Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Thanking Volunteers – and Encouraging Volunteerism
• “To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: Dr. Brandy Ficek
• Black Maternal Health Week is this Week
• National Healthcare Decisions Day is Friday

Thanking Volunteers – and Encouraging Volunteerism

With April being Volunteer Month – and next week National Volunteer Week, this is a great time to recognize the impact of volunteer services and the power of volunteers to make a difference at Stormont Vail and in our community.

Stormont Vail Health is blessed to have a robust volunteer program, with committed volunteers supporting our patients and team throughout the year. These volunteers work alongside our professional team, offering support and service that is invaluable.

Our organization has several volunteer programs: Adult and college student programs for those age 18 and older, and a youth program for ages 14 to 17. To learn more about the programs or apply, go to our online Volunteer Services page.

This is also a time to show appreciation for our professional team members who are volunteering in the community. We encourage our team to also support social services and agencies to improve quality of life. We have individual team members serving on boards and committees in our communities as well as groups of team members who volunteer together to make a difference and impact social determinants of health. Among the groups who have done this recently is the Birthplace team (seen in photo) who recently volunteered at Harvesters.

Please thank the volunteers in your areas for their commitment, and consider becoming a volunteer yourself in the communities in which we serve.

“To Your Health” on WIBW-TV Tonight: Dr. Brandy Ficek

The state’s first Palliative Care Plan has been created and Stormont Vail’s Dr. Brandy Ficek will explain the process of creating the plan and why palliative care is important and impactful on tonight’s “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.

Black Maternal Health Week is this Week

Black Maternal Health Week is through April 17. Stormont Vail Health is committed to improving the disparities for the Black birthing person and is working in partnership with the March of Dimes on an initiative to address this issue. There has been a rise in maternal mortality in the United States that increased during the pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are significantly higher pregnancy-related mortality ratios among Black and American Indian/Alaskan Native women. Many factors can influence pregnancy-related health outcomes.

National Healthcare Decisions Day is Friday

Are you aware that there are times you might need to make some decisions about your healthcare but are incapacitated to make them? On Friday, April 14, in observation of National Healthcare Decisions Day, there will be a team in the Main Lobby of the Topeka hospital (North Tower) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to assist anyone who is interested in formulating advance directives.  We will have a table set up and notaries available!

We together,
Dr. Kenagy