Clinic Clues - September 2018
St. Mary’s Health Clinics provides necessary and accessible health services
to the medically
uninsured and under-served.
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From Susan Gehlsen - Interim Executive Director
I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone at SMHC and at the Province for the very warm welcome I’ve experienced since my arrival late last month. It was been a relatively ‘easy’ transition due to the support and help I’ve received from those around me.
My impression of our SMHC is so very positive and also very moving. There is such a need for the work that we do and the commitment, passion and dedication to this work is so evident. Thank you for your presence and for your care and concern for our patients and their families.
The volunteer support is off the charts! I’ve not seen such strong commitments and love for the work that I have seen with the volunteers, as well as the broad number of people who volunteer. To say it is impressive is truly an understatement.
During my initial weeks here my goal is to get to know the staff and to better know the operation. I know this is a period of transition for everyone so I thank you for your patience as you deal with new leadership as well. I am confident that as we go forward, we’ll have a clearer vision of our work and our role in providing health care for our population within the community. There is no doubt in my mind that this group will excel and build upon the strong foundation that is so very evident.
So thank you again for your warm reception and I wish each of you a blessed and loving holiday. I know our new year will be an exciting one! Sue Gehlsen
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Update on the United Way Grant
Strengthening the Safety Net
On December 3rd, 10th, and 17
th we hosted a holiday grief support group at St. Matthew’s Church. Each week we focused on a different topic: coping skills, grieving during the holidays, and past and present holiday celebrations. Participants were also able to engage in an art activity.
The first week the participants painted memory boxes, the second week they painted and decorated a picture frame to include a picture of their loved one that died, and the final week they made Christmas cards for each other.
The final week two participants mentioned how grateful they are for St. Mary’s Clinic. They both said that they would not be alive today if it was not for their care they received at St. Mary’s. One of these patients received extensive care with her mental health and the other patient received extensive care with his physical health.
The group decided to continue an on-going support group that will meet the third Monday of every month from 1pm -3pm at St. Matthew’s Parish.
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Gratitude and Good Bye:
Good bye and thank you to the following staff:
Executive Director - Melissa Gatten.
Thank you to Melissa for her years of service to SMHC. Melissa has moved on to a new position in St. Paul
Welcome new staff:
Interim Executive Director - Sue Gehlsen.
Sue has her Master of Arts and BSN with a focus in women's health. Her background includes experience in clinic management, working with a Spanish-speaking community-based health clinic, and oversight of outpatient Diabetes Education services for a large urban hospital. Sue has extensive experience serving in leadership positions in acute care and clinic settings, most recently with Regions Hospital in St. Paul. Welcome Sue!
Danelle Pageler
- St. Kate's student - Social Work Intern.
Congratulations to volunteer nurse Christine Johnstad of the Mount Olivet Clinic. Christine has been accepted into medical school!
Welcome new volunteers:
- Cristina Zarama - Interpreter
- Josiah Bardwell - Interpreter
- Claudia Calderas Mendez - Interpreter
- Joyce Abel - Admitting at Shakopee
- Mary Ann McFarland - currently a volunteer driver, new to admitting at St. Matt's
- Patricia Albrecht - RN at Shakopee
- Zuzanna Kuchta - RN at Eastside
- Dr. Anne Campbell - MD at Mount Olivet @ St. Matt's
- Kathy Knutson - NP, Kathy was previously at the Pax Christi Clinic and has now joined the volunteers at Shakopee
- Brian Lebakken - Driver
Good bye and thank you to the following volunteers:
- Betty Roe - admitting at Shakopee. Betty began volunteering in 2013 and has accumulated almost 400 hours of volunteer time to SMHC. Thank you Betty!
- Dr. Monte Johnson - Dr. Johnson began volunteering with SMHC in June of 2017. He has volunteered 42 hours at Shakopee Clinic. Thank you Dr. Johnson!
- Dr. Kate Pyzdrowski - Dr. Pyzdrowski began volunteering in July of 2016 at the Shakopee Clinic. She has accumulated 91 hours of volunteer time to SMHC. Thank you Dr. Pyzdrowsk!
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Patty Erb is St Mary's Volunteer
extraordinaire!
Patty has been a volunteer RN since July of 1998 and
has accumulated 1,362 hours
of volunteer service
for St. Mary's Health Clinics!
Wishing you all the best as you retire from your nursing duties at SMHC!
THANK YOU PATTY!
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Thank you to everyone who attended the annual Fall Education Event in November.
Donna Hauer, Director of Multicultural and International Programs and Services at St. Catherine University gave her presentation on, "Love of God and Dear Neighbor, What does Inclusion Look Like?"
It was an informative evening enjoyed by 70 volunteers, staff and friends of St. Mary's Health Clinics.
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A note for providers and nurses:
Due to budgetary constraints, beginning November 9, 2018, the Minnesota Department of Health SCOPES program will no longer be able to accept referrals for colonoscopies. They have invited us to either hold onto referrals until March or April 2019 when they resume colonoscopy screenings.
In the meantime, they are offering to mail our patients with a fecal immunochemical test (FIT test) or immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood test (iFOB test) for home use. If positive, MDH will provide follow up diagnostic colonoscopies.
Gracias!
Elizabeth Lebakken RN
Care Coordinator and Nursing Supervisor
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News From the Outreach Team
Adriana, Rosalinda & Cristina
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During the months of October and November, SMHC in collaboration with the Consulate of México and Consulate of Ecuador, coordinated seven health fairs at the churches of Assumption (Richfield), Our Lady of Guadalupe (St. Paul), Risen Savior (Burnsville), Holy Rosary (Minneapolis), Incarnation-Sagrado Corazon de Jesus (Minneapolis), Sain Cyril and Methodius (North East Minneapolis) and at the Consulate of Ecuador.
These family events are
a great opportunity to promote health and healthy behaviors and to connect community agencies with our Latino community.
More than 1,700 people and 30 agencies attended the health fairs:
- 43 women received mammograms
- 741 people were screened for diabetes
- 328 for cholesterol, 648 for high blood pressure
- 93 for Hepatitis B and C
- 210 people received applications of dental varnish and fluoride
- 54 children were tested for lead poisoning
Additionally, many more community members received valuable health education and resources information.
SMHC in collaboration with Fairview Health Services organized:
- 25 free flu clinics
- gave 2,356 influenza immunizations.
SMHC continues to provide health outreach and MNsure navigation services at the Mexican Consulate (Rosalinda, M-F), Consulate of Ecuador (Adriana, Mondays) and the churches of Holy Rosary (Adriana, Thursdays) and Assumption (Adriana- Tuesdays).
SMHC, in partnership with Allina continues to offer free Zumba classes at Assumption Church (305 East St., Richfield, 55423) on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6-7 PM, and East Phillips Community Center (2399 17
th
Ave. S. Minneapolis, 55404) on Fridays from 6-7 pm.
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Children's books at clinics:
SMHC will have something new for patients at clinics! There will be a basket of children’s books available for each patient to take one home for a child.
There are a variety of easy fiction and non-fiction titles available. Some in Spanish as well.
Thanks to all of you who donated to our literacy project! We are always looking for more so if you have any children’s books you’ve outgrown, please consider sending them to SMHC where we will find a good home!
Thanks to volunteer Anne Bumgardner for assisting with this fun and ongoing project.
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From Chris Hanson - Volunteer Coordinator
- Providers: the 1st quarter schedule is complete
- Admitting volunteers: the 1st quarter schedule is complete
- Drivers are needed for the Shakopee Clinic - please contact Tina Simmons at 651-287-7742 with any questions
- Do you know someone who would like to volunteer at SMHC? Please share our volunteer application form with friends, family and colleagues.
- THANK YOU to all of our volunteers. Your time and talents are appreciated!
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Partnering with Simpson Homeless Shelter:
St. Mary’s Health Clinics office staff donated cereal and underwear to
Simpson Homeless Shelter
in south Minneapolis as part of an event serving the Greater Twin Cities United Way Community Campaign. We are grateful to work in partnership with Simpson Shelter and GTCUW.
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Save the Date!
Celebrating Networks of Hope & Healing
Friday, May 3, 2019
Hilton Minneapolis
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1890 Randolph Avenue
St. Paul, Minnesota
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