1. AUTUMN
2013
AUTUMN 2013
this issue
HOSPITAL CHARGES 4
MEDICAID EXPANSION 4
NEW PROVIDERS 6
PROFILE: DR. COLE 7
Did you know that you have
access to a wide range of
medical services right here
in Montezuma County?
Southwest Memorial Hospital is a 25-bed critical access
hospital offering the latest in medical and surgical
technology, 24/7 emergency care, a vast array of out-
patient medical and wellness services, and much more.
pointer
Southwest Memorial Hospital | 1311 North Mildred Road | Cortez, CO 81321 | (970) 565-6666 | Southwest Health System, Inc.
SOUTHWEST
Health System, Inc.
Where Caring and Community Come Together
24/7 Emergency Department and Ambulance Service
Inpatient Medical Care
Surgery
Intensive/Critical Care Unit
Infusion Clinic
Diagnostic Sleep Center
Family Birthing Center
Full Service Laboratory
Medical Imaging: Digital Mammography, CT, MRI, Ultrasound,
Nuclear Medicine
Pharmacy
Cardiopulmonary Services
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Diabetes Program
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Wound Care Center
2. 2 SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL JUNE 2013
featured
04 Hospital Charges In The News
04 Medicaid Expansion
07 Pain Management- Dr. Cole
shs updates
From the CEO 03
New Physicians 07
3
6
inside
Southwest Memorial Hospital
named to the TOP 100 CRITICAL
ACCESS HOSPITAL list.
On May 9, 2013, the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services released a list of
hospital-specific charges for the more than
3,000 U.S. hospitals that receive Medicare
Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS)
payments for the top 100 most frequently
billed discharges in 2011. We have on our
website a list of average hospital charges for
Southwest Memorial using the same criteria the
government followed for their data.
www.swhealth.org
45
Montezuma County has
about 5,300 residents
who are uninsured and
not presently eligible for
Medicaid. These individuals will
greatly benefit from the expansion
of Medicaid coverage in Colorado as
proposed by the Affordable Care Act.
7
Our mission is to provide
the highest quality health
care to our community
by bringing excellence
and service together to
promote, improve and
restore health.
Southwest Health System
Board of Directors:
Judy Schuenemeyer, Chair
Steve Fusco, Vice-Chair
Larry Hartzke, Sec/Treas
Clyde Benally, Director
Paul Deshayes, Director
Bruce A. Johnson, Director
Tom O’Hara, Director
Mary Thiesing, Director
Ex-Officio Members:
Kent R. Helwig, CEO
Doug Bagge, MD -
Chief of Staff
Looking for a physician? We are proud of our
exceptional team of professionals providing
top-quality care for the community.
Please visit our Facebook page“Southwest
Memorial Hospital”and view our profiles of our
physicians and health care professionals.
Dr. Dustin Cole, M.D.
Board Certification in Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
20 Market Street, Suite 4
Phone (970) 565-0712
Fax (970) 565-0732
Connect for Health Colorado Community Presentation
New Health Insurance Exchange & The Affordable Care Act
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m.
Montezuma -Cortez High School Auditorium
206 W. 7th Street, Cortez
Made in Montezuma
Southwest Memorial Foundation
Fall Fundraiser
September 29, 2013
3:00-6:00 PM @ Trail Canyon Ranch
McElmo Canyon, Cortez, CO
Tickets $40/single, $75/couple
Purchase tickets at SWMH Reception or
Call Susan 970.739.3158 for information
3. 3SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM JUNE 2013
KENT R. HELWIG, FACHE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
970-564-2146
KHELWIG@SWHEALTH.ORG
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John Nadone
970-564-2153
jnadone@swhealth.org
CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
Liz Sellers, MSN, MHA
970-564-2152
lsellers@swhealth.org
CHIEF OF MEDICAL STAFF
Douglas R. Bagge, MD
970-564-2152
dbagge@swhealth.org
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN
RESOURCES
Jim Bob Wynes
970-564-2163
jbwynes@swhealth.org
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING,
PROMOTIONS & SOCIAL MEDIA
Tatanjia‘Taj’McNamara
Phone: 970-403-5484
Email: tmcnamara@swhealth.org
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Mobile Device Compatible
Sign up for E-mailing list:
tmcnamara@swhealth.org
ADMINISTRATION EXECUTIVE
Jan Saunders
Southwest Memorial Hospital
1311 North Mildred Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-6666
Fax: 970-564-2149
Emai: advocate@swhealth.org
Website: www.website.com
ENVIRONMENTAL
Please recycle.
If you would prefer to receive
our newsletter in digital format
via email for for your mobile
device (Android/iPhone/iPad)
please email our marketing
director to be put on the
appropriate mailing list.
tmcnamara@swhealth.org
COPYRIGHT
All material appearing in
Southwest Health System
Newsletter is copyright unless
otherwise stated or it may rest
with the provider of the supplied
material. Southwest Health
System takes all care to ensure
information is correct at time of
printing, but external schedules
and information may change
without notice after date of
printing.
Please visit our website,
facebook page and follow us
on twitter for the most current
updates and information
www.swhealth.org
Twitter: SWHEALTHORG
S
outhwest Memorial Hospital of Cortez,
Colorado in Montezuma County
was recently named one of the
HealthStrong™ Top 100 Critical Access
Hospitals (CAHs) in the United States.
“
Being named to this list is testimony to
the great dedication of all of you not
only to Southwest Health System, but to
our patients and our community,
S
outhwest Memorial Hospital has been
named to that 2013 list of Top 100
Critical Access Hospitals. Of the 1,331
critical access hospitals in the United
States, [our] facility is one of the
nation’s best rural safety-net institutions.” said
Kent Helwig, CEO .
HealthStrong™ Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals
in Colorado, including: Southwest Memorial
Hospital of Cortez, Aspen Valley Hospital in
Aspen, Heart of the Rockies Medical Center in
Salida, and Gunnison Valley Health of Gunnison,
scored best among critical access hospitals on
the iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength
Index™.
The Hospital Strength Index is the first
ever comprehensive rating of CAHs and
the results recognize the Top 100 Critical
Access Hospitals that provide a ‘safety-net’ to
communities across rural America – measuring
them across 56 different performance
metrics, including quality, outcomes, patient
perspective, affordability and efficiency.
“
Rural hospitals play a critical role in
providing needed care to communities
across America, yet the challenges are
completely different while being as
complex as urban hospitals. The need
for enhanced performance and a framework
for success are equally important as hospitals
prepare for the impact of health reform,”
-John Morrow, EVP of iVantage Health Analytics.
a top 100
critical access hospital
from the ceo
About iVantage Health Analytics
iVantage Health Analytics™ is a privately held healthcare business
intelligence and technology company serving more than 500 hospitals
across the United States. iVantage Health Analytics provides comparative
healthcare analytics by integrating disparate market, clinical, operational,
and financial data into a single, enterprise-wide platform for executive level
business intelligence. For more information, visit www.iVantageHealth.com.
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4. 4 SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL JUNE 2013
hospital charges
in the news
R
ecently there has been a lot of
news coverage regarding the prices
hospitals charge. It all started with
the excellent article in Time Magazine
called,“The Bitter Pill.”Then, on May
9, 2013, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services released a list of hospital-specific
charges for the more than 3,000 U.S. hospitals
that receive Medicare Inpatient Prospective
Payment System (IPPS) payments for the top
100 most frequently billed discharges in 2011.
Unfortunately, since Southwest Memorial is not
part of the IPPS, we’re a critical access hospital,
our data was not part of this release.
I
n order to help our community compare,
we have on our website a list of average
hospital charges for Southwest Memorial
using the same criteria the government
followed for their data. To compare, use our
prices on our website [see sidebar ] and lookup
the same DRG for any other hospital using the
following link:
http://www.cms.gov/Research-
Statistics-Data-and-Systems/
Statistics-Trends-and-Reports/
Medicare-Provider-Charge-Data/
index.html
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services released data listing the top DRG’s
for every hospital in the U.S., how much they
charged for each DRG, and how much Medicare
paid them. This was data for 2011.
Critical access hospital data wasn’t a part of
this release, but we’ve put together our data to
help the community compare us against other
hospitals in the local area. www.swhealth.org
Southwest Health System reviews
its charges on an annual basis, and
sets the charges based on cost, just
like any other business. We also
strive to keep our charges among
the lowest in Colorado.
Medicaid: Expanding Care for Colorado
http://youtu.be/4KF8CPQOPvg
YOUTUBE CHANNEL: ColoHospitalAssoc
DRG Examples
(by code)
SHS Average Charge
065- $20,732.50
066- $13,325.29
176- $13,810.21
190- $26,505.66
192- $10,190.80
194- $17,254.42
195- $16,152.96
203- $6,586.12
309- $12,932.58
310- $8,733.97
378- $17,429.77
392- $12,887.38
419- $19,254.22
470- $28,719.96
536- $11,785.73
641- $11,836.94
690- $14,127.68
871- $23,382.88
872- $20,681.81
918- $17,485.67
948- $11,296.55
Diagnosis-related group
(DRG) is a system to classify
hospital cases into one of
originally 467 groups
5. 5SOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEM JUNE 2013
D
id you know that Montezuma County
has about 5,300 residents who are
uninsured and not presently eligible
for Medicaid? These individuals would
greatly benefit from the expansion of Medicaid
coverage in Colorado as proposed by the
Affordable Care Act.
E
xpanding the coverage for the uninsured
leads to an overall reduction in the costs
of uncompensated care that ends up
being shifted to insured patients and
the business community that provides health
insurance to their employees.
T
he mission of Southwest Health
System is to provide the highest
quality health care to our community
by bringing excellence and service
together to promote, improve and restore
health. We envision a health system in which
all providers work together to make excellent,
patient-centered health services available to
our community.
C
onsistent with this mission and
vision, the organization has worked
throughout the years to improve
community health by developing and
sponsoring programs, creating educational
opportunities, organizing events, and investing
in our community. This report details just some
of the ways that Southwest Health System
served residents of Montezuma County and the
surrounding area in 2012.
In 2012, SHS provided a total
community benefit of $6,324,724.
Financial Assistance: During 2012, SHS provided $1,869,694 in care to
more than 494 individuals and families who were unable to pay for their
healthcare expenses
Government-Sponsored Mean-Tested Healthcare: In 2012, SHS delivered
care to thousands of patients who were eligible for Medicaid, the
Children’s Health Insurance Programs, Colorado Indigent Care Program,
Indian Health Services and other public programs. The shortfall incurred by
providing services under these programs was $3,620,100.
We now spend 20 percent of our GDP—an estimated $2.8 trillion for 2013—on health care.
*In 2012 SHS donated over 3,700 hours to community education and
screening through our Community Paramedic program alone.
*In 2012, SHS invested over $20,000 supervising and training future health
professionals.
*Southwest Memorial made contributions of $31,460 in 2012 to support a
variety of organizations in Montezuma County.
6. 6 CONTEMPORARY MAGAZINE MONTH 20XX SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL JUNE 2013 6
We are proud to introduce these new healthcare professionals
to the Southwest Health System family of service providers.
Steven Edward Vlach, M.D.
Board certified:
Family Practice:
1989, 1996. 2003 to present
Residency:
Siouxland Education Foundation,
(Mercy Medical Center-St. Lukes Hospital)
Family Practice: 7/1/86 - 6/30/89
Daniel James Bohle, M.D.
Board Certified:
American Board of Obstetrics
and Gynecology
Residency:
Obstetrics and Gynecology
West Virginia University Hospital
Morgantown, West Virginia 1980 - 1983
The University of Iowa College
of Medicine
Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
June 30, 1987 to Present
Peter Edmund Razma, M.D.
Board Certified:
Internal Medicine,
Pulmonary Medicine,
Sleep Medicine
Residency
Internal Medicine 1986-1989
Loyola University Medical
Center, Maywood, IL
Fellowship
Pulmonary and Critical Care
Medicine 1989-1991 at Loyola University Medical Center
Member: American Thoracic Society; Fellow, American
College of Chest Physicians; American Association of Sleep Medicine
Dustin M. Cole, M.D.
Board Certified:
Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation
Board Eligible:
Pain Medicine
Residency:
Mayo Clinic Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Rochester, Minnesota
Internship:
Mayo Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine Rochester, Minnesota
Fellowship:
Mayo Clinic, Department of Anesthesia, Rochester, Minnesota
Looking for a physician? We are
proud of our exceptional team of
professionals providing top-quality
care for the community.
Please visit our Facebook page “Southwest Memorial Hospital” and
view our profiles of our physicians and health care professionals.
Southwest Memorial/Southwest Health System offer frequent
classes, education, lectures, events and opportunities for you to learn
more about your health. We promote communication between
care providers and patients, please do not heistate to ask for more
information on any health issue you may have concerns about.
Visit our website at www.swhealth.org for contact information and
updated news about our many offerings via the main hospital and
various clinics.
Southwest Memorial Hospital 1311 N Mildred Rd 970-565-6666
Southwest Memorial Physicians 20 South Market Street Various Physicians
Southwest Memorial Primary Care 33 North Elm Street 970-565-8556
Cortez Primary Care 118 N. Chestnut St 970-564-9777
Cortez Orthopedics 20 S. Market St Cortez, CO 81321 970-564-0392
Red Rock Podiatry 1280 N. Mildred Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-8336
Four Corners Surgical 111 North Park Street Cortez, CO 81321 970-565-6670
Mancos Valley Health Center 111 Railroad Ave Mancos, CO 81328 970-533-9125
Maria A. Cornelius, M.D., M.S.
Board Certified:
Family Medicine, ATLS, FCCS –
(Fundamental Critical Care Support)
Residency:
University of Wyoming Family Practice
Medical School for International
Health in Collaboration with
Columbia University Medical Center,
Ben Gurion University of the Negev,
Beer Sheva, Israel.
Gold Humanism Honor Society
American Academy of Family Physicians
Wyoming Medical Society, American Medical Directors Association,
Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
7. 7CONTEMPORARY MAGAZINE MONTH 20XX
*CONDITIONS
TREATED
Joint Pain, Spine Pain,
Bursitis Pain, Arthritis Pain
Muscle Pain, Nerve Pain
Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis
Cancer Pain, Abdominal Wall
Pain, Radiculopathy, Sciatica
Diagnostic Imaging
(X-Rays, MRI, CT, Ultrasound,
Labs) Physical / Occupational Therapy,
Narcotic Sparing Medicationsm,
Advanced Injections and Procedures
Specialty Referral (Rheumatology,
Surgery, Neurology, Psychiatry), Other
Referrals
Dr. Cole provides comprehensive,
non-operative treament for joint
and spine pain in addition to treating a
wide variety of pain disorders.
His goal is to restore func-
tion and reduce suffering for patients
with acute and chronic pain through a
conservative, narcotic-sparing approach
centered around advanced procedures,
physical therapy, and tailored medical
treatment.
He is skilled in performing a
wide variety of ultrasound and fluoro-
scopically guided injections.
Dr. Cole performs most of his
joint and non-spine injections under ultra-
sound guidance.
This ensures accurate medica-
tion placement and offers a greater
margin of safety. Smaller needles may also
be used, thus improving patient comfort
and potentially reducing risk.
This is particularly relevant in
patients with challenging anatomy, on
blood thinners or for whom a non-guided
injection has failed.
focus
Dr. Dustin Cole, M.D.
Board Certification: Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation
Board Eligible: Pain Medicine
ULTRASOUND-GUIDED
MUSCULOSKELETAL PROCEDURES
Subacromial/subdeltoid bursa injection
Glenohumeral joint injection
Acromioclavicular joint injection
Biceps tendon sheath injection
Elbow joint injection
Trochanteric bursa injections
Needle tenotomy for lateral epicondylosis
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis injection
Wrist joint injection
Trigger finger / A1 pulley injection
Intra-articular hip injection
Intra-articular knee injection
Pes Anserine injection
Plantar Fascia injection
Tibio-talar joint injection
Ankle flexor tendon sheath injection
OTHER ULTRASOUND-GUIDED
INJECTIONS
Genitofemoral nerve block,
Ilioinguinal/Iliohypogastric nerve
block, Intercostal nerve block, Trigger
point injection
Medical Education:
University of New Mexico
School of Medicine
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Internship: Mayo Clinic,
Department of Internal Medicine,
Rochester, Minnesota
Fellowship:Mayo Clinic
Department of Anesthesia
Rochester, Minnesota
Residency: Mayo Clinic
Department of Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
Rochester, Minnesota
About M.D.
FLUOROSCOPICALLY-GUIDED
SPINE PROCEDURES
Cervical medial branch block
Caudal steroid injection
Cervical facet radiofrequency neurotomy
Cervical interlaminar epidural steroid
injection
Cervical facet joint injection
Ganglion impar block
Intercostal nerve block
Lumbar interlaminar epidural steroid
injection
Lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid
injection
Lumbar medial branch block
Lumbar radiofrequency neurotomy
Paravertebral nerve block
Sacroiliac joint steroid injection
Sacroiliac joint lateral branch block
Sacroiliac joint radiofrequency ablation
Thoracic interlaminar epidural steroid
injection
Thoracic medial branch block
Thoracic facet radiofrequency neurotomy
DCOLE@SWHEALTH.ORG
20 Market Street, Suite 4
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone (970) 565-0712
Fax (970) 565-0732
COMPREHENSIVE
EVALUATION &
TREATMENT
8. Southwest Memorial Hospital
1311 North Mildred Road
Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-6666
Cortez Orthopedics
20 S. Market Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-565-2600
Fax: 970-564-0392
Cortez Primary Care
118 N. Chestnut Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-564-9777
Fax: 970-564-8833
Four Corners Surgical
111 North Park Street
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-6670
Mancos Valley Health Center
111 Railroad Avenue
Mancos, CO 81328
Phone: 970-533-9125
Fax: 970-533-7310
Red Rock Podiatry
1280 N. Mildred Road, Suite 1
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-8336
Southwest Memorial Primary Care
33 North Elm Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-565-8556
Fax: 970-564-1134
Southwest Memorial Physicians
20 South Market Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone number varies by physician
Southwest Walk-In Care
2095 North Dolores Road
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-564-1037
Fax: 970-564-1041
www.swhealth.org
#SWHealthOrg on Twitter
Find us on Facebook!
“Made in Montezuma”SWMH Foundation Fall Fundraiser
September 29, 2013 3:00-6:00 PM @ Trail Canyon Ranch
McElmo Canyon, Cortez, CO Tickets $40/single, $75/couple
Purchase tickets at SWMH Reception or Call Susan 970.739.3158
Visit our web site and Facebook pages for directions/details!
Connect for Health Colorado Community Presentation
New Health Insurance Exchange & The Affordable Care Act
Tuesday, September 24, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m.
Montezuma -Cortez High School Auditorium
206 W. 7th Street, Cortez
9. Nurse Navigator
Support and Guidance through the healthcare system
who’s
your
doctor?Southwest Health System, Inc.
A directory of providers, facilities, services and educational
opportunities for the residents of the Southwest Memorial Hospital service area.
Providers
from pediatrics
to family practice,
surgery & specialists
INSIDE:
Clinics
orthopedics, family
& internal medicine,
women’s health
411: social media emergency 2014: Events
Services
a wide variety of
services & specialty
medical treatments
MID-WINTER
FEBRUARY 2014
#SWHealthOrg
SHSSOUTHWEST HEALTH SYSTEM, INC
Southwest Memorial Hospital
1311 North Mildred Road | Cortez, CO 81321
(970) 565-6666 www.swhealth.org
connect with us
10. 2 Business Magazine Month 20XX www.businessmagazine.com2 Business Magazine Month 20XX www.businessmagazine.com
GLOSSARY
Kent R. Helwig, FACHE
PRESIDENT & CEO
970-564-2146
khelwig@swhealth.org
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
John Nadone
970-564-2153
jnadone@swhealth.org
CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER
Liz Sellers, MSN, MHA
970-564-2162
lsellers@swhealth.org
CHIEF OF MEDICAL STAFF
Kameo Smith, DO
970-564-2152
DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES
Jim Bob Wynes
970-564-2163
jbwynes@swhealth.org
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING,
PROMOTIONS & sOCIAL MEDIA
Tatanjia‘Taj’McNamara
Phone: 970-564-2040
Email: tmcnamara@swhealth.org
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Mobile Device Compatible
Sign up for E-mailing list:
tmcnamara@swhealth.org
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Jan Saunders
Southwest Memorial Hospital
1311 North Mildred Road
Cortez, CO 81321
970-564-2146
jsaunders@swhealth.org
SOUTHWEST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
(970) 565-6666
Fax: 970-564-2149
Emai: advocate@swhealth.org
Website: www.swhealth.org
ENVIRONMENTAL
Please recycle.
If you would prefer to receive our
newsletter in digital format via email
for your mobile device (Android/
iPhone/iPad) please email our
marketing director to be put on the
appropriate mailing list.
tmcnamara@swhealth.org
COPYRIGHT
All material appearing in Southwest
Health System Newsletter is copyright
unless otherwise stated or it may rest
with the provider of the supplied
material. Southwest Health System
takes all care to ensure information
is correct at time of printing, but
external schedules and information
may change without notice after date
of printing.
Please visit our website, facebook
page and follow us on twitter for
the most current updates and
information
www.swhealth.org
Twitter: SWHEALTHORG
Finding a doctor...
Find a local doctor to meet your health and wellness
needs. Specialists in many of the following areas hold
privileges at Southwest Memorial Hospital:
Ophthalmology:
Ophthalmologists are medical
doctors who specialize in the medical
and surgical care of the eyes and in
preventing eye disease.
Orthopedics:
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in the
prevention and correction of injuries or
disorders of muscles, bones, joints, and
ligaments. They provide both surgical
and non-surgical treatment.
Pain Management:
Physicians trained in interventional
pain management work with patients
who have acute and chronic pain to
restore function and reduce suffering.
Pathology:
Pathologists examine samples of
body tissues for diagnostic and forensic
purposes.
Pediatrics:
Physiciains trained in pediatrics care
for children from birth through their
teen years.
Podiatry:
Podiatrists diagnose and treat
disorders of the foot and ankle. They
offer both surgical and non-surgical
treatments.
Radiology:
Radiologists interpret x-rays and
other diagnostic studies performed
in the imagining department of the
hospital.
Sleep Medicine:
Physicians trained in the diagnosis
and therapy of sleep disturbances and
disorders.
SOUTHWEST
Health System, Inc.
Where Caring and Community Come Together
Anesthesiology:
Anesthesiologists focus on the
elimination of pain and sensation
for people having surgery and other
medical procedures
Emergency Medicine:
Emergency medicine physicians
are trained to evaluate, diagnose,
stabilize, and treat patients with
acute injuries and illnesses, usually in
hospital emergency room settings.
Family MEDICINE/Practice:
Family medicine/practice physicians
provide comprehensive health care
to people for people of all ages –
newborns to seniors – while placing
particular emphasis on the family unit.
Some family physicians also include
obstetrics in their practice.
General Surgery:
General surgeons specialize in the
treatment of diseases and injuries
using operative procedures.
Gynecology:
Gynecologists specialize in
diagnosing and treating conditions
related to the female reproductive
system. The servcies they provide
include preventive care, annual
examinations, and surgery.
Internal Medicine:
Physicians trained in internal
medicine serve as primary care
doctors for adults. They diagnose,
manage, and treat acute and
chronic medical problems and offer
preventive care services.
11. www.businessmagazine.com Month 20XX Business Magazine 3www.businessmagazine.com Month 20XX Business Magazine 3
Physicians&
PractitionersProvider Directory
Southwest Memorial Physicians
Providing family medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, skin care,
gastrointestinal health, and interventional pain management services.
4
Obstetrics & Gynecology Providers
Providing full-scope family medicine services, including prenatal care
and delivery.
5
Mancos Valley Health Center
Providing full-scope family medicine services.
6
Southwest Memorial Primary Care
Board Certified, Family Medicine
Board Certified, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
4
Cortez Orthopedics
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgery
6
Four Corners Surgical
Board Certified General Surgery
7
Red Rock Podiatry
Certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery & Board Qualified
by the National Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
7
Southwest Memorial Specialists
Pain Management, Sleep Diagnostics, Internal Medicine,
Opthalmologist, Private practitioners
8
You may also visit our web site & Facebook pages for a full interactive listing of our area physicians. www.swhealth.org
Diabetes & Nutrition Education
Southwest Memorial Hospital offers a nationally recognized and approved
Diabetes Self Management Education program
9
Cortez Orthopedics
20 S. Market St
970-564-0392
Red Rock Podiatry
1280 N. Mildred
970-565-8336
Four Corners Surgical
111 North Park Street
970-565-6670
Mancos Valley
Health Center
111 Railroad Ave
Mancos, CO 81328
970-533-9125
Southwest Walk-In Care
2095 North Dolores Road
970-564-1037
Mon-Fri 8:30a- 6:30p
Closed Saturday/Sunday
Southwest Memorial
Hospital
1311 N Mildred Rd
970-565-6666
Southwest Memorial
Physicians
20 South Market Street
Various Physicians
Southwest Memorial
Primary Care
33 North Elm Street
970-565-8556
Cortez Primary Care
118 N. Chestnut St
970-564-9777
Private Practice Physicians
Pain Management, Sleep Diagnostics, Private practitioners
9
12. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 44 Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org
Southwest
Memorial
Physicians
“Providing family medicine, obstetrics, gynecology, skin care,
gastrointestinal health, and interventional pain management
services.”
Southwest Memorial Physicians
20 South Market Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Daniel Bohle, MD
Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology
(practice limited to gynecology)
Phone: 970-565-4291
Fax: 970-565-4419
Dustin Cole, MD
Board Certified
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Pain Medicine
Phone: 970-565-0712
Fax: 970-565-0732 Jill Schenk, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine
Phone: 970-565-4291
Fax: 970-565-4419
Steven E. Vlach, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine
Kelly Busby, DO
Board Certified Family Medicine
Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
Martin Neubert, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
Blair W. Pyle, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine
Southwest Memorial Primary Care
33 North Elm Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-565-8556
Fax: 970-564-1134
Southwest
Memorial
Primarycare
13. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 5Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org 5
cortez
primarycare
Cortez Primary Care
118 N. Chestnut Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-564-9777
Fax: 970-564-8833
Kameo L. Smith, DO
Board Certified Family Medicine
Kathy Lynch, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine
“Providing
family medicine,
& obstetrics
including
prenatal care
and delivery.”
Melissa Churchill, RN,
MSN, NP-C
Certified Nurse Practitioner
“NPs are quickly becoming the health partner of choice for
millions of Americans. As clinicians that blend clinical expertise in
diagnosing and treating health conditions with an added emphasis
on disease prevention and health management, NPs bring a
comprehensive perspective to health care.
All NPs must complete a master’s or doctoral degree program,
and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial
professional registered nurse preparation. Didactic and clinical
courses prepare nurses with specialized knowledge and clinical
competency to practice in primary care, acute care and long-term
health care settings.”
~ American Association of Nurse Practitioners
What is an NP?
Additional providers:
Daniel Bohle, MD
Board Certified Obstetrics and Gynecology
(practice limited to gynecology)
Phone: 970-565-4291
Fax: 970-565-4419
Jill Schenk, MD
Board Certified Family Medicine
Phone: 970-565-4291
Fax: 970-565-4419
14. 6 www.swhealth.org Feburary 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc.6 Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org
cortez
orthopedics
Cortez Orthopedics
20 S. Market Street
Cortez, CO 81321
Phone: 970-565-2600
Douglas R. Bagge, MD
Board Certified Orthopedic Surgery
Star Schreier, MD
Board Eligible Orthopedic Surgery
Maria Cornelius, MD, MS
Board Certified Family Medicine
Mancos Valley Health Center
111 Railroad Avenue
Mancos, CO 81328
Phone: 970-533-9125
Fax: 970-564-1134
mancos
valleyhealth
center
Jeff McElwain, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant
“A physician assistant
(PA) is a medical
professional who works
as part of a team with a
doctor.
A PA is a graduate
of an accredited PA
educational program
who is nationally
certified and state-
licensed to practice
medicine with the
supervision of a
physician
PAs perform physical
examinations, diagnose
and treat illnesses,
order and interpret
What is a PA?
15. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 7Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org 7
fourcorners
surgical
Four Corners Surgical
111 North Park Street
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-6670
Kevin Matteson, MD
Board Certified General Surgery
redrock
podiatry
Red Rock Podiatry
1280 N. Mildred Road,
Suite 1
Cortez, CO 81321
970-565-8336
Ben Carelock, DPM
Board Qualified by the National Board
of Podiatric Medical Examiners
Terry R. Cook, DPM
Certified by the American Board of
Podiatric Surgery
lab tests, perform
procedures, assist
in surgery, provide
patient education and
counseling and make
rounds in hospitals
and nursing homes.
All 50 states and the
District of Columbia
allow PAs to practice
and prescribe
medications.”
~ American
Academy of Physician
Assistants
16. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 88 Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org
Southwest
Memorial
specialists
Dustin Cole, MD
Board Certified
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Pain Medicine
Phone: 970-565-0712
Fax: 970-565-0732
private
practice
physicians
PAIN
MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIST
Robert Heyl, MD
Family Practice Associates
Cortez Family Practice Associates
1413 N. Mildred Road
970-565-4436
Hope Barkhurst, MD
Family Medicine, Obstetrics
2095 N. Dolores Road
970-564-8086
John Petty, MD
Ophthalmology
Alpine Eye Clinic
2423 E. Main Street
970-565-8809
.........................
.........................
April Randle, MD
Internal Medicine
Integrated Internal Medicine
and Sleep Clinic
215 N Linden St Suite D
Phone: (970) 564-9222
Fax: (970) 564-5857
Edmund Razma, MD
Board Certified Internal Medicine,
Pulmonary Disease and Sleep Medicine
Southwest Memorial Hospital Diagnostic
Sleep Center
Phone: 970-564-2678
DIAGNOSTIC
SLEEP
CENTER
17. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 9Southwest Health System, Inc. February 2014 www.swhealth.org 9
nutrition&
education
Diabetes/Nutrition
Registered Dietitian
Marissa Kleinsmith
970-564-2270
mkleinsmith@
swhealth.org
Laura White
Dietician
Patient Education
lwhite@swhealth.org
Diabetes Education Department
970-564-2352
Diabetes Support Group meets on
the first Wednesday of each month
from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Southwest
Memorial Hospital, South Campus,
Diabetes Education Room.
Diabetes Services include: One-on-one sessions with a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
tailored to meet the needs of the individual; group sessions covering a variety of diabetes-related
topics; food preparation classes and cooking demonstrations; monthly diabetes support group
meetings.
Nutrition Education Services include: Inpatient nutrition and diabetes assessment and
education; diabetes self-management; cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nutrition education; weight
management, including pre-bariatric surgery counseling; home health visits; grocery shopping tours
for patient groups; community outreach to schools/organizations; Eat Healthy/Eat Local program
targeting local food establishments; diabetes support group; food preparation classes and cooking
demonstrations.
Individuals may receive services after a referral has been made by their healthcare provider.
If you are a patient, physician, or community organization interested in hosting an SHS sponsored
nutrition event, you may reach us at 970-564-2276 from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Services are either
covered by insurance or are provided compliments of our community outreach effort.
Diabetes & Nutrition
Southwest
Internal Medicine
Erin Henderson, MD
A. McAlpin, MD
Robin Page, MD
Internal Medicine
111 N. Park Street
970-564-8730
William Rainer, MD
General Surgery
106 E. First Street
970-565-4500
Karla Demby, MD
Internal Medicine
Southwest Internal Medicine
111 N. Park Street
970-564-8730
.........................
Hospital-Based Physicians
Anesthesiology
John Patton, MD
Anthony Verow, MD
Larry Hare, CRNA
Kenneth Picillo, CRNA
Scott Steeves, CRNA
Emergency Medicine
David Buckwalter, DO
Randy Davidson, MD
Todd Fowler, MD
Kristin Haber, MD
Mark Turpen, MD
Hospitalists
Kent Aikin, MD
Martin Bloch, MD
Pathology
Alex Cudkowicz, MD
Jay Nichols Joy, MD
Radiology
Jonathan Delacey, MD
Brett Englund, MD
Jay Johnson, MD
Patrick Messerli, MD
Kurt Rohren, MD
Mark Walters, MD
private
practitioners
18. 10 Business Magazine Month 20XX www.businessmagazine.com10 Business Magazine Month 20XX www.businessmagazine.com
Dr. Joseph Zajchowski
• Treatments Available for
Heavy Mensutral Bleeding,
featuring Dr. Daniel Bohle
• Speech Language
Pathologists Help Patients
Communicate, featuring
Kevin Keith
• How to Have a Healthy
Pregnancy, featuring Dr. Jill
Schenk
• Occupational Therapists
Help People Move, featuring
Gloria Thatch-Woody
• When the Answer Is“It
Depends,”featuring Dr.
Kameo Smith
• Children and Winter Colds,
featuring Dr. Kate McCall
• Vision Correction Options,
featuring Dr. David Letbetter
• Safe and Healthy Holidays,
featuring Dr. Kathy Lynch
• Broken Bones, featuring Dr.
Doug Bagge
• Click Your Way to Better
Health-Flu Vaccinations,
featuring Marc Meyer, RPh
• Bouncing Back from Injury,
featuring Jodi Harris, PT
The Doctor
will share
with you
now.
Many of our physicians
and practitioners
contribute to
educational offerings
including articles
and interviews that
the public can glean
information from.
From the SHS Newsletter Editor
Taj McNamara, Marketing Director
Southwest Health Notes Author:
Karen Childress, Medical Writer
S
outhwest Health System
and its affiliates including
Southwest Memorial
Hospital and the Southwest
Memorial Foundation, offer
many opportunities for
education and information from
our medical practitioners and
professionals via the local media
and on the hospital web site.
P
hysicians regularly
contribute to articles
on specific health
focus items, as well as giving
interviews of targeted health
issues via the local radio
station, KSJD in Cortez. These
offerings are available online
for consumption at the public’s
leisure.
S
ome of the topics for
the articles which may
be found on the Cortez
Journal (see sidebar) are
listed below:
• A Survival Guide for the
Holidays, featuring Dr. Jill
Schenk
• Breast Health for Everyone,
featuring Dr. Kameo Smith
• Flu Vaccine Options: What’s
right for you, featuring Marc
Meyer, RPh
• Prevention Helps Children
Avoid Sports Injuries,
featuring Dr. Star Schreier
• Taking Care of Heel Pain,
featuring Dr. Ben Carelock
• Good Health Through
Better Nutrition, featuring Dr.
Steven Vlach
• Managing Menopause,
featuring Dr. Dan Bohle
• Living with Seasonal
Allergies, featuring Dr. Maria
Cornelius
• Having a Baby is a Special
Event, featuring Dr. Kathy
Lynch
• Patient Safety Is a Hot Topic
in Healthcare, featuring Dr.
Kent Aikin
• Keep Children Healthy This
Winter, featuring Dr. Anne
Christian
• Arthritis: Management and
Treatment Options, featuring
Dr. Doug Bagge
• Managing Low Back Pain,
featuring Dr. Dustin Cole
• Symptoms You Should
Not Ignore, featuring Dr. Jill
Schenk
• Keeping Sodium Intake
in Check, featuring Dr. Erin
Brandl (Henderson)
• What to Expect in the
Emergency Room, featuring
education:
Southwest
Healthsystem
SWMH provides Southwest
Health Notes to the Cortez
Journal each month. These are
available on the Southwest
Memorial Hospital web site as
well as the Cortez Journal web
site as follows:
Southwest Memorial Hospital
> Community Health:
http://www.swhealth.org/
Health/health.html
Cortez Journal Health Notes:
http://www.cortezjournal.com/
section/Living/
media
resources
connect with us
19. “What is a Nurse
Navigator and what does
she do?”
A Nurse Navigator is
a registered nurse who
works across the health
care system to ensure that
the patient receives the
right care at the right time.
The Nurse Navigator
serves as a single point
of contact for referring
physicians, patients, and
caregivers to provide
resources and assistance
with accessing clinical
and supportive care
services offered within the
health care system and
in the community while
reducing barriers to care.
nurse
navigator
program
“““I am very
excited about
this new
service being
provided
to the
practitioners
and the
patients
in our
community!”
- Maureen Pyle
SHS Nurse Navigator:
Your guide to health
February is Wise Health Care
Consumer Month!
The goal of National Wise
Health Care Consumer Month
is to help consumers receive
the right care at the right time
in the right place.
It involves teaching
consumers how to become
more active in their own
healthcare, which entails
knowing which symptoms
require professional assistance
and which can be treated at
home with self-care.
The event also focuses on
helping consumers understand
how to interact most
effectively with the healthcare
system to receive proper care.
Here are just a FEW of the
things a Nurse Navigator
can do to assist patients
and their physicians:
• Assist patients in
understanding their
diagnosis, treatment
plans, and the resources
available
• Assist patients
with chronic disease
management such as
phone follow-up to
patients to prompt
self checking of blood
pressure, weight, blood
glucose, etc,
• Phone follow-
up for overdue
appointments, and for
patients demonstrating
medication
noncompliance
• Serve as an essential
link between patients and
all other care providers
• Facilitate
appointments for consults
and support services
within established
standards including social
worker, dietitian, mental
health, financial advisors,
etc
• Develop patient
education programs and
tools
• Follow patients
throughout the care
continuum, including
inpatient admissions, and
collaborate with inpatient
care management
• Follow up with the
patient the day after
discharge from an
inpatient facility to ensure
discharge instructions
were understood
• Ensuring new
prescriptions were
picked up, follow up
appointments were
scheduled, keeping the
patient from being
readmitted
• Develop and assist
patients with Wellness
programs
MAUREEN PYLE, RN, BSN
NURSE NAVIGATOR
1311 NORTH MILDRED ROAD
CORTEZ, CO 81321
Phone: 970-564-2315
Fax: 970-564-2336
E-mail: mpyle@swhealth.org
20. 12 www.swhealth.org Feburary 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc.
Women’s Cancer Coalition
This group meets the third
Thursday of each month in
the main lobby conference
room at the hospital. For more
information about this group,
please call
Constance Fisher
970-677-3623
Diabetes Support Group
Diabetes Education Department
970-564-2352
Diabetes Support Group meets
on the first Wednesday of each
month from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. at
Southwest Memorial Hospital,
South Campus, Diabetes
Education Room.
Southwest Memorial Hospital
offers several classes each month
that are open to the public.
Some of the classes regularly
offered include:
Basic Life Support (CPR) –
offered twice a month
Advanced Cardiac Life Support
offered 6 times per year (every
other month)
Pediatric Advanced Life Support
offered 6 time per year
(alternates months with ACLS)
Prepared Child Birthing Class
offered once a month, each class
is once a week for 3 weeks.
Diabetic Support Group –
offered monthly by the Diabetic
Educator
Outpatient nutrition and
diabetes counseling
Cooking Matters (nutrition and
cooking classes at Montezuma-
Cortez HS, Cortez MS, Southwest
Open School)
Cooking Matters at the Store
(shopping tours at various
grocery stores)
Southwest Health System
Wellness including cooking
demos for employees
Monthly Lunch and Learns
on various nutrition topics at
Southwest Memorial Hospital
Eat Local Eat Healthy
Montezuma
Lunch and Learns for the City of
Cortez
Nutrition talks at the Cortez
Recreation Center
Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation
individual and group nutrition
classes
For information regarding
any of these programs
or classes, call Education
Coordinator Meghan
Higman at 970-564-2160
support
groups/
meetings
Bookmark the StayWell
Knowledgebase today to make
wise health decisions every
day. Learn about diseases
and conditions, surgeries and
procedures, medications,
nutritional supplements, and
topical wellness issues. Target
your search or browse through
the topics. The information
here is medically sound and
highly reliable.
http://library.swhealth.org/
SOUTHWEST
Health System, Inc.
Where Caring and Community Come Together
21. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 13
SOUTHWEST
Health System, Inc.
Where Caring and Community Come Together
Calendar
itemsfebruary march
april
may/june
foundation
LOW VISION AWARENESS MONTH
CHILDREN’S DENTAL HEALTH MONTH
AMERICAN HEART ASSOC. GO RED MONTH
RECREATIONAL THERAPY MONTH
WISE HEALTHCARE CONSUMER MONTH
CPR:
February 11th, 6-10pm, Kiva Room
February 28th, 1-5pm, Kiva Room
FIRST AID:
February 27th, 6-10pm, Kiva Room
ATHLETIC TRAINING MONTH
BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
CHILD LIFE MONTH
COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
EYE DONOR MONTH
NATIONAL KIDNEY MONTH
NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH
SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH
CPR:
March 17th, 7-11am
March 27th, 6-10pm
ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH
AUTISM AWARENESS MONTH
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
FACIAL PROTECTION MONTH
FOOT HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH
NATIONAL HUMOR MONTH
MARCH OF DIMES MARCH FOR BABIES
CPR:
April 10th, 6-10pm
April 21st, 1-5pm
ARTHRITIS AWARENESS MONTH/
CPR:
May 13th, 1-5pm, Kiva Room
May 29th, 6-10pm, Kiva Room
June 19th, 2014 from 6-10pm, Kiva Room
June 23rd, 2014 from 7-11am, Kiva Room
FIRST AID:
May 22nd, 6-10pm, Kiva Room
Free and Optional Health Screenings Available-
9Health Fair Dates
Dove Creek Mancos Cortez
April 5th, 7:00am - Noon April 19th, 7:00am -Noon May 3rd, 7:00am -Noon
Dove Creek H.S. Mancos H.S. Cortez Recreation Center
Blood Cell Count ................................. $16 1. Do not eat 12 hours before having blood
Colon Cancer Screening ................... $20 drawn.
Hemoglobin A1C ................................. $25 2. Diabetics, do not fast!
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) ..... $25 3. Please drink water!
Blood Chemistry .................................. $30 4. Continue to take any prescribed
Vitamin D ............................................... $40 medications as directed.
You must be 18 years of age to participate.
Pre-register online now and save time: www.swhealth.org
Classes are available to the community; however, there is a $25 fee for
non-employees to take the CPR or First Aid classes.
Please contact Meghan Higman, Education Coordinator, to register.
Phone: 970-564-2160,
Fax: 970-564-2167 E-mail: mhigman@swhealth.org
The Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation is committed to aligning itself closely with the Southwest Health System board of directors in
focusing on key priorities at the hospital. As the former nursing home has been remodeled to accommodate hospital uses, making more clinical
space available in the hospital itself, the SWMH Foundation has contributed to new furniture for the relocated Cardiac Rehab Clinic lobby and the
new and larger Intensive Care Unit/Family Birthing Center waiting room.
Mail your donation to
Southwest Memorial Hospital Foundation,
1311 N. Mildred Road, Cortez, CO, 81321
22. 14 www.swhealth.org Feburary 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc.
Nearly one million people are
affected by natural disasters each year. In
the U.S. alone, some 400 people die from
disasters that cost the economy $17.6 billion.
Helping respond to these cataclysmic events,
social media is now a go-to tool for those
effected by disasters. One in five Americans
has used an emergency app.
Of those Americans effected by
natural disasters, 76% used social media to
contact friends and family; 37% used social
media to help find shelter and supplies;
and 24% used social media to let loved
ones know they’re safe according to a new
survey conducted by the American Red
Cross.
Mobile apps now tie social
media as the fourth most popular way to
get information in an emergency, following
TV, radio and online news. The Red
Cross survey found that 20 percent of
Americans said they have gotten some
kind of emergency information from an app,
including emergency apps, those sponsored
by news outlets and privately developed
apps.
“We’ve monitored more than 100,000
mentions about Hurricane Isaac on
social media,” said Wendy Harman,
director of social strategy of the Red
Cross. “People are stressed out, scared
and seeking information. Social media
and apps become a way to reach out to
them with emotional support and tips on
staying safe.”
The survey also identified a
subsection of the population deemed
“emergency social users”: people who are
the most dedicated users of social media
during emergencies. These users are likely
to take a safety or preparedness action
based on the information they see in their
social networks.
Social media is
becoming the
best way to spread
information during
dangerous events:
Phone lines can
get congested, so
updating social
networks can be
the ideal way to let
loved ones know
you’re okay.
http://redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps
The Red Cross introduced apps for shelter
locations, first aid tips and instruction and
hurricane preparedness, the last of which
also includes a flashlight feature as well as
one-touch, “I’m safe” messaging that connects
directly to the users’ social media channels
connect with us
Local alerts for Montezuma County:
“Nixle” is a Community Information Service dedicated to helping you stay
connected to the information that matters most to you, depending on your
physical location:
https://local.nixle.com/register/
http://montezumasheriff.org/
montezuma
county and
southwestern
colorado
Social media resources for
Montezuma County, surrounding
communities, Southwestern
Colorado, Eastern Utah, Northern
New Mexico and Northern Arizona.
Follow on Twitter
• Southwest Memorial Hospital:
• @SWHealthOrg
• CO Emergency Preparedness:
• @READYColorado
• Cortez Journal: @CortezJournal
• Durango Herald: @DurangoHerald
• Southwest Colorado
• @DurangoAlert
• @RM_InciTeamA
• @AC_Emergency
• @ksut
• @krqe
• @COHealth
• @swcoredcross
• New Mexico:
• @NMStateForestry
• National Weather Service
• Grand Junction: @NWSGJT
• Albuquerque: @NWSAlbuquerque
• Colorado Emergency Management:
• @COEmergency
• @lpc_oem
• @DHSEM
• Fire Watchers:
• @FireDaily
• @SanJuanNF
• @PSICC_NF
• @UpperPineFPD
• @NMFireInfo
• @wildlandfireAZ
• @usfire
Southwest Memorial Hospital maintains a presence on
Facebook, Twitter and their website (www.swhealth.org)
with updates, information and community services. For
emergencies we recommend you call 911.
23. www.swhealth.org February 2014 Southwest Health System, Inc. 15
social media
EMERGENCY
social media
EMERGENCY
Emergency social users are also most
likely to seek and share information during
emergencies. While they look for the hard
facts—road closures, damage reports and
weather conditions—they share personal
information about their safety statuses and
how they are feeling.
The development of new
technologies that have emerged since
the mid-1990s has led to Internet-based
applications known as“social media”
that enable people to interact and share
information through media that were non-
existent or widely unavailable 15 years ago.
Examples of social media include blogs,
chat rooms, discussion forums, wikis,
YouTube Channels, LinkedIn, Facebook,
and Twitter. Social media can be accessed
by computer, tablets, smart and cellular
phones, and mobile phone text messaging
(SMS).
In the last five years social
media have played an increasing role in
emergencies and disasters. Social media
sites rank as the fourth most popular
source to access emergency information.
They have been used by individuals and
communities to warn others of unsafe areas
or situations, inform friends and family that
someone is safe, and raise funds for disaster
relief.
Facebook supports numerous
emergency-related organizations, including
Information Systems for Crisis Response and
Management (ISCRAM), The Humanitarian
Free and Open Source Software (FOSS)
Project, as well as numerous universities
with disaster-related programs.
The use of social media for
emergencies and disasters may be
conceptualized as two broad categories.
First, social media can be used somewhat
passively to disseminate information
and receive user feedback via incoming
messages, wall posts, and polls. To date,
this is how most emergency management
organizations, including the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
use social media.
A second approach involves
the systematic use of social media as an
emergency management tool. Systematic
usage might include using the medium
to conduct emergency communications
and issue warnings; using social media
to receive victim requests for assistance;
monitoring user activities to establish
situational awareness; and using uploaded
images to create damage estimates,
among others. Many of these applications
remain speculative, while other uses are
still in their infancy. Consequently, most
emergency management organizations
have confined their use of social media to
the dissemination of information.
However, recent stories and
reports describing how a wide range of
international, state, and local organizations
have successfully used social media during
emergencies and disasters have spurred
congressional interest and discussion
concerning how social media might be
used to improve federal response and
recovery capabilities.
• using the medium to conduct
emergency communications and issue
warnings;
• using social media to receive
victim requests for assistance;
• monitoring user activities and
postings to establish situational awareness;
and
• using uploaded images to create
damage estimates, among others.
Social media have been used
to disseminate a wide range of public
safety information before, during, and
after various incidents. Prior to an incident
(or in the absence of an incident), many
emergency management organizations
provide citizens with preparedness and
readiness information through social media.
Social media are also used for
community outreach and customer service
purposes by soliciting feedback on public
safety-related topics.
Social media also play an
informational role during emergency
situations. For instance, in 2009 the U.S.
Army used its Twitter account to provide
news and updates during the Fort Hood
shootings; the American Red Cross similarly
uses Facebook to issue alerts of potential
disasters.
However, the main source of
information disseminated and sought
after is generally posted by citizens,
rather than emergency management
agencies or organizations. For example,
warning messages via the Internet
during the Virginia Tech shooting in April
2007 came primarily from students and
unofficial sources, and during the 2007
Southern California Wildfires, citizens
sought information through social media
because they felt media sources were too
general or inaccurate.
www.fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/
R41987.pdf
