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Survey Shows Strengths as Hospital Moves Toward Transition

Excerpts from survey data indicated that KUMC employees want KU hospital to succeed and have pride in their work. Complete results will be available from department supervisors and managers during meetings that will be scheduled after the first Authority Board meeting July 14 and 15.

    Data and spontaneous comments elicited from the hospital employee survey show that KU Hospital has a strong foundation on which to build a premier academic health center. The foundation-its employees-will be instrumental to the success of the hospital’s mission, said Irene Cumming, chief executive officer.
    “Pride and commitment are evident throughout the answers,” she said during Town Hall meetings conducted this week and last week. “I’ve never worked anywhere where that was so evident.”
    Survey results will help guide the Authority Board and hospital leadership as they develop and implement the policies that will guide the new KU hospital. In addition to identifying areas of strength, the survey is valuable in designing compensation packages for hospital employees once they have moved to the Authority Board, said Cumming. Among the guarantees to employees are:

*    Everyone will be offered a position comparable to his or her current position.
*    Everyone will be offered the same pay as their current job provides. There will be no pay decreases.
*    Accrued vacation and sick leave will roll over with each employee.
*    Each employee’s years of service will transfer to his or her new position.
*    Retirement options will be the same.
*    The first and every paycheck will be on time.

    Moreover, the Authority Board will not outsource facilities management. That will stay with the Medical Center, and the hospital will contract with them. Likewise, housekeeping will remain with the hospital, and the Medical Center will contract with the hospital for that service.
    Cumming emphasized that everyone who does his or her job well can be assured of job security. That should not be a problem because survey results demonstrate a high work ethic among employees. They care about the hospital’s success, understand their job duties and how they fit into the hospital’s mission, and they agree with their supervisor on who their customers are. Employees believe in the importance of teamwork and want to contribute to the team’s effort.
    Employee contributions are showing. In assessing the hospital’s performance, analysts found that virtually all areas of quality, service and cost have improved.

Irene Cumming, hospital CEO
   
“In almost every situation, we have moved up,” said Cumming. “We are moving in the right direction. You are all working hard.”
She urged employees to continue participating, asking questions, and providing ideas.
“Be sure you participate in this,” she said. “This is your workplace. Involve yourself in identifying problems and getting to those issues. Ask questions until you understand the answers.”

Hemenway praises progress by KUMC

•    A $20 million investment in renovating and upgrading the KU Medical Center Kansas City campus.
•    New leadership on all levels, from the chancellor’s office to individual school deans’ offices to the hospital executive offices.
•    A dramatic turn-around in public perceptions of KU Medical Center, locally and regionally.
•    Impressive growth in community-based services, as demonstrated by the upcoming opening of KU MedWest in Shawnee.
•    The transition of the hospital from a state agency to a public authority.
•    All in three years.

    These and other accomplishments are extremely impressive, said Robert Hemenway, University of Kansas chancellor, during the June 30 all-campus update. Hemenway spoke with Donald Hagen, executive vice chancellor for KUMC, to a packed Wahl Hall East auditorium.
    “You-everyone at this Medical Center-should take a great deal of pride in what has happened here in the last few years,” said Hemenway. “I do not believe that the transfer of the hospital to a public authority could have occurred without the legislature having confidence that this institution is headed in the right direction. We should feel extremely good about where we are. We still have a lot of challenges. There will still be bumps in the road. But we will sustain this Medical Center as one of the premier academic health center in the country.”
    Hagen noted that much work has gone into preparing for the hospital’s shift to the Authority Board’s oversight. Noting, “I’ve been through three major reorganizations in my career,” he acknowledged that major change always increased anxiety among employees. But, he emphasized, “we are not doing any major lay-offs. We are going to make sure that the people are protected in this process.”
    Hemenway emphasized that legislation prohibits the Authority Board from selling the hospital without passage of a new law, “and the possibility of that is very, very faint.” Moreover, said Hagen, the hospital will have opportunities to link with other health care entities that will enhance its competitive position in the market under the Public Authority.
    As important as transition to the Public Authority Board is, Hagen noted KUMC has made significant progress and seen success in several areas. Among them are:

•     Four Medical Center faculty-Allan Rawitch, Janet Pierce, John Wood and the late Virginia Cassmeyer-received the coveted Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching.
•     Demolition of the Taylor Annex and Hinch Building in preparation for construction of the new nursing education building.
•     Preparations to demolish the former Bell Recreation Center for construction of the Center on Aging building.
•     Final preparations for opening KU MedWest.

Around KUMC...

School of Nursing gets grant
    KU School of Nursing is one of four area schools of nursing to receive a Public Health Services Division of Nursing grant to develop a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP) program as a master’s degree area of clinical study.
    The three-year grant will enable the KU School of Nursing to offer the program with UMKC, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and Wichita State University through existing links among campuses. The program will begin in the fall. For more information, call the KU School of Nursing at extension 1619.

KUMC in top five fundraisers
    With 138 representatives walking either eight or 13 miles to raise money for March of Dimes, KU Medical Center placed fifth among the organizations participating from throughout the Kansas City metro area. KUMC’s walkers raised $15,765 for the March of Dimes by receiving pledges of donations for completing the eight or 13-mile course April 25. Congratulations to all who participated and who sponsored a walker!

Helen Connors writes article
    Helen Connors, RN, PhD, associate dean for academic affairs at the School of Nursing has published “Telecommunications and Rural Health Care: The Kansas Example,” an invited article in the July 1998 issue of the American Nurses Association’s journal, Advance for Nurse Practitioners. The article discusses the on-line family nurse practitioner master’s degree program Connors developed with Wichita State University, Fort Hays State University and Pittsburg State University. The program also is offered at Garden City.

Buy “Night at Royals” tickets
    Don’t forget your money to buy tickets to the July 25 KUMC Night at the Royals! Tomorrow is the last day to buy the tickets, which admit you to a 5 p.m. tailgate party, the 7 p.m. Royals versus Anaheim Angels game and a post-game concert by KC and the Sunshine Band and The Village People. In addition, Elwanda Richardson, Health Careers Pathways program, will sing the National Anthem. Tickets are $8.50 each and will be on sale outside the main cafeteria 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday. No tickets will be available after July 9.“

KUMC scores 522 points in Corporate Challenge

KUMC employees racked 522 points in the 1998 Corporate Challenge, Division A, competition throughout June. In addition to demonstrating their athletic prowess, the KUMC team scored 227 points from participation. Congratulations to the team, and everyone who took home a ribbon! Topics will run additional final results in the July 15 issue.

Bike Race:
    Overall in meet 3rd place
    Tim Gibbins (EKG), Men 18-29: 7th place
    George Robinson (Orthopedic Surgery), Men 30-39: 3rd place
    Larry Cook (Radiology), Men 60+: 2nd place
    Jan Schmidt (Kirmayer), Women 30-39, 1st place
    Marilyn Weckbaugh (Outpatient Psych), Women 40-49: 6th place
    Bobbie Jinske (CDU), Women 50-59: 6th place
Bowling:
    Individual Women: Traci Edwards (Burn Unit-OT), 1st place
    Coed Team: Tom Campbell (Surgery) , David Herrin (Pharmacy) , Traci Edwards, June Cullors (Purchasing), 6th place
Darts:
    Stephanie Walker (Surgery), 5th place
Duathlon:
    Overall in meet: 4th place
    Tom Davis (SAH): Men 40-49: 6th place
    Tom Campbell: Men 40-49: 7th place
    Christen Schmidt(Nursing Services): Women 18-29: 1st place
    Colleen Squires (Surgical ICU): Women 18-29: 6th place
    Jacqueline Tremblay (Biochemistry):Women 30-39: 7th place
    Marilyn Wechbaugh, Women 40-49: 3rd place
    Susan Cannon (CDU) Women 40-49: 5th place
Fishing Tournament:
    Ron Sparks (Biomed) and Randy Bindel (Biomed): 1st place
Horseshoes:
    Beverly Waltrip (Medical Records): 7th place
Pool:
    Bill Butherus (HVAC): 5th place
    Joanne Marcario (Physiology): 5th place
Racquetball:
    Gloria Davison (Radiation Oncology): 2nd place
Softball Throw:
    Bill Holmes (Facilities Management): 7th place
Swimming: overall team-6th place
    200 Medley Relay: Jamie Proffitt (Internal Medicine), Mike Hubner (Medicine), Barbara Blumer (Wilkinson Cancer Center), Lisa Kilbourne (Hospital Information Systems): 3rd place
50 yrd Freestyle:
    Mike Hubner, Men 18-29: 3rd place
    Jamie Proffitt, Men 30-39: 1st place
    Adam Schwarz (Pediatrics), Men 30-39: 4th place
    Ike Murpy (Facilities Management), Men 50-59 3rd place
    Lisa Kilbourne, Women 18-29: 7th place
    Barbara Blumer (Wilkinson Cancer Center), Women 30-39
    2nd place Mary Hornbeck, Women 40-49, 4th place
50 yrd. Butterfly
    Mike Hubner, Men 18-29: 1st place
    Adam Schwarz, Men 30-39: 3rd place
    Ike Murphy Men 50-59: 1st place
    Barbara Blumer, Women 30-39: 2nd place
    Mary Hornbeck, Women 40-49: 4th place
50 yrd Breaststroke
    Adam Schwarz, Men 30-39, 3rd place
    Ike Murphy, Men 50-59, 1st place
    Jan Schmidt, Women 30-39, 7th place
200 yrd. Freestyle:
    Jamie Proffitt, Men 30-39, 2nd place
    Mike Curtain, Men 30-39, 8th place
    Lisa Kilbourne, Women 18-29, 3rd place
    Jan Schmidt, Women 30-39, 6th place
50 yrd. Backstroke
    Amy Scherer (Hospital Information Systems), Women 30-39, 8th place
    Mary Hornbeck, Women 40-49, 2nd place
    Linda Bell (HVAC), Women 50-59: 4th place
100 yrd Individual Medley
    Adam Schwarz, Men 30-39: 4th place
    Ike Murphy, Men 50-59: 1st place
    Lisa Kilbourne, Women 18-29: 3rd place
    Ying Zhu (Physiology), Women 30-39: 2nd place
    Amy Scherer, Women 30-39 8th place
    Mary Hornbeck, Women 40-49: 3rd place
200 yrd. Freestyle Relay:
    Ike Murphy, Adam Schwarz, Mary Hornbeck,, Lisa Kilbourne:
    8th place
Table Tennis:
    Nou Vang (Preventive Maintenance), Men’s Singles: 4th palce
    Linda Bell, Mary Hornbeck, Women’s Doubles: 3rd Place
    Meredith Christian (Surgery Clinic): Women’s Singles: 5th place
Tennis:
    Raja Khalifah (Biochemistry), Men’s Singles: 5th place
    Mary Hornbeck, Women’s Singles: 2nd place
Track: Overall meet, 6th place
    800 meter Relay: Allen Mauslein (Asbestos Shop), Heather Goist (Sports Medicine), Ike Murphy, Amy Metcalf (PR-Marketing):
    8th place.
Sprint Medley Relay:
    Ron Moore (Surgery), Allen Mauslein, Chimene Schwach (Kirmayer), Mylene Schriner (OT), 7th place.
Mile Relay:
    Ike Murphy, Chris Wittkopp ( Medical Staff Office), Allen Mauslein, Heather Goist: 7th place

100 meter:
    Chimene Schwach, Women 18-29: 7th place
    Mylene Schrine, Women 30-39: 4th place
    Chris Wittkopp, Women 40-49: 5th place
    Cathy Yonkey (Clinical Labs): 7th place
    Jennifer Kieltyka (Nursing Services), Women 50-59: 4th place
    Linda Bell, Women 50-59: 6th place
    Ron Moore, Men 30-39: 2nd place
    Allen Mauslein, Men 40-49: 8th place
    Steve Smith (Pediatrics), Men 50-59: 8th place
400 meter
    Maralee McVean (Pathology), Women 30-39: 5th place
    Chris Wittkopp, Women 40-49: 4th place
    Martha Berner (Dietetics & Nutrition), Women 50-59: 6th place
    Allen Mauslein, Men 40-49: 6th place
    Ike Murphy, Men 50-59: 1st place (New KCCC record)
800 meter
    Amy Metcalf, Women 30-39: 1st
    Jan Schmidt , Women 30-39: 7th
    Susan Cannon, Women 40-49: 3rd place
    Jennifer Kieltyka, Women 50-59: 3rd place
    Ike Murphy, Men 50-59: 3rd place
    Steve Smith, Men 50-59: 6th place
Mile Run
    Amy Metcalf, Women 30-39: 2nd place
    Susan Cannon, Women 40-49: 4th place
    Jennifer Kieltyka, Women 50-59: 2nd place
    Steve Smith, Men 50-59: 7th place
    Alan Poisner (Pharmacology), Men 60+: 1st place
5K Run:
    Overall meet: 3rd place
    Keith Gora (MRRC), Men 18-29: 2nd place
    Scott Langford (Orthopedic Surgery), Men 30-39: 3rd place
    Tom Campbell, Men 40-44: 7th place
    Steve Smith,Men 50-54: 8th place
    Alan Poisner, Men 60+: 1st place
    Beth Foster (CDU), Women 25-29: 4th place
    Amy Metcalf, Women 30-34: 2nd place
    Marilyn Weckbaugh, Women 40-44
    Susan Cannon, Women 45-49, 3rd place
    Gail Sahfeld (Organizational Improvement), Women 45-49: 5th place
    Jennifer Kieltyka, Women 50-54: 2nd place
    Joan Brown (Nursing/Psych), Women 55-59: 3rd place
    Anching Caoli (Clinical Lab), Women 55-59: 7th place
    Marilyn White (ENT), Women 60+: 3rd place
Trap Shooting:
    Gaylon Lowery (Cancer Center), 3rd place
    Kim Morgan (Pharmacology), 1st place
Team Weightlifting:
    Jeff Lockington (Plumbing), Steve Coburn ( Respriatory Therapy), Jan Schmidt: 3rdplace.
Team Triathlon:
    Jamie Proffitt, Tim Gibbins, Anita Hall (Rehab. Services): 6th place
Triathlon:
    Overall meet: 4th place
    Brian Buchanan (Nursing/Burn Center), Men 18-29: 5th place
    Tim Brackenbury (Hearing & Speech), Men 30-39: 4th place
    Sue Reifenrath (Nursing Services), Women 18-29: 2nd place
    Barbara Blumer, Women 30-39: 3rd place
    Jan Schmidt, Women 30-39: 6th place
Volleyball:
    Karry Hamilton (Orthopedic Surgery), Annette Karst (Ob/Gyn), Brenda Magenheimer (Biochemistry), Robin Maser (Biochemistry), Gloria Davison, Sheri Morgan, Sue Reifenrath, Janice Loudon (PT Education), Women: 2nd place

Donald Hagen, EVC

Here we are celebrating the 4th of July! Our new fiscal year is just beginning, but the calendar year is half over. Independence Day is one of my
favorite holidays. What 4th of July celebration would be complete without fireworks, parades or picnics? It is a good time to reflect on the sacrifices of our ancestors and the bold steps they took to ensure our future.
    Recently, I was reminded of the only right guaranteed by our Founding Fathers within the First Article of the Constitution. It has special meaning and impact for our researchers and authors. Do you know what it is? Read Article 1, Section 8, Clause 8; there, you’ll find the basis for protection of your intellectual discoveries. Yes, our Founding Fathers knew the value of original scholarship and discovery, and protected it for “limited times.” Thus, they created the framework for copyrights, trademarks and patents.
    Do you have equal value for your writings and discoveries? Are you protecting them? If you have questions about the level of protection you have, check with our Research Institute. Their staff can advise you on whether your work should be protected and licensed. Our Constitution is featured on many web sites. If you want to read it again, check www.pbs.org/point/constitution. Believe me, it will be time well spent.
    Independence Day also reminds me of the sacrifices so many have made to protect our liberty and freedom. My 31 years in the Navy enabled me to visit our servicemen and women as they willingly placed their lives on the firing lines for freedom. I know the price of freedom. I know it deserves to be revered and memorialized for future generations. Kansas City has one of our nation’s special tributes to service men who “fought the war to end all wars.” Yet, our Liberty Memorial is crumbling before our eyes, and only a very few seem to care. Only a very few are willing to rally to protect and rebuild a tribute to their sacrifice.
    I’m also concerned about the petty partisan politics in Washington, which is undermining our confidence in our leaders and government. The politics of diversion and deceit threaten our very existence because they turn us from the real issues needing our full attention and debate. We have so many crucial issues of health care, commerce, education and national defense that need our full attention, but we are hypnotized by rumor, innuendo and sensational sound bites.
    Washington may seem like a long way away. But the actions our leaders take will dictate the taxes withheld from your paycheck. Topeka is just about an hour away. Do you know who is running for Governor? Is your representative up for re-election? What are the issues being raised by candidates? Are they “real” issues or diversions? Actions taken in Topeka can directly affect the practice of medicine and education of students in our state. Do you know the positions of the candidates on these and other important issues?
    Our state primary elections take place on August 4. Will you be prepared to cast your ballot? Will you make the effort to vote? You have a month to learn the issues and candidates. Protect your future. Get involved. Don’t be a left out of one of the most cherished and hard-fought privileges in this world. Vote!

Classifieds

For Sale

For sale: Computer. Mac clone (Motorola): 200 MHz 603e processor, 64 MB EDO RAM, 4 MB Video, 2.5 GB HD, MacOS 8.1, MS Office 98 and more. $999 for computer, $1359.00 with 17” monitor (.28 dot pitch, 15.8” viewable, multi-frequency). Call 795-0817.

For Sale: Goodman air conditioner, window unit, 5000 B.T.U, almost new, used only for 3 months. Asking $100.00 or best offer. Call 831-6491 after 6 PM.

For Sale: GE Double Oven Stove & Range. $450 or best offer. Call 960-7287.

For Sale: Computer, pentium100, 2.1GB hard drive, 48 RAM, CDROM/speakers, sound card, video card, 15”monitor, Office 95, Windows 95, 56 KFLEX modem. $650.00. Call 596-1230.

For Sale: Long sofa, 93 inches, light tapestry upholstery, $25. Microwave, $45. Call 753-0300.

For Sale: Two air conditioners. 1 - 5,000 BTU, used less than 2 years $75.00. 2 - 5,000 BTU, used 5 years, work well $35.00. Pair $100.00. Call 362-7992.

For sale: Sears 10” table saw with leg stand. Very little use. New blade. $75.00. Call 722-3489.

For Sale: Queen-size, soft-sided waterbed in great condition. $100 or best offer. Call (913) 780-2750

For sale: SCSI Hard Disk Quantum Atlas II for high-end PC Server. 9.1 GB, 8.0 ms, 7,200 rpm. SCSI Wide Differential. $199.00. Call 795-0817

Garage Sales

Yard Sale: 1721 W. 34th St.(between Bell and Gennessee on the Mo. side). Furniture, books, bike, misc. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 10 and 11. Cancelled in case of rain.

Automotive

For Sale: 1990 Acura Integra LS 2Dr, white, 5 speed, power everything, sunroof, low miles, runs perfect, $6500. Call 960-1746, leave message.

Housing

For Sale: Two-bedroom, one-bath house. Two-car tandem basement garage with opener. Hardwood floors throughout. All new plumbing and electrical. Second bedroom with built-in bookshelves. Modern kitchen with new cabinets, DW, disposal. Window A/C unit included. FP with gas log hookup. Outdoor blinds on side porch for privacy. Ten-minute walk to KU or within KU escort service area. $58,000. Call after 3 pm 587-2132.

For Rent: Near KUMC on quiet street, 2601 Essex. Two-bedroom house with office or 3 bedrooms. Central heat, stove, basement, separate garage. $400 a month with one month deposit. Call 789-7739

Wanted

Wanted: Someone skilled in the ceramics painting technique of dry brushing. I have spent several hours on an arts-and-crafts project, and need someone who has more talent than I to paint the eyes. Call 321-6944

Services

Decks and fences built. Free estimates. Call 436-7146.

Mock JCAHO survey today

    KU Hospital employees may be questioned about RACEE or how to respond to a gray code by consultants who are conducting a mock Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations today and tomorrow.
    The mock survey will prepare hospital departments and employees for the real review in 1999, when JCAHO officials assess hospital functions and staff
competencies. Based on their findings, the JCAHO surveyors will recommend
whether KU Medical Center will be accredited. Accreditation indicates the
hospital meets JCAHO standards, which guide Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers in selecting health care providers to reimburse.

Topics Information
Topics is the employee publication of the University of Kansas Medical Center.
It is published weekly by the office of Public Relations and Marketing. The deadline for submitting news briefs for consideration is noon on the Wednesday before they are to appear. For longer articles or features, contact the editor in advance.
Send story ideas to Leslie Champlin, acting editor, G114 Hospital, or e-mail: lchampli@ kumc.edu or call ext. 1602

Topics ad policy
Send or bring your ad to Topics, G114 KU Hospital, or fax to ext. 1225, or e-mail: lchampli@kumc.edu by noon Wednesday of the week before it is to run.
Ads run free of charge for employees, students and volunteers. For-sale ads are limited to three items. All ads must include the advertiser’s name and work extension (or medical student box number) for verification.
Only home phone numbers --- no pager numbers or KUMC extensions --- will be published. No ads for commercial services or pets for sale will be accepted. Ads will not be taken by telephone. Only one phone number per ad.
Ads may be a held a week if space is limited.

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