CHI Saint Joseph Health - Heart and Vascular Care, Fountain Crt

Next week, CHI Saint Joseph Health and the More in Common Alliance are partnering with the Morehouse School of Medicine and Kentucky State University (KSU) for the STEM and Health Careers Summer Academy. The summer program will be held at KSU from July 29-August 2 and will focus on STEM and health careers catered toward middle school, high school and college students in Kentucky counties. To register your child, visit https://micastemacademy.org/.

It’s that time of year again! Before you start shopping for your child’s school supply list, make sure you check off their annual school or sports physical. Annual check-ups for kids are important to check on their development, address any new health concerns and ensure they’re updated on vaccines. To find a provider closest to you, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/chi-saint-joseph-health/services/primary-care/pediatric-care.

Like many other organizations and industries, some facilities within CHI Saint Saint Joseph Health have been affected by the global IT outage affecting computer systems caused by a third party software update.

We continue to provide safe, high-quality care to our patients and thank everyone for their patience as our teams take immediate action to restore any impacted systems. Patients will be contacted directly if their appointments are affected.

Did you see the news? Last week, we joined Lincoln Memorial University to unveil the new, state-of-the-art nursing education facility at the CHI Saint Joseph Health Keeneland Health Education Center. Starting with its first class next fall, this facility will provide nursing students with the latest medical technology and educational resources. There's still time to register for classes! To learn more, check out this WKYT story. https://www.wkyt.com/2024/07/10/chi-st-joseph-health-cuts-ribbon-nursing-school-site/

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Father Norman Fischer, a beloved member of the Saint Joseph family, who passed away earlier this week. Father Norman served on our Board of Directors from 2019 until earlier this year, and ministered throughout Lexington in his role as pastor of St. Peter Claver Catholic Church and chaplain for Lexington Catholic High School.

Father Norman served our ministry in countless ways and was rarely seen without a smile and a blessing for those he encountered. Please join us in celebrating Father Norman’s life and keeping all those who knew and loved him in your thoughts and prayers.

We have great news to share! Three CHI Saint Joseph Health hospitals have been named by U.S. News and World Report to its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals list as High Performing hospitals. The hospitals were recognized in the following categories: Saint Joseph Hospital – colon cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure and pneumonia; Saint Joseph East – hip replacement, knee replacement and pneumonia; and Saint Joseph London – chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, diabetes, heart attack and pneumonia.

This is the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings, and it shows the hospital has excelled in factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care and patient experience. Thank you to our dedicated caregivers for your commitment to compassionate care for our patients.

At most places, paramedics are health care professionals who act as first responders. At Saint Joseph Hospital, critical care paramedics have an expanded role within the emergency department of the hospital. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, our teams began exploring ways to provide a path for paramedics to become critical care paramedics, allowing them to provide an array of services within the hospital’s emergency room department.

Learn more by visiting the Spirit of Health blog: https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/going-above-and-beyond-in-an-emergency

Bird flu is often found in birds, including chickens, wild birds such as ducks, and other poultry. And while animals can’t spread it to humans, it's possible to get bird flu through some foods. Here's how you can help prevent it.

If you’re considering weight loss surgery for obesity, you’re taking an empowering step toward reclaiming your health and well-being. It's a decision that reflects your determination to live your best life, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Learn which type of weight loss surgery is the safest, least invasive and most effective on the Spirit of Health blog: https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/safest-weight-loss-surgery

The summer sun is no joke! July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month, and it’s important to know how to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. Even on cloudy or overcast days, the risk of sun damage remains high – unprotected skin can suffer damage in just 15 minutes. Follow these tips to stay safe in the sun:

☀️ Check the UV index daily: If it’s 3 or higher, take precautions to protect your skin.
😎Wear protective gear: Sunglasses, hats and proper clothing can significantly reduce your exposure.
🧴Use sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every two hours.
☁️Seek shade: Stay in the shade whenever possible to minimize direct sun exposure.

In case you missed it: We are offering funding for nine scholarships for students pursuing a health care education across the following cities and their surrounding areas – Bardstown, Berea, Lexington, London or Mount Sterling. Associate, bachelor's and advanced degree candidates are welcome to apply to the applicable scholarship program. The deadline to submit all application materials has been extended to Friday, July 26, 2024. For detailed information on individual scholarship opportunities and to apply, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/library/default-tab-bar-back/chi-saint-joseph-health-foundations-academic-scholarship-offerings-2024.

It's official! 🎓 Yesterday, we joined Lincoln Memorial University-Caylor School of Nursing (LMU-CSON) for the grand opening of the new, state-of-the-art nursing education facility at the CHI Saint Joseph Health Keeneland Health Education Center.

The new facility is designed to provide nursing students with the latest in medical technology and educational resources, ensuring they receive top-notch training and are well-prepared to meet the demands of health care. Features include advanced simulation labs, interactive classrooms with the latest audio-visual technology and collaborative spaces.

We are so excited to unveil this new facility and look forward to the first class of students starting next month! To learn more, check out this LEX 18 story. https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/critical-nursing-shortage-chi-st-joseph-partnership-could-alleviate-the-problem

Lynn Ledford, lab assistant at Saint Joseph Berea, is a small-town person at heart, but she also has what you might call dual citizenship.

Though the Garrard County resident lives in Cartersville where she grew up and has family ties, she also has a claim to Berea, where she has extended deep roots into that community, too, because of her job of nearly 25 years. The relationships are so strong that she has had patients call into the lab to be sure she’ll be on duty when they come in for a blood draw.

“To me, it’s being in the community. It’s just a small community and I love it. I feel like I’d be fine in a bigger hospital, but my heart is at Berea,” she said.

To read more about Lynn, visit https://ow.ly/zKzM50SyHxH.

Leaders with the CHI Saint Joseph Health Emergency Medicine Center of Excellence recently met with members of the Lexington Fire Department to discuss efforts to make a positive impact on our communities. The goal of this meeting was to share resources, provide information around continuous education credits available through our health system and discuss how to provide the best possible care to our patients. Thank you to Fire Chief Wells, EMS Battalion Chief Crews, Captain Seth Lockhart and the entire Lexington Fire Department for their contributions and support.

In less than three weeks, the More in Common STEM and Health Careers Summer Academy will be offered at Kentucky State University (KSU). From July 29-August 2, CHI Saint Joseph Health and the More in Common Alliance are partnering with the Morehouse School of Medicine and KSU for this summer program focused on STEM and health careers catered toward middle school, high school and college students. To learn more, visit https://micastemacademy.org/.

Did you know that June is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month? According to the CDC, one in five adults live with a mental health illness, but many individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups have difficulty getting mental health care. Many mental illnesses can be treated or prevented with proper care. If you’re struggling with your mental health, start your journey to better mental health and reach out to one of our primary care providers for a treatment plan: https://chisaintjosephhealth.org/appointments

The new State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) program at Saint Joseph Hospital helps current and newly hired patient care technicians advance their skills and careers: https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/fast-track-your-success

Connie Charles, MSN, RN, CCRN, director of nursing at Saint Joseph Hospital, grew up in Beattyville, where helping her father care for sick animals on the family farm kindled her interest in science in medicine. A member of the Saint Joseph Hospital team for 17 years, Connie’s experience led her to pursue a career in nursing and ultimately serve in a variety of leadership roles, including charge nurse, supervisor and nursing manager.

She credits her experiences in both the bedside and administrative sides of nursing for preparing her for her current position, where she makes decisions that affect nearly all aspects of patient care.

“As a leader, my vision for nursing at Saint Joseph Hospital is to advocate for delivering the right care at the right time, and continue practicing human caring when the world around us seems to be wandering away from the human connection,” Charles said. “May we continue listening to our patients and their families as we place them at the center of our medical planning and decision-making.”

To read more about Connie, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/sharing-knowledge-helping-others.

We’re giving a shoutout to Marty Keith, vice president of Human Resource Operations, CHI Saint Joseph Health, for being selected as one of the 52 industry leaders statewide to participate in the 2024 Leadership Kentucky program. This program consists of seven three-day sessions between June and December, where participants gather to gain insight into Kentucky’s challenges and opportunities. Throughout the sessions, class members meet with many of Kentucky’s current leaders and explore the state’s unique communities and resources. Congratulations, Marty! Learn more: https://ow.ly/TXpG50SrMPp

CHI Saint Joseph Health is proud to once again be the Presenting Sponsor for A Midsummer's Night Run 5K. The 40th annual event will be held in downtown Lexington on Saturday, August 10, at 7:30 p.m. This event will include a live, in-person race, a virtual option for those who cannot attend, and the Fastest Kid in Town races for kids ages 2-12 at 6 p.m. All donations will support the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation’s Yes, Mamm! program, which provides free mammography screening, diagnostics services and program support to uninsured or underinsured women and men. To sign up before the early bird deadline ends on Saturday, August 3, visit https://ow.ly/sUxC50SrMl4.

We are proud to announce funding for nine scholarships for students pursuing a health care education across the communities we serve, including Bardstown, Berea, Lexington, London and Mount Sterling areas. Associate, bachelor's and advanced degree candidates are welcome to apply to the applicable scholarship program. All application materials must be submitted by Friday, July 26, 2024. For more information, visit https://ow.ly/ZjGp50SteIY.

CHI Saint Joseph Health Announces Nine Scholarship Opportunities | CHI Saint Joseph Health CHI Saint Joseph Health is proud to announce nine scholarships totaling $17,000 to support aspiring health care professionals across their Kentucky communities.

Are you a nonprofit organization in need of support? As part of the CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grants program, Saint Joseph East and Saint Joseph Hospital have opened applications for local nonprofits to apply for grants to support vital services that will improve the well-being and health equity in the Lexington area. The grant program is open to nonprofit organizations that address the following priorities – substance use disorders, mental health and mental disorders, and weight status, physical activity and nutrition – through projects planned for the next calendar year. The application period is open now through Friday, August 16, 2024.

To learn more, visit https://ow.ly/Bxhn50SrLAS.

Are you taking a dip in a pool this summer? Swimming can greatly benefit your health, including enhancing mood and reducing anxiety and depression. Since water-based exercises have less impact on your joints and muscles, they can be an excellent exercise alternative for those with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia and more. If you’re looking for a fresh way to get active, try swimming!

With hospitals across Kentucky facing nursing shortages, connecting nursing students to needed resources has never been more important. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to helping current and aspiring nurses reach their full potential.

“If you are considering enrolling in school as a new or returning student, we want you to know there are opportunities available,” said Melanie Jackson, DNP, MA, RN, CNEcl, academic placement liaison, system clinical education at CHI Saint Joseph Health. “We are invested in giving you the opportunity to succeed in your academic pursuits.”

Options available to employees and nursing students who are interested in furthering their careers include tuition reimbursement, scholarships and partnerships with universities that offer special opportunities. To learn more, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/investing-in-your-future.

Thanks to the students at Sts. Peter and Paul School for sharing their artwork to be installed in the Saint Joseph Hospital lobby as part of a project by CHI Saint Joseph Health Foundations. The Faith in Humankindness project has already brought countless smiles to the faces of our patients and our caregivers!

Whether you’re outside hiking or mowing the lawn, make sure you’re prepared to avoid bug bites. Ticks, mosquitoes and more can lead to health issues beyond an itchy bite. Use insect repellent that contains 20-50% DEET, avoid walking in tall grass and always check yourself after being outside. According to the CDC, mosquitoes and ticks can carry bacteria, parasites or viruses that cause vector-borne diseases, which can cause fever, headaches, fatigue and joint pain. If you have a bug bite that won’t go away or is causing other health issues, visit one of our express care locations or contact your primary care provider. https://ow.ly/GzQu50SnpMr

Lee Stamper, RN, Saint Joseph London, worked in the income tax preparation industry for 20 years before deciding to go back to school and pursue a career where he felt he could help people. After completing the nursing program at Somerset Community College, Lee joined the nurse externship program as a float nurse in the summer of 2023, and joined Saint Joseph London as a full-time RN in the emergency room this past January.

Lee says the hands-on eight-week externship program cemented his desire to be a nurse, even as a much older student at 45.

“I didn’t have any background in clinical or hospital work, and others did, and I felt like I was a bit behind,” Stamper said. “The externship program helped bring me up to speed. Everyone I worked with was very encouraging and supportive.”

To read more about Lee, visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/blogs/nurse-extern-to-er-nurse.

Last week, as the heat wave moved into Kentucky, our Spirit Teams coordinated fun-in-the-sun Beach Week events for caregivers across our facilities. Caregivers participated in summer-themed activities, enjoyed tropical-themed snacks and drinks, and dressed up in their best beach outfits, including Hawaiian skirts and shirts. Thanks to our Spirit Teams for planning creative events like these to encourage our caregivers and help all of us have some fun.