Kettering Health

Congratulations Sarah Verkamp, Kettering Health Washington Township's Sunflower Award winner. Sarah works in Med Surg. Her nomination shared: "Sarah is thoughtful and caring, collaborative with other members of healthcare team, compassionate, energetic, eager to make a special connection and always willing to go above and beyond. She made me a priority and made me feel comfortable in the hospital setting. She's not just a terrific nurse but a friend. She was always willing to go out of her way for ice water, etc. She even left me a note on my water cup that I woke up and read and it made me smile!" Way to go, Sarah!

Dr. Rachelle Dulan Hood developed a four-week, video-based program called "Food Is My Medicine" to help her patients who don't have convenient access to fresh food or knowledge about preparing healthy meals.

Dr. Harvey Hahn is leading an effort to train providers and promote whole-person care thanks to a grant from the Ardmore Foundation.

Dr. Harvey Hahn is leading an effort to train providers and promote whole-person care thanks to a grant from the Ardmore Foundation.

Kettering Health is the only health system in southern Ohio to offer MRI-guided focused ultrasound to treat tremors.

Congratulations to Grace Sneizek, Kettering Health Washington Township's Sunflower Award winner! Grace is a physical therapist in the outpatient therapy space. She was nominated by a patient, who shared: "I met Grace at my first PT appointment. I had fallen, which left me with a broken fibula and knee dislocation. On first impression Grace met me with a smile, listened, and genuinely cared. We discussed goals, and I shared with her my goal was to be able to make it to Hawaii. She shared in my excitement and reassured me we would get there. We started solving problems (like adjusting my crutches) and beginning the healing process. For the first few weeks her schedule was booked, and I was on the cancel list. Each week I would get a call to schedule my appointment because Grace understood how much I needed it. We made huge progress both physically and mentally with each of my visits twice per week. Fast forward [a few weeks], I walked into my appointment and burst into tears as soon as I saw Grace. The day before I had been told I was not healing and would likely need surgery. Grace met me with a compassion that I had not seen before. She let me cry, and then we talked through everything. But even before I walked in, Grace knew what to expect as she reviewed my appointment notes with Dr. Welker ahead of my appointment. She was prepared to handle a situation even when I wasn't. She went above and beyond to help me prepare questions to ask, a plan of care to create, and what PT would look like post-surgery. At my follow up, we decided to postpone surgery with my plan for Hawaii still being a possibility. Grace was my cheerleader every step of the way. I have now been in PT for over 12 weeks. We laugh as it was a full maternity leave. Each visit we talk, share, and build a relationship. Grace truly cares, and it shows. She provides a positive energy with every visit, cheering me on as I meet goals and pushed me each visit. It has truly been an amazing journey after a traumatic injury. I have been in healthcare for 13 years. I have never met someone more deserving of this award than Grace."

It was a week of celebration and appreciation at Kettering Health Miamisburg, where nurse assistants and those in similar professions, such as health unit coordinators, ortho techs, and mental health techs, were recognized for the important work they do each day! The director of Nursing, Lisa Hill, joined her team in delivering ice cold fruit bars and many "thank you" messages to the team throughout the week. Thank you to these hardworking individuals for all you do for your patients and your peers!

Congratulations to JaLese White, Kettering Health Washington Township's DAISY Award winner. JaLese works in the Emergency Department. She was nominated by a patient, who shared: "I came into the Washington Township Emergency Department for care. It was a difficult situation that had me embarrassed. JaLese was my primary RN. She treated me with dignity and respect during my entire stay. She displayed kindness and empathy to my situation. I want her to know how much I appreciated her care." Way to be there, JaLese!

A ten-week job shadowing experience is underway for Allied Health Students from Mason High School! Students report to Kettering Health Hamilton and spend the morning shadowing one campus department before transitioning to a second location in the afternoon. By the end of the course, these healthcare hopefuls will have rotated through more than 20 areas of the hospital. We're excited to continue to grow our high school student programs through our Volunteer Services department!

Congratulations to Sara Swiney, Kettering Health Dayton's DAISY Award winner! "How I have really seen her grow. She not only checks on patients, but her leadership has really been shining through. She consoled one of the other RNs who was having difficulty in processing the death of a patient who was not expected to pass. Sara was so gentle in talking to this RN and let her know, 'This is sometimes how we know we are caring and love what we do when a situation of such a sweet patient appreciates us, and then we hear the unexpected. We feel the loss and need to process it.' Sara is really feeling this job, and I see more confidence in her as she deals with many unexpected issues with patients, from the aggressive to the very ill or cardiac arrests. She obtains meds to help the RNs and grabs a call light or helps with other needs along with the daily prescription questions. For what it's worth, I feel she is the RN that most RNs want to be." Way to go, Sara!