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Department Spotlight: Medical Oncology
The month of September recognizes several cancer-related health observances. Join us in celebrating our Medical Oncology team at Renown! No person ever wants to hear the words, âYou have cancer.â Those three short yet impactful words immediately change the course of someoneâs life. As these patients Fight the Good Fight against cancer, there are a lot of intimidating unknowns that can take over their minds. What happens next? What will my treatment be like? What is my prognosis? How will I be able to handle this physically and emotionally? What will it take for me to beat this? Who is better to be by their side than the devoted team members at the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute at Renown Health? From helping patients manage the process of complex paperwork and referrals to delivering personalized oncology and hematology treatment options tailored to each individual diagnosis, those fighting virtually any type of cancer are never alone, thanks to this team. The William N. Pennington Cancer Institute always lives up to that promise, guiding patients through the daunting journey of cancer treatment ahead, one step at a time. Courageous Against Cancer Our exceptional Medical Oncology department inherently understands that each moment in life is precious, especially for patients battling cancer. This team is dedicated to orchestrating the most comprehensive plan for each patient, seamlessly weaving together diagnoses and treatments, oral chemotherapy, medication management, clinical trials, radiation oncology and more.  With the many patients they impact, thereâs no question that there is never a dull moment in the day of the life of a healing hero like those in this department. âNo day is the same in Medical Oncology,â said Hollyann Dehm, Registered Nurse. âAs a nurse, we wear many hats in the clinic. Our role is to educate patients on their treatment plans and specific drugs they are receiving, triage symptom calls from patients, refill medications and implement our oral chemotherapy program. We help provide direct patient care by accessing ports, drawing labs and giving IV hydration when needed. We also help fill out family and medical leave (FMLA)/disability paperwork, help with physician orders, help obtain prior authorizations for prescribed medications and treatments.â âWe do our best to let our patients know that they will not be going through this alone,â added Danielle Say, Physician Scheduling Coordinator. "We will be here for them every step of the way, guiding them and making sure their treatment is as smooth as possible and making ourselves available to them as much as we can. We end up getting to know many of our patients on a very close, personal level, and this helps to build that trust.â âOur day-to-day activities include seeing patients and helping to manage their therapies as well as their toxicities,â added Dr. Harry Menon, DO, Oncology Physician. âWe work closely with our infusion room staff and have a robust team to help us deal with these complex patients. We also work very closely with our surgical and radiation oncology colleagues in a multidisciplinary fashion to provide comprehensive care for our patients.â The Medical Oncology team excels not only in providing cutting-edge cancer care but also in their compassionate approach to helping patients reduce the anxieties they understandably feel. Recognizing that a cancer diagnosis can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, this dedicated team combines medical expertise with unwavering support to create a healing environment. âWhen patients are referred to our department, a lot of them have many fears and questions,â said Heather Cortez, Medical Assistant. âA majority of what our team does is focused on the mental support that our patients require to help them have the most successful outcomes. One thing I have learned about cancer care is that positivity in the face of adversity is everything. Just being there to listen to our patientâs concerns can make all the difference. Helping them to navigate their many appointments and taking the time to explain things in a patient and compassionate way, is part of how our team serves this vulnerable population.â âThe uncertainty is one of my patients' biggest fears: How far has my cancer progressed? How long will I have left? Is treatment even an option?â added Mary Wilson, Senior Medical Assistant. âThe best advice that I can give my patients is that they are not alone. While this battle is going to be one of the hardest parts of their lives, they are surrounded by constant support to try and help with any burdens they may be facing. I also tell my patients that we have to take the little wins no matter how small they may be, because while cancer treatment is a physical battle, it is also a large mental battle." âWhile we donât have answers to all the questions patients and their family members may have, we do our best to listen to their questions and concerns regarding their cancer diagnosis and treatment and guide them through their cancer journey," added Hollyann Dehm. âWe provide emotional support and education on their type of cancer, managing their pain and side effects of their treatment. We also connect them to nurse navigators and our social worker who also help identify barriers to care and provide the patient with resources.â Whether it's explaining treatment options in understandable terms or offering emotional support through difficult moments, this department is committed to empowering patients on their journey toward healing. Their holistic approach not only treats the disease but also nurtures the spirit, all while being a strong advocate on each patientâs behalf. âGetting a cancer diagnosis can be the worst news that a person can hear; what we try to do is focus on improving quality life and focus on goals that help to promote quality of life,â said Dr. Harry Menon. âIf the option for a cure is on the table, we try and focus on that goal in concert with promoting quality life. I try and have our patients focus on what they can control, with the understanding that even if some things are out of our control, the way we approach and manage those things, including our mindset, is still within our control.â âIn our clinic, we truly value our patients and how they are cared for,â added Mary Wilson. âThe amount of compassion our team shows is incredible. Patients constantly commend our team on how much they feel like the provider's care. Our providers and staff are not afraid to advocate for patients and that truly is an accomplishment in and of itself.â âWe know patients are only hearing a small amount of the immense volume of information we provide them, so we encourage them to ask questions until it makes sense because the timeframe is different for every patient,â said Lillian Morton, APRN of Medical Oncology. âCancer is an anxiety inducing lack of control whirlwind â if we can help by being responsive to patient calls and messages, we do so.â With their harmonious and integrated approach, each patientâs treatment journey progresses uninterrupted, bringing them closer to a brighter and healthier future.
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Department Spotlight: Renown Transfer and Operations Center
Stepping into the Renown Transfer and Operations Center (RTOC) means stepping into a transformative hub of excellence where lives are saved and healthcare is reimagined. As a cornerstone of Renown Health's commitment to exceptional patient care, the RTOC serves as a dynamic nerve center that seamlessly coordinates medical resources, ambulance rides, hospital bed space, remote home systems, hospital transfers and emergency preparedness. In this best-in-class facility, the boundaries of what is possible in healthcare are constantly pushed, and new horizons of patient care are discovered.  Staffed with a dedicated team of skilled professionals, the RTOC harnesses the power of advanced technology and compassionate expertise to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care and support, no matter where they are. Through a synchronized network of communication, coordination, and compassionate care, the RTOC team ensures that patients receive the critical support they need when it matters most, working tirelessly to redefine what it means to deliver world-class healthcare.  A National Standard Charged with the goal of overseeing the placement and transportation for every patient, the RTOC officially launched in 2021 as northern Nevadaâs first and only transfer center of its kind and a nationally celebrated facility. As Renownâs highly coordinated care logistics system, this team uses the cutting-edge technology at their fingertips to customize healthcare to the needs of every patient, manage patient flow and drive healthcare innovation. âCompared to where weâve started to where we are now, itâs a 180-degree difference,â said Kelli McDonnell, Manager of RTOC. âWhen we first started building our facility right before the pandemic happened, we took what was six conference rooms and classrooms and turned it into a command center that organizations across the country admire and come to Reno to see what we do. Mel Morris, the Director of RTOC, was recruited exclusively to build our facility with her history of building successful hospital command centers. Many people didnât realize what a transfer center was or that Renown was the only center in the region â and we only continue to grow.â This best-in-class facility, and the masterful team behind it, handles: Coordinating all incoming patients transferred from neighboring hospitals and 27 counties across northern Nevada, Lake Tahoe, northeast California and neighboring states. Matching patients to the most appropriate bed placement using diagnostic, triage and Epic electronic medical record clinical information in conjunction with medical staff expertise to outline a plan of care that determines the best bed assignment given the patientâs needs. Coordinating video-enabled Telehealth monitoring capabilities for Renownâs four Intensive Care Units (ICUs), as well as Renown patient Telehealth and virtual visits. Monitoring Remote Home systems with Masimo during the COVID-19 pandemic, where some patients received hospital-level care in the comfort of their own homes while Renown clinicians monitored and evaluated their data and plan of care. Serving emergency and disaster management for area hospitals, first-responders and the community with local, regional and statewide emergency and disaster management for sudden-onset emergencies. The RTOC is home to many different critical roles for our health system, including Transfer Center Nurses, Ride Line Coordinators, RTOC Coordinators and more, many duties of which each team member cross-trains on to be able to fill in whenever needed. While their roles may differ, their commitment to their patients remains the same â and they all work together to achieve the same outcome: delivering the right care, at the right time and place. âAs an RTOC Coordinator, we do a variety of different things,â said Anna Schaffer, RTOC Coordinator. âWe do triage coordination to help our nurses and hospitalists get patients in the emergency department admitted, and we also do bed control to find patients appropriate bed placement. Communication is important, so we always make sure to stay closely connected with the charge nurses on those floors.â âWe start with a basic âneed to knowâ and place patients accordingly,â added Karly Brown, RTOC Coordinator. âWe get surgery numbers, ICU capacity and discharges and find beds for all patients as quickly as possible. We have the advantage of being able to see the entire hospital.â âI primarily schedule transportation for patients at the hospital who are either going home or going to a skilled nursing facility,â said Sarah Clark, Ride Line Coordinator. âI get requests from case managers to schedule rides, and I work with REMSA and other ambulance services to schedule them. It relies a lot on appropriate and efficient communication and critical thinking.â Patients in facilities across northern Nevada and northeastern California, especially the rural communities, look to the RTOC to help guide ambulances, bed coordinators and hospital staff in finding care for our rural patients. âAs a transfer center nurse, I facilitate incoming patients from rural facilities in Nevada and surrounding areas in California,â added Meg Myles, Transfer Center Nurse Specialist. âThere are days we may take up to 30 direct admissions from these areas.â âWe are the point of contact for inter-facility transfers, whether we are sending patients out or bringing them into Renown,â said Lisa Lac, Transfer Center Nurse Specialist. âWe take phone calls from those rural areas, identify what services are needed, connect them to the appropriate provider and coordinate any transfers.â âSimply put, we are the bed wizards,â said Addison Rittenhouse, RTOC Coordinator. The RTOC team continues to break barriers and push the boundaries of medical excellence through leveraging the technology at their fingertips and their unwavering dedication to the health of our community. Inspiring a new era of medical possibilities, these team members have achieved a multitude of accomplishments for both their department and their patients since the birth of the center. âWe have significantly reduced the time it takes to get patient admit orders in, thanks in part to the new Triage Coordinator role, and we provide easier access for patients to transfer to us from other facilities,â said Beth Rios, RTOC Coordinator. âWe have taken a bigger role in helping the smaller hospitals in our area in caring for patients and improve patient throughput.â âAs a team, weâve done a lot of work in creating an engaging and positive environment, and our internal morale committee has been a huge help with that,â said Kelli McDonnell. âWeâve been working tremendously over the last year and taking all the feedback that we received from the Employee Engagement Survey to make improvements. We had 100 percent survey participation within five days, which is incredible.â âI am so proud of our escalation and problem-solving skills,â said Becca Dietrich, RTOC Coordinator. âWhen an issue is raised to us, we will always find a timely solution on our end so our care teams can focus on the issue in front of them. We are the eyes in the sky, seeing movement everywhere.â Each day in the life of our RTOC team members is a testament to their commitment, resilience and timework, making a profound impact on countless lives.
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Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the United States. We spoke with Renown Health experts and local domestic violence prevention organizations who gave us a deeper look into understanding the warning signs of abuse and the many proactive and reactive resources in our community that you can reach out to today. Domestic violence, also referred to as domestic abuse, is an everyone issue. Whether you identify as male or female, an adult or a child, single or partnered â domestic violence can affect anyone. In fact, it may be closer to home than you might think.  According to the Nevada Quality Parenting Initiative, in Nevada, 43.8% of women and 32.8% of men experience domestic violence in their lifetime, and the risk of that figure rising is imminent. This year alone, the Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC) in Reno experienced a 55% increase in overnight emergency stays, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.  This problem also, unfortunately, extends to children. More than 5,000 children in Nevada were reportedly primary or secondary victims of domestic abuse in 2021, as stated by the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence. âDomestic violence can manifest in many different ways,â said Kami Price, Supervisor of Social Services for Renown Health. âAbuse isnât always strictly physical. It can also be emotional, verbal, sexual and even digital. Understanding those differences can help you prepare accordingly and respond safely if you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence.â  Knowing what to look out for is crucial in protecting yourself and others against the effects of domestic abuse and taking action when warning signs appear. The National Domestic Violence Hotline shares the common signs of an abusive partner, no matter how old they are or what gender they identify as: Telling you that you never do anything right. Showing extreme jealousy of your friends or time spent away from them. Preventing or discouraging you from spending time with friends, family members or peers. Insulting, demeaning or shaming you, especially in front of other people. Preventing you from making your own decisions, including about working or attending school. Controlling finances, including taking your money or withholding money for needed expenses. Pressuring you to perform sexual acts youâre not comfortable with. Pressuring you to use drugs or alcohol. Intimidating you through threatening looks or actions. Threatening to harm or take away your children or pets. Intimidating you with weapons. Destroying your belongings or your home. "People experiencing domestic violence may feel as though they are trapped,â said Kami Price. âThe reality is â this often couldnât be further from the truth, especially with the resources we have at our disposal in northern Nevada.â Respected Resources Ending the Silence on Domestic Violence While these facts and figures might be staggering, those experiencing domestic violence at any age are not alone. There is hope at the end of the tunnel, especially here locally. Devoted to meeting the growing needs of the communities we serve, Renown Health proudly supports and sponsors several organizations in our community that are committed to educating children and adults on the signs and symptoms of domestic violence, along with what each child and family member can do today to prevent abuse in the household. These essential organizations are on the frontlines of shifting attitudes from âI donât want to get involvedâ to âHow can I help?â Serving children across northern Nevada, the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Project offers âeducation and prevention programs designed to increase childrenâs safety from bullying, abuse and assaultâ and break the cycle of domestic abuse. During 2021 and the first half of 2022, CAP led about 500 different workshops, teaching 10,000 second-grade and fourth-grade children in Washoe, Storey, Lyon and Churchill Counties how to keep themselves safe from domestic violence.  âAs domestic violence is on the rise, open communication, early intervention and education are key to protecting children from the effects of domestic violence," said Rebecca LeBeau, Executive Director of the CAP Project. âThatâs why I begin speaking about child assault prevention and stranger danger to kids as young as six years old. It's important to explain the true reality of domestic violence to both children and adults, tailoring language specifically to whatever age they are, and allowing them to process it. Kids of all ages will learn how to deal with extremely dangerous situations this way.â According to Rebecca, common symptoms of abuse to be on the lookout for at school include grades dropping, a lack of focus and feelings of not wanting to return home after the school day ends. If someone in a childâs home is being hurt or abused, children are always encouraged to speak with a trusted adult or school counselor. From there, organizations like the CAP Project develop a safety plan moving forward. Adults and family units arenât alone either. The DVRC provides a wide variety of services to Washoe County residents experiencing domestic abuse. To date, the DVRC has helped more than 100,000 victims of domestic violence, and with the recent launch of their crisis text line, they are poised to serve many more. Like the CAP Project, the DVRC also believes that education is one of the first lines of defense against domestic violence. âEducation on what domestic violence looks like is so much more than talking about physical violence,â said Aria Overli, Volunteer Coordinator at the DVRC. âEducating the community, and particularly youth, about what healthy relationships look like is a major factor in preventing abuse. Understanding the intersection of how other issues â such as race, mental illness and immigration status â affect domestic violence risk factors is key to addressing those issues.â  The list doesnât stop there. Renown Health Foundation has provided financial support for many more organizations that are dedicated to ending the silence on domestic violence, sexual violence and family abuse, including: The Childrenâs Cabinet â A child-focused organization offering many support services for youths and families, including Safe Place, a program that partners with local businesses to offer safe locations for children to seek help if they feel threatened at school or at home. The organization also provides free family counseling, providing a pathway to better communication for families experiencing a myriad of issues ranging from domestic violence to substance abuse. Awaken â A nonprofit committed to increasing awareness and education regarding sex trafficking and providing housing and healing to all survivors. Safe Embrace â The largest and most inclusive safe house in Reno-Sparks for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, offering a wide range of resources including counseling, emergency transportation, court support and more. Eddy House â A safe space for at-risk individuals aged 18-24 recovering from the effects of domestic abuse, unsafe housing conditions, homelessness and more. Being an advocate starts with us â if you see something, say something. Keeping a transparent line of communication is key to preventing, noticing and combating domestic violence.  âThe more you reach out and talk about the issues, the better,â closed Kami Price. âNo one has to go through their struggles alone.â
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Department Spotlight: Clinical Engineering
Renown Health strongly supports and advocates for innovative medical technology. Our diverse lineup of medical equipment enables our care leaders to provide quality care to every patient. But what if a piece of technology breaks down? What happens when our care teams are ready for technological upgrades? Where do employees go when they have a question about a complicated piece of equipment? Enter the Clinical Engineering department. This sophisticated team is staffed with intelligent, science-minded individuals who are ready to jump in and help at any given second. From newborn incubators to robots that clean the hospital floors, these team members are the med-tech masters that keep our health system running. Equipment Experts Upon entering the Clinical Engineering departmentâs workshop, you are welcomed with an abundance of high-tech equipment undergoing repairs and upgrades. The department takes care of more than 26,000 pieces of equipment throughout the entire healthcare network, including the technologies at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, which they just took over this past year. To the average person, this may seem overwhelming; however, for this team, this is the exact environment they thrive in to make the technology magic happen. âI am motivated and engaged every day at work,â said Tony Martinez, Supervisor of Clinical Engineering for Renown. âOur department is fast-paced and rewarding, and thatâs a big plus.â While some team members enter the department as equipment generalists, this team offers training to develop their skills on certain pieces of equipment, eventually becoming specialists.  âEvery month, we encourage our colleagues to undergo specific training on more delicate equipment,â said Tony. âOnce we get to that point in their training, we assign different equipment to our team members every month. They pick up the experience very quickly.â As a Clinical Engineering Technician for Renown, Rylie Nickerson took advantage of the training and educational opportunities offered to her and is now a ventilator specialist especially for Renownâs neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). âRegardless of whether Iâm working on ventilators or on another piece of equipment Iâm assigned to, Iâm always thinking about how I can help the patients, nurses and doctors,â said Rylie. Raul Hernandez, a Clinical Engineering Specialist for Renown, is the go-to person for anesthesia, heart-lung bypass, red cell saver and life support equipment. He embraces the fact that, regardless of whether you are a specialist or a generalist, there is no typical day working in this department. âEvery day brings different challenges,â said Raul. âI really enjoy the mental exercises I do every day. They keep me grounded and focused.â On top of their day-to-day work and any special projects or emergencies that come up, the team is on an ongoing preventative maintenance schedule. Think of this work like your carâs oil change â routine maintenance to prevent something from breaking down in the future. âAt any point, we might have 100-200 extra pieces of equipment to handle during preventative maintenance,â said Taylor Gray, a Clinical Engineering Technician for Renown. âWe are always helping each other through any issues.â Our Clinical Engineering team shows exactly what it means to be collaborative. Even though their to-do lists are ever-growing, this team never feels alone. They know they can always lean on each other for support, regardless of the workload. âWe always have each otherâs backs,â said Taylor. âI feel so happy and satisfied in my job, and my coworkers are a large part of that.â Celebrating the Genuine Difference The Clinical Engineering department is driven by their desire to help and take care of the entire health system, and in turn, make a genuine difference for the communities we serve, from the medical staff to the patients.  âThe satisfaction you get in our field when we impact patientsâ lives and their healing process is so motivating and engaging,â said Tony Martinez. âItâs a great feeling.â The team knows the common saying âWalk a mile in someoneâs shoesâ very well; so well, in fact, that they take it to the next level, doing everything they can to prevent frustrations and extended down times. âWe try to walk a mile in someoneâs shoes before they get angry,â said Reagan Jordan, Director of Clinical Engineering for Renown. âYour satisfaction is our mission, and our team continually works to improve their outcomes every day.â This department is where the entrepreneurial spirit and science-focused mind meet. For people like Raul Hernandez, who came from a business background as well as decades of medical technology experience, Renown helps him bring both his personal and business skills into focus. âThis environment is very beneficial for Renown, me, and of course, the patients,â added Raul. Being members of a team that is committed to excellence and purpose inspires them to reach new heights in patient care. âI am constantly reminded of the positive impact we have by witnessing the individual experiences we have and hearing the enthusiasm and thankfulness in their voices,â said Raul. âIt gives me a great sense of pride to work at Renown.â "There is a strong feeling of mutual respect here,â added Ed Trejo, a Clinical Engineering Technician at Renown. âWe are always here to help.â The proof is in the data. The Clinical Engineering team scored as one of the top departments in the recent Renown employee engagement survey, with their results sitting at more than 94 percent.  âThis speaks to not only our department leadership but also the team as a whole,â said Reagan. âI am extremely proud of them. Despite the pandemic, they are knocking it out of the park.â For this department, coming to Renown is easy; staying at Renown is even easier. âStaying at Renown is the easy choice,â said Raul. âAnd this team is only going to grow.â Workflow Whizzes and Kindness Champions âRolling with the punches,â as Tony Martinez says, comes naturally to the Clinical Engineering team. With the constant workflow of equipment coming into the shop, every team member has learned how to be experts at prioritizing, especially based on the needs of our organization. Even though their jobs can bring a lot of intensity, this departmentâs positive attitude radiates throughout the hospital. Upon entering the workshop, everyone is greeted with a smile from every team member, along with an immediate willingness to dive into the complex world of engineering. âThe experience of helping other people with their unique needs is invaluable,â said Taylor Gray. If this work environment sounds enticing, great news â the Clinical Engineering team is growing. Motivated, aspiring engineers with a passion for healthcare and an associateâs degree in a related field are welcome.  Military experience is also valued very highly in this team. As many of our military servicemen and servicewomen gain specialized engineering experience while enlisted, the military-to-engineer career ladder at Renown is especially strong. In fact, according to Paul Joseph, a Clinical Engineering Technician at Renown, the majority of their teammates come from a military background.  Above all, being capable of prioritizing on the fly, thinking critically, having an open-mined outlook and being self-driven are the top skills that this department values. As Ed Trejo states, âIf youâre willing to wear different hats, you will do very well here." âGo with the flow, and expect the unexpected,â added Rylie Nickerson. Those who join this team feel at home. The warm embrace of the teamâs kind nature and the supportive environment they all foster inspires an efficient workflow that helps our entire hospital system function at the top of its game. At the end of the day, everyone who joins the team, or anyone who even interacts with the team in any capacity, will be in good hands. Mandy Noriega, a Clinical Engineering Technician for Renown, closes these thoughts with a great reminder to each and every one of us: âAfter all, teamwork makes the dream work.â
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A Guide to Summer Weekend Fun During the School Year
Although students are heading back to school, that doesnât mean the summer fun has to be over. Weekends and after-school hours still call for engaging activities for the kids, even if the extreme heat and thunderstorms donât beckon you and your kids outside. There are several creative ways you can keep your children active indoors during those coveted out-of-school hours.  Below are 10 activities sure to spark fun for the kids from the comfort of your own home. 1. Dance It Out Children are bundles of energy. Turn on your child's favorite music station, roll up the carpet and dance it out. 2. Paint Pictures Above all, kids love to use their imagination. Why not gather up some paintbrushes and some colorful paints to let your child create a masterpiece? 3. Scavenger Hunt Whenever children go on a scavenger hunt, it's a mini adventure. Collect some of your child's favorite items, and hide them around the house, giving them clues to help them find them.  4. Balloon Toss Many kids love balloons. Tossing balloons into the air and having your child keep them up in the air without having them touch the floor is an active energy burner. 5. Science Experiments In case you have a budding scientist at home, choose a science experiment to spark their imaginative spirit. Making water bottle lava lamps or frozen slime are terrific indoor STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities. 6. Arts and Crafts From scrapbooks with their favorite photos to crafts from household items, arts and crafts are a great way for your kids to work their innovation muscles. 7. Indoor Bowling Bowling in your own home â unexpected? Sure. Loads of fun? Absolutely! You can purchase an indoor bowling set for less than twenty dollars or create your own with household items. 8. Board Games Because of the limitless options, board games are another favorite indoor activity for the whole family. Your child can learn vital social skills like learning to wait their turn, as well as memory formation and problem-solving skills. 9. Stage a Puppet Show Making sock puppets (or even just using âhand puppetsâ) can really spark a day of spectacular imagination. Draft a script and perform a puppet play for the whole family! 10. Karaoke Concert Singing certainly gets you in the groove of having a great time with your family and building memories â and you donât even need a karaoke machine to do it! There are many digital karaoke options available for your familyâs delight. Itâs no surprise that after-school hours and weekend days are premium play time for kids, especially during the summer months. As shown above, indoor summer activities when the weather isnât conducive to spending time outdoors can still be fun and engaging for everyone.
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Department Spotlight: Food & Nutrition Services
Nutrition is a vital aspect of patient care. At Renown Health, the Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) teams take their mission of delivering patients high-quality, cost-effective, nutritious and attractive foods to the next level. From a thrice-daily trayline service with a wide variety of delicious food to the personalized dietitian services that ensure every patient gets the nutrients they need for optimal healing and recovery, Renownâs FNS teams at Regional, South Meadows and Rehab are unmatched. Food for the Good Fight The hustle and bustle of early morning food preparations gears the FNS team up to, as Renown Regional Food Service Worker Molly Kalsman puts it, âprovide patients with adequate nutrition to heal.â From morning until nighttime, the team prepares three meals a day along with late trays and snacks. This isnât your run-of-the-mill hospital food, either. Think anywhere from cheeseburgers and salads to pork roasts and baked potatoes. As you can imagine, food of this caliber requires all hands on deck in the kitchen, especially during trayline times, to ensure all patients receive quality meals that meet their individual nutrition needs. âWe make an impact with good service and great food,â said Mario Nunez, a Food Service Worker at Renown South Meadows. As the food service workers are hard at work cooking and assembling, the nutrition representatives visit each patient to learn their individual dietary restrictions, allergies and food preferences. For Julie Macaluso, Nutrition Representative at Renown South Meadows, âletting the patients choose their mealsâ is one of the highlights of her job. âWe go over meal choices for their stay, so the patient can pick out something they would like to eat and find enjoyable,â added Tara Sprehe, Nutrition Representative at Renown Regional. The immense care and attention our nutrition representatives give to every patient paves the way for our clinical dietitians to build a nutrient-dense diet plan based on the individual patientâs preferences. Dietitians are the only licensed providers that can leverage nutrition to treat, manage and prevent illness and disease to improve patient outcomes. Every day, our experienced dietitians âmake recommendations in the adjustment of macro and micronutrients in order to best manage a personâs health status in the setting of trauma, diabetes, heart disease and other morbidities,â said Jessica Blauenstein, a Registered Dietitian and Board-Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition at the William N. Pennington Cancer Institute. Overall, for this department, the phrase âthatâs not my jobâ will never be heard, according to Lupe Ayala, a Cook at the Renown Rehabilitation Hospital. Day-in and day-out, itâs a massive group effort â and thatâs the way they like it. Setting the Service Bar High Hitting milestones and accomplishments comes naturally to this crew. The FNS team sets the bar incredibly high for food and service standards across the Renown Regional, South Meadows and Rehabilitation hospitals.  The key ingredient? Synchronized teams that operate like a well-oiled machine. The meticulous trayline schedules and assembly lines, the cooks that put their heart into patient meals, the nutrition representatives and dietitians who ensure patient food wants and dietary needs are being met... the list goes on. And to top it all off, these teams certainly know the meaning of âservice with a smile.â Their efforts do not go unnoticed. âI am very proud of the team I have,â said Monica Lara-Yanez, Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services at Renown South Meadows. âThey have improved their knowledge and participated in cross-training, and they are very efficient doing their jobs and helping each other. Moreover, they care about the service we provide.â One major accomplishment the FNS department achieved in recent years was implementing Room Service Connect, which aids in direct communication with patients, letting them know what foods are available to them during their stay at Renown based on their dietary needs. Locating trays of food has also never been easier. According to Tara Sprehe, âThis system is also beneficial for letting food service workers know when a diet has been upgraded, discontinued, changed to NPO status or downgraded. This reduces the risk of giving the patient a diet that is not appropriate for them,â which saves both time and money for the department. At the end of the day, the FNS department has one mission, and itâs the same mission we all employ as Renown team members: do it for the patient. âItâs all about patient care,â said Jesse Holman, Cook Lead at Renown Regional. âThat is the best accomplishment!â A Dedication to Renown  The patients, the providers, and the passion: these are the most common themes that keep the FNS department passionate about Renown and their team. Whether they are just starting out in a career in food service or have established themselves in the clinical field, the FNS department proudly upholds the greatest standards of nutritional care that enhance Renownâs status as a top healthcare leader in northern Nevada. âI choose Renown because it is a very distinguished institution with an amazing reputation, offering a lot of benefits and growth opportunities to employees,â said Monica Lara. âIt makes me feel proud to say, âI work at Renown.ââ Renown Rehab Food Service Worker Margretta Corbet echoes this sentiment, adding, âThere are good people here with happy dispositions.â Many FNS team members are especially enthusiastic about Renownâs robust benefits and career growth opportunities. For Molly Kalsman, working at Renown gives her the experience necessary to enter a career in dietetics. âFood service and hospital experience is encouraged to be accepted into a dietetics internship program, and Renown was the perfect opportunity for me to gain that experience,â said Molly. Carleigh Bates, Nutrition Representative at Renown South Meadows, is on a similar path: âRenown is a vehicle for so many things I am aspiring towards, such as getting my foot in the door for working in healthcare, improving the experiences of patients and gaining experience that will aid in my future goals.â Carleigh emphasizes that the teamâs commitment to Renownâs mission is at the core of what they do every day. âWe impact patient care by providing nutrition to fuel their wellness and improve their stay.â Lupe Ayala wraps up this strong conviction from the team very well: âI didnât choose Renown; Renown chose me.â Fight the Good Fight With Us This future-minded, patient-centric department is growing! The Food & Nutrition Services teams at Regional, South Meadows and Rehab are actively hiring eager, collaborative new team members. Natasha Frisbie, FNS Lead at Renown Regional, reports that the team has âsuccessfully hired and trained 24 new employees in the past three monthsâ and is still expanding. âTeamwork, communication, and enthusiasm are very valuable skills to have in this department,â said Molly Kalsman.  If you or anyone you know is looking for their next growing career opportunity, apply today!
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