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JournalDecember 2010

Our COmmitment tO Community Health

Journalcontents

on the cover:HealthGrades, an independent healthcare ratings organization, named St. Joseph #1 in Texas for 2011 for overall orthopedic services, which includes joint replacement and spine surgery.

(see story on page 14)

03 leadership letter: Personal Health reform

st. Joseph Physician associates Welcomes six new Physicians in 2010

04 meet daVinci State-of-the-Art Surgical Robot Arrives at St. Joseph

05 2008-2009 Vital statistics

06 life can change in an Instant Zach Erskine is Back to Living a Normal, Healthy Life After a Near-Death Experience

08 called to serve A Special Delivery Calls Wendy and Jay Branum to Support St. Joseph

11 Values in action Perioperative Services Nurse Norma Reynolds

12 We Have Your Kids covered St. Joseph Pediatrics Practice Expands to Meet the Needs of Brazos Valley Families

14 #1 in orthopedics National Study Names St. Joseph Orthopedic Services #1 in Texas

16 eating Healthy The St. Joseph Best Bets Program Makes it Easy to Eat and Shop for Healthy Foods

18 Values in action College Station Nurse Lynne Harkey

19 Grimes Health resource center reopens

sleepaware www.sjprevention.com

20 community Health St. Joseph Offers Programs to Improve the Health of Brazos Valley Residents

22 surviving & thriving event benefits local breast cancer survivors

4th annual Day of Dance a Huge success

23 the Healing Garden at st. Joseph regional Health center

24 Partners in Healthcare

27 st. Joseph Governance

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Anthony D. PfitzerPresident & CEO, SJHS

George NelsonChair, SJHS Board of Trustees

personal health reform

clint cheng, mDfamily medicine

4421 State Hwy 6 SouthCollege Station(979) 690-4460

michael marquardt, mDPediatrics


Grover Hubley, mDfamily medicine

813 South State StreetMadisonville(936) 348-3515

Iyabode ogunlade, mDobstetrics/Gynecology


elizabeth suarez, mDfamily medicine


steve ramirez, mDfamily medicine

204 Brosig AvenueNavasota(936) 825-7200

st. JosePH PHYsIcIan assocIates Welcomes sIx neW PHYsIcIans In 2010

although there’s still a great deal of discussion occurring around many points of national health care reform, there’s one component to changing health care in America that appears to have little opposition – the concept of personal health reform.

We’re not talking about the type of personal health care reform where you tax pizza and sodas. This is about every one of us taking personal responsibility of our health, both short and long term. There’s very little debate around the idea that America could save more in health care spending from living healthier lifestyles than from any other kind of health care policy reform you can come up with.

As a whole, we eat food high in sugar and fat. We exercise too infrequently. Many smoke or drink in excess. We don’t go in for annual checkups and screenings. We ignore early warning signs. We avoid using safety devices and equipment. Every year these unhealthy habits cost billions of dollars in health care expenses in caring for diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, and a host of other illnesses.

Clear proof of that came recently when the 2010

Brazos Valley Health Status Assessment published results indicating Brazos Valley had broad ranging issues that increased health risk. Across the 7-county area one third of residents reported themselves as overweight and one in five people are obese. At the same time, only 44 percent of respondents met the National Institutes of Health recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week. Some 18 percent of residents reported that they do not exercise at all.

It’s not surprising that, based on the survey responses, Brazos Valley residents are higher than the national average in the frequency of people with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, emphysema, congestive heart failure and depression.

The coalition of organizations who supported the needs assessment already are working on many of these health-related issues, but it will certainly require the support of our entire community.

At St. Joseph, improving the health of the community is a part of our Mission. We are happy to share with you some of the ways we go about that in this edition of the St. Joseph Journal.

4 ST. JOSEPH JOuRNAL

meet daVinciState-of-the-art surgical robot arrives at St. Joseph

thanks to breakthrough surgical technology and the purchase of the

daVinci Surgical System, St. Joseph surgeons are now able to offer a minimally invasive option for complex surgical procedures. This $2 million investment brings even more state-of-the-art technology to St. Joseph’s 16 operating suites.

The daVinci system offers a minimally invasive alternative

to both open surgery and laparoscopy. Surgeons are able to use the daVinci

system for a variety of procedures including

bariatric surgery/gastric bypass, gynecological surgeries, and

urological surgeries. With these minimally invasive procedures, patients

will experience less pain, less scarring and faster recovery times.

Dan Dawson, MD, Obstetrician and Medical Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery program at St. Joseph, has used the daVinci extensively since the system went live in late May.

“The daVinci Surgical System offers surgeons a helping hand that has incredible precision and accuracy,” said Dr. Dawson. “In addition, my patients are busy women, they lead active lives, and surgeries performed with this system require very little recovery time, allowing them to return to their normal lives much faster. That makes us all happy.” For more information about this new system, please e-mail [email protected].

Surgeries performed with this system require very little recovery time, allowing patients to return to their normal lives much faster. – Dan DaWson, mD

5www.st-joseph.org

PatIent care 2008 2009

Patients admitted 17,801 18,153

babies delivered 2,165 2,119

emergency room visits 81,740 85,988

outpatient Procedures 1,073,762 1,227,101

outpatient Surgeries 8,141 7,905

Inpatient Surgeries 4,370 4,645

outpatient visits/registrations 287,172

resident days (long Term Care) 78,611 76,192

local taxes PaID 2008 2009

Property Tax $389,692 $436,541

Sales Tax $122,293 $96,364

total $511,985 $532,905

contrIbutIons 2008 2009

local Civic organizations & Health education activities $463,122 $289,204

economIc ImPact 2008 2009

fTes (full Time equivalents) 2,231 2,121

Salaries, Wages & benefits $149,336,100 $161,208,707

Capital funds reinvested $28,403,586 $36,638,207

local vendor Payments $40,374,894 $32,453,009

total $218,114,580 $230,299,923

uncomPensateD care 2008 2009

total $103,878,196 $117,466,041

our missionIn the franciscan tradition, out of reverence for the dignity of every person, the mission of St. Joseph Health System is to provide excellent health care and to promote wellness throughout the brazos valley.

our mission statement embodies the core values which are promoted by franciscan Services Corporation. These values – reverence, Service and Stewardship – are faithful to the spirit of St. francis of assisi and the Sisters of St. francis of Sylvania, ohio.

reverenceWe believe that each person is created equal in God’s image and likeness. Thus we treat each person with respect, justice, and dignity.

serviceWe believe that each person is called to achieve full potential of mind, body, and spirit. To enable the fulfillment of that potential, we pledge to render service to all with sensitivity, compassion, and commitment.

stewardshipWe believe that each person shares responsibility to fulfill their specific role and to promote the proper utilization of the environment, of goods and services. This enables us to maintain quality relationships and care in our ministry.

St. Joseph Journal, a publication of St. Joseph Health System, is produced by the St. Joseph Community relations office.

leadership George nelsonChairperson, Board of Trustees

anthony d. PfitzerPresident & CEO

Tim ottingerVice President, Community Relations

contributing staff doshie bradley, Communications AssistantHeather bush, Marketing Coordinatorbrian davis, Design Coordinatorashlea Sigman, Media Relations CoordinatorTom Pool, Executive Vice President, Foundation

other contributorsdanny boyle, PhotographyKelli levey, Writing

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio

2009Vital StatiStiCS


It was a typical Monday for 33 year-old Zach Erskine, who was going about his day as he did every day, visiting with his girlfriend, readying himself for work, everything was normal. Out of nowhere, he began to slur as he was speaking with his girlfriend – she asked him what was wrong and he could not answer.

“I was trying to talk to her,” Zach recalled, “and the words that were coming out of my mouth were not the ones I was trying to say.”

He turned to walk away and passed out. He remembers falling down, then

Zach erskine is back to living a normal, healthy life after a near-death experience

lifecanchangeIn an Instant

Zach erskine was back at work as manager of Heb just three weeks after suffering a stroke and being treated at St. Joseph.

7www.st-joseph.org

not much after that. His girlfriend first called his mother who told her to call 9-1-1.

EMS was immediately dispatched and Zach was taken to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan. When he arrived, he could not move the right side of his body. When he smiled, the right side of his face didn’t move. When Zach stuck his tongue out, it fell to the right and he couldn’t swallow. He was rapidly assessed and tPA (also known as the “clot-buster medicine”) was started. He was taken to the cath

lab at St. Joseph where neurosurgeon Dr. Bradley White performed the Merci device procedure (mechanical clot removal). Only 163 minutes after Zach arrived at St. Joseph and only one pass with the Merci device, the entire clot was removed. Immediately, blood flow was completly restored. Five days later, Zach walked out of the hospital – literally unscathed.

While Zach is no stranger to hospitals – he was born with a congenital heart defect – he was a healthy 33-year-old. Only three weeks after suffering a stroke, Zach returned to his normal routine managing the College Station HEB, playing video games, and spending time with his girlfriend and family. No rehabilitation was necessary and there were no restrictions on his activities. He was 100 percent recovered. Incredible care equals incredible outcomes!

For Zach, the Primary Stroke Center at St. Joseph made all the difference. Zach’s life was saved because the team of professionals at St. Joseph was prepared, they knew the nationally recognized stroke protocols and followed them to the letter.

“Mr. Erskine is a very fortunate

individual,” said Dr. White. “He was at the right place at the right time and had the benefit of living in a community that provides comprehensive stroke care to its patients. His miraculous recovery would not have been possible had it not been for the well-trained team of providers that he encountered that encompasses EMS, a proficient

emergency department and top-notch nursing care.”

St. Joseph is the only Primary Stroke Center in

the region, as designated by the Joint Commission

for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The Joint Commission’s Certificate of Distinction for Primary Stroke Centers recognizes centers that make exceptional efforts to foster better outcomes for stroke care. Achievement of certification signifies that the services provided have the critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes. It is the best signal to the community that quality care is effectively managed to meet the unique and specialized needs of stroke patients. To find out your risk of stroke, go to sjprevention.com.

I was trying to talk to my girlfriend and the words that were coming out of my mouth were not the ones I was trying to say.– ZacH ersKIne

Zach’s clot was 3 millimeters in diameter inside a blood vessel that ranges from 2 to 4 mm (a penny is 19 mm)

8 ST. JOSEPH JOuRNALWendy, Jay and Wyatt branum in the recently remodeled St. Joseph Women’s Center.

9www.st-joseph.org

a special delivery calls Wendy and Jay branum to support St. Joseph

When Wendy and Jay branum moved to College Station, they had no idea what kind of healthcare they would find, much less where they would deliver their child.

Wendy was seven months pregnant and knew the time to select her delivery hospital was nearing. After a quick yellow page search, Wendy found a few hospitals in the BCS area and began making visits to each. When she arrived on the labor and delivery unit of St. Joseph for a tour, Wendy was welcomed with open arms. She knew immediately that this was the place where her son would be born.

Finally the day came. After 17 hours of labor and several trips to and from the hospital, baby Wyatt was welcomed into the world by his overjoyed parents. However, Wyatt was having a difficult time breathing. The staff at St. Joseph’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit immediately jumped into action, doing all that they could not only

called toserVe

The nurses at St. Joseph’s labor and delivery and neonatal Intensive Care unit were called here to care for these babies and it shows every day in their work. – WenDY branum


to care for Wyatt but also for Wendy and Jay, keeping them informed every step of the way. The doctors and nurses thought Wyatt may have had Down Syndrome, so testing began to determine just exactly what was causing his breathing trouble. Wendy and Jay were scared. They didn’t know much about Down Syndrome, but were given all the information they needed from the loving and caring nurses at St. Joseph. The tests were conclusive – baby Wyatt did in fact have Down Syndrome. When remembering that moment, Wendy said that the nurses were so reassuring, and did all they could to ensure the Branums had the information they needed to care for their special needs child.

“The nurses were so caring and sincere,” said Wendy. “I knew that Wyatt picked us to be his parents for a reason, and with their help, we were

equipped to go on this journey with him.”

Wyatt spent 20 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph.

“The nurses became second mothers to him,” said Wendy, who added that she never once saw a nurse having a bad day. Instead, she witnessed smiling faces of people who were “like angels.”

“The nurses at St. Joseph’s Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were called here to care for these babies and it shows every day in their work,” she said. “We were absolutely blessed to have them help bring Wyatt into this world.”

Today, thanks to their experience with St. Joseph’s Labor and Delivery services, the Branums actively support the hospital through their advocacy and personal philanthropy with the hope that others can have the same experience when they deliver their baby.

I knew that Wyatt picked us to be his parents for a reason, and with the nurses’ help, we were equipped to go on this journey with him.– WenDY branum

2,119 babieswere delivered at St. Joseph in 2009

The nurses became second mothers to Wyatt during his

nearly three-week stay in the neonatal Intensive Care unit at St. Joseph. Pictured

with Wyatt (left to right): mica vannaman, Shirley

Huddleston, marilyn ullrich, Pat riggins and Shannon

Sanford.

11www.st-joseph.org

norma reynolds, rn, a Perioperative Services nurse at St. Joseph regional Health Center, received the St. Joseph values in action award in July. on a memorial day camping near new braunfels, reynolds was enjoying the outdoors by the Guadalupe river. nearby, a diver who was looking for lost items below one of the falls, inadvertently found a 12-year-old girl who appeared to have been under water for quite some time. The diver brought the girl to the surface and yelled for help. reynolds responded and immediately started resuscitation measures. She was part of a two-person team, providing mouth-to-mouth resuscitation for the girl for more than seven minutes until the emS arrived. The young girl was taken to a local hospital and treated for drowning related injuries. She was later admitted to the ICu and was expected to make a full recovery. The efforts of reynolds and the other individuals went a long way towards saving the girl’s life.

Values In actIon


Dr. cristina soriano was the founding member of st. Joseph Pediatrics. The youngest of six, she says growing up in a large family with lots of nieces and nephews helped cultivate her interest in children’s healthcare.

born and raised in the Philippines, dr. Soriano became a licensed Pediatric Infectious disease specialist there. When she and her husband, St. Joseph family medicine physician dr. anthony Soriano, emigrated to the u.S. in 2003, they both completed another three-year residency. It was her husband’s residency with the Texas a&m family medicine Program that led the couple to bCS.

When she isn’t attending to children at St. Joseph Pediatrics in bryan, dr. Soriano likes to read and knit. not a complete softy, she also practices martial arts with her son – and you might see her at the gun range enjoying recreational shooting on weekends.

Dr. theresa Krause joined st. Joseph Pediatrics two years ago from her own private practice. This summer, she moved into the St. Joseph medical office building at W.d. fitch and Highway 6 when St. Joseph expanded into South College Station.

dr. Krause was born in michigan and lived there until moving to Justin, Texas, a small town at the edge of the metroplex, at the age of 10. She came to Texas a&m for her undergraduate degree, where she met her future husband. “after we married we moved around the entire state of Texas, including a stop in oklahoma, for my residency. finally we decided that bCS offered us the best combination of life, career and family opportunities,” she said. In her spare time, dr. Krause enjoys hanging out with her nine-year-old daughter. She also loves to read and tries to exercise every day.

We HaVe Your

KIDscoVereDSt. Joseph Pediatrics practice expands to meet the needs of brazos valley families

13www.st-joseph.org

Need a physician?Call the St. Joseph Physician Associates Finder line.979-774-2121

good health and very tearfully thanked me. She told me that while they were in the hospital there was another child with the same disorder, but it wasn’t recognized early like her son’s and the other child died while they were there. Every time I saw this family they all stopped to hug me – no matter if it was in the office, at Wal-Mart, or even at church,” said Dr. Krause.

Whether or not their children are seen for a life or death condition, doctors say there are times moms and dads just need encouragement. “Parents sometimes need guidance and direction in raising their children, as well as reassurance that the job they are doing is spot-on,” explained Dr. Marquardt. “I have just happened to be the one available when they have had the need.”

tHe st. JosePH DIfferenceFor St. Joseph pediatricians, caring for

children isn’t just a career, it’s a passion. “I love serving families,” said Dr. Taplin. “I love educating them on their children’s health and development, as well as any illness.

“We are focused on serving the child as a whole, not just the disease process,” explained Dr. Taplin, who says she serves her patients in every way she can, “even if it’s just to reassure them it’s going to be okay.”

And since children seem to have a knack for coming down with illnesses, earaches and other medical problems on weekends, holidays and evenings, St. Joseph Pediatrics works with both St. Joseph Express locations to provide care to children every day. “St. Joseph always works to get sick children in as quickly as possible,” says Dr. Krause.

Pediatricians always have at least two clients – the child and the parents. “I try to keep in mind with every family I meet, what it’s like to be in their shoes both as a kid and as a parent,” said Krause. “I take as much time as they need to explain, in terms that everyone can understand what is happening and what we are going to do for them.”

That personalized attention from both pediatricians and nurses is part of what sets St. Joseph apart. “I think we have a small, family-like feeling about our practice, but have the advantage of a larger system backing us up,” said Dr. Krause.

–Ashlea Sigman

Just like the children they serve, St. Joseph Pediatrics keeps growing and having fun every step of the way. The practice, which opened in Bryan in 2007 with two pediatricians, now has two additional pediatricians located on the new St. Joseph College Station campus near Highway 6 and William D. Fitch Parkway.

neVer a Dull momentAs any parent can attest, it’s hard to

predict what young children will say next and when they’ll say it – even at a doctor’s office. “There is laughter that happens on a regular basis,” said Dr. Marquardt, who has heard his fair share of great lines from children in his 23 years as a pediatrician.

“Kids are very candid and funny,” said Dr. Soriano, who isn’t much taller than many of her patients. “One time I overheard a girl whisper to her mom, ‘my doctor is small.’”

Along with toys and tissues, pediatricians say movie character impersonations are never in short supply at their offices. “A very sassy and precocious three-year-old had done her imitation of Gloria from the movie “Madagascar” for my nurse, and my nurse tried to get her to repeat it for me,” said Dr. Krause. “The girl pointed her finger like a true diva and said ‘Look, I done told you once, I would only do it one time. I am not doing it again.’ We finally got her to sing “I Like to Move it,” but she told us quickly afterward, ‘That’s it! And I am not going to tell you again!’”

Despite feeling imposed upon by the occasional impersonation, children are generous when it comes to showing their appreciation. “Seeing a family at the mall or restaurant and having a child run to you and give you a big bear hug is as big a ‘thank you’ as a verbal one,” said Dr. Marquardt.

Children aren’t the only ones appreciative of excellent care. “I diagnosed one child very early in the course of a rare disorder and the child was sent for treatment at a large pediatric specialty hospital. The mother called me after their child was discharged in

Dr. laura taplin has been caring for children for six years and has been part of the st. Joseph Pediatrics team since 2009. originally from Houston, she says it was her childhood doctor who first sparked her interest in kids’ medicine. dr. Taplin and her husband, who is from bryan, moved to the brazos valley to raise their family. When dr. Taplin isn’t at the SJ Pediatrics office in bryan, she enjoys cooking, jogging and spending time with her family.

Dr. michael marquardt has been a pediatrician for 23 years. much of that time he practiced in College Station, before joining St. Joseph Pediatrics in late 2010. an aggie, he says he realized during medical school how rewarding working with children could be. “There are few things that compare to the opportunity to intervene in and be a part of the life of a child or family, whether that is my own family or that of a patient’s,” said dr. marquardt.

When he isn’t caring for children, dr. marquardt tends to babies of the four-legged variety; he raises and breeds alpacas. “Since our children have outgrown our house, and for the most part, have decided my wife and I don’t need to raise them anymore,” he said, “I have found I had some extra time to fill.” raising alpacas, cycling and what he describes as “binge exercising” now occupy some of dr. marquardt’s free time.


national Study names St. Joseph orthopedic Services #1 in Texas

sixty years ago, it was sitcom stars whose black and white images entered our homes at night to explain the virtues of a particular type of sewing machine, vacuum cleaner or color television. These days, ask most people, and they’ll tell you a celebrity endorsement doesn’t cut it.

Today’s consumer is savvy, and for most major purchases has probably done some homework. We are, after all, inhabitants of the information age, armed with the power of “google.”

Our research-minded mentality is increasingly at play in healthcare choices. As we watch our pocketbooks, American households are now spending more on health care than our employers do. So when we’re footing the bill, you can bet a little research is just what the doctor ordered.

WInnInG tHe olYmPIcsEnter HealthGrades, one of the

largest and most respected independent health ratings agencies in the country. Patient outcomes for the nation’s nearly 5,000 hospitals are included in the HealthGrades annual study

of hospital quality, which examines mortality rates and complication rates from government data.

This October HealthGrades announced that for 2010-11 St. Joseph was rated in the top 5% of hospitals nation wide for joint replacement and spine surgeries. Those exceptional outcomes propelled St. Joseph into the position of being named #1 in the state of Texas in orthopedic services for 2010-11. “This is an exciting accomplishment by St. Joseph,” said Dave Thomas, a Vice President with HealthGrades. “It is an indicator of focus you have put into improving the quality of patient care.”

And while St. Joseph excelled in HealthGrades ratings for orthopedic services, that wasn’t the only area recognized. St. Joseph ranked #7 in the state for coronary interventional procedures, a very common procedure to help improve blood flow to the heart muscle for cardiac patients. St. Joseph also received 5-star rankings for carotid surgery, appendectomies, and hip fracture repair for 2010-11.

While the attention of the top orthopedic ranking for this year is

great, it’s notable that St. Joseph has been rated 5-star in six clinical areas for at least the past 3 years, “What I think the rating does is provide us outside and external confirmation of the quality work that we’re doing,” said St. Joseph System President & CEO Tony Pfitzer.

excellence In sPIne care

“This is as good as it gets when it comes to providing quality care,” said Dr. Rudy Briner, a neurosurgeon who has been a practicing at St. Joseph for 22 years and has seen tremendous growth in the program. “Being ranked number one is like winning the Olympics,” said Dr. Briner.

About five years ago St. Joseph made a commitment to recruit additional neurosurgeons and focused on brain and spine care becoming a center of excellence. Working with St. Joseph and the TAMHSC College of Medicine, Dr. Briner and his colleague, Dr. Jonathan Friedman, helped establish the Texas Brain and Spine Institute in 2004. TBSI is a collaboration of more than 30 clinicians and scientists who work together to improve care and treatment in the area of neurosciences.

1 dr. Joseph Iero accepts the HealthGrades excellence award for orthopedic Surgery.

#

For information about joint replacement, visit sjjointuniversity.com

15www.st-joseph.org

being number one is like winning the olympics. – ruDY brIner, mD

Since 2004 St. Joseph has invested more than $10 million in cutting edge advances in the area of neurosciences, which includes spine and brain surgery. New surgical suites were added, which were dedicated to neurosurgical cases and equipped with state-of-the art navigation equipment to assist in the precise placement of medical devices. Additionally, St. Joseph now has a stereotactic surgery system that allows for minimally invasive treatment for specific types of brain tumors, as well as a new bi-plane angiography system that provides advanced treatment options for life-threatening aneurisms and strokes.

a neW stanDarD In JoInt rePlacement

Even before St. Joseph orthopedics was handed the proverbial gold medal, word about St. Joseph’s innovative joint replacement program, Joint University, was beginning to spread beyond the Brazos Valley.

In 2010, twenty percent of all of the patients having joint replacement done lived outside the Brazos Valley. “We have had some patients come from Mexico, from Louisiana, Florida, and Illinois come in to have their joints done,” said Dr. Joseph Iero, Medical Director of Joint University. Since its creation in 2006, Iero said the number of procedures performed at Joint University has doubled.

“Our patients are a tremendous source of referrals,” said Bill Whiting, Program Coordinator for Joint University. “Our patients are so happy to have the mobility a new joint gives back to them and have such a great experience, they tell family and friends – whether they live just down the street of halfway across the country.”

Dr. Iero attributes the outstanding

outcomes to an intense focus on quality by everyone involved. “We have a great OR team and great nursing and therapy care after patients get to the floor,” he said. “But it’s getting each patient and their coach (a family member or friend) involved and educated about their new joint replacement that really pulls everything together.” Patients and family members each have their assignments and work as a team with their surgeon, nurses and therapists to make sure that they have a successful joint replacement.

The ratings should “add a certain measure of confidence for the folks who live in the Brazos Valley because they not only have a regional medical center that delivers quality outcomes, but also cost effectiveness,” said Pfitzer. “We already knew it, but it’s nice to get the outside confirmation.”

HoW HealtHGraDes DetermInes ranKInGs

HealthGrades independently rates hospitals based on public data hospitals submit to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The nation’s nearly 5,000 hospitals were included in the annual study, which examines mortality rates and complication rates from government data. No hospital can opt in or out of being rated, and no hospital pays to be rated.

For 26 procedures and medical treatments, HealthGrades issues star ratings that reflect the mortality and complication rates for each category of care. Hospitals receiving a 5-star rating have mortality or complication rates that are below the national average, to a statistically significant degree. A 3-star rating means the hospital

performs as expected. One-star ratings indicate the hospital’s mortality or complication rates in that procedure or treatment are statistically higher than average. Because the risk profiles of patient populations at hospitals are not alike, HealthGrades risk-adjusts the data to allow for equal comparisons.

ImPortant 2011 fInDInGs about 5-star ratInGs:

• An 80% lower chance of complications in a 5-star rated hospital compared to a 1-star rated hospital.

• Across all procedures studied, a 63% lower chance of experiencing one or more in-hospital complications in a 5-star rated hospital compared to the U.S. hospital average.

• If all hospitals performed at the level of a 5-star rated hospital, 185,875 in-hospital complications may have been avoided among Medicare patients over the three years studied.

–Ashlea Sigman and Tim Ottinger

overall orthopedic Services (top 5% in the nation)2010-2011Joint replacement (top 5% in the nation)4 years in a row 2008-2011Total Knee replacement 6 years in a row 2006-2011Total Hip replacement Hip fracture repair back & neck Surgery (except Spinal fusion) (top 5% in the nation) 6 years in a row 2006-2011back & neck Surgery (Spinal fusion) 3 years in a row 2009-2011Coronary Interventional Procedures 3 years in a row 2009-2011Carotid Surgery 5 years in a row 2007-2011appendectomy2010-2011

st. Joseph 5-star ratings


eating healthier while dining out and knowing how to choose the healthiest foods at the grocery store just got easier for those living in the Brazos Valley.

It’s not easy to understand and make the healthiest dietary choices every day. Applying important nutrition lessons is even more difficult at the supermarket or a restaurant. That’s where the Best Bets program can help.

Best Bets is the pioneering program created by St. Joseph Regional Health Center in conjunction with registered dietitian Linda Kapusniak to help you find the most heart healthy foods at your favorite restaurants and provide you with practical, easy-to-follow tips that can make choosing healthful, nutrient-rich food at the grocery store a simple task!

at tHe restaurantThe National Restaurant Association

estimates the average American eats approximately four to five meals a week outside the home. Eating out is no longer a special occasion, but part of a busy lifestyle and needs to be

treated accordingly.“As a nutrition counselor, it

became evident to me that many of the patients being referred to me by their physician for high cholesterol and obesity were getting a significant amount of fat and calories in their diet from foods they were choosing at restaurants,” said Kapusniak. “I also learned in many cases, the reason was due to the fact that many folks simply lacked the knowledge and skills to make lower fat selections. The Best Bets program was designed to educate diners about the variety of healthy selections available at many area restaurants and make ordering these items as simple as possible.”

To determine which menu items to consider as “Best Bets,” Kapusniak interviewed the chefs and managers at each of the participating restaurants. She asked how foods were prepared, looked at recipes when available, and asked if foods could be modified in certain ways to lower the fat and calorie content. The Best Bets selections are those deemed the most heart healthy at a particular restaurant.

To make this information available to the public, participating restaurants place a heart with the St. Joseph logo on the menu by the items deemed heart healthy, offer a special St. Joseph Best Bets menu or post a sign board listing the Best Bets items.

at tHe GrocerY storeFood manufacturers use various

tricks and sneaky wording to fool consumers into buying products that falsely promise health benefits. With thousands of new food products hitting the grocery store shelves every year, shopping for the healthiest of foods can become nothing more than a guessing game.

As an example, Kapusniak breaks down tea choices at the grocery store.

“Is green tea better than black tea?” she asks. “Should you choose tea

The St. Joseph best bets program makes it easy to eat and shop for healthy foods

eatinghealthy

registered dietitian linda Kapusniak checks best bets shelf tags at the Kroger store on boonville road.

For more information about the Best Bets program, visit sjbestbets.com

best bets aPProVeD restaurantsLook for a SJ heart placed next to an item on the menu at these approved restaurants to discover a variety of healthy selections without giving up taste, convenience or the fun of eating out.

blue baker800 university drive east Suite 100College Station • (979) 268-3096

201 dominik driveCollege Station • (979) 696-5055

bodega coast fresh fish bar & Grill980 university drive eastCollege Station • (979) 268-4101

café eccell101 Church avenueCollege Station • (979) 846-7908

cenare404 university drive eastCollege Station • (979) 822-2675

cheddar’s college station1701 university drive eastCollege Station • (979) 260-1701

Double Dave’s Pizzaworks2305 booneville road Suite 900bryan • (979) 822-3283

3505 longmire drive Suite aCollege Station • (979) 696-3283

200 nagle StreetCollege Station • (979) 268-3283

fish Daddy’s Grille House1611 university drive eastCollege Station • (979) 260-1611

la bodega102 Church avenueCollege Station • (979) 691-8226

ninfa’s mexican restaurant1007 earl rudder freeway SouthCollege Station • (979) 693-0506

Veritas Wine & bistro830 university driveCollege Station • (979) 268-3251

Wings ‘n more3230 South Texas avenueColleg Station • (979) 694-8966

1511 university drive eastCollege Station • (979) 691-2100

with or without caffeine? Is caffeine harmful? Is one brand of tea superior over another? Does tea from the bottle offer the same health benefits as tea from the bag? If you’re buying unsweetened tea, should you be concerned about the sugar substitute?”

“These questions and the desire to provide shoppers with the knowledge and tools to make the most of healthy choices when shopping is why we expanded our Best Bets program into the grocery store,” said Kapusniak.

Earlier this year Kapusniak and St. Joseph Regional Health Center teamed up with Kroger locations in Bryan/College Station to provide shoppers with ways to easily identify the healthiest foods on the shelf.

These are foods, research has shown, to have the power to decrease your chance of developing a number of life

threatening diseases. Best Bets shelf tags help guide

shoppers in their selections. The SJ heart logo is now being placed on foods with superior nutritional benefit with an adjacent tag telling them what the benefit is.

“So when you are standing in the tea isle wondering what the best choice is,” said Kapusniak, “you will see one of our SJ hearts placed on a box of green tea bags with a tag next to it stating, ‘Contains more disease fighting compounds than bottled tea.’ That’s because bottled teas lose some of their flavonoids during the bottling process. The flavonoids provide the disease fighting benefits of tea.”

The Best Bets program has now expanded to all area Kroger stores. Look for the shelf tags the next time you shop for groceries. –Heather Bush


St. Joseph College Station emergency Center Charge nurse lynne Harkey received the St. Joseph values in action award in January. Harkey was 20 miles into the Chevron Houston marathon when she noticed a man collapsed on the ground. The man had suffered a heart attack, wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. minutes later, Harkey and a makeshift team of emergency responders had the man resuscitated and on his way to a Houston hospital. Then Harkey finished the race. The values in action award is given to staff members who demonstrate extraordinary acts while outside their typical place of work.

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approximately 12 million americans suffer from obstructive Sleep apnea (oSa), a condition in which a person has episodes of blocked breathing during sleep. Persons with oSa are 30 percent more likely to have a heart attack or die as a result of the condition, but 10 million of those living with the condition are undiagnosed. a simple screening, now available through, www.sjprevention.com, can help you and your family members determine if you are at risk for oSa.

It’s called Sleepaware, an online health assessment that can identify your potential risk of obstructive Sleep apnea. The recognized oSa symptoms include: loud snoring, nocturnal gasping and choking during sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, memory or learning problems, irritability, lack of concentration, mood swings or personality changes, dry throat upon awakening, witnessed apneas and frequent urination.

If you or anyone you know has experienced any of these symptoms, take this free and confidential screening that may help identify and

manage risk factors for obstructive Sleep apnea. St. Joseph regional Health Center remains committed to helping our

community stay healthy. for more information, go to www.sjprevention.com for a free and confidential Sleepaware screening or call 979-219-0638 to speak to our Sleepaware clinician.

Take our free 7-minute sleep assessment test atsjprevention.com

www.sjprevention.com

In early 2010, the Grimes Health Resource Center reopened its doors to help residents in Grimes County who do not have access to some of the most basic health needs. To help reopen the operation, Grimes St. Joseph Health Center donated a room inside the hospital. The Resource Center now has private space where staff can meet with clients, give vital and helpful information and provide referrals for other resources in the area. The Resource Center has also hired an office manager, Lori Duncan, who is available to meet with those who need assistance Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In addition to Grimes St. Joseph Health Center, Grimes Health Resource Center’s reopening was made feasible through the help of Texas A&M University’s School of Rural Public Health. The services are made possible by Texas A&M and grants from the state. The Resource

GrImes HealtH resource center reoPens

Center’s main purpose is to provide transportation to those who do not have access to it. Transportation was identified as the largest need in Grimes County.

“That’s what is most important, is the ability to provide long-overdue transportation services to folks who have trouble getting around by themselves,” said Vicky Jackson, Director of Community and Support Services at Grimes St. Joseph. “This has been something we’ve had some frustration with in the past – two steps forward, three steps back – and we’re just so excited about getting off the ground and being able to offer this. It’s so needed in Grimes County.”

Jackson is Vice Chair Commissioner on the 11-member Grimes County Health Resource Commission that steered the reopening of the center. The services are funded by Grimes County, the City of Navasota, grant monies and other donors. Space, utilities, phone and internet are

donated by Grimes St. Joseph Health Center.

“My vision is to see our hospital become a health care hub for our community,” said Dia Copeland, Administrator of Grimes St. Joseph Health Center. “By donating this space, we bring people in need to an environment where they can feel safe, cared for with compassion, educated about resources and assisted with their needs. The hospital is a perfect place to provide these services and we are proud to expand the ways we can help our community.”

In the near future, the resource center plans to expand to include other much needed services to the area. Those include information and referral assistance with housing, utilities, affordable healthcare and food, STAR Counseling, Medication Assistance Program (MAP), and more. Case management will also become a service provided to Grimes County residents. –Heather Bush


St. Joseph offers programs to improve the health of brazos valley residents

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the guiding principle in determining a community benefit is that the activity responds to an identified health-related community need. Throughout the Brazos Valley, St. Joseph Health System provides multiple community benefits every day. They are programs and activities that provide treatment or promote health and healing in response to an identified need. They also fulfill qualities like improving access to health care services, enhancing health of the community, advancing medical or health care knowledge and relieving or reducing the burden of government or other community efforts.

As the St. Joseph Health System mission says – In the Franciscan tradition, out of reverence for the dignity of every person, the mission of St. Joseph Health System is to provide excellent health care and to promote wellness throughout the Brazos Valley.

One of the most rewarding and

easily recognizable ways that St. Joseph performs community benefit is through our Community Health Services Department, which includes St. Joseph Healthy Communities, Help Line and the Gold Medallion Club. Healthy Communities at St. Joseph plans and coordinates seminars and health education courses, support groups and low-cost screenings throughout the year. These are just some of the ways that St. Joseph helps our community.

• CPR and First Aid Courses• New Parent Education: Prepared

Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Newborn Care

• New Baby Day Camp Sibling Tours

• Project CPR• Wellness for Diabetes• Safe Sitter• Shots for Tots• AARP Driver Safety Courses• HeartScore

21www.st-joseph.org

• Health Fairs• Health Education SeminarsFree Community Health education

seminars are done each month throughout the region. Topics covered are usually those at the forefront of our patients’ minds. They are educational and informal in nature, encouraging attendants to ask questions or think about questions they should ask their primary care providers. Some of the recent topics covered include:

• Heart Disease• Arthritis• Pregnancy Planning• Emergency Preparedness• Fall Prevention• Stroke• Back Pain• Hip and Knee Pain• Summer Safety• Diabetes• Heart Health for Women• Osteoarthritis• Healthy Skin

Support Groups are also offered through Healthy Communities. Some of the support groups available are Mended Hearts, Stroke Club, Arthritis, Parkinson’s and Bariatric Surgery. For a complete list of support groups available contact Healthy Communities at 979-731-1231.

Helpline is another way that St. Joseph supports community health in the Brazos Valley. Helpline is a personal emergency response service for your home and has been protecting the Brazos Valley for more than 27 years. Helpline partners with Philips Lifeline, the leader in medical alert services. “Let the Bells Ring for Helpline” is an annual fundraiser that takes place in December, raising funds for subscribers needing financial assistance with their Helpline service through the sale of hand-painted, decorated ornamental bells.

Gold Medallion Club is full of entertainment and activities for our

active seniors of the Brazos Valley. Among the travel, social events and lunch-and-learns, the membership club also helped out with free guest meals for members in the hospital, discount dental, vision and prescription programs, free blood pressure checks, discounted lab screenings, free notary public service, free hearing evaluations and discounts on medical equipment and supplies at participating locations. –Heather Bush

For a list of support groups, contact St. Joseph Healthy Communities at979-731-1231 or visit st-joseph.org

(above) The Gold medallion Club (GmC) knitting group, Creative needles, makes afghans for Habitat for Humanity and baby caps for newborns. (right) St. Joseph Healthy Communities offers Project CPr, a community-wide CPr training event. (facing page, clockwise from top left) GmC donates afghans to new Habitat homeowners during the home dedications. Willie and mell Pruitt with Habitat volunteers and families. Then-bryan mayor mark Conlee gives a gift basket to a Habitat family. GmC members travelled to new england for a fall foliage trip.


“our volunteers know first-hand the impact of breast cancer and are proud to be able to help local survivors,” said Patricia Gerling who serves as a co-chair for the annual Surviving & Thriving Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon, founded by Suddenlink and St. Joseph Regional Health Center. Gerling, a survivor herself, is familiar with the statistics reported by the American Cancer Society: one in eight women will develop breast cancer, and one in 35 will die from it.

“Those numbers begin to have meaning when you put the faces of friends and family members with them,” said Gerling.

With more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone, events like the annual luncheon help raise funds for state-of-the-

art cancer treatment equipment, critical research, patient services and prevention education. In 2010, Surviving & Thriving featured speaker Becky Olson who shared an inspiring message of how she used the adversities of her disease to create positive moments. Olson is the co-founder of Breast Friends, an organization dedicated to helping women in their fight against breast cancer.

Thanks to the leadership of Gerling and co-chair Reba Ragsdale, along with a phenomenal committee of dedicated volunteers, the 2010 event raised over $36,000. Those proceeds were split between St. Joseph Cancer Services and the local American Cancer Society to provide life-saving equipment and support for preventative and treatment programs

in the Brazos Valley. To date, sponsors and individual donors to Surviving & Thriving have contributed over a quarter of a million dollars in contributions to help women get the care they need close to home. Also in 2009, the committee launched the “Think Pink” Mammogram Program, to directly provide screening mammograms to local women who could not otherwise afford them.

“We are so thankful to the businesses and individuals in this community who support St. Joseph Cancer Services and our local American Cancer Society office,” says Gerling. “Many of us who have received treatment and preventative care prefer to stay here locally. Without St. Joseph and our local ACS office, our community would lose a tremendous service.”

surVIVInG & tHrIVInG eVent benefItslocal breast cancer surVIVors

day of dance for Health is a community-based event, hosted by Spirit of Women hospitals across the country. This event welcomes the entire community to dance, celebrate their health and learn about cardiovascular disease. In 2010, approximately 300 brazos valley residents took to the dance floor to shake, shimmy, and twist their way to heart health at the 4th annual St. Joseph day of dance. dance demonstrations included everything from Hip-Hop to ballroom to Zumba, and also included some free lessons for event participants. one participant said, “I used to dance all the time when I was young – today has taken me back to that time! I’ve had the best time learning all of these new dances too!” In addition to a day of fun, participants also were treated to free health screenings to determine their risk of developing heart disease, vascular disease and stroke. ninety people participated in the free screenings, and were given information on how to live a healthy, active lifestyle.

4tH annual DaY of Dance a HuGe success

23www.st-joseph.org

Patients and guests at the main hospital campus in Bryan will soon enjoy the benefits of a healing garden, developed through the generosity of donors. This peaceful location, situated between the inpatient oncology unit and the emergency room, will feature beautiful landscaping, soothing water features and shaded seating areas. Patients and their families will find the garden a comfortable retreat from the clinical environment, where they may visit, pray or simply enjoy a quiet moment of reflection. The garden’s unique design will allow for privacy when multiple guests are present. A bistro area with shaded tables will offer small groups an inviting place to meet or gather for lunch.

A natural healing atmosphere is proven to reduce the need for pain medication and shorten hospital stays, not to mention reduce anxiety and fear. This garden will provide an ideal outdoor space to compliment the compassionate care provided within the hospital. For more information or to be a part of the Healing Garden project, visit www.sjfoundation.org or call the Foundation at 979-774-4087.

Healing Gardenat St. Joseph Regional Health Center

To be a part of the Healing Garden project at St. Joseph, visit www.sjfoundation.org or contact the St. Joseph Foundation at 979-774-4087

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through st. Joseph Foundation’s Partners in Healthcare Program, donors and volunteers are recognized for their commitment to advance the healing mission of St. Joseph Health System. Partners receive special benefits, including invitations to exclusive receptions, and hospitality services from St. Joseph Foundation staff.

QualIfIcatIons for Partners In HealtHcare

Annual Partners in Healthcare include:

• Any individuals or businesses who cumulatively give $1,000 per year through St. Joseph Foundation. Gifts may be designated to specific facilities and departments, or may be made unrestricted. Sponsorships for special events qualify as well.

• Any business providing products or services in-kind of at least $1,000 in value.

• Active volunteers who are members of St. Joseph Auxiliary

Lifetime Partners in Healthcare include:

• Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio who currently serve at St. Joseph Health System

• Pillars of Philanthropy – any individuals or businesses who cumulatively give $25,000 or more through St. Joseph Foundation.

• Lifetime Partners – any

individuals or businesses who cumulatively give $10,000 or more through St. Joseph Foundation. In-kind donations of products or services from businesses also qualify.

• Legacy Society Members – any donors who have made a provision in their estate plans to benefit the health system through St. Joseph Foundation.

• Board Members – any past or present members of the governance boards within St. Joseph Health System.

• Volunteers – any St. Joseph Auxiliary member with 10 or more years of service

Partners In HealtHcare benefIts

Each year, St. Joseph Foundation hosts exclusive events to showcase new projects and technologies at St. Joseph facilities. Often, these receptions provide a sneak peek into areas prior to being used for patient care. Past events included the unveiling of St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s new 4th floor; the renovated Grimes St. Joseph Health

Center Emergency Department; and St. Joseph Regional Health Center’s Nursery and Surgical Suites. Team Members are on hand at these events to highlight the services provided in the facilities. Often, a blessing and dedication of the new or updated areas is also performed by members of the St. Joseph Spiritual Care Team. These events not only provide an insider’s look into the operations of a hospital rarely seen by the general public, but also offer Partners a chance to socialize with friends who share a common commitment to local healthcare services.

In the event a Partner is admitted as an inpatient to one of the St. Joseph Health System facilities, a member of the foundation staff provides hospitality services by visiting the patient and providing them a welcome bag with convenience items to make

their stay more comfortable. This also provides the Partner with an additional point of contact to ensure they have a good experience.

Partners are also honored for their commitment on a display wall located on the second floor of St. Joseph Regional Health Center in Bryan, and through publications such as the St. Joseph Journal. As with any St. Joseph Foundation activity, the Partners in Healthcare Program is conducted in accordance with HIPAA and St. Joseph Health System policies regarding the privacy of personal information.

St. Joseph regional Health Center $91,862.07Cancer Services $23,968.92Women’s and Children’s Services $191,480.13rural Hospitals and Clinics $37,359.24

2010 founDatIon DIstrIbutIons (yTd as of oct. 12, 2010)

St. Joseph rehabilitation $44,842.29education and Scholarships $31,823.00

total $421,335.65

To become a Partner in Healthcare, visit www.sjfoundation.org or contact the Foundation at 979-774-4087

25www.st-joseph.org

PIllarsanonymousanCo Insurance ServicesaramarK Corporationnina Heard astin Charitable Trustastin Winkler Charitable Trustmr. H. r. blankbrazos anesthesiology associates, P.a.brazos valley Pathology, Pamrs. betty brossmannbryan radiology associatesbryan Texas utilitiesmr. and mrs. John “Jack” buckley, Jr.burleson County Health Care foundationburleson County Hospital districtburleson St. Joseph auxiliaryms. betty l. Carrabbamr. and mrs. m.l. “red” CashionCitibank Texasl.b. danford Charitable Trustdansby Grant foundationmrs. Carol deStefanomr. and mrs. Phillip diebelClifton & Henryetta doak Charitable TrustCol. and mrs. fred W. dollarlucille dougherty Trustemergency Service Partnersfranciscan Services Corporationmr. and mrs. david Gardnermr. and mrs. emanuel Glockzin, Jr.virginia & Christian H. Groneman Charitable TrustH3 Solutionsdr. and mrs. John J. Halle. W. Harris Trustmr. John e. Hejlmr. and mrs. John C. Hicksmrs. J.C. leedr. alfred leerev. msgr. John C. malinowskimr. and mrs. Cullen mancusorev. msgr. John a. mcCaffreyJudge and mrs. W.T. mcdonald, Jr.mr. and mrs. fain mcdougal, Jr.mr. and mrs. Hank C. mcQuaidenewman Printingmr. and mrs. emil e. ogdenogden family limited PartnershipThe Waldon and adelle orr Charitable TrustPeter J. Palasota, III, m.d. Charitable Trustmr. and mrs. robert Parentmr. and mrs. m. bookman PetersProsperity bankmr. and mrs. britt ricebritt rice electric, Inc.marshal verne ross foundationmr. and mrs. Pete l. ScamardoScarmardo Produce and farm PatchScott & White Clinic, College StationScott & White memorial HospitalSt. Joseph regional Health Center auxiliarySuddenlink Communications

union Pacific resources, Inc.varsity ford lincoln mercuryJ. T. vaughn Construction, Inc.verizonverizon CommunicationsWaltman & GrishamWatkins Hamilton ross architectsWells fargo bankTyrous r. and ruth f. Williams Charitable Trust

lIfetImemr. and mrs. W. lee bakerdr. and mrs. William r. birdwelldr. and mrs. Stephen bradenbrazos Physicians Grouprev. and mrs. don C. brelandbrown foundationbryan Coca-Cola bottling Co.Cancer Clinicmr. and mrs. Todd J. CarrollCentral Texas Heart Center, P.a.Choice Home CareCitizens State bankmrs. Carole Colemanmr. and mrs. Harold Cottrellmrs. lee doddeugene edge III revocable Trustmr. and mrs. reed a. edmundsonethiconmr. and mrs. lee J. fazzino, Sr.lee J. fazzino farmmr. and mrs. randy fergusonfirst State bank of bediasfirst victoria national bankmrs. Gladys florencefulbright & Jaworski, l.l.P.r.a. Galindo, Incdavid Gardner’s JewelersGarrett mechanical, Inc.General and vascular Surgical associatesmr. and mrs. Paris GibbsGrimes County Commissioners Courtmr. and mrs. ray Grossmanmr. and mrs. lee Gustavusmrs. Sue a. Hamremr. James Hassellmr. and mrs. W.r. Hensarlingdr. and mrs. Thomas a. HoytJ.J.’s Package Storems. marjorie T. Janacekmr. and mrs. John Keehanmr. and mrs. Steve Krusiemr. and mrs. Johnny S. lampolinbeck Construction Corporationlindley-robertson-Holt funeral Homemadisonville State bankmancuso Investments, ltd.mrs. ruth T. martinrev. msgr. adam S. mcCloskymr. and mrs. fain mcdougal, Jr.dr. Henry C. mcQuaidemerrill lynchmid-South Synergymrs. Judy millermr. Jose C. montemayordr. and mrs. G. mark montgomeryms. leah montgomerymSJHC auxiliaryorthopaedic associatesms. Sara a. Parsonsmr. and mrs. mervin d. PetersPete’s exxonPfizer-roerigGilbert and Thyra Plass Charitable TrustPorter family Partners, ltd.Prosperity bank

mr. and mrs. mike redmanmr. and mrs. Gathan reistinomr. and mrs. J.J. ruffinomr. luke ruffinoSam & Carol deStefano Charitable foundationmr. and mrs. William Savagems. mary ann Scarmardomr. and mrs. Sam SharpShumaker, loop, & Kendrick, llPSiemens medical Solutions uSa, Inc.mr. and mrs. al C. Smithmr. and mrs. John S. SmithSt. Joseph Catholic ChurchStandard automatic fire enterprisesmr. and mrs. larry StifflemireStrake foundationmr. and mrs. Pete SulikSulik Health Care Services, Inc.Texas a&m Chancellor’s officeTexas a&m universityTexas Commercial WasteToshiba america medical Systemsdr. and mrs. Kumud Tripathymr. and mrs. Jon r. Turtonuniversity Title Companymr. and mrs. Joseph T. vaughnmr. and mrs. Thomas a. Wallismr. and mrs. dave WardThe Iris & lloyd Webre foundationWilton’s officeWorksSalih yilmaz, m.d.

leGacYanonymousernest & Gwen bruchezmadeline e. “betty” CastensonSam f. deStefano familyPenelope Kosztolnyikmsgr. John malinowskiruth martinJudge & mrs. Tom mcdonald

lIfetIme In KInDabC 40brazos valley Communicationsbryan broadcasting l.C.Clear Channel CommunicationsCopy CornerThe bryan-College Station eagleKbTX-TvKTeX 106.1KTSr WTaWThe matthews Group, Inc.morris ConstructionSuddenlink mediaThe veranda

local sIstersof st. francIs of sYlVanIa, oHIoSister ann marie Chmielewski, oSfSister St. anthony Chrzanak, oSfSr. Gretchen Kunz, oSfSister rita Jane radecki, oSfSister alice Warrick, oSf

GoVernanceSjoerd adams, m.d.rick alford, m.d.anup amin, m.d.Karen moreno arents, d.d.S.bonnie armstrongCalvin arnoldKelley austinfr. michael baronePaul batistabunkin bennettJason bienskiWilliam bishoprobert T. bisor, IIIJames e blair, III

leslie bledsoebrenda boedeckerdot borskiray bowen, Ph.d.Stephen braden, m.d.Carolyn brinkmannmary broussardernest v. bruchezdan buche, faCHeJohn J. buckley, Jr. faCHeJustinus bulhof, m.d.david buras, m.d.alexa burtCharles r. Cargillbetty l. Carrabbamark Carrabbared Cashionnicole CatalinaPhyllis Chang, m.d.Scott Chennault, d.o.Sister marie andree Chorzempa, oSf, Ph.d.St. anthony Chrzanak, oSfann Clarkmichael K. Cohen, m.d.bryan Cole, Ph.d.edwin Cooper, Ph.d.dia CopelandHap Cottrell, lfnaSteve CrichtonKirk CristyCindy CrossJim Crossanna damian, m.d.david damian, Jr., m.d.alma danielsandrew r. davisdaniel dawson, m.d.andrew deJong, m.d.Pauline diebelrev. Scott dornbushdavid doss, m.d.debra drakemichael duffyreed edmundsonandy eisenberg, m.d.robert emmick, Jr., m.d.bill erwinrev. W. C. fancherJoseph fedorchik, m.d.Sister nancy ferguson, oSfSallie fisherdayne foster, m.d.marcella franzettimichael friedland, m.d.ramiro GalindoJulia GardnerClay Gerngrossmelynda GiesenschlagJim Giles, m.d.Garry Gore, m.d.brent Gray, m.d.Clarence Graysricardo Gutierrez, m.d.John Hall, m.d.mike HarrisHenrietta HarrisonSamuel H. Harrison, m.d.umbert Hart, Jr., m.d.James HassellJoy Hayniemolly HendrickKay HensarlingSister Pauline Herbert, oSfJohn Hicksbill HicksKenneth Hillner, m.d.Gerry Hincemaritza HoffmanGrant edward Holtrobert a. Howard, m.d.Grover C. Hubley, Jr., m.d.al Hurleymolly Hurst

lewis JacksonChuck JeffressTerry Jenkins, m.d.mary JonesSister Joan Jurski, oSfJohn KeehanJames m. Kirby, m.d.Kathy Krusiederek KuhlSr. Gretchen Kunz, oSf, faCHeHoney KutachJohnny lampodon lasiterCathy lazarusoscar lazcano, m.d.Sue leeHarry S. lipscomb, m.d.Shellie lyonGlenn mackbill magee, TH.d.alderman Gary malerrev. msgr. John malinowskiCullen mancusoJim manningSister m. madonna marchiniak, oSfmyrtle martindrew matthewsKenneth matthews, m.d.bryan maupin, m.d.rev. msgr. John a. mcCaffreydavid mcClellan, m.d.norris mcdanielCaroline mcdonaldJanie mcdougalCarol mcfaddinmichael mcmahon, m.d.lisa mcnairmichele mcnewHank mcQuaideHenry mcQuaide, m.d.Gordon mitchell, m.d.mark monroeCarol montgomeryG. mark montgomery, m.d.anthony morelosGarth r. morgan, m.d.robert nealCecil neelyGeorge nelsondouglas noblesrance normanJohn o’Connell, faCHeClementine ogdenStephen ogdenSammy orangeSister Geraldine PaluszakThena Parrott, Phd.Kia Parsi, m.d.michael Patranellabarbara Pearson, Ph.dHubert PerkinsTony PfitzerTim Phillipsricardo Pocurull, m.d.Thomas PoolSteve nash PorterC. H. Prihoda, Jr., m.d.Timothy rabrokerreba ragsdaleKay ricemark riley, m.d.Sheran rileySam rizzoShirley robertsGreg rodriguezStacey rossJane rouseTerry rowanHonorable Carolyn ruffinomichael ruggiero, d.o.etta rushPatrick b. ryan, m.d.

Joe rychlikTom Salzer, m.d.luke P. Scamardo, II, m.d.mark ScarmardoSteve ScarmardoJoe Scarpinato, Jr.lee Schlichtemeier, m.d.alfred e. ScottStephen ScottPollachi Selvakumarraj, m.d.Sam SharpJerry ShookSandra SingletarySister Kathleen Skog, oSfal SmithJohn Smithbarry Solcher, m.d.donald SowellScott Spencer, m.d.duane StandleyJim Stegall, Ph.dmike Steines, m.d.James Sterling, d.o.barker Stigler, m.d.millard StuttsSister nancy Surma, oSfdonald Sweeney, Ph.dJene Tebeauxraymond l. Theissbronson Shane Tindall, m.d.Terri Tomlin, m.d.Sharon TownsKumud Tripathy, m.d.Stephen S. Tseng, m.d.nick TurnhamJon Turtonrobert upchurch, IIIlawrence vavradonald e. voelter, Ph.d.Jim vogeledward l. WagonerTom Wallisdave WardSister alice Warrick, oSf, faCHeGlen Weardendoug WebbThomas m. Weber, m.d.bob WimbishSalih yilmaz, m.d.Scott yorkJohn young, P.a.

lIfetIme Volunteersanne bealConnie beltrandJean benavidesJanice buchananlila Cashiondena Coedee Cottonlibby Gaaslouise GoswickSheila Habartamildred Hummeldorothy IrwinGwyn Jonesrose lopezPat mahandCarol rhodesGaye robertsonmarti roukatGilbert SifuentezSonny SikorskiGabby Sikorskiruby Stuckeybernadine TrippSusie velasco

annual7711 Corporationms. alicia acostaThe adam Corporation

Phil adams Companyamerican momentum bankmr. and mrs. louis andersonbass Plumbingmr. and mrs. Jason P. bienskimr. and mrs. Glenn boonelTC (ret) and mrs. Jeffrey r. bournebrazos record Storagebrazos valley Servicesbridgers & Paxton Consulting engineersmr. and mrs. William “bill” byrnems. Carole Christianms. Jane e. Colbertms. dia Copelandmr. and mrs. mike Costamr. Steve Crichtonmr. and mrs. Kirk CristyCTWPd.H. electricalmr. and mrs. dan davisr.m. dudley Construction Co., Inc.ms. rose ederellwood Texas forge navasotadr. and mrs. Tim fieldfinancial Control Servicesfinancial Corporation of americadrs. Jonathan and Jennifer friedmanmr. malcolm C. Gerngross and dr. Pat GusemanW. e. Gibson Insurance agency, Inc.GlP TechnologiesGmd Commercial ConstructionGrant Prideco lTdmr. and mrs. david W. Hallmr. and mrs. Charles HamiltonHassell Construction Co., IncHeat Transfer research, Inc.mr. and mrs. otto Heinzems. melissa Higginsdr. lefayne HoddeInterim Healthcaremr. and mrs. mark Jacksonms. Julia JarrellJose’s restaurantKalcorp enterprises Inc.mr. and mrs. James Kazmierskimrs. dorothy Kilgoremr. and mrs. david KisselKolkhorst Petroleum Company, Inc.Kyle foX 28Tom light Chevroletlisten Hear audiology Centermanhattan Construction, Co.mr. and mrs. John mcnairmr. and mrs. bill a. miller, Jr.mr. and mrs. Jack morelandmorrison Healthcare food Servicesnavasota noon lions Clubnavasota realtymrs. Thomas o’dwyermr. and mrs. Carl e. orrlTC and mrs. Stacy overbymr. and mrs. ricky J. PalasotaParty Time rentalsmr. and mrs. anthony d. Pfitzermr. and mrs. John a. PhillipsPhiloWilke Partnershipmr. and mrs. Thomas W. PoolPrecision office Productsdr. and mrs. bob ragsdaleriver Haven Country estate livingdr. and mrs. Sam S. robertsmr. Tim b. robertsScott & White Health Planms. Jan ShaySHSPSlovacek Sausage Co.Surgical Solutions, Incmr. and mrs. Jim SurvantTenaska frontier Partners, lTd.Texas a&m Health Science Center

Texas a&m Health Science Center College of medicineTexas a&m Health Science Center College of nursingmr. and mrs. bruce ThackerThrive Home Health CareTownePlace Suites by marriottTraditions Health Caredrs. robert and betty unterbergermrs. rose van arsdelms. beverly Welchdr. and mrs. brad Whitemr. Charles a. Whiteford

annual In KInDabouTown PressThe Insite Group

annual Volunteersdorothy andersonbarbara angoniaJane aspendebbie bantaGary bantaann barrlois beachJoyce bellmary ann bellnorma beranedna berdineJr bosleylois bosleySuzanne bradendede brightvelma burnettJanet burnsolga Canalesnan Cloudmartha CrenanPat Crusemarian Cuneminnie davilaPeter drysdalebill edwardsmarykay edwardsJudy estradarene estradaelaine Greggarlene Griffin-Shannonmary Grimaldolynda Gustavusdorothy HagenGerry Hincebetty Johnsonmary KetchersidSandi KolbachinskiCassandra lokke-SeemannWanda mageefrank martinezblanche matthewsnancy matusdixie mcdonaldJanet mcdonaldPatsy mcmahanann medlinmary Kaye mooreCharles mossedna mossShirley mullinnixJean myersSuzanne Palermoadolph reinhardtmichael Sandlinlee SerwanKathy Starrdave ThomasCarolynn unruhlupe velasquezlila Waynedeborah WebbJanet Wilkinson

List as of July 27, 2010

burleson st. JosePH manor GoVernance councIllawrence a. vavra, ChairpersonSr. alice Warrick, oSf, vice Chairpersonmarcella franzetti, SecretaryCarolyn d. brinkmandenise duboisHenrietta HarrisonKia Parsi, mdJohn SmithHarold r. Towslee

st. JosePH founDatIonboarD of DIrectors drew matthews, Chairpersonmark Scarmardo, vice ChairpersonJames Hassell, Secretarym.l. “red” Cashionnicole deStefano CatalinaJulia Gardnermalcolm Clay GerngrossKay HensarlingGrant e. HoltSr. Joan Jurski, oSfHoney KutachSue leerev. msgr. John mcCaffreyThomas Pool, Cfre, executive vice PresidentKay rice

st. JosePH PHYsIcIan assocIates boarD of DIrectors lee Schlichtemeier, md, Chairpersonderek P. Kuhl, md, vice Chairpersonb. Shane Tindall, md, Secretary

tau enterPrIses, Inc.boarD of DIrectors anthony d. Pfitzer, ChairpersonHank mcQuaide, vice Chairpersonmichael Patranella, SecretarySteven J. Crichton, CHSPlisa mcnair

sPonsors/sIsters of st. francIsSr. ann marie Chmielewski, oSfSr. m. St. anthony Chrzanak, oSfSr. Gretchen Kunz, oSf, faCHe, mHaSr. rita Jane radecki, oSfSr. alice Warrick, oSf, faCHe, mba

st. JosePH HealtH sYstem boarD of trusteesGeorge nelson, ChairpersonJames e. “Jeb” blair, III, vice Chairpersonbryan Cole, Phd, SecretaryPaul batista, Jdmary broussardCaroline S. mcdonaldJohn W. o’Connellanthony d. Pfitzer, President & Ceoreba C. ragsdalemichael Steines, mdJames a. Sterling, doSr. nancy Surma, oSf, Phd

st. JosePH reGIonal HealtHcenter GoVernance councIlrobert upchurch, ChairpersonTerrell rowan, vice Chairpersondaniel dawson, md, Secretaryrobert T. bisor, IIISr. nancy ferguson, oSfricardo Gutierrez, mdTerry Jenkins, mdKathleen Krusie, SJrHC CeoSammy orangeScott Spencer, md, medical Staff President

allIance HealtH ProVIDers of braZos ValleY boarD of DIrectors michael Cohen, md, ChairpersonGarth morgan, md, vice Chairperson lisa mcnair, Secretary/TreasurerPhyllis Chang, mdKirk Cristyricardo Pocurull, md

burleson st. JosePH HealtHcenter GoVernance councIlTimothy rabroker, Chairperson melynda Giesenschlag, Jd, vice Chairpersonbrenda boedeker, SecretarySr. m. St. anthony Chrzanak, oSfClarence Wayne GraysJohn Hughson, administratorSpencer Scottdel barker Stigler, md, medical Staff PresidentPastor millard “Skip” Stutts

GrImes st. JosePH HealtH center GoVernance councIlanthony morelos, Chairpersondonald Sowell, vice ChairpersonStacey ross, SecretaryKelley austindia Copeland, administratormichael HarrisGrant HoltPollachi Selvakumarraj, md, medical Staff PresidentSr. Kathleen Skog, oSfrobert upchurch

maDIson st. JosePH HealtH center GoVernance councIlduane Standley, Chairpersondave Ward, vice Chairpersondebra drake, Secretaryfr. michael baronereed edmundson, administratorGrover C. Hubley, Jr., md, medical Staff PresidentCecil neelySr. alice Warrick, oSf

st. JosePH manorGoVernance councIlSr. alice Warrick, oSf, ChairpersonKaren arents, ddS, vice Chairpersonmichael duffy, Phd, SecretaryHarold Cottrell, lnfa, executive directorKenneth Hillner, mdGeraldine HinceThena Parrott, Phdalfred e. Scott

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