V O L U M E X X X I I I , I S S U E 1 2 D E C E M B E R 1 ...

1 Southwestern Virginia Mental Health Institute V O L U M E X X X I I I , I S S U E 1 2 D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 1. Recovery From The Director Heroes 2. Thanks Giving patients. During the Fire sistently demonstrates Sharing our Bounty Alarm Project, when other commitment and leader- Chaplain's Cor- 5 patients were being moved to ship in appropriately en- ner Ward H, she was very helpful suring that all new staff Our Employee Recognition in getting the ward ready. have the knowledge, skills, Central Rehab 7 Event, on November 17, 2011, Then, during July and August, and abilities to perform to News recognized five Employees of 2011, when ERS patients job expectations. She de- Recovery Quilt the Quarter, 21 Service were being moved to differ- velops informal mentor- 7.

2 On the Road Awards, ranging from five to ent wards in the new organ- ship programs and per- twenty-five years, two retire- izational schema, she was es- sonally coaches others, Shift Differen- 8 ments, 44 Cash/Leave Awards, sential in helping to pack up including altering her own tial FAQs seven Team Awards, and 163 and move, including the schedule to be of service, Personnel Making a Difference Awards! Ward J Nurse's station, as in addition to completing Changes 9 In addition to Pumpkin Bowl- well as the faxes and com- her own regular duties. ing and Guess the Number of puters for the unit. She is much respected and New Slope Candy Corns in the jar, the is a resource for all nurs- Boards available 12.

3 Compassionate spirit of giving Virginia Jenny Hess, ing staff due to her knowl- was alive and well in all who Food Service Technician, was edge and the leadership History from the Hill 15 baked for and bought items at recognized for the excep- skills she shows. the Bake Sale to benefit Op- tional customer skills that she eration Santa Claus. Thanks to demonstrates each day in the Ellen Tilson, Unit Nurse your generosity and that of the Employee Caf , which are Coordinator, Geriatrics, is seen and valued by all who devoted to the residents Regional Consumer Empower- interact with her! She and used her personal ment Council, some of the coaches and teaches other time to hand sew quilts most seriously ill individuals in caf workers to maintain her DID YOU KNOW?

4 For the unit day room, our region will have more joy high standards. She consis- thus enhancing the home- Barnum's animal at Christmastime. tently cleans and keeps the like environment. She is crackers in the circus- dining area neat. She also also recognized for her themed box were Five Employees of the communicates well with her excellent leadership skills designed with a string Quarter Named supervisor, giving feedback in recruitment and in staff handle so they could from the customers about education. She created a hang on a Christmas Christy Hall, Ward Clerk, suggestions and complaints so PowerPoint presentation tree. ERS, is described as having a that service can continually for all nursing staff regard- great attitude, and always is be enhanced.

5 She really ing pressure ulcer preven- very friendly and willing to take makes a difference, every day. tion, ulcer assessment, on any task without complaint. staging, and treatment. She gets along well with others Cheryl Smith, Head Nurse, She works diligently to and has a good rapport with Second Shift, Geriatrics, con- improve the MDS process VOLUME XXXIII, ISSUE 12 PAGE 2. From the Director, continued and collaborated with the Medical SWVMHI. She is proactive as a and Training Departments to improve Head Nurse, and addresses prob- the Code Blue process related to lematic situations in a timely manner medical emergencies. She is also using the best nursing practice ma- leading a group of nurses to revise terial.

6 In addition to being highly the process of pain assessment and respected on the unit by all staff, she management in order to increase effi- provides an energy of optimism, ciency and provide better patient creativity and empowerment in staff care. along with a touch of FUN! ~ Cynthia McClaskey, Josie Wade, Head Nurse, First Shift, We have much to be thankful for With Tipi & Chief Geriatrics, is an asset to the unit and this year with completion of the the facility. She consistently demon- road repair and near completion of strates leadership and professional- the Fire Alarm and the roofing pro- ism. She has a knack to turn any jects. Thanks to all who dedicate event into an educational opportunity themselves to our facility and the for staff which enhances and strength- individuals we serve.

7 Have a blessed ens the nursing department and December! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more.. ~ Dr. Seuss (1904 - 1991) from How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Recovery Heroes A Spotlight on Employees using started to cry and began to stare at the TOVA Skills and psychiatric aide who was with her. The Assisting People with aide went to get some tissue for the their Recovery individual who became very paranoid and accusatory toward the aide. A. When new admissions arrive to the code alert was called and Dreama Wil- facility we don't know a lot about their kinson, PA, was among those that re- recent experiences, and we don't sponded to the code.

8 Dreama was able know what kind of behavioral re- to redirect the individual with a show of sponse they will have toward us. We support and using her verbal de- are taught to be polite at all times, to escalation skills. The first aide stepped remember the individual is anxious, out of sight, knowing the individual and to always be supportive to the might become more agitated when see- Hero. Her excellent verbal skills individual. I know that we do all of ing her. The staff were able to escort helped to calm this individual down and these things and many more. But what the individual to the unit where she enabled staff to get the individual safely about those rare instances when we immediately calmed down.

9 Mary to the ward. If you see Dreama, be become part of the individual's para- Blevins, RN, Head Nurse on CD, said sure to say congratulations! noia? that Dreama was instrumental in calm- ing this individual down. Recently, a new admission was calm ~ Robin Poe, MSN, RN-BC. on arrival to the facility, but later Congratulations to Dreama Wilkinson, Coordinator of Nursing Psychiatric Aide, this month's Recovery Staff Development PAGE 3. Recognition Event Wrap-up The quarterly recognition event was Word Puzzle Games Third Shift: Rene Price (1st place) and held on November 17, 2011, on all Ken Miller (second place). three shifts. Service awards were given Day Shift: Jeannette Heath and Jean Cake Drawing out, five employees of the quarter were Elmore.

10 Second Shift: Teresa Blevins. announced, and those receiving Making Third Shift: Mary Ida Williams. For the Day Shift: Diana Price. Second Shift: a Difference, Cash, Leave, Team, and Anagram answers, please see Page 13. Janie Atwell. Third Shift: Shelby Owens. other awards were also recognized. Pumpkin Bowling Bake Sale Additionally, puzzles, games, and other activities were available on all three Day Shift: Jennifer Tuell. Second Shift: Employees brought in home made shifts, and many employees won prizes. Barbara Rouse. Third Shift: Cynthia baked goods which were sold through- Following is a list of prize winners: Thomas. out the event, the proceeds of which will go directly towards Operation Making a Difference Drawing Candy Corn Guess Santa Claus.