Kettering Health

Welcome Kelli Rasor, nurse practitioner, to Kettering Health Medical Group Surgical Oncology! Kelli specializes in oncology with a specific focus on treating gynecologic malignancies. In her spare time, Kelli enjoys golfing, hiking, cycling, and spending time with her family. Learn more about her: https://bit.ly/4a2De1p

#NursesWeek is drawing to a close, and we couldn't be more grateful for the nurses in our system who show up every day and work tirelessly to ensure our patients are well cared for. This week, we held a series of events for nurses on each of our campuses, including food, fun, photos, and blessings of the hands. Though the week is ending, our appreciation is not. Please take a moment to thank a nurse for the ways they bring health, hope, and healing to our community: https://lnkd.in/gNZUYJFd

Bruce Kidney, post-anesthesia care nurse, is creating access to healthy foods and helping a local refugee community while he does it with a community garden. The Unity Garden, located in Dayton's Riverdale Neighborhood, will grow produce to provide fresh and healthy foods in an area with limited options. Bruce will also focus on growing produce familiar to the African refugees in the area, including African eggplants, beans, and squash. Bruce will also maintain the garden with compost made from locally sourced produce waste from Dorothy Lane Market.

Congratulations to Erin Renfro, Brenda Korzan, and Izzy Bowling, a group of nurses who received the DAISY Award at Kettering Health Miamisburg! Their nomination shared: "My grandfather was admitted to Kettering Health Miamisburg. He ended up on the step-down ICU unit. It was here he met Izzy. Her personality, compassion, and kindness for my grandfather and myself in those difficult moments were something I will never forget. We had gone from him being fine to him not being able to breathe and completely not like himself. He continued to get worse so he was transferred to the ICU. In the ICU there was a nurse named Brenda that was so sweet and kind and helped the family feel at ease when they came to visit. Brenda spoke to me in a way I knew she cared for my family and you could tell she loved what she did. I slept in the waiting room every night. One night, Izzy saw me laying down and came over to ask how my grandfather was doing. I informed her he wasn't doing good and we had called Hospice in. She gave me the biggest hug to comfort me, gave me a doughnut, coffee, and hot chocolate k-cups. She talked with me and told me several times that if I needed anything to let her know. We had a nurse named Erin. I hadn't eaten in 3 days. I was too nervous to leave him in fear he might pass away alone. Erin told me she would be up and down the hallway to check on him if I wanted to go to the cafeteria. When we came back Erin was still in the room. She informed us she stayed in the room the whole time because I was so concerned and she would want that if it was her family laying in the bed. This was so heartwarming to me that someone who didn't know us or my grandfather cared so much for him during that time. It was this day my grandfather passed away. Erin checked on me several times after he passed while I sat by his bed. She comforted me with her touch and her words. These 3 nurses went above and beyond for my grandfather, myself, and my family in a time of heartbreak. They will have an impact on me for the rest of my life and I cannot thank them enough for being so kind, caring, and compassionate."

Physicians from Kettering Health Dayton and Kettering Health Miamisburg, who belong to the Miami Valley Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, shared Bill's Donuts with the nursing staff to celebrate #NursesWeek. The physicians rounded units to express their appreciation for all the nurses do.

Welcome Carolyn Goyne, physician assistant, to Kettering Health Medical Group Brain & Spine! Carolyn works in pain management. In her spare time, Carolyn enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her friends and family. Learn more about her: https://bit.ly/4aTc9PJ

"The Healing Hands of ICU," an art installation, hangs in Soin Medical Center as a testament to the challenges ICU patients face. Created by Molly Brodess, charge nurse leader, the piece also reminds us of the breadth of experiences patients have in which a nurse is by their side, caring for them through it. This #NursesWeek, we are grateful for nurses like Molly, who serve in all departments of our facilities, working tirelessly to ensure the best care for each person who walks through our doors. In celebration of Nurses Week, share a thank-you message with a nurse: https://lnkd.in/gUu2g-jY

Congratulations to Ella Hotura, Kettering Health Miamisburg's Sunflower Award winner! Ella was nominated by a patient's family member, who shared: "Ella is the sweetest and a bubbly person. She always talked positively and was encouraging to my mother. Her care was always gentle and thoughtful. Her positive attitude brightened up the room when she walked in. She made us feel better with just her attitude. She was very thorough in her care, tracking her eating and providing hints on how to make my mother progress in her recovery and how to keep her more comfortable. I liked how she tracked and informed me why when it came to laying her in different positions. Any patient or person would be lucky to be around Ella. Kettering Health has an amazing member of their team in Ella."

Five Kettering Health medical centers earned an "A" Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group.

Today is #NationalTherapyAnimalDay, a dedicated time to celebrate current therapy animal teams and encourage more pet owners to consider volunteering. When Kala Benton, director of Nursing at Soin Medical Center, learned about the health benefits of pet therapy, she set out to bring it to patients at Kettering Health. Kala adopted Houston, and together, they completed a rigorous therapy training program that allows them to spend their weekends and evenings as a licensed pet therapy team at Soin Medical Center and Kettering Health Greene Memorial. We're grateful to Kala and Houston for lifting the spirits of our patients, their families, and our employees!