The document summarizes a grant received by the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion (LCRP) at St. Joseph's/Candler hospital to decrease breast cancer mortality rates in minority women. The $100,000 grant was awarded through the Georgia ACTS Breast Cancer program and will fund the "Pathway to Survival" program to help cover treatment costs and connect women with support services. It will help address barriers to treatment faced by minority and underserved women.

1. The Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion
(LCRP) at St. Joseph’s/Candler has earned a $100,000 grant
to decrease breast cancer mortality rates in minority women.
The grant was awarded through the Georgia Access to Care,
Treatment and Services (ACTS) Breast Cancer License
Tag Grant Program. Georgia CORE (Center for Oncology
Research and Education) administers the ACTS Grant on
behalf of the Georgia State Office of Rural Health within the
Department of Community Health.
“Minority and medically underserved women facing breast
cancer can encounter barriers in treatment that may affect
their survival,” said H.A.Zaren,Medical Director of the LCRP.
“This program will break through those barriers and set these
women on a road to a long life.We are indebted to Georgia
CORE and the Georgia Breast Cancer License Tag Program
for helping the Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion fund this
important program.”
In Chatham County,white women are more likely than black
women to be diagnosed with breast cancer, but black women
are more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
This grant, part of a program called “Pathway to Survival:
Breast Cancer Treatment for Minority Indigent Women,” will
defray costs for treatment, help women with benign breast
disease get a diagnosis and connect women with supportive
cancer services like genetic counseling and palliative care.
During the past several years, organizations throughout
the state have had the opportunity to compete for the ACTS
Breast Cancer Grant. Legislated by the Georgia General
Assembly, $22 of every breast cancer awareness license
tag purchased or renewed goes to the indigent care fund,
which in turn pays for breast cancer education, screenings,
and treatment for Georgians without insurance that are also
below the poverty level.
“As long as Georgia drivers buy the license tag, the fund
will continue to grow,” said Angie Patterson, Georgia CORE
vice president and lead administrator of theACTS Grant.Co-
workers who are interested in learning more about the breast
cancer awareness license tag can visit the GA Department of
Revenue website or visit the local county tag office.
Find out more at www.sjchs.org
M o n t h l y C o - Wo r k e r N e w s l e t t e r - A G e n e r a t i o n V C o m m u n i c a t i o n
February 2015
SJ/C’s LCRP Receives $100,000 Grant
To Battle Breast Cancer In Minority Women
World Day of the Sick Honors Caregivers
Since 1992,the Sisters of Mercy have celebratedWorld Day of the Sick on February 11 under the sponsorship of the Pontifical
Council for Health Pastoral Care.This is the day on which the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.
According to the Catholic Health Association, this day reminds the faithful to pray for those who are sick. It also honors and
recognizes all caregivers, whether they are professionals, volunteers, or family members giving care at home.
His Holiness Pope Francis shared a message as he imparted his blessing on the celebration, sharing that “wisdom of the heart
means being with our brothers and sisters.Time spent with the sick is holy time.”

2. page 2 February 2015
Seacrest Offers Challenge Gift For Movement Disorders
Taking on the challenge to make life-changing initiatives a
reality in this community is something St. Joseph’s/Candler
does every day in different ways. Seacrest Partners, Inc., has
offered one specific way: through their gift, our health system
can work to greatly affect the lives of those suffering from
movement disorders.The company has given SJ/C a challenge
gift of $150,000 to the Advancing Excellence: Touching Lives
campaign supporting the Movement Disorders Program at
SJ/C.This means that Seacrest has pledged this money if SJ/C
can generate enough donations to match this amount.
This commitment of support from Seacrest has established
a goal to which the SJ/C Foundations, Movement Disorders
Committee, and the community at large can strive to meet
and exceed over a twelve-month period.Accepting the chal-
lenge gift, SJ/C President & CEO Paul P. Hinchey thanked
Seacrest for providing a model for leadership among the
philanthropic community in the region and for helping SJ/C
to fulfill its mission.
Inspired by a dream: Co-workers from St. Joseph’s/
Candler honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on
both campuses as well as downtown Savannah. Co-workers
held MLK memorial prayer services at St.Joseph’s on January
16 and at Candler on January 19.
Several co-workers also took part in the Martin Luther King
Jr. Day parade in downtown Savannah on January 19.The
theme of the parade this year was“His Dream:Inspiration for
Freedom and Justice for All.” SJ/C’s float design was inspired
by the Martin Luther King Jr. monument that stands in Kelly
Ingram Park in Birmingham,Alabama. Co-worker SeanWhite
represented MLK and was joined on the float by Marcella
Charles,Tiffany Gibbons, Roxanne Richardson, Maggie Scott,
Ivory Stephenson, and GlynisWilliams.
From left to right:Vernice Rackett, Executive Director, SJ/C Foundations;
Cindy Robinett, Managing Partner, Property-Casualty Practice, Seacreast
Partners; Paul P. Hinchey, SJ/C President and CEO; Steve Eagle, Managing
Partner, Employee Benefit Practice, Seacrest Partners; David Paddison,
President, Seacrest Partners.
Applications for Foundations scholarships due March 1
In other St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations news, the department will award scholarships to co-workers this year during
Nurses Week in May.The deadline for submitting scholarship applications to the Foundations office is March 1.
Scholarship information, requirements and applications can be found on the SJ/C Intranet in the Forms Repository under
Administrative Forms. Please review the Scholarship History and Eligibility Criteria form as well as the Scholarship Rules and
Application form for each scholarship to ensure eligibility.Completed applications must be submitted by mail or hand delivered
to the SJ/C Foundations office. Applications submitted by fax or e-mail, as well as those received after the March 1 deadline,
will not be eligible for consideration. Please contact the Foundations at 819-8683 if you have any questions.

3. February 2015 page 3
SJ/C Allocates $10.1 Million For Benefits And Wages
St. Joseph’s/Candler has allocated an additional $10.1 million in benefits, wages, and salaries for this fiscal year, which began
on July 1, 2014.These funds are being applied to SJ/C’s retirement plan match, a discretionary retirement contribution, and a
general wage increase.
We are proud to be the only healthcare system in the region to be able to offer all three of these benefits to our co-workers.
Despite the challenges that have resulted from the Affordable Care Act—including the two-midnight rule, RAC audits, and
readmission rules—the hard work and dedication of many of SJ/C’s co-workers has kept our health system strong.We will
continue to cautiously measure the impact of these new rules in 2015.At the same time, we are very pleased to communicate
the impact that these allocated funds will have on co-workers. Learn more below:
General Wage Increase Implemented For SJ/C Co-Workers
A general wage increase of 1.5 percent for eligible co-workers became effective on December 28, 2014, and first appeared
on paychecks distributed on January 15, 2015. St. Joseph’s/Candler will spend more than $2.8 million to cover the annual cost
of this increase.
For questions about individual pay and eligibility criteria, co-workers should speak with their manager or director.
SJ/C Continues To Buck Trend With Retirement Plan Match
An employer matching program for co-workers’ retirement funds helps co-workers to save and plan for retirement. Here is
an example of how SJ/C’s matching program works:
As the economy continues to struggle, many employers in Georgia and across the country have been unable to continue
funding contributions to their co-workers’ 401(k) retirement plans. However, SJ/C has continued to buck this discouraging
trend.This year, SJ/C will invest $2.9 million in co-workers’ 401(k) retirement through matching funds.
Co-workers who have not enrolled in the 401(k) plan are encouraged to do so. As outlined above,SJ/C will match 50 percent
of the first 6 percent of pay that a co-worker contributes to the plan after one year of service. Co-workers are free to make
changes to their plan at any time, and SJ/C provides counseling with a MetLife representative at no cost.This representative
is available to help not only with retirement plans, but with most other financial topics such as debt management, stocks,
savings, and more. Many companies do not provide an on-campus representative for their retirement plans, so co-workers are
encouraged to take advantage of this unique resource.The SJ/C MetLife representative is Jim Deimer and he can be reached at
819-2132.
Discretionary Retirement Contribution Distributes $4.4 Million
St. Joseph’s/Candler also maintains a discretionary program within the 401(k) retirement plan.With this program, SJ/C makes
a contribution to eligible co-workers after the end of a plan year. Co-workers are are asked to speak with their manager or
director to determine their eligibility for this benefit.
This year, SJ/C distributed $4.4 million into the discretionary fund. If a co-worker is not currently participating in the
401(k) retirement plan but is eligible to receive a contribution, an account is established and funds are deposited in the co-
worker’s name.
Take an SJ/C co-worker who contributes $100 to his or her retirement fund each pay period. SJ/C will match that
contribution at 50 percent with pre-tax dollars.This means that SJ/C will add $50 to the co-worker’s retirement
plan at each pay period.At the end of the year, SJ/C will have added $1300 extra dollars to the co-worker’s 401(k).
SJ/C offers this 50 percent match to up to 6 percent of a co-worker’s income.

4. Nominate a co-worker for the McAuley Award!
Often the co-workers who most deserve recognition for going above and beyond are the last to seek it.
Do you know a co-worker who should receive the 2015 McAuley Award?
Named in honor of Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, this award is presented annually to a co-worker who
best exemplifies the mission and values of St. Joseph’s/Candler. Nominations are now open and forms can be found on the SJ/C
Intranet. Co-workers without computer access may receive a form from Mission Services at either campus.
For questions, call Agnes Cannella at 819-2582 or 819-6844.
Please don’t delay in giving an exceptional SJ/C co-worker the recognition they deserve.The nomination period ends on February 20.
page 4 February 2015
As participant or volunteer, it’s time to Get Your Rear In Gear
St. Joseph’s/Candler is the presenting sponsor for the fourth annual GetYour Rear In Gear 5K Run/Walk. Funds raised will stay in
our community, helping with prevention, early detection and treatment of colon cancer.This year’s race is dedicated to memory of
Mike Manhatton, aWTOC news anchor who lost his battle with colon cancer last year.
The event will be held outside SJ/C’s Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion on Saturday, March 14. If you would like to volunteer for
this race, please contact Menzanna Blakely at blakleym@sjchs.org.Volunteers will be needed as early as 7 a.m.
If you would rather put on your running gear and participate in the race, you can register online at fleetfeetsavannah.com/
rearingear. Registration is $25 until March 11. It rises to $30 on March 12 and $35 on race day.
New Confidential Co-Worker Survey Begins February 16
St. Joseph’s/Candler has asked Avatar Solutions, an inde-
pendent surveyor, to administer a Co-worker Engagement
Survey beginning February 16 and running through March 2.
The purpose of this survey is to obtain feedback from co-
workers about their overall job, pay and benefits. In addition,
co-workers will be asked to share their opinion regarding
topics such as SJ/C’s mission,concern for patient care,training
and development, safety and security, and customer service.
It is very important to note that SJ/C and HR Solutions
guarantees complete confidentiality in taking this
survey. Although co-workers will be asked to provide their
employee number, only Avatar Solutions will have access
to individual survey responses. If a department does not
have at least five co-workers, Avatar Solutions will report
the data with a larger department so that co-workers are
never identified as an individual. SJ/C will only receive overall
survey score results and no names will be provided. During
the survey,you will have the opportunity to write comments,
which will be summarized in a way that does not identify any
co-worker and is included with the overall results.
Co-worker’s will be able to gain access to the survey by
direct links that will be available on the SJ/C Intranet or on
the SJ/C site under Staff Access. Completion of the survey
should take less than 30 minutes.
Receiving feedback from our co-workers is critical to
our ability to continually evaluate and improve the work
environment for all co-workers. Survey results demonstrate
all of our strengths as a team, as well as opportunities for
improvement, and give co-workers the opportunity to en-
gage in solutions and share in our triumphs. Ultimately, your
feedback provides us with a strong foundation for delivering
our mission. Thank you in advance for taking the time to
provide your feedback. If you have any questions about this
survey, please contact Tammy Aveille, Employee Relations
Manager, 819-2981, or Julia Toth, Avatar Solutions Project
Manager, 312-863-6126.
Your comments and participation would be greatly appre-
ciated!

5. February 2015 page 5
The arrival of W-2’s means that tax season is upon us. In order to help you prepare, Sister Pat Baber, Director of St. Mary’s
Community Center, has provided some tax tips for 2015:
Remember, St. Mary’s Community Center is offering free tax assistance through theVolunteer IncomeTax Assistance (VITA)
program.This service is for those making less than $60,000. The center does not offer itemizations—just simple, straightfor-
ward tax preparation. For questions, call 447-0578.
TheVITA program will be offered this month until Thursday, February 26:
Monday – Thursday, 4 – 7 p.m. • Saturday, 9 a.m. - Noon
Tax Tips for 2015
Tip 1: You must have the Social Security cards for yourself and all your dependents.You cannot go to the Social Security
Administration and get a letter this year. If you are missing a social security card, go now to get it processed—it could
take as much as two weeks.
Tip 2: Every dependent must have health insurance or you will pay a penalty. It is too late to avoid this if you are not
enrolled for 2014, but you can prepare now for 2015. There is also a special enrollment for children. If you can’t afford
full private health insurance, your child may be eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare. St. Mary’s Community Center can
investigate this for you and help you enroll your child.
Physician From Egypt Learns About U.S. Healthcare At SJ/C
Mohamed Ghaleb, MD, a cardiologist from Egypt, is studying
healthcare administration in the United States. But he didn’t
want to only be taught the principles, he wanted to see them
in action as well. For that, he came to St. Joseph’s/Candler.
“I felt the responsibility to help improve healthcare in Egypt,
but unfortunately I didn’t have knowledge about healthcare
management,” Ghaleb said. “In the Egyptian healthcare sys-
tem, most of the hospital administrators are physicians.This
is good and bad at the same time. Physicians understand pa-
tient needs, but they don’t know how to satisfy these needs
because they don’t have a sufficient knowledge in healthcare
administration.”
Dr. Ghaleb received a scholarship to acquire a Master’s de-
gree in Health Services Administration from Armstrong State
University.He is currently in his second year with the program,
and wanted to gain experience outside of the classroom. A
professor at Armstong suggested that he intern at SJ/C.
Since beginning his internship, Dr. Ghaleb has worked or
shadowed co-workers in several departments and received
guidance from SJ/C leaders including Chief Operating Officer
Kyle McCann, Vice President of Mission Services Sister
Margaret Beatty,Director of St.Mary’s Community and Health
Center Sister Pat Baber,Mission Services SocialWorker Sister
Mary Anne Plaskon, and Vice President of Human Resources
Steve Pound.
“After graduation, I will return to Egypt and I hope to
implement what I have learned from this experience,” Ghaleb
said.“I have several ideas. One is to encourage the concept of
volunteers in healthcare, especially for college students who
want to be involved in their community. Another is to con-
nect the primary healthcare centers in Egypt to the secondary
level of services in hospitals through the tools of telemedicine
and information technology.”
Dr. Ghaleb hopes more physicians in Egypt will be able to
study in programs like the one at Armstrong and enjoy the
same kind of hands-on experience.
“This has been a great opportunity,” Ghaleb said. “I am
thankful for what everyone at SJ/C has taught me about best
practices in healthcare.”
Dr. Mohamed
Ghaleb, left, discusses
the differences
in healthcare
administration
between the U.S.
and Egypt with Steve
Pound, SJ/C’sVice
President of Human
Resources.

6. page 6 February 2015
FEBRUARY 1
LEIGH E. CRAFT
BRENDA S. FRASER
CRYSTAL S. GONZALEZ
KELLY LEIGH GRIENINGER
DIANA H. HARRIS
JAMES A. HUGHES
FEBRUARY 2
CONNIE BEASLEY
PETRA F. BLAND
NAEEMAH AIN CURTIS
HELENV. DIAZ-ROBINSON
SHUNTA N. GRANT
GWENDOLYN REDDICK
LAWRENCE
MEREDITH L. LEBEAU
CONSTANCE M. LUNDQUIST
PAMELA E. MOKOKO
KATHY M. NUNN
KALIFA SHABAZZ
FEBRUARY 3
CAROL S. BUCK
TERESA L. CISCO
ANDREW J. COLLINS
PAMELA A. GROOVER
JESSICA R. KEIFFER
LARRY LUNDY
JACKIE I. MCMICHAEL
JULIA L. MIKELL, MD
JULIA S. MURPH
AFSHAN NASRULLAH
JUANITA M. OGLESBY
MARSHA K. SINGLETARY
LAUREN S. SMITH
RUBY L. SMITH
LORI F. TREMBLE
MELISSA M.VERMILYEA
FEBRUARY 4
STEPHANIE R. DENMARK
SHERRY L. DICKSON
LYNN N. HOSKINS
DAVIDA J. MAKEPEACE-
SAMAYOA
ROBERT A. RAPACH
JENNIFER M.TILLINGER
FEBRUARY 5
TRICIA L. AMELUNG
TENNELL A. GIBBONS
SADIQA G. GULSTON
LESLIE JONES-BENNETT
HEATHER M. MARTIN
SHARON MURRAY
MARY L. OWEN
MARTHA G. PEACOCK
HALEY R.TUGGLE
PATRICIA J.VAN BRUNT
VERNITA M.WASHINGTON
KRISTIE DAWN WISTERMAN
FEBRUARY 6
STEPHEN E.ASHLEY
NATALIE T. BAUER
KIAY. CARTER
AMY B. IGOU
JACKIE LYNN MORGAN
LU F. PERKINS
MAGDALENE B. SCOTT
CHERYL G. SMITH
JUANITA THOMPSON
BARBARA A.WILSON
FEBRUARY 7
LESLIE-LYNNE L.K.ATES
SUSAN E. CHANDLER
GLENN C. GODBEE
STEPHANIE A. MITCHELL
JIMMIE LEE SAUNDERS
ERICA L. STEWART
TONI M.THOMAS
ANTONIO D.TYSON
SEAN B.WHITE
BRANDY N.WILLIAMS
FEBRUARY 8
MELITTA A. ADKINS
ELAINE M. BAILEY
ELSIE J. BAPTISTE
MENZANNA C. BLAKLEY
DOY E. CARTER
JOSEPH P. HARDEE
KYLEN M. JOHNSON
BRENDA B. MCMILLAN
KIMBERLY Z. PITTS
CHERYL L. RAWLINGS
RIVERA D.WINSTON
FEBRUARY 9
SHAWNNA R. BISHOP
RHONDAY. BRANTLEY
PAMELA R. COXON
SHERRY H. DANELLO
LORRAINE C. KNIGHT
DAWNA M. ROLLINS
CATHY ROSE
CONSTANCE B. SCRIPTURE
FEBRUARY 10
SHANDRENA FAMBLE
MELISSA A. HOFFMAN
TIFFANY L. JAMES-WALKER
MARY KIMMER
LARRY MORGAN
JAMIE L. ROBERSON
CYNTHIA E. ROTHWELL
AMBER M. SMITH
JACQUELINE N. VALDEZ
EDNA MAE G.WILLIAMS
FEBRUARY 11
ANGELA M. ALBRIGHT
CONNIE J. CARLTON
KEVIN M. HILLS
JANICE I. KIMBRELL
CYNTHIA M. LOWERTS
DESIREE L.VALDEZ
FEBRUARY 12
NORMA A. DELGADO
MELINDA P. GRANT
KEVIN D. KELLY
JOHN WESLEY KRULIC
CHRISTOPHER NEAL LANE
JOHNNIE R. LAWSON
LASANDRA MONIFIA M.
MILLER
SHELLEY L. PROCTOR
JONI N. SHORTT
DEBORAH A. SIMMONS
MARIE A. STRICKLAND
FEBRUARY 13
NATALIE J. BROWN
JAIME L. CLIFTON
CHARISSE L. HURT
CHRISTINE JONES
JENNIE S. MCCREARY
WENDELL K. MIXON
VICTORIA M. PAMPLONA
SONYA C. PRUITT
LANA M. RAHN
CATHY M. SISTRUNK
PENNY E. SITTON
JOHN J. SUTHERLAND
DANA L.WELSER
KEAUNAE A.WILLIAMS
SAMANTHA M.WILLMAN
FEBRUARY 14
JAMES R. DAVIS
JENNIFER S. DELP
RODENA S. SPAULDING
FEBRUARY 15
JEANNE M. CONRADE
CANDACE A. GILBERT
SR. JACQUELINE GRIFFITH
SHIRLEY A. HOBBS
DONNA M. MALECKA
KYLE J. PIERSON
ASHLEY D. REAVES
FEBRUARY 16
DEBORAH MARIE ARCHER
HAILY G. BROWN
JENNIFER JONES DAWSON
SHERLINE F. JACOBS
RENEE LOKENBERG
MONTAUDO
CHERYLY. PRYOR-COBB
FEBRUARY 17
ANGELA M. GRANT
ALANIA SUE GREENE
FAITH M. GRESHAM
MACHELLE Q. LEWIS
GINA C. MALONE
FEBRUARY 18
HEATHER J.ATKINSON
ODELLA M. BOLDEN
CLAIRE L. BOYD
SANDRA A. DYESS
RYAN LEE GOETZ
KATHERINE K. KALIMA
JUDSON P. ROOKS
ELIZABETH S.THORNTON
STANLEY WESTON JR.
LAWRENCE F.WILKES
BRANDI L.WILLIAMS
SHERRON L.WOO
FEBRUARY 19
DEBORAH A. CLARK
BETTY R. HUDSON
EYVONNE GRIFFIN JOHNSON
GINGER RENE LAUGHNER
MEGAN F. SIDDEL
FEBRUARY 20
MIRANDA P.ALLEN
BARBARA G.ALSTON
AMBER B.ANDERSON
ALICIA P. BLOUNT
ECHIKA N. CHUKWUKERE
JOHN O. COBB
OLIVIA DUFFIE
JOHN FRAZEE
DEREK A. GAUL
MORRIN J. MCLAUGHLIN
JESSY L. MCMULLAN
JAN R.WALKER
FEBRUARY 21
MARK A. ANDERSON
TOSCA N. DUKES
AMADOU NIANG
RUTH E. STINEY
NECEFORA M. SURRETTE
FEBRUARY 22
SANDRA M. BRYANT
KEVIN P. CAMPS
SANDRA L. CUBBEDGE
STEPHANIE HARVEY
DOROTHY L. KURTZ
DAWN R. KUSCHER
MICHELLE S. LEECH
JAMIE N. MAUNEY
KIMBERLY AMERSON NELSON
LAQUITA D. ROBINSON
DONALD TOM SANDNES
DESIREE P.TAYLOR
FEBRUARY 23
SHELBY SHAWN ANKRUM
SUSIE CONYERS
NYISHA EDWARDS
STEVEN D. GILES
GAY SYTRINE HILL
LINDA ISBER
SOFIA IRENE LAURETTI
LACI J. MCLEOD
JAMIE S. MEISER
MICHAEL S. SANGIORGE
JULIA SCHACHTER
FEBRUARY 24
CHERYDA GREGORY
NGOC-NHI L. HOANG
CAROLYN L. MANESS
ANTHONY JOHN RENEW
ALISON A. RYCROFT
STACEY L. SEARCY
PAMELA C. SHUMAN
SARAH WASSON
ERICA R.WRIGHT
FEBRUARY 25
LINDA M.ARREGLADO
JOEANN LAWTON BRYANT
DOROTHY L. JOHNSON
DAVID P. LAMBERT
STEPHANIE B. O’QUINN
LOERA M. POPE DE RENDON
SHARLENE S. ROSE
JULIE D. SMALLS
VICTORIA A.WOODS
FEBRUARY 26
JANE MARIE GOUGH
BRETT C. HUNT
BRUCE M. JONES
CHRISTINA M. OVERSTREET
BAMBI T. POTTER
PATRICIA G. ROUSE
CHRISTY R. SCHUMAN
FEBRUARY 27
SHANNON K. BOYKIN
SARAH BURNS
ANITA K. CLIFTON
ABASSE KONTE
SARAH B. NEGRON
FEBRUARY 28
EDWARD ALVAREZ
CHRISTINE M. BLECK
KATHRYN M. BOWLING
MARCELLA R. CHARLES
SANDRA K. DUNHAM
BETTY EARLY
BLAIR L. FAULK
JUDYTH L. GULLE
ELIZABETH D. HINELY
MICHELLE M. LIVELY
ANGELA D. MCCALLAR
REBECCA K. MCCUNN
DONNIE L. REDFEARN JR.
MICHELE J. ROBERTS
YASMIENE T. SHEMDIN
LEOLA WILLIAMS
FEBRUARY 29
YOLANDA RENITA JACKSON
February Birthdays

7. February 2015 page 7
By Susan Howell MSN, EdD, RN, NEA-BC
Director of Professional Practice/Nursing Specialty Services
RN MNIT
(Magnet Nurses In Touch)
Seems just yesterday that the NewYear had started…
and we are now in February. So, Happy Valentine’s Day
to all!
In terms of Magnet news, I received the call from the
Magnet office on Friday, January 23 regarding our status
in the redesignation process. The appraisers have com-
pleted their scoring and have asked for some additional
documentation. A team is already at work reviewing
the deficiency (request) statements and reworking the
narratives to meet the requests. As you may recall, our
documentation submission coincided with the manda-
tory use of the new 2014 Magnet manual and sources
of evidence.This new manual has been an adjustment for
all of the new applicants and the redesignating organiza-
tions. As with previous manuals, I do expect that there
will be some revisions along the way.
However, we have a 60-day additional documentation
timeframe with our additional documentation being due
by April 21. Our goal is to have our additional documen-
tation submitted in advance of this deadline. More to
come on this.
January also heralded the first Professional Nursing
Council (PNC) meeting with newly elected leadership.
Melynda Allesandro BSN, RN has assumed the role of
chairperson; Marta Cuevas BSN, RN, chair-elect; and
Alexandra Mahon BSN, RN, secretary.We are all expect-
ing great outcomes this year from the PNC.
The Joint Commission requires a Joint Commission
Assessment team. This team’s purpose purpose is to
review and approve documentation and processes that
reference the assessment of patients. In February, Keisha
Duren, BSN, RN, PCCN, IS analyst for nursing, will be
joining the team.This is important in that this team will
begin reviewing all of the new assessments and recent
revisions in Meditech 6.1 to assure ease of function for
nursing workflow and documentation. More education
will be coming to all as a result.Additionally, please check
with your nursing governance representative—we will
be reviewing documentation processes monthly in both
Nursing Quality Practice Council and the PNC.
The Expert Nurse Council is comprised of the
Advanced Practice Nurses, educators and other nursing
leaders with the express purpose to advance evidence
based practice in nursing at St. Joseph’s/Candler. A ma-
jor project being addressed by the council this year is
a revision of our clinical ladder, the Nursing Bridge to
Excellence. Based on much feedback from frontline nurs-
ing, the ladder requirements are being updated and again
refined to more fully demonstrate clinical excellence at
the bedside. Our goal is to have a working document for
review in March.
Thank you for all you do!
Co-Workers Earn Lean Six Sigma Belts
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a methodology used by organiza-
tions to improve performance and decrease waste.The LSS
effort started at St.Joseph’s/Candler inAugust of 2013 and has
included several projects that improved processes through a
collaborative team effort. One example of this effort is the
decreased time on the Average Length of Stay (ALOS) in the
Emergency Department at both campuses. The ALOS has
been decreased by 24 minutes at St. Joseph’s and 19 minutes
at Candler.While that may not seem like a significant amount
of time, it actually translates to increased revenue of more
than $2 million.
Co-workers are recognized for their level in the program
through colored belts, similar to the martial arts. Currently
SJ/C has two LSS black belts: Chief Operating Officer Kyle
McCann and Director of Process Improvement Cynthia
Pauley. Twenty-two co-workers are now green belts, who
are often project leaders and who have received 40 hours of
LSS training. SJ/C also has 170 co-workers with yellow belts.
These co-workers have received 16 hours of training.
More LSS projects are being planned for this year.

8. Ingredients
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes (with juice)
12 ounces chili sauce
1 large green pepper, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced, or
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
cooked brown rice or whole wheat pasta
Enjoy some delicious Creole flavors without making the trip to Louisiana or compromising your healthy choices.This recipe
has no saturated fat.What it does have, besides plenty of spicy kick, is good amounts of protein, vitamin C and vitamin A.
Chicken Creole
SJ/C’s High And Low Cooking Corner
St. Joseph’s/Candler is dedicated to educating co-workers about meals that promote wellness. For each issue, SmartTalk strives to
provide a recipe that is high in healthy ingredients and low in fats and sugars.
Valentine’s Day Trivia
More than 50 percent of Valentine cards are sold within a
week of the holiday, with the largest and most elaborate
cards sold 48 hours before February 14.
In Guatemala,Valentine’s Day is known as Dia del Amor
y la Amistad (Day of Love and Friendship). Although it is
similar to the United States’ holiday in many ways, it is
also common on this day to see people perform acts of
appreciation for their friends.
The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare set his play
Romeo and Juliet, receives about 1,000 letters addressed
to Juliet everyValentine’s Day.
Source: heromantic.com and wikipeida.org
Valentine’s Day Humor
What did the boy octopus say to the girl octopus on
Valentine’s Day?
Can I hold your hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand, hand,
hand?
Valentine’s Day Quote
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
- Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
Source: shakespeare-online.com
Just For Fun
Directions
1. Heat over medium-high heat (350 degrees in an electric skillet).
Add vegetable oil and chicken, and cook until no longer pink when cut.
2. Reduce heat to medium (300 degrees in electric skillet).
3. Add tomatoes with juice, chili sauce, green pepper, celery, onion, garlic,
basil, parsley, and cayenne pepper.
4. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10-15 minutes.
5. Serve over hot, cooked rice or pasta.
Yields about 8 servings.
Tip
No chili sauce?You can make your own (and probably reduce the sodium
content) by mixing these ingredients:
• 1 can (8-ounce) tomato sauce • 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar • 1 teaspoon chili powder
Source: foodhero.org