tree on Main Street will bring a special glow to Joan LaFontaine and all who treasure their memories of her late husband, Guy. The Light Up a Life tree ceremony is a tradition of CHI St. Joseph's Health Hospice Care, the team that made it possible for Guy to remain at home for his end-of-life care, as he preferred. We want all patients to have the information they need about their care throughout life's journey. Our Hospice Care team serves patients and their families in a spirit of compassion. In this issue, you will also learn about the many resources provided through CHI St. Joseph's Health Community Health. Our staff provides very valuable services that help improve the health and wellness of people in the communities we serve. Our team helps address a variety of important health determinants through programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), The FATHER Project, Violence Prevention programs and Hubbard in Prevention (HIP) to reduce youth alcohol, tobacco and drug use. Thank you for entrusting us with your medical care. I encourage you to contact me with questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding CHI St. Joseph's Health. Feel free to call me directly at 218.616.3500 or email me at BenKoppelman@CatholicHealth.net. CHI St. Joseph's Health | www.CHISJH.org 2