A Community Health Needs Assessment is being conducted by Adena Health System to learn more about the health needs of people living in Ross and Pike Counties. The survey will provide information to help Adena identify the most prominent health needs of those in the proximity of Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe, and Adena Pike Medical Center, located in Waverly.

“The Health Needs Assessment will help us identify the prominent health care needs of our community,” said Mark Shuter, Adena President and CEO. “Results will be analyzed and measured against our current programs and services, to determine where we are meeting the needs of our communities, as well as where we may need to enhance services.”

Questions in the survey will be available online now through May 31, 2013 at www.adena.org/chna. Paper copies can also be completed after May 1 at the Information Desk at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe and Adena Pike Medical Center in Waverly, or at a variety of community resource offices. Residents may also stop by and fill out a paper version at the Adena Clinic located inside the Chillicothe Walmart.

The survey is simple to complete and focuses on the respondent’s perception of the health issues facing our communities, as well as their own overall health and conditions. It should take no longer than five minutes to complete. Results will be analyzed this summer, and a report will be completed and released in early fall that will explain the survey findings on the needs of our communities, and ways in which Adena plans to address those needs.

The Community Needs Assessment is being conducted by all 501(c)(3) hospitals as required by the Affordable Care Act. The survey will be conducted every three years.

Healthcare scholarship applications are now available through the Adena Health Foundation.  Adena's Healthcare Career Scholarship Program is made possible by the fundraising efforts of the Volunteer Advisory Council of Adena and The Women’s Board of Adena. Additional scholarship funds are made possible by generous contributions from and to the following endowments and funds:

• Adena Healthcare Scholarship Endowment
• PACCAR Medical Education Center Scholarship Endowment
• Reginald C. Blue Nursing Scholarship Endowment
• Gordon F. Streicher Memorial Scholarship Endowment
• Manchester Radiology Education Endowment
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church/William Nolan Endowment
• Stephen Fleischer Scholarship Endowment
• Junior Civic League Scholarship Endowment
• Eagles Aerie 600/Herbie Retherford Memorial Scholarship Endowment
• Catherine Evanoff Memorial Scholarship Endowment
• Soon Phil Choice Scholarship Endowment
• Beth Ann Elliott Memorial Scholarship Fund

Scholarships are offered in all direct patient care fields of study with special eligibility criteria for applicants in the fields of Physical Therapy, Radiology, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy and Medical Laboratory.  Applications, guidelines, and more information are available by accessing the Adena Health Foundation's Scholarship page.

Complete applications must be received at the Foundation Office or post marked no later than 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  If you have questions or need information about this scholarship program, please contact Honey McNeal, Adena Health Foundation Coordinator at 740-779-7774.  

Heather Braden, RN was recently awarded Adena Health System’s first-ever DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing, for her care of pediatric patients. A nurse for six years, Braden works at Adena Medical Center in Chillicothe in the Women and Children’s Unit. She was among 11 Adena nurses nominated for the award.

The DAISY Award was created by the family of Patrick Barnes, a 34-year old man whose family was overwhelmed by the level of compassion and care his nurses provided during his 8-week hospitalization for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), which ultimately took his life. To honor the nurses who cared for Patrick, his family founded DAISY an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System, and created the award as a way to thank nurses around the country who go the extra mile. This is the first year Adena has presented the DAISY Award.

Heather was nominated by her manager, Sarah Fallow, RN. “Heather saw that our pediatric patients were struggling with food and what they wanted to eat,” said Fallow. “She worked with Dietary to create a kid-friendly menu that the patients could use to choose any meal. This allowed sick children to eat what sounds good to them. She is frequently mentioned in patient satisfaction surveys as the ‘extra something’ that makes her patients’ stay special.”

Heather has worked at Adena for two years. “I did not expect this at all,” she said. “I have awesome co-workers, awesome managers and definitely couldn’t have done it without them. It’s what I love to do. I love kids. I love nursing and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Receiving the award won’t change anything for Heather. “I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing and providing for my patients, giving them what they need. And if they need anything else, I’m going to push for that too.”

Jeyanthi Ramanarayanan, MD, a board-certified Oncologist/Hematologist has joined the staff of the Adena Cancer Center. Dr. Ramanarayanan specializes in the treatment of many types of cancers, blood disorders and soft tissue tumors. With a research background and experience, she has a specific interest in treating cancers of the breast and lymphoma.

Dr. Ramanarayanan elected to specialize in Oncology during her residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, in New Jersey. “I was fascinated by innovative curative therapies emerging in the field of oncology for leukemia,” she said. “Training in the field of oncology has enabled me to practice evidence-based medicine and make a meaningful difference in caring for cancer patients.” Dr. Ramanarayanan also cites the importance of offering compassionate care for patients during their course of illness and treatment as being extremely gratifying for her.

Dr. Ramanarayanan attended medical school in India, and performed her internship and residency at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Jersey City, NJ. She completed a Clinical Fellowship in Hematology at the University of Buffalo’s Erie County Medical Center, and performed a Clinical Fellowship in Oncology at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.  Dr. Ramanarayanan is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in Medical Oncology.

Excited to be at Adena, Dr. Ramanarayanan moved to southern Ohio to be closer to her family.

Learn more about Cancer Care at Adena.

Adena Women and Children's Unit welcomes breastfeeding moms and babies! "Breastfeeding Matters" is led by Certified Lactation Consultants who support the best nutrition possible for babies. This class is designed to show you the benefits of breastfeeding your baby, how to breastfeed your newborn baby, where to find support, information on choosing a breast pump and pumping, breast milk composition, breast-fed baby behavior, positioning and latch-on techniques, and information regarding breastfeeding and returning to work. We encourage moms-to-be to take our breastfeeding class about two months prior to their due date. Bring your husband, partner, or friend to help you learn everything you need to know for success. We encourage you to come and ask questions. "Breastfeeding Matters" is held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Give your baby the best start! Registration is required. Please call 740-779-8688 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.