SPRINGFIELD, Mo.—It cruised up and down roadways all over the Ozarks for 11 years, bringing health screenings like mammograms directly to patients who needed them. After logging 146,000 miles, though, Mercy needed to replace the original Wellness on Tour Mobile Health Bus. With the new bus now carrying out the mission, it’s time for the old bus to get its next assignment.

“We knew there was still some use in the old bus,” said Marilyn Hill, administrative director of Mercy Corporate Health and Wellness Springfield. “We tried to find a local organization that could use it to continue care in the Ozarks, but no one felt like they could take it on. That’s when we thought of Project H.O.P.E.”

Project H.O.P.E. (Hear Our Prayers Emmanuel) was established in 1998 after a group of friends in Springfield felt God calling them to help the economically poor in Nicaragua. These days, approximately 500 people travel with Project H.O.P.E. to Nicaragua each year, providing medical and dental care to more than 9,000 people. Over the years, dozens of Mercy doctors, nurses and co-workers have participated in those mission trips. “Patients are given medication for arthritis, hypertension or diabetes or undergo minor procedures that we typically take for granted,” said Mercy cardiologist Dr. Don Myears. “Their gratitude for even a supply of Tylenol or aspirin is both heartwarming and humbling.” Along with medical care, volunteers have also managed to build nearly 1,100 homes, drill more than 10 wells to provide clean water and construct five schools.

Project H.O.P.E. plans to drive the bus to the coast and load it on to a ship that will take it to Nicaragua. It goes out equipped with a mammography unit and exam tables. “The mobile clinic will provide Project H.O.P.E. the ability to care for the poor in rural areas of Nicaragua who would not normally receive it due to lack of resources,” explained Kim Bradley, president of Project H.O.P.E.  “Although we’ve been providing care for a number of years, it is limited as the makeshift clinics are not conducive to medical procedures. The mobile unit will provide doctors a sanitary environment in which more in-depth procedures can be performed.”

A key hand-off ceremony in Springfield on Wednesday, Nov. 8 includes Project H.O.P.E.'s medical director, Dr. Melba Barrantes Monge, as well as Mercy caregivers who have volunteered their time in Nicaragua. "It just means so much to have a clean place for simple procedures," said Dr. Monge, with tears in her eyes. "Sometimes we have to use just a tarp."

This bus donation follows the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, who have always tried to bring care to people where they are. “Just as Mercy took this bus out to our communities, it will now go out to the people of Nicaragua who need medical care,” said Hill. “We are so happy to see its service continue.”

After nearly seven months of construction, the new Ronald McDonald House® inside Mercy Children’s Hospital is now open and serving families of children who are hospitalized. The new 8,200-square-foot facility is located on the sixth floor of Mercy Children’s Hospital, and can house up to 10 families every night. In addition, families of pediatric patients not requiring overnight stays can benefit from the services of this “home away from home” during daytime and early evening hours. “We have been anticipating this special day for many years,” said Bonnie Keller, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of the Ozarks.

Mercy has provided more than 8,200 square feet of space for the new Ronald McDonald House featuring ten bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Mercy is also contributing significant ongoing operational support including utilities, phone and internet service, linens, towels and maintenance services. RMHC of the Ozarks is responsible for the costs of infill, fittings, furnishings, supplies, ongoing staffing and operational costs.

The House features large common areas, including a living room, dining room, kitchen, playroom, gathering room, laundry center, computer nook and public restrooms. The proposed site for a new pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)is located right next to the new House, convenient for families of some of Mercy’s most seriously ill children. In addition to providing overnight accommodations for up to 10 families each night, all families of pediatric patients are welcome during daytime hours to catch up on e-mail, have a snack or meal, do laundry, take a nap, and most importantly, have some downtime to talk with family, friends and other families in similar situations who truly understand. New moms can be near their babies in the intensive care nursery and have access to breast pumps within the House. This daytime-only feature allows even more families to benefit from the Ronald McDonald House.

“We recognized several years ago that the families of Mercy’s most seriously ill children receiving treatment in the burn unit, St. Jude-affiliate clinic, NICU and PICU were not comfortable leaving the hospital to benefit from our Ronald McDonald House near Cox South,” said Bonnie Keller, RMHC president & CEO. “The opening of the Ronald McDonald House within the walls of Mercy Children’s Hospital will fill a significant need for these families.” Children that have the strong involvement and love of their parents recover more quickly than children who do not. The proximity of the House facilitates families having more time with their ill children and improved communication and collaboration between families and medical staff. Research shows family-centered care in the hospital facilitates better medical decision-making, reduces the isolation a child feels and helps children heal faster. The physical presence of a parent at the hospital improves a child’s ability to recover and manage the psychological symptoms of his or her illness.

On March 29, 2012, the RMHC Board of Directors formally announced construction of the new Ronald McDonald House and a 12-month fundraising goal that exceeds $1.6 million for construction, fittings, furnishings and supplies. Nearly $1 million has been raised to date. Community members are encouraged to contribute towards the capital campaign over the next four months, as well as consider becoming a House Volunteer and provide meals for the Family Dinner Program. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.RMHCozarks.org.

A video series detailing the road to completing the new Ronald McDonald House was underwritten by Rick’s Automotive of Springfield. To view the 20-video series, visit www.Road2MercyHouse.org.

To contact the Ronald McDonald House inside Mercy Children’s Hospital, please call 417-820-0764.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Mercy is focusing on the family as it transforms the way it cares for some of the tiniest patients in the Ozarks. Phase I of the Betty and Bobby Allison Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is opening at Mercy Hospital Springfield, with individual patient rooms that accommodate not just high-tech care, but also the loving presence of friends and family members.

Mercy’s former 28-bed NICU was one large room with infant beds sharing space with family members, scrub areas and the nurses’ stations. While this is a common design for NICUs across the country, family members often felt in the way of the care team and the busy environment could prove over-stimulating to the small babies.

The new NICU features individual family rooms—including larger “twin” rooms for multiple-birth families.  Large sliding glass doors and the latest technology mean nurses can still keep a constant watch over the babies, but their families will also have the room they need to sit quietly with their newborns.

“Studies have shown that premature babies in individual rooms stay in the hospital for less time, they gain weight faster, and they have less risk of infection,” said Dr. Melinda Slack, medical director for the nursery at Mercy Hospital Springfield. “The research also shows there’s less stress for the parents, who feel like they have their own space and a role in their child’s care.”

Slack and the nurse management team have been working for 10 years on improving the NICU. The team traveled to multiple hospitals to learn what worked in other places, and what didn’t. Ideas for the design of the new NICU also came from families who’d experienced the old space. Liz Kemper had twin boys after an emergency C-section eight years ago. Harrison weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces; his brother Hudson weighed 2 pounds, 1 ounce.

“You enter another world when you walk through the doors of the NICU,” said Kemper, whose boys have been in and out of Mercy Hospital Springfield over the years. “Your life, your babies are in there. No one plans on having sick babies.”

That’s why when Kemper was asked to serve on the family advisory board for Mercy Children’s Hospital Springfield, she knew she had to be a voice for all the children and families that would follow in her footsteps.

“If my input can make a difference, I wanted to take part,” said Kemper, a charter member of the advisory group who has met monthly at times in the past three years. “Mercy has been listening to us, making some changes along the way, and I believe it’s going to make an incredible difference.”

Phase I of the NICU includes 27 new beds.  “About 30 years ago, the NICU took up just 600 square feet,” said Dr. Slack. “When the new NICU is completed, it will be about 36,000 square feet.  That speaks to Mercy’s commitment to offer state-of-the-art health care.”

Construction on Phase II is scheduled for completion in June 2014. Until Phase II is finished, staff will continue to utilize space in the current NICU, with the capability of caring for more than 50 babies.

The redesigned NICU was made possible by generous donations from the community, including $2 million from Bobby Allison. Other significant donors with gifts totaling $480,000 are Beth and John Raidel, Dr. Walter and Martha Gaska, Dr. K. Fon and Kimberly Huang, Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc., The Smile Foundation, Dr. Eric and Kristi Fulnecky and Children, Dr. Alexander and Barbara Hover, Empire Bank and Central Trust and Investment Company, Arvest Bank, Dr. Elizabeth J. Andrews, Dr. John M. Burson, The Rick’s Automotive Family.

You can come see the new NICU for yourself. There’s a public open house Dec. 12, 2012 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tours leave from the south entrance of Mercy Hospital Springfield.

With an investment of $12 million, Mercy Springfield Communities is bringing faster, safer health care to those who need it in an emergency. Life Line is now operating three new EC135 P2+ helicopters with upgraded technology which will allow pilots to fly in weather conditions they previously could not have faced. Father Alexander Inke, a priest chaplain with Mercy Pastoral Services, blessed the aircraft today during a brief ceremony. They are now ready to serve the Ozarks.

“These new helicopters mean we’ll now be able to fly when there’s reduced visibility and low clouds,” said DJ Satterfield, director of Mercy Life Line Air Medical Service. “We’ll be able to operate under the FAA’s Instrument Flight Rules, just like commercial airlines—allowing the technology to help guide us.”

It all adds up to getting help to critically-ill patients quickly. The advanced on-board technology, including global positioning system (GPS), weather radar, auto pilot and a terrain awareness warning system also means a higher level of safety for those patients and the flight crew as they make their way to the hospital.

“The care patients receive inside the new helicopters will continue to be top-notch,” noted Satterfield. “Mercy’s Life Line medical staff members continually train in the hospital for what they might encounter in the field. They start the care immediately and it continues seamlessly once they arrive at the hospital.” The aircraft also contain the latest in medical transport equipment.

The helicopters are strategically placed around the Ozarks, with one each in Branson West, Bolivar and St. Robert. “We place them in outlying areas where the speed of a helicopter transport is needed most often,” explained Satterfield. “Any amount of time we can shave off the flight to get to the patient means the care can begin that much sooner.”

An abandoned motel in Branson will soon be replaced with a large new Mercy clinic which will offer the community enhanced health care services.

The Branson Inn at Highways 65 and 248 will be demolished to make way for a 62,000 square foot, two-story clinic. The building cost is estimated at $34 million. Along with increasing the number of primary care doctors, the clinic will also feature urgent care, pharmacy, imaging and surgery. In addition, more specialists will be visiting patients in Branson on a regular basis.

“This expansion made perfect sense,” explained Dr. Rob Steele, Mercy senior vice-president of Market Growth and Development. “We have served patients in Stone and Taney counties for years, and this builds upon those relationships. Our research found many people are underserved when it comes to health care in that community and we want to fill that need.”

While a date isn’t set for groundbreaking, Mercy hopes to remove the Branson Inn by this spring. “When we see a need for care, we act,” said Jon Swope, president and CEO of Mercy Springfield Communities. “We know a lot of these patients come to Springfield for care so our hope is we can bring more of that care to them.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– It happens to a lot of us: you go to your regular doctor, have blood drawn and then repeat those tests when referred to a specialist. Now, Mercy patients in the Springfield area can look forward to fewer needle sticks and other repeat tests. All of their doctors have committed to coordinate care for their chronic illnesses, schedule timely health screenings and follow up on minor illnesses.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has named Mercy Hospital Springfield and Mercy Clinic Springfield Communities as an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). ACOs are organizations formed by groups of doctors and other health care providers that pledge to coordinate care for patients covered by Medicare. In exchange, those providers have the opportunity to share in savings realized by working together to keep patients healthier while eliminating unnecessary expenses.

“Accountable Care Organizations save money for Medicare and deliver higher-quality care to people with Medicare,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more doctors and hospitals are working together to give people with Medicare the high-quality care they expect and deserve.”

Participation in an ACO is purely voluntary. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, more than 250 Accountable Care Organizations have been established, including the 106 new ACOs named today. There are four now in Missouri, one which serves the Kansas City area, another in St. Louis, and one in St. Joseph, Mo. In all, Medicare’s ACO partners will serve more than 4 million beneficiaries nationwide. However, not every organization that applies to be an ACO is accepted into the program.

 “You have to be recognized as providing high-quality medical care and have proven your doctors can work together in caring for a specific group of patients,” explained Dr. James T. Rogers, clinical vice president of Mercy Adult Primary Care. “This is part of our effort to do the right thing for patients and taxpayers by providing the best care possible without spending unnecessary money. Plus, patients will know how well we’re caring for them, as CMS tracks our performance and makes those results public.”

ACOs must meet quality standards to ensure that savings are achieved through improving care coordination and providing care that is appropriate, safe and timely. CMS has established 33 quality measures on care coordination and patient safety, appropriate use of preventive health services, improved care for at-risk populations, and patient and caregiver experience of care. Federal savings from this initiative are up to $940 million over four years.

Mercy Springfield doctors have proven they can meet CMS quality standards. They were one of only 10 physician groups in the nation to participate in the Medicare Physician Group Practice (PGP) project. Its intent was similar: to improve care while cutting costs. In year four alone, the project saved Medicare $38.7 million. Five of the 10 groups, including Mercy Springfield, received performance payments that year under the project because they saved money while scoring high marks for quality.

Mercy has 31 hospitals and 300 outpatient facilities across Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. It plans to use the findings from Mercy Springfield’s participation as an ACO throughout its service area.

“As we learn what works best for patients, we’ll share those best practices across the four states Mercy serves,” said Dr. Rogers. “We will relentlessly pursue our goal to get health care right, and this is a major step in that direction.”

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.– Spiritual care changes as technology advances. Years ago, e-chaplaincy, telemedicine, email, Skype and other new technologies were not incorporated in health care and spiritual care like they are today.

For the first time, Mercy will offer an area-wide continuing education conference on spiritual care delivery focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. It will take place at Mercy Hospital Springfield in the McAuley Conference Center from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 13.

Physicians, nurses, chaplains, clergy members, or anyone who is interested in this information is invited to attend. “We’re hoping this conference brings together both the medical and the spiritual care communities so that each may see the resources and options that are out there in caring for others together,” said Mercy chaplain, Rev. Mark Chamberlin, who also serves on the conference planning committee. 

Scheduled to present are Julie M. Jones, Execu­tive Director of Mission and Ministry and leader of Mercy’s pastoral services, and Dr. Mark Lee of Mercy Northwest Arkansas. Because of Mercy’s leadership in pioneering new ways to deliver spiritual care, Jones will come uniquely qualified to encourage ministers, physicians and other clini­cians to see how trends in health ministry shape spiritual care for the 21st century. Sharing trends, implications for spiritual care, and various initiatives within Mercy, she will add new ideas and resources to your ministry toolbox. Dr. Lee is the driving force behind making a professional chaplain available at his clinic, and he will offer his experience evidencing the value and benefits of providing a professional chaplain to the patients, families, and clinic staff.

“On a personal note, about 12 years ago I dreamed of Mercy Springfield hosting a pastoral care conference such as this,” said Chamberlin. “I’m so excited to see it come true and so appreciative of all those who helped make it possible.”

The registration fee is $30 and includes syllabus materials, certificate of attendance, continental breakfast, luncheon, and refreshment breaks. Registration two weeks prior to the conference date is encouraged.

Both the NACC and APC will accept continuing education hours from this event. The Talent Development & Optimization Department of Mercy Hospital is an ap­proved provider of continuing nursing education by the Missouri Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. This activity provides 5.75 contact hours of continuing nursing education.

The event brochure and registration form can be found here. For content information, contact Mark Chamberlin at 417-820-2735. For registration information, contact Talent Development and Optimization at Mercy Hospital at 417-820-3005.

Mercy has announced three major leadership changes: Jon Swope has been named regional president for Mercy’s central communities in Arkansas, southwest Missouri and Kansas, and Dr. Robert Steele was named president of Mercy Hospital Springfield. Kim Day, current regional president for Mercy’s central communities, will retire after a 37-year career in health care.

“We have had a history of excellent leadership in Mercy’s central communities,” said Mike McCurry, Mercy’s chief operating officer. “We have been truly blessed and our strong ministry will continue as Mercy has two talented successors in place to make this change.”

Swope, current president and CEO of Mercy Springfield Communities, has invested 33 years with Mercy, serving in Mercy communities in southwest Missouri, St. Louis, Washington and Kansas. Dr. Steele, who has been a practicing pediatrician for 15 years, will be the first physician in Mercy’s history to step into the role of president.

Day, who will retire from full-time service March 1, will continue in a consulting capacity with a few ongoing projects. Day joined Mercy in 2000 as chief financial officer at St. John’s in Springfield. His vision and collaboration was instrumental in making the newly restructured health system a successful model of integration.

Half of all Americans who live to be 80 either have a cataract or have had one removed. For centuries, doctors have used a blade to get to the cataract in a patient’s eye. Now, for the first time in this region, the blades are gone at Mercy Eye and Ear Center in Springfield, where patients will benefit from laser precision, at no additional cost.

Beginning March 4, Mercy ophthalmologists in Springfield will begin performing all cataract surgeries using the Catalys Precision Laser System from OptiMedica. The femtosecond laser system maps the eye, makes a precise cut and breaks up the cataract. This allows the doctors to more easily remove the cataract and helps position the patient’s new lens with unsurpassed accuracy. In fact, a study in the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery showed the laser was approximately 10 times more accurate than the manual technique. It means patients can expect fewer complications, a quicker recovery time and better vision after the surgery.

“Simply put, laser cataract surgery helps us provide the most exact results with the highest safety margin available anywhere,” explained Mercy ophthalmologist Dr. Wendell Scott. “We are excited to be the first to bring this advanced technology to the region.”

45-year-old Bryan Perry actually postponed his cataract removal when he learned a laser option was on its way. “After my doctor told me about it, I did research online. It’s so accurate, and the thought of a blade going into my eye wasn’t very appealing. I was definitely willing to wait.”

The good news for patients like Bryan is that Mercy is offering laser cataract removal at the same price as traditional surgery. While most patients who have cataracts removed are over age 65 and can expect Medicare to cover the cost, that isn’t true for patients who want the laser option. Medicare will not pay more for laser surgery, which at other locations can cost patients at least $1,000.  

“Every other ophthalmologist in the country that’s using this system for cataract surgery is charging patients more if they want the laser to make the cut instead of the surgeon’s hand,” said Dr. Shachar Tauber, Mercy ophthalmology section chair. “That just didn’t feel right to us. If this is the best way to perform cataract surgery – and it is – then all of our patients deserve to have their cataracts removed with the laser.”

As is the case now, patients will have the option to upgrade their new lens implants and potentially free themselves from glasses. While options like that have always and will continue to cost more, patients who simply want their cataracts removed will get the laser surgery at no extra cost. Those who do upgrade their lenses can look forward to an even better result than in traditional surgery, as the eye map allows doctors to predict with much greater accuracy just how the new lens will sit in the eye.

These surgeries will be offered in a new, convenient location as well. Mercy Eye and Ear Center is located at 3045 S. National St. in Springfield (the corner of National and Montclair). The building will also house ear, nose and throat surgery. For now, patients will continue to have their regular check-ups at the clinic offices inside the Mercy Surgery Center at 1229 E. Seminole.

Mercy Hospital Springfield hosted a one-year anniversary reunion luncheon for patients who have undergone transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). This procedure enabled patients not eligible for open heart surgery to have a valve replacement, preventing the need for bypass and allowing a faster recovery.

Harold Block, an Ozarks cattle farmer, was one of the first patients to get the procedure. "The recovery rate was immediate. It was the next day I went home and the day after that I was out riding my tractor."

During the luncheon, patients caught up with their care team and learned about the latest advances in the procedure. The new method, which uses a transapical approach, is quicker and less technically difficult than the transfemoral technique. When using the transfemoral approach, doctors insert a stent in the heart by using a blood vessel in the leg. In transapical, doctors make the incision in the chest between the ribs, and access the lowest part of the heart. The transapical approach gives high-risk patients with aortic stenosis who have small vessels or severe peripheral vascular disease an exciting new option, making it available to even more patients.

Rehabilitation services in the Ozarks will get a major upgrade, as crews begin work on the new Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield.

The $28 million, 63,000 square foot facility will have 60 beds and provide inpatient rehabilitation for patients who are recovering from strokes, brain or spinal cord injuries, amputations, complex orthopedic injuries and other conditions. Construction is estimated to take about a year.

Currently, rehabilitation services are offered at Mercy Hospital Springfield. As a Level I trauma center for Arkansas and Missouri, as well as the region’s only burn unit, the need for rehabilitation has outgrown the 35 beds available in the current space. “This new facility will give us the room we need and lift the spirits of our patients,” explained Dr. Hollis Bell, medical director for rehabilitation at Mercy Hospital Springfield. “So many can’t wait to get out of the hospital, and while this will still be an inpatient facility, it will give patients a real sense that they are making progress, and inspire them to continue the tough work ahead.”

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield will challenge patients to tackle obstacles they will encounter in everyday life. “Little things like walking on gravel may not seem like a big deal to most of us,” said Dr. Robert W. Steele, president of Mercy Hospital Springfield. “But after a traumatic injury, learning how to navigate various surfaces is a major milestone. We’ll have features that will allow patients to practice that in a safe environment.”

Other unique features will include:

• Apartment where patients and families can practice daily living tasks
• Gymnasiums featuring high-tech therapy devices and treatments
• Dedicated rooms for burn patients
• Brain injury unit with monitored rooms, specialized beds, patient lifts and dedicated therapy space and dining area
• Dedicated stroke unit with specialized equipment
• Specially-equipped rooms for bariatric patients
• Private, family-friendly rooms with sleeper chairs
• Pet therapy and recreation programs

Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital Springfield is a partnership between Mercy and Centerre Healthcare Corporation, a national leader in the development and operation of rehabilitation hospitals. Centerre has partnered with Mercy for similar projects in St. Louis and Oklahoma City. McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the construction manager.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (April 10, 2013)– 400 people from the Springfield area have the opportunity to help researchers learn more about what causes cancer and how to prevent it. Mercy is a local partner, helping the American Cancer Society (ACS) recruit volunteers for a nationwide study called Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). Nationwide, ACS will enroll at least 300,000 volunteers.

Enrolling is easy. You’re eligible if you’re 30 to 65 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer (excluding basal or squamous cell cancer). You must also be willing to make a long-term commitment to the study, which includes completing periodic follow-up surveys. Those will take an hour or less to complete and will be sent every few years.

Eligible participants are invited to the Catherine McAuley Conference Center, just inside the main entrance to Mercy Hospital Springfield, on Wednesday, April 24 from 2- 6 p.m. Enrollment will include signing a consent form, completing a written survey, providing physical measurements, and giving a small blood sample.

 “We all have family members who have lost their battle with cancer. This is our chance to fight back against a disease that takes too much,” said Amanda Gray, program coordinator with the Mercy Cancer Resource Center.

CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer. Previous studies have confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and cancer, as well as the impact of air pollution on heart and lung conditions.

For more information about the Cancer Prevention Study and enrollment, visit this page.

Mercy Springfield co-worker Susan Reichert was what she called a “closet smoker” since high school. Embarrassed by her habit, she smoked only when she was alone or around certain adult family members or friends. She was able to quit during her two pregnancies but picked the habit back up after the birth of each son.

“I used smoking as a form of stress relief or as a reward system,” said Reichert now in her mid-30s. “After I packed the kids’ lunches and got them off to school, I’d go outside and have a cigarette. After dinner, I’d usually have a cigarette. I was only smoking five to 10 cigarettes a day, but I knew I needed to stop for my health and to be a good role model for my kids.”

Three years ago, her oldest son pleaded with her to give up smoking.

“That was my moment. That was when I knew I was ready but I needed help. Mercy gave me that support.”

As part of the Mercy Springfield health plan, assistance with tobacco cessation is available to all co-workers. 

“I thought that if my employer believes in me enough to provide me with this opportunity, I should do this for myself,” Reichert stated.

 The Road to Freedom tobacco cessation program employs the use of coaching by trained nurses and wellness educators. Both in person and telephonic coaching offer physical and emotional support to break the nicotine addiction.

Gale Ayers, RN, Certified Wellness Coach and trained tobacco cessation specialist: “The coaching relationship is an alliance we have with the client. We help people implement change in their daily lives and we focus on what works for the individual to accomplish lifestyle changes. Every person is different and we help them find their own path to achieve success.”

Ayers advised Reichert to choose one cigarette of the day to drop each week, which she did week by week for several weeks. Then Reichert set a ‘quit date’ and literally “kicked that habit” for good.

“Gale was a great listener,” said Reichert. “We talked a least once a week at first and she helped me identify what triggered my craving to smoke. She taught me how to use breathing exercises to get through stressful situations. I learned to change my routine so I wouldn’t be in a situation to smoke. She also gave me tips on foods to eat, such as nuts, carrots, celery and other crunchy foods to help with the cravings. I really felt like I had someone on my side. I wasn’t going through this alone. Every now and then she calls just to check on how I am doing. Now we talk about helping my husband quick smoking.”

In addition to tobacco cessation, wellness coaching has a successful track record for reducing health risks, adding fitness to daily life, stress and weight management and nutrition education for overall improved health. 

“The coaching is mainly telephonic,” explained Ayers. “It is based on behavioral principals (readiness to change and choice theory) and counseling practices. Typically by the end of three months, clients reach more than 70% of their goals, are energized and confident to continue. We help them make healthy choices to change and be successful but the client is always in the driver’s seat deciding what and when they are ready to move ahead.”

For Reichert, “having a coach is what made the difference. I could not have done this on my own.” 

To learn how well coaching can provide you with the motivation and guidance to achieve lifestyle changes, please call 417-820-3400.  Mercy Corporate Health and Wellness has are over a dozen trained well coaches ready to serve you.  

More than 150 schools across Missouri have signed up for the new statewide Safe and Sober program, bringing the message of sobriety to students across the Show-Me State.

Springfield attorney Kurt Larson started the program nine years ago as a way to keep Southwest Missouri teenagers safe during prom and graduation season. A Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) grant of $130,000 allowed the program to expand this year to schools across the state and to reach middle school students as well.

“I’m so pleased that 153 Missouri high schools are participating,” said Larson. “The best part is the message is reaching 76,897 students, and that’s in addition to their parents and countless middle school students who will be mentored by upperclassmen. We hope Missouri Safe and Sober will be the catalyst for changing the culture of underage drinking in this state.”

Missouri Safe and Sober offers participating schools free videos that bring students real stories of how a night of drinking can turn deadly. Other videos target parents and remind them why talking with their teens about drug and alcohol use is so important. Students will receive pledge cards they can sign as they promise to stay sober, and they will also get tips on coping with peer pressure.

Mercy is the operational home for Missouri Safe and Sober. “We see the consequences of alcohol use and alcohol-related traumatic injuries in our trauma center every day,” said Mark Peck, Mercy Springfield injury prevention outreach coordinator. “So many of these terrible injuries and deaths can be prevented, and that’s our goal.” For more information about the program, visit http://www.missourisafeandsober.com

Mercy Hospital Springfield became the first hospital in the region to implant a next generation spinal cord stimulator, called Precision Spectra, designed to provide pain relief to a wide range of chronic pain patients. Spinal Cord Stimulators (SCS) may be prescribed for chronic intractable pain of the trunk and/or limbs, including unilateral or bilateral pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome, intractable low back pain and leg pain. The Precision Spectra System is the world’s first and only SCS device with 32 contacts and 32 dedicated power sources, which expands the level of coverage across the spinal cord and provides greater flexibility for physicians to treat chronic pain. The procedure was performed by Dr. Benjamin Lampert, medical director for pain management at Mercy Springfield.

“Precision Spectra is the latest and most advanced SCS device available and we are proud to be the first hospital in the area to offer this treatment,” said Dr. Lampert.  “We now have the potential to provide more pain relief to patients who suffer from chronic, debilitating pain, which may lead to improved outcomes.”

SCS is a type of therapy in which a patient undergoes a procedure to surgically place an Implantable Pulse Generator. Thin wires, or leads, are then placed in the space above the spinal cord to best target the areas of pain. The ends of the leads contain contacts which send electrical impulses to nerve fibers selectively along the spinal cord, masking the pain message traveling to the brain. The painful sensation is replaced with a soothing, tingling sensation. Until now, SCS systems offered a maximum of 16 contacts and two lead ports. With twice the number of contacts and ports, the Precision Spectra System, developed by Boston Scientific, offers more coverage of the spinal cord and increased flexibility to adapt to broader and changing pain patterns.

According to the Institute of Medicine, more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain and may struggle to find effective relief through other therapies such as surgery and pain medication.

 “Since pain can be very complex to treat, many patients cycle through various therapies before finding SCS,” continued Dr. Lampert.  “I would encourage anyone living with chronic pain to talk to their physician to see if SCS is right for them.”

Mercy has entered into a five-year partnership with the Springfield Cardinals to manage the team’s orthopedic and sports medicine needs, as well provide other medical services. The agreement comes after Mercy inked a similar agreement with the St. Louis Cardinals earlier this year.

“We are very excited to enhance our partnership with Mercy, the Official Sports Medicine/Orthopedic Provider for the Cardinals, ensuring that our players receive top quality medical care throughout the season,” said Springfield Cardinals Vice President/General Manager Matt Gifford. “In addition to establishing a vital continuity of player care between St. Louis and Springfield, we also look forward to working alongside Mercy to continue to promote healthy lifestyle choices for kids and adults throughout our community.”

Mercy Clinic Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Brian Mahaffey will continue his practice in Springfield while working with the St. Louis Cardinals and serving as the minor league care liaison. In Springfield, Dr. Landon Hough is the primary care doctor for the team. “The Cardinals demand the best medical care for their players, so we weren’t surprised when they signed Dr. Mahaffey,” he said. “It’s exciting to see this great partnership expand, and I know we all feel fortunate to be a part of it.” Dr. Vic Wilson will serve as the head team orthopedist and is involved in the surgical management team for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system. Drs. Richard Seagrave and Bernard Griesemer will provide medical coverage during games in case a player is injured.

For the public, Mercy Emergency Medical Services will have ambulances and paramedics on hand at each home game to quickly respond to any medical emergencies in the crowd. Mercy will also staff a first aid station.

“This partnership is really about Mercy’s desire to bring care to people where they are,” explained Jon Swope, president of Mercy Central Communities. “We’ll be ready to treat an injured player or fan, but we also want to bring health and wellness activities to the community. Imagine enjoying a night at the ballgame with your family and also getting your blood pressure checked or taking a short course in hands-only CPR. We’d like to bring those kinds of programs to Hammons Field.” 

Mercy has a deep well of experience in quality sports medicine services including surgery, sports-focused primary care, physical therapy and trainers that serve high school, college, and professional athletes.

When kids get hurt, it often happens where we feel they’re safest—at home. In fact, more than 4.5 million injuries to children happen each year in the home, so taking the right precautions is key.

To show parents, grandparents and caregivers how to spot potential hazards, Safe Kids Springfield and Mercy are presenting the second annual Safe Kids Baby Extravaganza. Seminars will focus on topics like choosing and using a car seat correctly, how to practice fire safety at home and even how important healthy relationships are to a child’s well-being.

The event will also be packed with lots of vendors who have helpful and fun products geared toward kids and families. There will be hourly door prizes, a diaper derby to determine the fastest crawler in the Ozarks and a children’s fashion show. Plus, for just $3, you can enter a raffle to win more than $1,000 in children’s products!

WHEN:          Saturday, June 15, 2013
                     10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE:        Remington’s Event Center, 1655 W. Republic Rd., Springfield

WHAT:           Vendors, Fashion Show, Diaper Derby, Car Seat Demonstrations
                      Admission is $5.00
                      Children 12 and younger are free
                      All proceeds benefit Safe Kids Springfield’s child and family safety
                      and injury prevention programs in the Ozarks

He practices medicine in a town that has three stoplights and a population of just less than 5,000. It may seem unlikely that someone like Mercy’s Dr. David Barbe would become the chair of the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Board of Trustees, but Dr. Barbe says his small-town roots give him exactly the background he needs.

“I’ve seen and understand what issues all physicians face, because I’ve been there. I’ve been in solo practice, small group practice and now I’m also a leader in Mercy’s four-state physician network,” he explained. Along with his new position on the AMA Board of Trustees, Dr. Barbe is also president of the regional division of Mercy Clinic Springfield Communities.

Dr. Barbe worked last year as AMA board chair-elect. With his new position as board chair, he will work closely with AMA senior management to oversee the operations of the AMA and implementation of AMA policies. He’s hoping to be able to influence the future of medicine, as doctors work within the framework of the federal health care law. “The next several years will be key in shaping what health care looks like in this country,” he said. “I’ve taken some of Mercy’s ideas to the AMA, and can explain why these models work. I’ve seen how doctors and hospitals can collaborate and improve patient care.”

As for Dr. Barbe’s patients in the Mountain Grove area, they don’t have to worry. While his new leadership position may take him out of town occasionally, he’ll still be around to care for his patients. “I’ve always seen my work here as a mission. We have unique economic challenges in smaller towns, so I want to make sure I’m doing all I can to bring better health care and to my hometown and others like it.”

Reliable Chevrolet has proven it has the driving force to make big things happen. During May, Reliable Chevrolet donated $50 for every car sold to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Mercy Hospital Springfield. In just one month, the car dealer raised an incredible $17,500. Randall Hargis, general manager at Reliable Chevrolet, had a very personal reason for helping with the continued renovation of the NICU.

“I credit the Mercy NICU with saving the life of my grandson, Aiden,” Hargis shared. “He was born 3 months premature and his outlook seemed very bleak, but the amazing doctors and nurses of the Mercy NICU saved his life. As we near his second birthday I honestly cannot imagine my life without him in it.  Hopefully this gesture will give these incredible people the heartfelt thank you they deserve.”

At the check presentation, Dr. Melinda Slack, NICU medical director, emphasized the importance of this generous contribution to our youngest patients and their families. “We are so grateful to Reliable Chevrolet for its commitment to the NICU. These funds are so important for the emergent needs of our patients and families. Every dollar makes a difference.”

Renovation work continues on Phase II of the Betty and Bobby Allison NICU at Mercy Hospital Springfield. Phase I opened in December 2012, and features individual family rooms - including larger “twin” rooms for multiple-birth families. Large sliding glass doors and the latest technology mean nurses can still keep a constant watch over the babies, but their families will also have the room they need to sit quietly with their newborns. The project also expands the NICU, nearly doubling its capacity to care for tiny infants.

Reliable Chevrolet continues to partner with Mercy Springfield offering Mercy co-workers a Preferred Partner Pricing program. Reliable Chevrolet will donate $50 to the Mercy Crisis Fund for every car purchased by a Mercy co-worker.

*Photo cutline (L-R): John Smittle, Reliable Chevrolet; Randall Hargis, Reliable Chevrolet; Dr. MelindaSlack, medical director of Mercy Springfield NICU; Sallie Hazelrigg, Mercy Philanthropy regional vice president; Bob Hammerschmidt, Mercy Health Foundation Board chairman; Brent Singley, Reliable Chevrolet.

Mercy Wellness on Tour will be visiting these Mercy clinics in the coming weeks. The bus offers services in 16 rural Southwest Missouri communities.

Wellness on Tour Schedule 

Mercy Wellness on Tour Bus services include:

• Digital mammograms
• Bone density testing
• Cancer screening
• Wellness physicals
• Health risk assessments

The mobile bus allows Mercy to serve more women, including those whose last mammogram was digital and those with breast implants. Annual screening mammograms are recommended for women age 40 and older. Mammograms are the best tool for detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stage. Nearly 3,000 women annually complete a mammogram on the bus. Many have never had a mammogram or have gone many years between screenings.

Mercy Wellness on Tour mobile bus is an outreach of the Mercy Breast Center, staffed by highly-qualified Mercy health professionals.