Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Stormont Vail Team Members: Your Well Being is Important
• Topeka, Flint Hills Campus Achieve High 5 for Mom & Baby Recognitions
• Older Adult Resource Fair: April 11
• Scrub Sale is April 10 and 11
• “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight

Stormont Vail Team Members: Your Well Being is Important

Working in the healthcare sector – no matter what our role – means we are often helping others. To care for patients, families and visitors in the best way possible, we also need to make sure our own needs are being supported. Stormont Vail Health has a number of programs available to support team members. We recently compiled an easier way to get information about those resources, both through Stormont Vail and in the community.

Creating a positive work environment and providing team members with programs and resources that support their well being is important for a caring organization. For details about the following resources,  visit the new Stormont Vail Health Team Member Resource page on our external website, stormontvail.org.

Wellpower: The Wellpower program is available to help all team members build and sustain a healthy lifestyle. The team does this by helping each individual find balance, including a focus on eating healthy, whole foods, and through sharing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle such as increased energy and feeling better. Programs include 30-day challenges, Lunch and Learns, and Safe and Calm stress management classes that are offered twice a month.

In addition, for Stormont Vail team and family members on the Stormont Vail medical plan, there is a diabetes management program that provides 100% coverage of approved diabetic medications and supplies, such as test strips and insulin pumps. Enrolled participants will also be assigned a health coach or care manager to assist with improved management of their disease and overall well being.

Mental Health Support: The Stormont Vail Behavioral Health Center has created a support service for health care workers in the region to get quick and easy access to the mental health services you may need. The professional support assistance line is available either in-person or via telehealth.

Fitness Programs: In-person and virtual yoga are available to team members through the Topeka Yoga Network. Virtual classes are at no charge and in person are offered at a discount. Aqua fitness classes are available through Shockwave Aqua Fitness at no charge if you present your Stormont Vail badge. addition, a number of fitness centers in the region provide discounts for Stormont Vail team members. Other vendor discounts are also offered to Stormont Vail team members.

Spiritual Care: Online prayer requests, Code Lavender, crisis intervention, spiritual assessment, grief and loss care, and conflict mediation is available through the Spiritual Care team.

Employee Assistance Program: Stormont Vail Health provides an enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through our vendor, Behavioral Health Systems. This free program is available 24/7 to team members, providers, and household family members and covers up to eight visits.  Smoking cessation sessions are offered through the EAP.

Paw Squad – Dog therapy program:  Team members, patients and visitors can visit the Paw Squad every Tuesday and Thursday from 9–11 a.m. in the Pavilion Lobby inside the Topeka Hospital, and Paw Squad members are also available to visit other clinics and facilities.

Quiet Rooms: There are six quiet rooms at the Topeka hospital designated as a place where team members can go for quiet reflection. Locations are: Sacred Space (Located on the first floor of the Topeka Campus Hospital to the left of the Chapel); 7 South, 7 North, 3 Pavilion, 2 Pavilion, and Emergency Department.

Share Shop: The Share Shop is a collaborative effort between Cultural Ambassadors and Employee Relations to provide new or gently used clothing and accessories donated by fellow team members.

The Topeka Share Shop is located on the first-floor hallway of the Topeka hospital and is open 24/7 with ID badge access. The Flint Hills Campus Share Shop is in the Medical Arts Family Practice building, Suite 201.

Swap Shop: The Swap Shop is a free service for team members, physicians, and volunteers to sell, buy, or rent various items to co-workers.

HOPE Fund: The HOPE Fund stands for Helping Our Peers in Emergencies Fund and is available to provide financial resources to team members, their spouses, or dependent children needing immediate, short-term assistance. This employee-funded program offers up to $750 for lodging, food, clothing, or other necessities because of an unexpected, emergent, natural, or personal disaster.

Education Reimbursement Program: Stormont Vail funds this program to help team members improve their competence in their present job and prepare for future advancement at Stormont Vail.

Topeka, Flint Hills Campus Achieve High 5 for Mom & Baby Recognitions

Congratulations to the Topeka Mother & Baby Team and the Flint Hills Birthplace Team for achieving your respective High 5 for Mom & Baby recognitions! Your ongoing commitment to excellence in maternity care reassures parents preparing to breastfeed that they’ll be in the best possible hands. Most importantly, it provides numerous lifelong health benefits for our communities’ mothers and infants.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for our efforts to support successful breastfeeding initiation and maintenance,” said Lynn Fergola, Director of Maternal Child Inpatient Services. “As facilities committed to providing the highest quality of care, we have found the High 5 practices and resources to improve health outcomes and increase patient satisfaction.”

“Implementing High 5 practices brings numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants even outside of breastfeeding, Including skin to skin contact immediately after birth and ‘rooming in’ so mom and baby can have 24 hours of together time after delivery,” said Nicole Graham, Nurse Manager of the Birthplace at Flint Hills Campus. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund – our ninth year in all, being a High 5 for Mom & Baby facility.” Learn more here about the program and how we support successful breastfeeding.

Older Adult Resource Fair: April 11

Are you comfortable behind the wheel? Do you feel safe staying at home? Have you planned for your medical care in the event you can no longer communicate your wishes?

The Stormont Vail Health Trauma Services department wants to help older adults answer these questions – and more – at an Older Adult Resource Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11, at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library.

Topics will include various community resources for older adults, as well as Stormont Vail’s Fall Prevention Program. The day will conclude with a CarFit check lane, where trained volunteers will ensure drivers have the safest fit inside their vehicle. The event is free, and lunch will be provided.

Participants can register at https://calendar.stormontvail.org/event/older-adult-resource-fair/ or by contacting Annie Buckland at (785) 354-5117 or [email protected].

Scrub Sale is April 10 and 11

Have you been thinking about adding to your scrubs wardrobe or your shoes collection? Well, you’re in luck! The Stormont Vail Health Auxiliary and Scrub Hub are partnering to host a scrubs sale in April.

• When: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. April 10 and 7 a.m.-3 p.m. April 11
• Where: Centennial Rooms B and C at the Pozez Education Center on Stormont Vail’s Topeka Campus

In addition to the sale, be sure to check out Scrub Hub’s special promotions. Proceeds will benefit the Stormont Vail Health Auxiliary. Cash, card or payroll deduction will be accepted.

“To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight

How to talk to children about a cancer diagnosis or another healthcare challenge faced by a family member has been in the news recently with international headlines that Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, has a diagnosis of cancer. Robin McKay, Advance Practice Provider at the Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center, shares information about how to navigate those discussions on tonight’s WIBW “To Your Health.” The segment will air at 10 p.m. on WIBW-TV, Channel 13. The segment will typically repeat at 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. Fridays on 13 News This Morning and be posted on wibw.com.

We together,
Dr. Kenagy