OMCNewsThe Right Care, Right Here

May 2009 www.ozarksmedicalcenter.com Issue 1:6

Governor visits OMC

Above, Director of IT and Facilities Planning and Development Edward T. Boys, left, and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon review blueprints for the future OMC Emergency Department.

For more photos from the Governor’s visit, see page 2.

n Friday April 24, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon visited Ozarks OMedical Center as part of the

launch of the Missouri Next-Generation Jobs Team and to tour the future OMC Emergency Department facilities.

The Next-Generation Jobs Team will provide Missouri youth with summer internships and work experiences.

The West Plains Workforce Investment Board will be placing the students at OMC to introduce them to health care careers. Youth ages 16-24 interested in working at OMC this summer should apply via the website at

or call 800-592-6020.

The program will run from the last week of May through Sept. 30.

These positions can include tech, clerical and other opportunities.

For more information on the program, visit www.mo.gov and click through to the Next-Generation Jobs Team site.

www.summerjobs.mo.gov

Left, Gov. Jay Nixon announces the Next-Generation Jobs Team program at OMC on April 24. With him are OMC Board member Travis Morrison, left, and OMC Board Chairman Greg Beykirch. Right, Beykirch addresses those gathered in the OMC Lobby for the governor’s visit.

Ozarks Medical CenterMay 2009 2

Above left, Gov. Jay Nixon greats those who were in attendance at his April 24 press conference. Left, Nixon looks at the exterior of the future Emergency Department. Above, Nixon, his staff, community members and OMC staff tour the inside of the future OMC Emergency Room.

Ozarks Medical Center 50 Year AnniversaryCommunity Celebration

Saturday, May 23, 2009Heart of the Ozarks Fair Grounds

Free Admission

For more information, call 417-257-6735

Opens at 9 a.m.

All day events include: Car Show Kid Zone Blood Drive Bingo50’s Fashion Show Nintendo Wii Giveaway Food Vendors

Silent Auction Heart of the Ozarks Health Fair Music Games and Prizes

R

Evening Concert Featuring: Reloaded - 6 p.m. and Mesa Mitchell - 8 p.m.

Governor’s visit to OMC continued

Ozarks Medical Center 3May 2009

With a little creativity, the 12th Annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Ozarks Medical Center Rehabilitation Services and Ozark

Radio Network, was held this year on April 10, despite poor weather conditions.

“Originally, the event location was the West Plains Soccer Park, but with heavy rains the night before the hunt and showers again that morning, we had to make a quick change,” said Pam Ream, director of OMC Rehabilitation Services. Ream said other venues that would hold the approximately 2,000 people that the event usually draws were unavailable and so the idea of a drive-thru Easter egg hunt was formed.

The event was moved under the awning of the future OMC Emergency Department. Guests were able to meet the Easter bunny, collect their candy- and toy-filled eggs, gather their gifts and have a chance to find a golden egg, all from the comfort of their vehicles.

“The event was definitely a first, but it went wonderfully and everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves,” Ream said. “It was great that families, especially those with small children, didn't have to get out in the cold and wet weather.

“We really appreciate all those people who attended the event and made it a success.”

During the hunt, 10 lucky grand prize winners discovered “golden eggs.” Those with golden certificates in their eggs won a bicycle or a slide. Grand prize winners included: Christa Doane, 2, West Plains; Garit Spence, 3, West Plains; Ashleigh McGuire, 4, Mountain View; Megyn Upton, 5, Hardy, Ark.; R.J. Atkinson, 7, West Plains; Devon Mason, 7, West Plains; Shayla Brazeal, 8, West Plains; Braelyn Kirfman, 9, Vanzant; Katie Burgess, 9, Willow Springs; and the Carrell and Lewis families, no addresses given.

12th Annual

Easter Egg Hunt

12th Annual

Easter Egg HuntSpring Rains move egg hunt to new location

Zoe Johnson, 3, West Plains, visits with the Easter bunny at the annual OMC/ORN Easter Egg Hunt.

Garit SpenceF r o m l e f t , OMC Public R e l a t i o n s S p e c i a l i s t Carla Perisho; grand prize winner Garit S p e n c e , 3 ; a n d O M C Occupational T h e r a p i s t R h o n d a Hollingshad.

Ozarks Medical Center 4May 2009

zarks Medical Center is “We are proud of the OMC Medical laboratory professionals recognizing its staff of laboratory staff and of the hard work represent a variety of specialties, Op a t h o l o g i s t s , and dedication that goes into this including pathologists, medical

phlebotomists and laboratory medical field,” said OMC Laboratory technologists, medical laboratory technologists and technicians during Director John Counts. “Laboratory technicians, histotechnologists, Nat ional Medical Laboratory workers are the unsung heroes of h i s t o l o g i c t e c h n i c i a n s , Professionals Week, April 19-25. heal th care . We have to be cytotechnologists, cytopathologists,

Laboratory professionals are p a i n s t a k i n g l y m e t i c u l o u s i n phlebotomy technicians, clinical specially trained to use state-of-the-art performing our jobs in order to chemists, microbiologists, laboratory technology and instrumentation to provide dependable answers to other manager and medical educators.help prevent disease by detecting physicians and patients. Laboratory Lab Week was established in 1975 unknown health problem. They also professionals are a critical component and in 2006, the name of “Lab Week” aid in the diagnosis and treatment of of the health care team, working was changed to reflect that a existing conditions by giving behind the scenes to provide accurate laboratory is more than a place. Now, accurate, t imely test results . information and results.” National Medical Laboratory According to the American Society for Results of laboratory tests often Profess ionals recognizes the C l i n i c a l P a t h o l o g y ( A S C P ) , identify the presence of disease in its approximately 300,000 medical laboratory test results comprise about earliest stages, when the possibilities laboratory professionals and 14,500 70 percent of a patient's medical of a cure are greatest and when board cer t i f ied pa thologis t s , record. treatment is least costly, Counts said. according to the ASCP.

OMC celebrates National Lab Week April 19-25

West Plains Mayor Joe Paul Evans recently signed a proclamation declaring April 19-25 as National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. With him for the signing were representatives from Ozarks Medical Center. From left, Lab Technologist Melissa Pierce, Phlebotomist Robert Bush, Laboratory Director John Counts, Evans, Medical Technologists Michelle Baker and Mitch Townsend, OMC Chief Operating Officer Jeannie Looper and Medical Director of Laboratories Dr. Gideon Morrison.

Ozarks Medical Center 5May 2009

Sundeep S. Lal, MD, a board- look forward to working with patients certified pain management specialist, on the prevention, evaluation and has joined the Ozarks Medical Center treatment of pain,” Lal said. “There are staff. Lal's practice is located at the a variety of pain management OMC Pain Management Center at 1100 programs, including advanced options Kentucky Avenue in West Plains. like implantable treatment modalities,

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Lal neuro-ablation (nerve block) and other to OMC,” said OMC President and programs, which can greatly improve CEO David Zechman. “His skills and the quality of life for patients with experience in pain management will be chronic and severe pain.”a tremendous addition to the OMC His emphasis is on optimum medical staff and will expand the diagnosis and the rationalization of services we provide to the area treatment methods on an individual to communities.” individual basis, having a personalized

Lal comes to West Plains from Little treatment plan for each patient. Rock, Ark., where he has been in private "Regular monitoring of pain practice for the past six years. He was therapies is necessary because the previously an interventional pain therapeutic benefits of treatments can specialist with an orthopedic group in and the American Medical Association. change. Patient response to pain can be Little Rock, Ark. Lal also is board Lal completed his residency in affected by changes in the underlying certified in physical medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation at pain condition, coexisting disease, or in rehabilitation. the University of Arkansas for Medical psychological or social circumstances,”

Lal is a diplomate of the American Sciences and did his fellowship in he said.Board of Pain Management and interventional pain in Little Rock, Ark. Lal said he encourages his patients to Rehabilitation and the American Board Prior to moving to the US 10 years ago, “think positive to be pain-free and of Pain management. He is a member of Lal was an orthopedic surgeon in the happy.”the American Society for Interventional United Kingdom and India. “Each one of us is stronger than we Pain Physicians; the Physiatric He is trained and certified in chronic may think or know. It is a partnership Association of Spine, Sports and wound management and hyperbaric between you the patient and your Occupational Rehabilitation; the medicine, which is the medical use of physician and together we cannot fail.” American Academy of Physical oxygen at a level higher than For more information, contact the Medicine and Rehabilitation; the atmospheric pressure. O z a r k s M e d i c a l C e n t e r P a i n Association of Academic Physiatrists “As a pain management specialist, I Management Center at 417-256-1761.

Pain management specialist joins team at OMC

Sundeep S. Lal, MD

Display honors chaplains

The volunteer chaplains at Ozarks Medical Center recently purchased two plaques to honor the Chaplain of the Year and the Chaplain of the Month. The two awards are presented to chaplains in honor of their dedication to the patients of OMC. The Chaplain of the Month for March was James Shrieves and the Volunteer Chaplain of the Year is Chaplain Secretary Brenda Ealy. The plaques are located outside the chapel in the OMC Main Lobby. From left, Lilly Long, Sarah George, Sam Smith, Roy Goldsmith, Billy Cawthron, Dale Law, Ron Richardson, Gene Ealy, Brenda Ealy and Erman Croney.

Ozarks Medical Center 6May 2009

Riverways Hospice Memorial Service held at OMC Foundation

Riverways Hospice of Ozarks Medical Center recently hosted a memorial to honor and remember patients and other community members. The service was held at the OMC Foundation and honored those who passed away between October 2008 and March 2009. The service included speakers, the reading of names and a memory table for photographs and memorabilia of loved ones.

The morning class at Friendship Circle Preschool recently visited O z a r k s M e d i c a l C e n t e r Rehabilitation Services. During a tour, the students learned more about the rehabilitation field, the people who work there and the services offered, which include physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology. They also had the chance to test out some of the equipment in the pediatric gym. Pictured, front row, from left, are Lucas Davis, Taylor Pool, Derrick Sylcox, Arabella Willis and Kaleb Johnson. Back row, from left, Liberty Roy, Kendall Wynn, Madison Sisco, Greta Grisham, Anna Rutledge and Zoe Cook.

Friendship Circle morning class visits OMC Rehabilitation Services

OMCNews is a produced and published by the Ozarks Medical Center Public Relations Department. For more information, call 417-257-6737 or e-mail Shandi.Brinkman@ozarksmedicalcenter.com

For a free Directory of Physicians call 417-257-6735