June 2019

SHE SAVED AND STOLE HIS HEART

A PASSION FOR FASHION

ART AND MEDICINE

THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT

A publication about the team that cares for our patients.

OUR VOICE EDITORIAL BOARD

TA B L E O F

contents

On the cover Mark Currin, M.D., at Renaissance Park

Stay connected! Check out the gathering places

for the latest information on CHI Memorial.

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Like us at Facebook.com/CHIMemorial.

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How are you serving

CHI Memorial’s mission?

Do you have a colleague

who inspires you?

We want to share our team’s stories and how each member leads, every day, as an example of

compassion and strength. Please email information to marketing@memorial.org for an opportunity

to be featured in Our Voice.

Looking for reliable health advice and information? Visit DoctorTALK today at Memorial.org/doctalk.

MISSIONThe Mission of Catholic Health Initiatives is to nurture the

healing ministry of the Church, supported by education and research. Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create healthier communities.

CORE VALUESReverence, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence

3 CALLED TO SERVE

4 SHE SAVED AND STOLE HIS HEART

6 ART AND MEDICINE—THE

PERFECT COMPLEMENT

8 DESTINATION EPIC

9 58 YEARS AND COUNTING

10 A PASSION FOR FASHION

11 COMMONSPIRIT HEALTH™

12 MAXIMIZE YOUR BENEFITS: FOCUS ON WELLNESS WITH WW

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lisa McCluskey, MBA MANAGING EDITOR Sonia Moss CONTRIBUTORS Vickie Cox, MBA, PHR John Steele, MSM, PHR, SHRM-CP

2 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org2 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org

FUN FACT:

1 year // Paramedic Supervisor Emergency Medical Services

Ronnie enjoys the great outdoors, including camping and hunting.

He’s also busy with his two daughters who are involved in competitive cheerleading and

competitive shooting and his son who is a baseball fan.

ronnieSMITH

Ronnie Smith has always felt a calling to help others.

Called to ServeAS A KID, Ronnie remembers watching his mother, a nurse manager in labor and delivery, help deliver a baby in the Red Food grocery store aisle. When something was happening, she did not stand by idly but instead jumped in to provide aid.

“There are two kinds of people in this life—those who want to do and those who do,” Ronnie says. “My mother was not a sideline watcher. She was involved in things and always ready to help someone in need. That definitely helped inform who I am and gave me the desire to help others as well.”

There were other influencers in Ronnie’s life who impacted the trajectory of his career. He had an uncle by marriage who was a police officer and one who was a secret service agent who helped guard several presidents. At age 15, Ronnie joined the Chattanooga Police Department Explorer Program to learn about the many career options in law enforcement. After high school, he joined the United States Navy Reserve, then the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office before becoming an emergency medical technician.

“I went out on a call one day and came across a car wreck, and I didn’t know what to do before emergency medical services could

get there,” Ronnie remembers. “After that experience, I proposed we could better serve the public if we knew what to do in those situations. So I convinced my sheriff to send me to EMT school.”

EXPANDING EXPERIENCEAfter a few years, Ronnie decided to take another step and go to paramedic school, which meant completing more than 90 hours of college courses and passing the state licensing exam. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in emergency management. It was six years ago when he applied to become a death scene investigator with the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office. Ronnie outshined several hundred other applicants for this highly coveted position, thanks to his unique set of qualifica-tions and educational background. Even with this demanding job, he also continues to keep his credentials as a paramedic at CHI Memorial.

“To be a paramedic or work in the field I do, you face difficult situations every day,” Ronnie says. “But in the moment you’re needed, you have the training and experience to provide help and medical care that might save someone’s life. It’s challenging and stressful, but I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

OURVOICE | June 2019 3

FUN FACT:

Becky PERKINS

17 years // Cardiovascular Tech Electrophysiology Lab

Becky is both an alternative hard rock music enthusiast and a baker who loves to

make pastries.

4 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org

Have you ever been in just the right place at just the right time?

THAT’S WHAT HAPPENED to Becky Perkins and Larry Ellgass on a trip to Chicago in fall 2018. They had met earlier that year after connecting through online dating and were on their first trip together. Becky and Larry were enjoying their romantic getaway— exploring and shopping on The Magnificent Mile, enjoying good food and excitedly waiting for the Bears versus Patriots football game later that day. Larry had even asked Becky to marry him early in the trip, and she said yes! They didn’t realize that the weekend—and their lives—would take a decidedly different turn, and Becky would step in to save Larry’s life.

“We were shopping in a little store, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Larry stumble and fall. I rushed over to him, called his name and even smacked his face. He didn’t answer me, and I could see that he wasn’t breathing,” Becky remembers.

By a combination of instinct and education, Becky dove into action. She has been in the medical field for 35 years, and she put her CPR training to good use. After giving him a pericardial thump, Becky performed CPR for 15 minutes. The store owners called EMS, who were only five minutes away. When they arrived, they took over and eventually shocked Larry’s heart to get it going again.

After being taken to the ER at a nearby hospital, Larry went to the cath lab, but no procedure was performed. He stayed in ICU for several days before coming home on an external defibrillator, a life vest that’s worn by individuals who are at risk for sudden cardiac arrest. If the heart begins beating erratically, the vest delivers a shock to restore the heart’s normal rhythm.

“Since I work with Dr. Bruce at The Chattanooga Heart Institute, I was communicating with him and told him what happened with Larry. He felt the best option was to have a defibrillator implanted in his heart,” Becky says. “Within just a few days of the event, Larry was receiving the best possible care by Drs. Bruce, Ledford and Zellner. Together, they developed a plan to address Larry’s heart issues through bypass surgery.”

ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY Today, Larry is doing better than he ever expected, walking 6,000 steps a day and biking for 20 minutes. He’s recovered amazingly well after heart surgery, participates in cardiac rehab, and has lost 20 pounds. He’s done all this with Becky by his side.

“I can’t express how grateful I am to CHI Memorial, Dr. Bruce, Dr. Ledford and Dr. Zellner for taking such good care of me,” Larry says.

“I don’t believe in coincidences—we are here for a purpose, and I am very lucky to be with Becky and have her in my life. If I had been with 99% of the people in the world when this happened, I wouldn’t be here today. Without her, I know I wouldn’t be alive.”

Becky and Larry are taking another exciting step as a couple—they are planning a private ceremony in the Virgin Islands in May. After all they’ve been through together, they’re thrilled to start this next phase in their lives.

“I’m so glad Larry asked me to marry him before all this began, or I might not have said yes,” Becky says as she laughs. “I also cracked three ribs during CPR, which can happen. He tends to whine about that a little bit.”

Reflecting on what occurred, Becky strongly emphasizes the importance of CPR training and how it’s impacted her life.

“People sometimes complain about ACLS training, but I encourage everyone to learn the simple steps to take,” Becky says. “Knowing what to do in this kind of emergency can mean the difference between life and death for someone you love.”

SHE SAVED AND STOLE HIS HEART

Heart-Stopping Stats

According to a 2018 report released by the American Heart Association, there are more than

356,000 cardiac arrests

that occur outside the hospital setting each year, and

Nearly 90% are fatal.

For those who were treated by emergency medical services,

25% of people did not experience any symptoms prior to the event.

If you’d like to learn CPR, visit redcross.org/take-a-class/cpr to search for classes in your area.

OURVOICE | June 2019 5OURVOICE | June 2019 5

A pencil and paper were all Mark Currin, M.D., needed as a child to keep his mind and hands busy.

ART AND MEDICINE— The Perfect Complement

FROM A YOUNG AGE, he loved art and the ability to create something from nothing. After taking art classes throughout high school, he discovered printmaking in college. It was the accessibility and reproducibility of this art form that drew him in and captured his attention.

“The idea of a masterpiece is that it is unique. It’s the only one of its kind, and that can make it more valuable,” Dr. Currin says. “But if there are a lot of people who also find beauty in your creation, it’s hard to share it. With printmaking, when you have an image people like, you can make multiple prints and each one is an original. I love being able to share what I make.”

Dr. Currin especially enjoys relief printing, specifically wood block printing. This is a technique for creating images on paper that are printed off of a carved piece of wood. Chisels, gouges and knives are used to carve an image out of a flat surface. After the carving is complete, ink is applied to the block and pressed onto paper like a large stamp.

Dr. Currin’s favorite subject matter is the natural world, including landscapes and wildlife. He did a print study of American bison while in college, and today he’s interested in bird and plant studies.

“I love that this approach is both technically and mentally challenging,” Dr. Currin says. “You need different gouges and tools to create different aspects of your image, and you also have to work while thinking both in the color negative and in the mirror image. Once you’re finished cutting things away, the image left behind is what will be printed on the paper.”

For Dr. Currin, art and medicine are the perfect complement to each other. As a surgeon, he is constantly working with his hands, using fine motor skills to take things apart and put them back together again. He sees the correlation between this work and the type of art he loves, which allows him to create and make something beautiful. This quiet and refreshing activity helps him handle the challenges of medicine, while doing something therapeutic for himself.

“To be a great physician, you have to be devoted to your trade,” he says. “You need to strive constantly to keep learning within your specialty and to stay up to date on current practices to ensure you’re providing the highest standard of care. But it’s equally important to prevent burnout, and maintaining interests outside of medicine plays a critical role in that for me. It helps me keep a fresh perspective on what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and provides an escape from the most challenging aspects of my work.”

Learn, Experiment, Grow!

Are you interested in exploring your creative side? Whether you’re a seasoned artist or you’ve never picked up a paint brush or charcoal pencil, art classes are a great way to express yourself and learn new skills while participating in your community. Check out these local opportunities!

• Townsend Atelier | Townsendatelier.com From beginner to professional, Townsend Atelier offers classes on drawing basics, urban sketching, indigo and shibori dyeing, oil painting, and introduction to sculpture, to name a few. Summer art camp for kids ages 6–19 is also available.

• Art Creations | Art-creations.com Check out Art Creations’ beginning painting and intermediate drawing classes and their 6-week class on painting your favorite landscapes in oils. Instruction in hand lettering, sometimes called modern calligraphy, is the perfect way to add a special touch to gifts, letters and more!

• Scenic City Clay Arts | Sceniccityclayarts.org Enjoy this community studio space and learn to throw your own pottery! Other classes include creating cut-tile mosaics, beginning pottery wheel work and screen printing on clay.

• Hunter Museum of American Art | Huntermuseum.org The Hunter Museum offers many ways for people to explore the arts. Learn more about art and cultural issues through the Hunter Happens events that include lectures, special art, film screenings, live music and yoga. Teen activities and summer art camps for kids ages 6–11 will help them explore the world of creativity!

“The King of All Birds”6 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org6 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org

FUN FACT:

markCURRIN, M.D.

< 1 year // Urologist CHI Memorial Chattanooga

Urology Associates

Dr. Currin is a foodie who loves everything from southern cuisine to Thai food. Some of his favorite local restaurants are Sweet Basil,

State of Confusion, Alleia and Taqueria Jalisco Ania.

OURVOICE | June 2019 7

FUN ACTIVITIES before and during training, as well as at go-live, are being planned. Specific information will be available on the Mnet Epic page closer to the events. Highlights include:

With a $65 million investment over five years, Epic is the most significant, system-wide undertaking since the advent of Meditech. Teams have been working tirelessly to ensure our high patient care standards will continue throughout our go-live with Epic.

MOVIE NIGHTSEpic experts will host “Movie Nights” in the Community Rooms at CHI Memorial Hospital–Chattanooga before training begins. Treats will include popcorn, soda and candy, and you can register for door prizes (e.g., movie tickets, gift cards).

CHILLAXED TRAINING REGISTRATION To improve the enrollment experience, we will have drop-in registration in the Community Rooms for three days straight, an online instructional video and tip sheets for those who wish to self-enroll, road shows with teams visiting different locations and practices to register groups of users, and lunch and learns for people to call in or stop by for assistance. Concierge service, supported by previous enrollment data, and one-on-one sessions will be available for physicians and advanced-practice clinicians. Our course catalog will be more user friendly and precise in description.

UNWIND DURING GO-LIVEChair massages and special food offerings will be available during the first few days of go-live.

EPIC FACTSFounded in a basement in 1979 by Judy Faulkner, EPIC develops software to help people get well and stay well, and

helps future generations be healthier.

• Epic is privately and employee-owned.• Epic has more than 440 worldwide customers.• The majority of U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked

hospitals and medical schools use Epic. The majority of Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Stage 7 hospitals and clinics are Epic users. These HIMSS Stage 7 hospitals and clinics increase profitability and patient safety using proven EHR capabilities.

• Epic customers currently exchange 1.3 million patient records each day with government agencies, registries, other EHR vendors and each other.

• More than 250 million patients have a current EHR in Epic.

• Epic is headquartered in Verona, Wisconsin (approximately 11 miles south of Madison) on 1,048 acres. The campus includes an apple orchard planted in 1873 and up to 250 acres local farmers can rent to grow alfalfa and corn and raise goats and cows.

• Epic’s campus was designed for sustainability. With the goal to be entirely off-the-grid, Epic installed six wind turbines and 18 acres of solar panels to generate energy.

CHI Memorial Epic Go-Live Is November 4, 2019

8 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org8 CHI Memorial | Memorial.org

Volunteering is something that’s always been part of Anastasia Lakos Gulas’ life.

58 YEARS AND COUNTING

FUN FACT: 58 years // Volunteer

CHI Memorial Auxiliary

AnastasiaLAKOS GULAS

SHE CAME FROM a family that valued giving back to the community and instilled those values in her at a young age. After moving to Chattanooga from Mobile, Alabama, a friendly neighbor asked Anastasia if she’d like to be part of the auxiliary at CHI Memorial. When the youngest of her three daughters was old enough to go to school, she happily joined and quickly fell into her rhythm of volunteering every Tuesday, a routine that she keeps to this day.

“My first job was pushing a cart around the hospital that was stocked with anything and everything a patient or family member might need during their hospital stay,” Anastasia says. “It was loaded down with magazines, hair brushes, fingernail clippers, snacks and more. I loved talking with the people and spreading a bit of joy.”

Anastasia has worked in many different capacities during her time as a volunteer, including serving on the auxiliary board for 22 years and a term as president. In these early years, she was drawn to Sister Thomas de Sales, and credited CHI Memorial’s

continued success and growth to her tenacity, hard work and business acumen.

“I was very inspired by Sister Thomas de Sales and how she made many decisions that guided CHI Memorial in the right direction,” Anastasia says. “It was exciting to work under her leadership on the board, and she made many enhancements and changes that dramatically improved the auxiliary and hospital itself. She made a mark that can’t be forgotten.”

Today, Anastasia works with nutrition services, picking up menus from around the hospital. She’s still waving, talking to friends and bringing joy to others while making her rounds. Even after celebrating her 89th birthday, Anastasia has no plans to give it up.

“Volunteering and being part of the auxiliary has enriched my life in many ways,” Anastasia says. “I’ve met a lot of good people throughout my years here, and I’ve learned so much from those around me. I was raised to appreciate what I have and to respond to the needs of others. And as long as I can keep walking, I’ll keep doing what I can to be of service.”

Anastasia loves celebrating Mardi Gras!

OURVOICE | June 2019 9OURVOICE | June 2019 9

A Passion for FASHION“I love those jeans!” “Where did you get that cute bag?” “Where do you shop to look so put together?”

THESE ARE THINGS Ashley Trantham was used to hearing from her friends, family and even strangers. As a lover of feminine, southern style, she always enjoyed putting together cute outfits that didn’t break the bank. After finishing her degree in microbiology from The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Ashley created the blog Ashley’s Passion for Fashion in 2011 as a way to share her love of all things fashion and beauty. Today she has more than 5,000 followers on Instagram, and that number is growing!

“Since I was in 6th grade, I had a deep love of science,” Ashley says. “I knew I wanted to work in the medical field and do something that would help people. I’ve always focused heavily on my education and work, but even the best job can be stressful at times. The blog and sharing on Instagram are really fun creative outlets that have had a positive impact in my life and bring me a lot of joy.”

If you follow Ashley, you’ll see that she shares her positive perspective and enjoys spending time with her husband, Kerry, who takes most of her pictures for the blog. Her Instagram stories are full of fun times with friends, trying new restaurants and snippets of their vacation adventures. Although she’s mostly focused on fashion, Ashley is also planning to share home design content now that she and her husband have purchased their first home.

Thinking back on why she started the blog, Ashley recognizes that having this platform has served her in several ways.

“I think it’s so important to not put yourself in a box,” Ashley says. “I love science, caring for people and being a nurse practitioner, but I also love clothes, shoes and fun style. One doesn’t have to cancel out the other. Whether it’s drawing, photography, pottery making or working on cars, finding a way to express a different part of your personality can have a dramatic impact on your quality of life.”

FOLLOW ALONGAshleyspassionforfashion.com

@ashleyspassionforfashion

DON’T BE AFRAID TO ASK! Thinking of starting a blog or joining Instagram to share what inspires you? Ashley says go for it! Not only are there great resources online for how to get started, but you can also reach out to other people who you admire and ask questions.

“The hardest part is to put yourself out there, but talking to other people who are doing it for a hobby—or even as a full-time job—is really important,” Ashley says. “I’ve found a community through blogging that I would never have known otherwise. It’s so much fun to connect with people who share your passions!”

FUN FACT:

6 years // Nurse Practitioner CHI Memorial Family Practice

Associates–Chattanooga

Ashley loves country music, especially Kenny Chesney, who has been her favorite artist since middle school.

She’s been to 10 of his concerts and has one planned for the summer.

“I will travel for Kenny!” Ashley says.

AshleyTRANTHAM

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COMMONSPIRIT HEALTH™ is committed to building healthier communities, advocating for those who are poor and vulnerable, and innovating how and where healing can happen—both inside our hospitals and out in the community.

The result of years of planning, CommonSpirit was created by the alignment of Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health as a single ministry in early 2019.

Our commitment to serve the common good is delivered through the dedicated work of thousands of physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses and staff; through clinical excellence delivered across a system of hospitals and other care centers across the U.S.; and through more than $4 billion annually in charity care, community benefits and government program services.

OUR CALLING IS OUR NAMEThe CommonSpirit name was inspired by scripture: “Now to each one of the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common

Two legacies of caring. One ministry of change.

good” (1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV). Those words motivate and guide us every day. They celebrate the healing gift of compassion that God gives to us all, and they remind us of our calling to serve the common good.

OUR TEAMMore than 150,000 physicians, nurses, caregivers and other staff are employed by CommonSpirit. In addition, thousands of independent physicians serve patients in a CHI or Dignity Health facility, as do thousands more volunteers.

OUR SERVICE AREASOur hospitals and care centers cover 21 states, and are accessible to nearly one in four U.S. residents. Last year, Dignity Health and CHI treated more than 20 million patients combined. With a larger geographic footprint representing diverse populations across the U.S., we will be a leader in advancing the shift from sick care to well care and more effectively advocating for the growing number of people who need help the most.

CommonSpirit Health™

Where We AreWhile each care center is distinctively a part of its local community, all are guided by the same mission and values.

• Arizona• Arkansas• California• Colorado• Georgia• Indiana• Iowa• Kansas• Kentucky• Minnesota• Nebraska

• Nevada• New Mexico• North Dakota• Ohio• Oregon• Pennsylvania• Tennessee• Texas• Washington• Wisconsin

Visit CommonSpirit.org to learn more.

OURVOICE | June 2019 11

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDCHATTANOOGA, TN PERMIT NO. 256

Memorial Hospital2525 deSales AveChattanooga, TN 37404

CHI IS COMMITTED to helping you imagine your Best Self and improve your overall health by covering over half the cost of the WW Freestyle™ program for you and your spouse.*

WW Freestyle is not just a weight-loss program. It’s a new way of living built around wellness, connection and the power of healthy habits. WW offers guidance and support through digital tools and access to a powerful community of members from around the country—whether you attend meetings or follow the plan entirely online, you can develop a plan that fits your lifestyle. The program offers you three ways to participate, based on your needs: Workshops, Digital and WW for Diabetes.

CHI Pays a portion of your monthly WW membership fee, making joining even easier. If you’re eligible*, CHI will cover a portion of your monthly membership fees, so you’ll pay only:

• $19 a month for Digital and Workshops

• $8 a month for Digital

• $14 a month for WW for Diabetes

Please note that the subsidy amount paid by CHI is taxable. You will be taxed on that amount on your paychecks.

*You can participate if you are eligible for or enrolled in the CHI Medical Plan and your spouse may participate if they are enrolled in the CHI Medical Plan.

Weight Watchers is the registered trademark of Weight Watchers International Inc. WW Freestyle is the trademark of Weight Watchers International Inc.

©2019 Weight Watchers International Inc. All rights reserved.

Maximize Your Benefits: FOCUS ON WELLNESS WITH WW

Catholic Health Initiatives is proud to partner with WW (formerly known as Weight Watchers).