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.

Kevin M. Murphy has joined Adena Health System as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He has more than 22 years of experience as a CFO in the health care industry.

Murphy most recently served as Senior Vice President & CFO for Hurley Medical Center, located in Flint, MI. There he led efforts to affect financial turnaround, yielding positive operating margins following five proceeding years of loss. Murphy also served as Vice President of Finance/CFO for the Middletown Regional Health System, located in Middletown, OH. He represented the hospital in negotiations with Premier Health Partners, resulting in a joint-operating agreement that provided Middletown with an $80 million equity infusion. Murphy was also the responsible executive overseeing the development of the health system’s 2007 Atrium Medical Center development project.

“Kevin brings a strong background in health care financial management to Adena,” said Adena President and CEO Mark Shuter. “I’m confident he has the expertise to assist Adena in financially navigating today’s changing health care climate, while offering the maximum potential for future success.”

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Anselm College (Manchester, NH); a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame; and a Master of Business Administration from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife plan to make their home in Chillicothe.

While most physician offices are closed on Memorial Day, Adena Urgent Care locations in Chillicothe and Waverly will be open Monday, May 27; as will Adena’s Clinic at Walmart operations, located in Chillicothe and Washington Court House Walmart stores.

Adena Urgent Care provides care for all ages. These are walk-in facilities and no appointment is needed. At Adena Urgent Care, our providers treat colds, coughs, sore throats, minor lacerations and minor sprains, strains and fractures. Urgent Care locations in Chillicothe and Waverly are open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., including Memorial Day.

On Memorial Day, Adena’s Clinic at Walmart locations will be open from 12 – 5 p.m. These facilities are walk-in operations for anyone over the age of 18 months. Services offered are those related to common illnesses such as: colds, sore throats, sinus infections, flu-like symptoms, pink eye, and other minor conditions. Adena’s Walmart clinics are located at:

Anyone experiencing an emergency illness or injury, such as chest pain and stroke, should call 911 and go directly to an Emergency Room.

Now that spring has arrived and we are heading into summer, patients and visitors can look forward to a more pleasant experience at the Adena Cancer Center, as work is moving forward on the Healing Garden.  The garden has always been a planned part of the center grounds, and after much effort, construction and landscaping are underway.

“It is very exciting to finally move forward with the Healing Garden,” commented Jeff Webb, construction manager.  Several considerations had to be taken into account for the safety, convenience and pleasure of the patients.  While a gravel walk way at first seemed appealing, to accommodate the safety of wheelchairs, a flat concrete path has been included.  Also, there have to be some limitations in the plantings, as certain fragrances or odors from plants may affect patients. 

Healing Gardens have recently shown great promise in patient experience and even improved patient outcomes for those with chronic illness.  Upon learning of the benefit of peaceful, natural surroundings to patients, Adena has made the Healing Garden at the Cancer Center a priority.  The one-third acre plot of land adjacent to the center will provide serene views of colorful flowers and plants and the surrounding hillside.  Patients seated inside, even those seated at infusion stations can enjoy the beautiful, calming view, or they may choose to stroll outside and enjoy the natural setting.

The work will be completed in two phases. The first phase is under way and includes the addition of concrete pathways and the installation of a few pergola structures for shade and landscaping. The second phase will involve the completion of the landscaping.

The Healing Garden is made possible in part through the generous discounted or in-kind donations of area contractor and landscapers, material suppliers and design professionals, including:

• Coppel Coal
• Detillion Landscaping
• Eastern Avenue Lumber
• Hanson Aggregates & Concrete
• Gary Gillum Construction
• Melvin Stone
• MKSK Landscape Architects
• Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center
• Pritchard Land Surveying

Additionally, proceeds from this year’s plant sale, sponsored by the Women’s Board of Adena Regional Medical Center will help fund the garden.

“It’s been a nice project,” commented Webb. “Nothing too complicated with it.”  And that lack of complication and simple nature is what patients can enjoy while undergoing their treatment and recovery at Adena Cancer Center.

Learn more about cancer care at Adena.

Two local athlete/scholars have been named Adena Sports Medicine’s male and female Athletes of the Year, for the 2012-13 school year. This was the inaugural year for the program, designed to honor senior male and female high school athletes in our region. Each winner will receive a $2,000 Adena Athlete of the Year scholarship, and their respective schools will each receive $500 toward their athletic program.

	Wes Beam, a senior at Zane Trace High School, was named male Athlete of the Year. He maintained a 3.993 GPA while participating in three varsity sports, serving his school, church, and community and working part-time. As one of Wes’ references stated, “He is one of the most respectful, honest, and genuine students I have ever worked with.”
	Hannah Spohn, a senior at Oak Hill High School, was named female Athlete of the Year.  Hannah maintained a 4.0 GPA during her high school career, playing three varsity sports, serving her community and working part-time. One of Hannah’s references said, “Hannah is always willing to give her time unselfishly to help others. She has a genuine concern for the well-being of people.”

Local high school senior athletes are eligible for the Athlete of the Year contest by being voted Adena Sports Medicine’s Athlete of the Month (AOM). The contest runs from October through May, and senior athletes are nominated by their athletic directors and coaches. The contest is open to seniors who demonstrate outstanding grades, athletic skill, leadership qualities and a proven dedication to their community. The AOM is selected based on votes cast on Adena’s Facebook page. A committee of local athletic trainers, physical therapists and a sports medicine physician selected the monthly finalists. The Committee also evaluated the criteria of each month’s male and female winners and selected the Athletes of the Year.

Adena Sports Medicine provides a variety of services to the youth of our region including: safety training for coaches by local athletic trainers and therapists; pre-season sports physicals; and athletic training to area high schools to help prevent injuries, keep athletes safe and ensure maximum recovery should an injury occur.

For more information about the Athlete of the Year program, visit www.adena.org/athlete.