Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network established at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

On February 22, MLH leaders, Associates, community partners, friends and family gath-ered to launch the Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network. The Living Well Network was

established in memory of Dennis H. Jones, a devout Christian, beloved husband and father, and successful businessman.

“My husband Dennis was a brilliant man, a giving, caring man,” said Debbie Jones, his wife of 35 years. “He was my high school sweetheart. I was a high school sophomore and he was a freshman in college.”

But he was also a man who had struggled with depression for over a decade, despite having a loving family, an enviable career at FedEx, and legions of friends. Two days after Christmas in 2009, Dennis Jones fi nally gave up his struggle. After weeks of careful planning to protect his family, he committed suicide.

“I want to take this tragic event and turn it around to have something good come of it by helping others,” said Debbie Jones. “The Living Well Network will do just that.”

Myra Bennett, D.Min, LCPT, CEAP, is the Network’s coordinator and Rev. Rick Kirchoff, Dennis Jones’ former pastor, serves as the executive director.

While the network is housed at Methodist Healthcare, referrals will be made to various therapists, clinics, hospitals and other resources that can make a difference. In short, the Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network is a place where people and their families can turn for guidance in managing life’s challenges.

You can learn more at www.livingwellfrontporch.org.

1Visit us on the web at www.methodisthealth.org/give

SPRING 2012

A publication for the friends of the Methodist Healthcare Foundation

T hanks to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare’s Congregational Health

Network (CHN), people across Memphis are seeing and understanding the connection between faith and health like never before.

Perry Little, Chaplain Manager at Methodist Germantown and Director of Education for the CHN, says regular classes provided by the network are reaching an in-creasingly receptive audience—and participants are spreading the word.

“It’s all been very positive,” Little said. “Participants are telling their pastors and they are telling other pastors, and we’re seeing more congregations interested in becom-ing part of the CHN.”

Currently, about 480 churches are part of the CHN, a collaborative partnership between Methodist’s hospitals and Mid-South congrega-tions. The goal is to create a network of congrega-tions and faith communities that will share in the ministry of caring for patients before, during and after the time they visit a Methodist facility.

As part of its mission, the CHN offers a series of

Many gathered to celebrate the launch of the Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network which has been created as a resource to those suffering from depression and anxiety. Left to right: Dennis Jones’ brother Larry Jones, his son-in-law and daughter, Cameron and Cristin Santana, and his wife Debbie Jones gather with MLH Executive Vice President Donna Abney.

“The mission at the Dennis H. Jones

Living Well Network is to give people

the opportunity to live their life to the

fullest by creating and supporting a

healing network that can assist them

in successfully navigating depres-

sion, anxiety, stress and the chal-

lenges of life”— Rev. Rick Kirchoff, Executive Director,

Dennis H. Jones Living Well Network

Faith leaders are going back to school at Methodist to better care for their congregationsseven-week, weekly classes on topics ranging from hospital visitation skills and navigating the hospital system to how to live with conditions like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes. The sessions are taught primarily by Methodist chap-lains, nurses and physicians.

Taking place on Thursday nights, classes are

offered almost year-round at Methodist University and the Germantown campus as well as at Crittenden Regional Hospital in West Memphis. Classes are free of charge and open to anyone, CHN members and non-members alike.

Little says the idea of a healthcare system partnering with church congregations makes solid sense.

“Our primary aim is to produce better health-care outcomes in the community,” Little said. “You have to go where the people are. Studies have shown that 88 percent of patients we see in

Methodist facilities have attended a church in the preceding three or four weeks.”

As attendance at classes increases and word about the CHN spreads to more and more churches, the dream of a healthier Memphis becomes more and more of a reality. And Little and other leaders in the CHN see the faith-health connection as key to that reality.

“I see faith and health going hand in hand,” she said. “It reminds me of a verse from one of John’s epistles (3 John: 2). ‘Beloved, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers.’ The healthier and better we are physically, the better we can

serve spiritually.”To enroll or learn more about the CHN or

any of its classes, call 901-516-7481 or email bobby.baker@mlh.org.

“The healthier and better we

are physically, the better we

can serve spiritually.”— Perry Little

The Congregational Health Network is 480-churches-strong and growing thanks in part to a series of healthcare related classes for members and non-members. The CHN is a collaborative partner-ship between Methodist’s hospitals and Mid-South congregations. The goal is to create a network of congregations and faith communities that will share in the ministry of caring for patients before, during and after the time they visit a Methodist facility.

The Foundation Focus is printed two times per year. If you would prefer to receive the newslet-ter via email, please contact Lori Dale at 901-516-0505. If you do not wish to receive further information from Methodist Healthcare Foundation, please contact us at 901-516-0500.

Donations make our work possible. Thank you.

2

C A R D I A C C L I N I C D E C I S I O N U N I T

Amazing things are happening hereDear Friends, Fundraising is very competitive these days. We continually strive to be good stewards of your donations. I ask myself the questions that you would possibly ask. “Why should I support your projects? What impact will my gift have and how do you measure those results?” Measuring results…that’s the newest trend. Even though we believe our work is meaningful and see that it is making a difference—we want to quantify that impact. Those types of questions are especially prevalent in healthcare, where literally everything is measured—from the time you walk in the door, to the days you are a patient, to the number of times you return. (We hope that you won’t return!) I recently watched a short video of a presentation by Brene Brown, a sociologist and professor at the St. Louis University School of Social Work. Ms. Brown discusses the value of stories as research. While most of us would agree with the phrase “if you cannot measure it, it doesn’t exist,” she would argue that “stories are just data with a soul.” Oftentimes, qualitative research—impact that we can feel or hear but cannot measure with percentages—helps us understand even better the impact that our generosity can have. The hospice residence has been open for six months, and we could never imagine the impact we’ve had on our 200 patients and their families during their last days of life. Several weeks ago, on a beautiful, warm (and winter!) day, you would have seen a hospice patient who had not been outside in months, sitting in the gardens, surrounded by his family, with his dog cuddled in his lap. Inside, down the hall, you might have seen a six-month-old-baby whose brain would not develop and, after spending his last weeks at the hospice being held and rocked by staff and volunteers 24 hours a day, he passed away. The stories of the impact (there’s that measureable word again!) of the work of our navigators and liaisons within the Congregational Health Network are equally compelling. Minnie, a liaison in a small Baptist church, has taken care of a widower who was a member of their congregation. He went from eight hospital stays in one year, to two the second year and then to none! He was given his life back, thanks to the genuine concern of a fellow parishioner and friend. Stories have faces and hearts, statistics do not. While I know that the statistics and measured results are important, it’s nice sometimes to just sit back and know that you gave another person one more day. Thanks for your commitment to our mission and for all that you do.

Gratefully,

Paula JacobsonPresidentMethodist Healthcare Foundation

Cardiac Clinic Decision Unit honors Dr. O. Brewster Harrington for a lifetime of achievement

Kathy Bates lends voice talent for her hometown hospital—Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

T he feeling of the day was one of faith, family and friendships as Dr. O. Brewster Harrington

and his wife Barbara celebrated the consecration and ribbon cutting of the O. Brewster Harrington, M.D. Cardiac Clinical Decision Unit with friends and family on February 29. Guests gathered in the lobby of the Decision Unit on 2 East at Methodist University Hospital to celebrate Dr. Harrington’s career as a cardiothoracic surgeon, his dedication and his generosity to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare.

David Harrington, middle son of three, spoke on be-half of the family. He recounted that his father views his legacy at MLH as “it’s been fun.” Dr. Harrington’s career achievements, that included the fi rst heart transplant and fi rst open heart surgery, were never mentioned at home during their youth. David and his brothers only remembered that their father would express concern for his patients and his employees, never discussing or boasting of his personal accomplishments. Sons Clay and Bruce and Rev. Shane Stanford from Christ Methodist Church offered prayers before the offi cial

ribbon-cutting ceremony and consecration.Kevin M. Spiegel, FACHE, CEO of Methodist

University Hospital, announced that the goal of the Methodist University Hospital Cardiovascular Institute is to create a world-class, top 50 Cardiovascular Institute through excellence in clinical care, quality, academ-ics and innovation. An initial objective was the rapid identifi cation and treatment of STEMI or ST-Elevation Myocardian infarction, one of the most deadly forms of heart attack. We have developed a procedure to assure that patients who are having a STEMI receive door to balloon treatment within 90 minutes. The Cardiac Decision Unit will receive all chest pain center patients who come directly to our Emergency Room or who are transferred from our STEMI network hospitals for evalu-ation and will provide patient and family centered care as well as world-class care.

For additional opportunities and information on ways to fund the vision and enhancements for clinical care, please contact Methodist Healthcare Foundation at 901-516-0500.

Y ou may have heard a familiar voice on the airwaves lately

touting Methodist Healthcare’s services. Award-winning actor and Memphian Kathy Bates lent her voice for several radio spots that Methodist produced earlier this year. The spot currently airing is about Methodist’s new partner-ship with The West Clinic to take cancer care in the Mid-South to the next level. Later in the year, Methodist’s hospice residence and other services will be featured.

Bates, an ovarian cancer survi-vor, spoke at Methodist Healthcare Foundation’s Cancer Center Luncheon in 2009, and while in town, took the opportunity to visit with cancer patients to share her story and offer encouragement. She also got a chance to see plans for the new hospice residence that Methodist has since completed.

“I was moved when I saw the kind of care being given

at Methodist,” she said. “I was inspired by the dedication of the physicians and staff.”

Thanks to a generous donation, a room at Methodist’s hospice residence is named for “George A. and Mary Bates Wehbi” in memory of her brother-in-law and in honor of her sister.

Donna Gordy, executive vice president with Sullivan Branding, Methodist’s advertising agency, says that even though Bates never identifi es herself in the radio spots, her voice is distinctive enough that people will recognize it.

“This is her hometown and she cares about the healthcare here. She knows Methodist is devoted to its mission of providing top quality care to each patient they see. We

are grateful that Kathy Bates took the time to help us share important messages with our community,” said Gordy.

3Visit us on the web at www.methodisthealth.org/give

S anjaya Satapathy, M.D., and Vinay Ranga,

M.D., have teamed up with the Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute.

Dr. Sanjaya Satapathy joins Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute as a hepatolo-gist and will serve as an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He earned his medical degree from VSS Medical College, Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, India, where he also completed his residency in internal medicine. Dr. Satapathy went on

to complete his clinical fel-lowship in Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York.

Dr. Vinay Ranga has accepted a position at Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute as a nephrologist and will serve as an associate

professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Dr. Ranga earned his medical degree from Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, India. He completed a fellowship in Transplant Medicine at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore. and a fellowship in Nephrology at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo.

“We are delighted to add these outstanding physicians to the Methodist University Hospital Transplant team,” said Transplant Institute Program Director and Professor of Surgery at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center James Eason, M.D. “It is a testament to the strength of our transplant program and the quality team we have that enables us to continue to grow our pro-gram and save lives.”

Nationally recognized for its success with kidney, liver, kidney-pancreas and pancreas transplants, Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute has been a leader in the fi eld for more than 30 years.

Partnering with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, the program is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the life expectancy for its organ transplant patients through research breakthroughs, excellence in surgical techniques and meticulous post-operative care.

T R A N S P L A N T I N S T I T U T E

Two new physicians join Methodist University Hospital Transplant Institute

Mark Yancy at helm, sickle cell patients have a place to turn

M ark Yancy is no stranger to Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare. He’s also no stranger

to sickle cell disease. Lucky for the more than 1,600 patients living in the region, he has been named program manager for the newly opened Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell and Benign Hematology Center for Methodist University Hospital (MUH).

Mark is grateful for the medical breakthroughs that have continued to lengthen the life span of sickle cell patients. He also intimately un-derstands the void that the Center is meeting for patients who are living longer with the disease.

“There are ap-proximately 1,600 adult sickle cell patients in Memphis who often

suffer bouts of excruciating pain in the chest, arms, legs or other parts of the body. During a sickle cell crisis, they need a place to go where their disease is understood and can be quickly addressed. Today, we are here for them.”

He missed a year-and-a-half of college classes because sickle cell had destroyed bone and tissue in his hips. At 21, he had his right hip replaced once and his left hip replaced twice. The risk of extensive organ, tissue, and bone damage can be decreased if patients receive care within two hours of the onset of a crisis. In fact, patients who are seen within two hours of the onset of a crisis often go home that same day. Now, they have

a place to turn.Mark’s performance with the

Foundation and leading the $5 million Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis was infl uential in MUH’s quest to be nationally recognized for deliver-ing outstanding care to each patient through collaboration with patients and their families. Mark is known for his ability to be a team player and overcome problems during challenging times.

“The quality of dedication and customer satisfac-tion Mark brings to our team is very important for the Methodist University Hospital’s long term success,” said Kevin M. Spiegel, FACHE, CEO of Methodist University Hospital. “We look forward to Mark’s abil-ity to achieve the highest goals in his new role as our program manager of the Center of Excellence for Sickle Cell and Benign Hematology.”

While Mark will report directly to MUH Chief Operating Offi cer Jamie Carter, FACHE, in his new role, he will also continue his external relationships, supporting the Foundation’s efforts to achieving our goals toward sickle cell.

Methodist is committed to enhancing our Regional Sickle Cell Program and you can help. The Plough Foundation has issued a $1 million challenge that must be matched dollar for dollar. Today, we are close to earning this signifi cant gift. Will you join other caring donors by making a gift to support Sickle Cell? Visit www.methodisthealth.org/give or call 901-516-0500. Thank you.

Transplant Institute marks milestone with celebrationPhysicians and staff from the

Methodist University Hospital/

UT Health Science Center

Transplant Institute had a lot

to be proud of as they recently

celebrated a record-breaking

260 transplants in 2011 at a

gathering at Minglewood Hall in

Midtown Memphis.

“Achieving this milestone

is a tremendous accomplish-

ment,” said Transplant Institute

Program Director and Professor

of Surgery at the University

of Tennessee Health Science

Center James Eason, M.D.

Nationally recognized for

its success with kidney,

liver, kidney-pancreas and

pancreas transplants, Methodist

University Hospital Transplant

Institute has been a leader in the

fi eld for more than 30 years. The

program offers hope to patients

with conditions such as kidney

failure, end-stage liver diseases

including cirrhosis, Hepatitis C

and diabetes.

Partnering with the University

of Tennessee, the program is

dedicated to improving the qual-

ity of life and the life expectancy

for organ transplant patients

through research break-

throughs, excellence in surgical

techniques and meticulous

post-operative care.

For more information about

the Transplant Institute, visit

www.methodisthealth.org.

Sanjaya Satapathy Vinay Ranga MD

Mark Yancy

“It is a testament to

the strength of our

transplant program

and the quality team

we have that en-

ables us to continue

to grow our program

and save lives.”—James Eason, M.D.

“The quality of dedica-

tion and customer sat-

isfaction Mark brings to

our team is very impor-

tant for the Methodist

University Hospital’s

long term success.”— Kevin M. Spiegel

Transplant 2011 Celebration group at a gathering at Minglewood Hall in Midtown Memphis

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Day to day: He’s served on the Methodist Healthcare Foundation

board for about fi ve years. He currently serves as

Medical Director for the emergency depart-ments (EDs) at all Methodist hospital locations.

Delta wisdom:He was born

at Methodist Healthcare and grew

up in Greeneville, Miss., where his fam-

ily moved when he was fi ve. “I haven’t travelled far.” While his youth was spent south of here, Memphis always held a special place for him. “There’s a saying in the Delta—when you die, you go to heaven, and if you were really good, you get to come through Memphis on the way.”

Curriculum vitae: He studied biol-ogy at Christian Brothers College and attended Medical School at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, completing a residency in Internal Medicine. Board certifi ed in Internal Medicine, he practiced for three years in Tupelo before moving to Memphis, where he practiced at

both Methodist Healthcare and Baptist Memorial Healthcare.

Need for speed: When he became less interested in Internal Medicine, he re-trained and became board certifi ed in Emergency Medicine. “I was an adrenaline junkie back then. I got to do a lot more pro-cedures than I did as an internist.” He worked in the EDs at Methodist South Hospital, at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis and at Baptist and has been at Methodist full-time since 1986. He became Medical Director for the EDs at Methodist North and Methodist South hospitals in 1992 and took over as Medical Director over all Methodist Healthcare emergency departments in 2005.

The ED challenge: In addition to the adrenaline, he’s drawn to the challenge of putting together an emergency department team. “It’s kind of like putting together a Boy Scout troop. You state your vision, give everybody a chance to discuss it and hopefully buy in. And then you say, ‘You guys lead the way.’”

Points of pride: “Methodist EDs led the way in converting to elec-tronic records and orders. When I go to national meetings and see that

we’re so far ahead of almost every-one else, it’s very gratifying. I’m also very proud of our chest pain pro-gram. A patient comes in with chest pain symptoms and they’re having their coronary artery opened in 70 minutes or less. We’re doing the same thing with acute strokes.”

Foundation fan: He serves on the Methodist Healthcare Foundation board because “it supports Methodist. I am very pleased with the things that they do—especially The Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center of Memphis and the Methodist Hospice Residence. They both are providing and will provide something for people that has been lacking in Memphis.”

The bottom line: “Methodist is THE hospital for Memphis. They’re not discerning about whether a pa-tient can pay or not. They take care of the patient fi rst. And Gary Shorbis great to work for. He’s a visionary and he’s why I’m still here.”

The other bottom line: “Methodist is a great place to work. I’ve been able to give back to Methodist some of what they’ve given me. And the Methodist Foundation continues to give back to Memphis.”

Dr. Marty Carr

The Methodist Foundation The Methodist Foundation The Methodist Foundation

has a new and improved website. has a new and improved website. has a new and improved website.

Visit us online at Visit us online at Visit us online at

www.methodisthealth.org/give www.methodisthealth.org/give www.methodisthealth.org/give

where you can also follow where you can also follow where you can also follow

us on facebook and twitter. us on facebook and twitter. us on facebook and twitter.

L. Kirkpatrick Bobo (Chair)Nancy BarnettThomas (Marty) Carr, MDJohn Glass

Dennis Higdon, MDPaula Jacobson (President) Jeanne S. Jemison, MDDebbie Jones

Andrew R. McCarrollJohn PetteyEd RobersonSally Shy

Rev. Deborah SmithBridget TrenaryCarole W. WestRev. Eric L. WinstonLewis Williamson

Make your wishes known

and make a difference at

the same time Including us in your will and making a bequest is one of the simplest ways to remember what you care about most—while keeping your assets available to you throughout your lifetime. An unrestricted direct bequest—included in your will or living trust—of a certain sum of money, a percentage of your estate or a particular asset preserves your wishes forever and strengthens our tomorrow. We are available to provide you with more information on gifts that fi t your fi nancial and philanthropic goals.

Please contact us at:Methodist Healthcare FoundationW. Steven West Senior Legal Counsel Emeritus 1211 Union Ave., Suite 410Memphis TN 38104email: steve.west@mlh.orgphone: 901-516-0540

Methodist Healthcare Foundation Board Members