By Jade Hudson
Newton Kansan
April 30, 2016
Steve Kelly, who is currently president of Newton Medical Center and also served as CEO of the hospital for 16 years, said he is proud of the hospital’s many achievements in 2015. A summary of those achievements is listed below.
“I am very proud of the many accolades that NMC has received this year,” Kelly said, “acknowledging successes in providing our community with a first class health care facility. “
With the appointment of Val Gleason as CEO, Kelly said he can now devote his efforts to strategic planning, business development and physician relations.
“I am confident,” Kelly said, “that these leadership changes will best position us to continue with successes in an ever-evolving and challenging health care environment.”
Newton Medical Center Highlights: April 2015 – April 2016
In April 2015:
- NMC made 3D Mammography available. 3D Mammography offers a better chance to diagnose breast cancer earlier, at more treatable stages.
- NMC earned American College of Radiology (ACR) Accreditation. NMC has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography, as the result of a recent review by the ACR.
In July 2015:
- Central Homecare became part of Central Homecare moved onto the hospital campus earlier in the year and now operates as a service of Newton Medical Center.
- NMC was awarded Laboratory Accreditation from The Joint Commission. NMC earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Laboratory Services Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.
In August 2015:
- NMC announced plans to open a walk-in clinic. The new clinic will open in mid-2016 and be located at the corner of 12th and Main in the north part of Newton.
- NMC earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR).The program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. Only 15% of hospitals in the U.S. apply for and receive this award. NMC has received it since 2010.
September 2015:
- A NMC doctor cut hair for a fundraiser—as part of a hospital fundraiser, Doyle Detweiler, MD, cut more than ten inches of his hair and donated it to Locks of Love.
- NMC became the First in the U.S. to Receive ORTHO VISION Analyzer. NMC was the first in the nation with this interactive, fully automated analyzer for transfusion medicine.
October 2015:
- NMC selected the Medical Director for their Sleep Disorders Center. Steven Ronsick, MD, FCCP, was named medical director of the hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center.
- NMC was awarded a Four-Star Patient Satisfaction Rating by CMS. NMC was among only 37 percent of Medicare-certified acute-care hospitals nationwide to receive a four or five-star rating.
- NMC partnered with Mid Kansas Family Practice, announcing the new partnership, which was effective Jan. 1, 2016.
- NMC Donated Defibrillator to Health Ministries Clinic. Automated external defibrillator (AED) was placed in Health Ministries Clinic’s location in Halstead.
- NMC introduced a Dementia and Alzheimer’s support group. The weekly group provides an opportunity for family members and caregivers to form supportive connections with others.
- NMC hosted Run NMC and Harvest Moon Gala. These signature events, along with Dr. Detweiler’s haircut event, raised over $35,000 for the Sandra Qamar Nursing Scholarship.
In November 2015:
- NMC received National Recognition for Performance Leadership Outcomes. NMC was recognized by iVantage Health Analytics and the National Organization of State Office of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in outcomes.
- NMC began bringing live music to patients. The violin duo, NOVA DECO, is scheduled to perform twice a month over the next year.
- NMC celebrated National Diabetes Month. To help increase awareness of diabetes, NMC celebrated American Heart Month. To help prevent heart disease and increase awareness of its effect, NMC hosted a number of events and activities.
In December 2015:
- NMC made a $75,000 donation to Health Ministries Clinic. The funds were to help cover the cost of renovations at the clinic’s new Halstead location.
In January 2016:
- NMC renewed their commitment to the National Patient Safety Initiative and announced participation in the second round of the national Hospital Engagement Network, known as HEN 2.0. – a 12-month comprehensive patient safety initiative conducted by CMS.
- NMC announced a new name for Home Health Services: The service previously known as Central Homecare is now Newton Home Health.
In February 2016:
- NMC named Jennifer Scott Koontz, MD, as the Medical Director of Cardiac Rehab Program.
- NMC added Pulmonology and Additional Sleep Services. Steven Ronsick, MD, FCCP, medical director of Newton Medical Center’s Sleep Disorders Center, will begin seeing patients on the hospital’s campus beginning in May.
- NMC was designated as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Maternity Care. NMC was one of the first hospitals to receive this new designation under Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ Blue Distinction® Specialty Care program.
In March 2016:
- NMC named Vallerie Gleason as CEO. Steven G. Kelly, who has served as the hospital’s president and chief executive officer for the last 16 years, will continue to lead the organization as its president.
- NMC launched the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), a new engagement initiative focused on utilizing patient feedback to continually improve the hospital experience.
- NMC was designated as a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Knee and Hip Replacement. NMC was recognized for expertise and efficiency in total knee and hip replacement surgeries under Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ Blue Distinction® Specialty Care program.
- Kesa Easter was selected for the National Patient Safety Initiative. Easter, a patient and family engagement coordinator at Newton Medical Center, was selected by the Kansas Healthcare Collaborative and the Hospital Engagement Network to receive one of eight hospital awards to participate in the Patient Safety Immersion Initiative, a program of the National Patient Safety Foundation.
- NMC held a Cardiac Rehab Open House. The public was invited to tour the updated cardiac rehab gym and view new equipment.
In April 2016:
- NMC earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR): This national program is aimed at helping patients and families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in hospitals. Only 15% of hospitals in the U.S. apply for and receive this award, and NMC has received it since 2010.
- NMC participated in National Healthcare Decisions Day. NMC hosted an event to provide the public with free information about advance care planning and advance directive forms.
