Just as all recent Polk County graduates, a select group of employees at St. Luke’s Hospital were recognized with pomp and circumstance, a special lunch and words of encouragement during a graduation celebration held recently.

Six caregivers of St. Luke’s Center of Behavioral Medicine completed a 17-week course of continuing education that provided them with expanded knowledge of caring for people suffering from dementia, depression, psychoses and other mental health issues that resulted in hospitalization for medical care. The caregivers, two nurses and four nursing assistants, received a certificate and praise for meeting the challenge of work and study to become more knowledgeable and better equipped to assist patients, families and other caregivers. Those completing the program were Beverly Stalter, Doris Williams, Alice Smith, Barbara Hoyle, Jean Gosnell and Brittany Ravan.

“I am proud of our staff for meeting the challenge of this Mental Health Assistant training course,” Ken Shull, CEO of St. Luke’s Hospital, said. “You have stepped up to expand your knowledge and that speaks highly of you as caregivers. Congratulations for your commitment to our program and to your patients.”

The Mental Health Assistant training course was inspired by the unit’s Nurse Manager Sharon Summey and supported by other professional staff who created and presented sessions on topics such as compassion fatigue, techniques for managing dementia and other behaviors, legal matters of geriatric-psychiatric hospitalization, documentation and other topics geared toward the care provided by The Center of Behavioral Medicine.

The unique training course included rotating presenters with two psychiatrists, Dr. Belynda Veser and Dr. Robert Ratcliffe; nurses Summey and Danielle Gibbs; Stephen Cefalu, a licensed clinical social worker; Jean High, discharge planner; and Wanda Thompson, activities director for the Center of Behavioral Medicine.

St. Luke’s Hospital’s Center of Behavioral Medicine is a secured, 10-bed inpatient facility serving adults age 55 and over. The Center specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders, Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, Parkinson’s, psychosis, bipolar and mood disorders and Schizophrenia.

At the Center, patients receive respectful care and treatment via a team approach to provide for the mental, medical, emotional and nutritional needs of each patient. In addition to medication management and family education, the staff provides group activities to engage patients through games and music, even pet therapy, in a comfortable, homelike setting.

Chief Nursing Officer Sandy Brooks, RN, BSN, MHSA praised the graduates but also recognized the enthusiasm and interest of staff in designing, preparing and presenting the various topics over three months.

“Two years ago, Sharon came back from a conference with the idea to implement the training course. She identified and recommended staff who are highly productive and highly engaged. She wanted to make a good program better,” Brooks said speaking to the staff and graduates. “Sharon’s persistence paid off, and now you (graduates) bring this knowledge back to our patients and other staff.”

Recognizing the Center’s efforts to advance mental health care, Brooks announced a $500 contribution had been made in their honor to the St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation. These monies have been earmarked for the graduates to build on what they learned and bring their own creative ideas to enhance the activities offered for the Center of Behavioral Medicine.

After receiving certificates from Dr. Veser for their participation, graduates shared personal comments of their learning experience, their increased understanding and their compassion for their patients.

In closing, Brooks told the teachers and students, “You have just made St. Luke’s Hospital a better organization.”

St. Luke’s Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital dedicated to providing exceptional care, close to home.

 

– article submitted
by Kathy Woodham