Connections - Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Office for Mission and Spiritual Care! January/February 2010 - Page

AdvocateGood Samaritan Hospital

March/April 2010Volume 1, Issue 2

Office for Mission & Spiritual CareAdvocate Good Samaritan Hospital630-275-1185GSAM-SpiritualCare

@Advocatehealth.com

Vice President:Rev. Jim Christian

Chaplains:Jill BatesRobin CaldwellCarole DiZeoBarry DixonKathy GingrichAnna Lee Hisey PiersonMaggie LhotkaClaire MarichStan StephensCathy StewartWilliam TweedleyMike WillisAdrienne Zervos

Chaplain Educators:Amy SnedekerSarah Sainsbury

Department Secretary:Betty Kosinski

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital3815 Highland AvenueDowners Grove, Illinois 60515630-275-5900www.advocatehealth.com/gsam

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Changing SeasonsI can think of no one I know living in this area who does not welcome the lengthening of days. Many religious traditions and rituals celebrate and affirm this anticipation and fill it with meaningful renewal, new life and hope. This is often preceded by personal preparation, reflection, soul-searching, even sacrifice.

Spiritual care in healthcare welcomes positive outcomes and good news with similar searching, struggle and hope. We come face-to-face with patients and families across their entire life spans as they are filled with expectations, difficult decisions, heart-wrenching disappointments and joyful completion of care.

What is vital to me is that God’s children receive our compassionate listening and aid at all times and in every circumstance. There is no better example of this than Fr. John Guiney who is featured in this issue of Connections.

As we experience the change from winter to spring, be reminded that Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is committed to caring that extends through all seasons of a person’s life.

Rev. Jim Christian,Vice President, Mission & Spiritual Care

Advance Care DirectivesAdvance Care Directives give people the opportunity to state their preferences ‒ even in life’s most difficult situations. The durable power of attorney for health care appoints a particular person to act on someone’s behalf if that person becomes unable to make health decisions on his/her own. The living will

describes a person’s wishes regarding death-delaying procedures.

Upon entering Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital, each patient is asked by a nurse to complete advance care directives, and chaplains are trained to discuss these decisions compassionately with a patient.

“Completing advance care directives gives us a chance to have a spiritual conversation with a patient,” said Chaplain Anna Lee Hisey Pierson. “It’s a wonderful

complimentary service which allows us to truly help patients and their families.”

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Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine upon your face, The rains fall softly upon your fields,And, until we meet again May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Amen

Community Faith Leader: Father John Guiney

Father John’s magic is evident the moment you meet him. He is aglow with a zest for life, an appreciation of all his many blessings, and a love of people.

Although he is now technically retired as a Roman Catholic priest, he continues to serve his flock – especially for weddings and funerals. Young and old alike want him with them at life’s significant moments. “But I’m a free lancer,” Father John joked, “and I can pick and choose!”

Father John’s sermons and homilies are known for their humor and relevancy. He applies the message of the Bible to the joys and problems people face today in a

straightforward and often amusing and memorable way.

His Irish wit accompanies him when he visits older patients in nursing homes and hospitals as he does often. “I wish we did more for our older people. So many sit at home with nothing to do and are isolated,” he lamented. “Our youth get attention, but they are busy with school. Older people

sometimes get lost in the shuffle. I guess I’m more aware of the needs of older people as I age myself!”

Born in Ireland and raised in Boston, Father John spent more than twenty years serving people in Africa where he rebuilt a leper colony. He calls that the most rewarding experience of his life.

“The lepers had an amazing sense of community and of hope. Only in affluent societies do we get discouraged,” Father John said. “When you have a lot, discouragement comes easily. Even during the worst of times, the lepers kept going.”

When asked how he chose the priesthood, Father John thought a moment. “There was this guy in Boston. He was never alone – even when he ate. He had wonderful people around him.” Then he paused. “It wasn’t divine inspiration. I liked his example . . . and he was a priest.” And the twinkle in Father John Guiney’s eyes reflects his life’s story – a love of people and a love of serving them.

Meet the Staff

Chaplains Nominated

for Advocate

Good Samaritan Hospital’s

MVP Award

Chaplain Maggie Lhotka

Chaplain William Tweedley

This story, publicly shared by the patient involved, began in the Critical Care Unit of Good Samaritan Hospital. Because of it, Maggie and William were nominated for the MVP Award (faith-based Mission Values and Philosophy).

A medical student was admitted into the intensive care unit for a severe infection. Although he was young and had been strong, he became critically ill. Doctors could not seem to be able to help him. His mother and wife remained at his side as the days wore on. Spirits flagged. Hope wore thin.

Maggie and William knew that the mother, who was from Texas, and the wife didn’t have much support in the area, so the chaplains spent time with them. The chaplains earned their trust and helped them process all that was happening. With prayer, their sense of isolation abated. Eventually, the young man recovered and returned to school.

Months later, this man came back to Good Samaritan Hospital for his medical records. Maggie happened to be assigned to him. But absent his ventilator and now looking healthy, he was unrecognizable to her. Only when he told his name did she realize this was the man she and William had cared so much about and whose family they had grown to love.

“This was a great chance to see, wow, this guy survived and is good!” Maggie said when recalling that memorable reunion.

“In the CCU, we seldom see the end result,” added William. “We usually don’t know the outcome of our patients.”

William and Maggie make a great team at Good Samaritan Hospital. Together, they cover the CCU and give its patients and their families continuity and on-going care.

“We work with people of all faiths. If someone doesn’t have faith, we provide whatever spiritual support we can,” explained William. “We also have partnered with faith communities to serve their members while they are here. Faith leaders know their congregants will be cared for ‒ even if those faith leaders cannot visit as much as they like.”

Maggie is quick to explain, “We are not converters. We don’t try to convert anyone to anything. William and I,” she said, giving her teammate a knowing smile, “we are supporters.”

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Big Boomin’ Heart FairSaturday, Feb. 27, 8 – 11 a.m., Lower Level Atrium

The 7th annual Big Boomin’ Heart Fair once again provides a perfect finale to the Heart Month celebration at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital. This is an event for the whole family with free gifts for all who attend. Join in one of several open-forum question-and-answer sessions with cardiologists. Call 1-800-3ADVOCATE to pre-register for free diabetes and cholesterol screenings. For additional information about Heart Month activities, contact Colleen Kordish at 630-275-1592.

Special Memorial Service for Recently BereavedSunday, March 21, 4 – 5 p.m., Advocate Good Samaritan Chapel

A special memorial service will be held Sunday, March 21, for the hospice and patient families of Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital who have recently lost a loved one. Both Good Samaritan Mission & Spiritual Care and Advocate Hospice join together in leading this service as a comfort for the families they serve. For more information, contact Penelope Gabriele at 630-963-8800.

March Is National Nutrition Month®National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the American Dietetic Association. To help you learn how to make healthier choices, Advocate Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center has planned two outstanding events: an 8-week workshop and a 1-day class.

These events will take place in the Health and Wellness Center (on the hospital campus, 3551 Highland Ave., Downers Grove, IL 60515). Contact Diane Ahern 630-275-2782, or visit www.advocatehealth.com/goodsam/wellness.

Am I Hungry?® Mindful Eating WorkshopMondays, March 15 through May 5, 6:30 ‒ 8 p.m.This 8-week live workshop series is led by Jeannie Gorman, Certified Wellness Coach. Am I Hungry?® is a comprehensive non-diet approach to weight management.You will learn mindful and intuitive eating techniques that empower you to use your natural ability to eat just the right amount of food while meeting your needs for nourishment and enjoyment.

Fees: $189 for 8-week class; $60 for textbooks. Click here to register now.

Nutrition from the Ground UpThursday, March 25, 6 ‒ 7 p.m.This 1-hour class focuses on the basics ‒ simple and economical healthy foods, food preparation and family meals at home. Join registered dietitian Susan Palczynski to learn how the food and physical activity choices you make today affect both your health and how you feel today and in the future. Limited seating. Click here to register now.

Mark Your Calendar

Spring Religious Rituals and

CelebrationsThe spring equinox, when day and night are equal, brings to mind the renewed life of the earth that accompanies the season of spring itself. Throughout history, this turn in the seasons from winter to spring has been celebrated by a variety of cultures and religions.

Easter is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In some ways, Easter begins with Lent, a period of 40 days of fasting and repentance that commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert.

Holi, also called The Festival of Colors, is the Hindu spring festival that celebrates the power of the god Vishnu. A carnival atmosphere continues for two days with special foods, special music, bonfires and celebrants throwing colored papers.

Mawlid al-Nabi is the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. Since a Muslim holiday always begins on the sunset of the previous day, observing Muslims begin their celebration the evening before the holiday.

Passover is the festival in which Jews commemorate the liberation of the children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses during the exodus. Each year, families retell this story and renew its message of hope, redemption and faith.

Vesak is when Buddhists celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. On this day, Buddhists are reminded to live in harmony with people of other faiths and to respect the beliefs of other people as the Buddha taught.

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Heart Attack Stopped in Record-Breaking TimeRecently, heart attack survivor Ken Roush of Glen Ellyn reunited with Lisle-Woodridge medics Mike Egan, Scott Rubo and Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Cardiologist and Cardiac Catheterization Lab Medical Director Peter Kerwin, M.D., after what would have been a fatal heart attack for many.

Known as the “widow-maker” this type of heart attack carries a high mortality rate. In Roush’s case, the heart attack was stopped, the artery opened and blood flow returned to the heart muscle in just 14 minutes. Roush had virtually no damage to his heart because of an innovative partnership between the hospital and emergency medical technicians called Cardiac Alert.

After Roush’s wife called 911, Lisle-Woodridge Fire District medics responded within minutes and performed a 12-lead EKG at their Glen Ellyn home alerting hospital staff that Roush was having a heart attack.

“There were three things working together that day to save my life,” says

Roush. “First, my wife insisted on calling 911 instead of driving me; that was a good call. Second, the paramedics arrived quickly, and third,

when I got to the hospital emergency room they were all waiting for me. It is really important to call 911as soon as you feel chest pain.”

Because medics who service Good Samaritan Hospital have the flexibility to call a Cardiac Alert from the field, a team of physicians, nurses and technicians were mobilized and waiting for Roush at the emergency room when he arrived. Hospital staff confirmed his diagnosis and in a record-breaking 14

minutes from his arrival, performed an emergency catheterization, placing a stent in Roush’s heart.

Good Samaritan Hospital averages 59 minutes for these procedures. The national goal for all hospitals is 90 minutes, but many hospitals can’t do it in less than two hours. Every minute the blood supply to the heart is blocked, cell death and muscle damage increase the risk of death for the patient.

“The biggest problem is that patients who are having a heart attack don’t recognize the symptoms, and this will then cause major delays in treatment,” explains Dr. Kerwin. “Many people wait an hour or two before seeking medical assistance, and that is far too long. The best time to save the heart muscle is within the first two hours of symptom onset.”

In 2003, Good Samaritan Hospital founded the Cardiac Alert protocol, the first of its kind, and has since brought it to other area hospitals.

Q: What accommodations does Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital make for the dietary requirements of various religions?

A: Good Samaritan Hospital’s nutrition staff work with patients as much as possible to meet every dietary requirement. This is fairly easy because patients are given a room service menu with dozens of options each day, not the “here are three choices, pick one” offered by many other hospitals.

Alicia Alcock, the clinical nutrition manager at Good Samaritan Hospital, explains further, “Many religions require no red meat or no pork. That we can accommodate easily. For Christians, we offer macaroni and cheese and a fish option every day during Lent. For patients who are Jewish, we have kosher meals (which are frozen), and, although we do not have kosher plates, we deliver kosher food on disposable dishes.”

Also, since more people are now vegetarians, Good Samaritan Hospital prints a special symbol next to those items which are completely vegetarian, taking the mystery out of many dishes on the menu.

Advocate Health Care

Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital3518 Highland AvenueDowners Grove, IL 60515

Advocate Good Samaritan outpatient facilities:6840 S. Main St., Downers Grove, IL

630-275-684015900 W. 127th St., Lemont, IL 630-243-7100

Other Advocate Health Care Facilities:Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak LawnAdvocate Condell Medical Center, LibertyvilleAdvocate Good Shepherd Hospital, BarringtonAdvocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center,

ChicagoAdvocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park RidgeAdvocate South Suburban Hospital, Hazel CrestAdvocate Trinity Hospital, Chicago

Children’s Hospitals:Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, Oak LawnAdvocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital,

Park Ridge

ClergyQ & A

To continue receiving Connections, your email address must be current. Please inform us of any email address changes or other contact information: Email to GSAM-SpiritualCare@Advocatehealth.com or call 630-275-1185

Every minute the blood supply to the heart is blocked, cell death and muscle damage increase the risk of death for

the patient.