TODAY news - February 5, 2004

Thursday, February 5, 2004 TODAY

Loma Linda University Medical Center news

RN residency in pediatrics program honors residents

Residents in the RN residency program in pediatrics focus intently on the keynote presentation that was given by Jill Pollock, RN, MS, executive director of operations, LLUBMC.

A recognition ceremony was held for the RN residency program in pediatrics on Friday, January 9, 2004. The ceremony, held in Wong Kerlee International Conference Center, featured Jill Pollock, RN, MS, executive director of operations, Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center, as keynote speaker.

Ms. Pollock's presentation was titled "Who Me?" and focused on the varied daily activities of being a pediatric nurse.

Katy Dalke, RN, MSN, director of the RN residency program in pediatrics, ended the ceremony with a big thank you to all of the program participants, preceptors, support group facilitators, mentors, friends, supporters, and the RN residency task force.

The following RN residents were recognized:

Florjoyce S. Acosta

Maria N. Attanasio

Kendra L. Baird

Elizabeth Berkebile

Kristina M. Brambila

LilyAnn L. Bullock

Olga Erica Burris

Tiffanie J. Carpenter

Esther R. Cash

Jennifer R. Cervantes

Naomi S. Conrad

Kimberly A. Copen

Maria C. Cowan

Heather A. Croll

Rahel Dewri

Lara K. Fish

Amber M. Ford

Brandi F. Harris

Juanita Huayllara

Sharon S. Lee

Brian D. Lynn

Dretona T. Maddox

Idany Moss

Norma R. Ngo

Susanna R. Norris

Holly M. Oswald

Bennett B. Phonethong

Schannon L. Pianalto

Rocio Quezada

Christine Marie D. Romero

Bellaliza B. Salonga

Julie G. Scott

Angela C. Severin

Yolanda W. Simandjuntak

Kimberly A. Smith

Jane R. Stoffel

Rebecca E. Theodore

Jazmin A. Vega

Michelle B. Ventura

Cheryl D. Vykouk

Michelle Weaver

Melissa R. Willemse

Grace R. Wright

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Daffodil Days bring hope in bright yellow bunches to cancer patients

Before long, bright yellow bunches of daffodils will be making their rounds again in the fight against cancer. The Loma Linda/Colton/Grand Terrace unit of the American Cancer Society has started its Daffodil Days 2004 campaign to raise funds for cancer research.

Yolanda Lopez, chair for the fundraiser, is excited about this year's possibilities. "Last year $18,481 was raised," she says. "We're hoping to expand the units here at the hospital that are involved. It's for a really good cause."

As a child life assistant on LLUCH's hematology/oncology unit, Ms. Lopez sees kids everyday who benefit from cancer research.

"Working with these kids made me want to do whatever I could to help find a cure," she remarks. "And Daffodil Days are a perfect way to help."

Daffodil Days raise funds to support the American Cancer Society's local cancer patient services and programs, such as free transportation to and from medical treatments and cancer awareness on early detection and prevention for youth, adults, and medical professionals.

The American Cancer Society uses the daffodil, the first flower of spring, to symbolize the hope of a world free from cancer. Sales will take place through the end of this month. Items to order include:

· Corporate arrangement with 50 flowers and vase, $110

· Spring arrangement with 30 flowers and vase, $60

· Vision bouquet with 20 flowers and vase, $35

· Bouquet of 10 daffodils and vase, $18

· Bouquet of 10 flowers, $10

Also available is the Gift of Hope program that funds cancer research, educational programs, and services for cancer patients and their families. This program enables the local American Cancer Society to deliver bouquets of daffodils anonymously to cancer patients. Gift of Hope donations can be made for $18, $25, $50, and $100.

To find the closest Daffodil Day representative to you or to make a purchase, call (909) 841-1800, or e-mail daffodilsofhope@yahoo.com.

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Loma Linda University Medical Center Gift Shop wins first place in display contest

Diane Morrow designed this display in October of 2003 as part of the ad the gift shop would be running in the 2004 Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce business directory.

The December issue of the Purchasing Power Plus newsletter, an informative publication sent to a network of 550 hospital gift shops across the nation, announced the winners of its display contest on the front page. Diane Morrow, manager of the gift shops, and her staff won first place for their display.

Featuring a wall hanging called the "South of France," Ms. Morrow wanted to create a display that fostered an atmosphere of warmth and excitement.

"I wanted to show the store had home furnishings and wasn't the typical hospital gift shop," Ms. Morrow recalls.

The display was originally meant for an ad in the 2004 Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce business directory. Ms. Morrow, along with a merchandising coordinator, built the display in the breezeway in October of 2003 in just under five hours. She discovered the contest in the newsletter and decided to use the display as an entry.

"I didn't know we had won until I got the newsletter," Ms. Morrow smiles. "I'm delighted we were able to be recognized for our focus on emphasizing presentation to bring excitement to the store."

This was the first time the Loma Linda University Medical Center or Children's Hospital gift shop entered a display contest.

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LLUMC staff participate in public forum on heart attack and stroke

Panel members of the San Bernardino local forum, one of seven forums being held across the state to provide regional input on heart attack and stroke to the new 12-member task force designing a plan to reduce mortality from these diseases.

Loma Linda University Medical Center staff took part in the first of seven public forums on heart disease and stroke on January 22, at the San Bernardino County Medical Society's offices in Colton. Part of a new legislation designed to reduce the mortality rates from the first and third leading causes of death in California, the other forums will be held throughout California in the cities of Eureka, Sacramento, San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The new legislation has put heart disease and stroke into California's public leaders' agendas. This new bill, AB 1220, was introduced in February, 2003, by assemblywoman Patty Berg and signed into law on September 16, 2003. It took effect January 1, 2004. It mandates the California Department of Health Services, California Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program (CHDSP) to assist a 12-member task force to develop a state master plan for heart disease and stroke prevention treatment. This legislation is hoped to reduce morbidity and mortality and ease the economic burden of heart disease and stroke.

The task force will be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, who will choose three members; the Senate Committee on Rules, which will choose three members; and by the Governor, who will choose six members. The task force will include: one member representing a volunteer health organization dedicated to research and prevention of heart disease and stroke; one practicing physician with expertise in research, prevention, or treatment of stroke victims; one hospital administrator; one representative of a population disproportionately affected by heart disease and stroke; one practicing physician with expertise in research, prevention, or treatment of cardiovascular disease; one representative of a health-care organization; one heart disease survivor; one stroke survivor; one registered nurse; one representative of a local health department; one member of a university facility with expertise in programs intended to reduce the rate of heart disease and stroke; and one registered dietitian with experience in population-based programs.

At the Inland Empire forum three staff members from the Medical Center helped provide local input for the state-appointed task force. Sally Dyer, BSN, MA, coordinator of the lifestyle management clinic at the International Heart Institute; Ronald D. Graybill, PhD, community outreach coordinator for the Medical Center; and Jon Erik Ween, MD, director of the stroke prevention program at the Medical Center, all sat on the panel and provided comments on the five questions that will be asked at all of the public forums.

A major theme rising from the discussion centered on prevention through public education. Changing the social norm to a physically fit culture was one of the main points, but also presents as one of the most difficult goals to achieve. Dr. Ween described it as fighting a war on multiple fronts from government, schools, and the media.

"All these big gulps translate into big gulpers," he said.

A motto seemed to be formulated throughout the forum, that of making the healthy choice the easy choice. Dr. Graybill noted this as part of his stairway to health idea-that of making stairwells attractive and safe so people choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator.

But any reform would require a political willingness at a government level, insurance level, physician level, and patient level to collaborate to utilize resources more efficiently, remarked Dr. Ween.

It is the hope of the California Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program that the seven public forums will foster the needed awareness and willingness to tackle the problems of heart disease and stroke at each of these levels.

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LLUMC-East Campus says farewell to Barbara Conrad

Barbara Conrad, coordinator of the Just For Seniors program and volunteer services, stands by a sunflower cake at her retirement party on January 9. She has been at Loma Linda since 1989.

The saying goes that "parting is such sweet sorrow" but as Barbara Conrad, coordinator of the Just For Seniors program and volunteer services, prepares to retire, the "sorrow" reflects how much she'll be missed and the "sweet" is for how much she is looking forward to retiring! Ms. Conrad retired on January 9, to start yet another adventurous chapter in her life. Not working full time isn't going to slow her down. She is already making plans to travel, spend more time with her family, and of course, her garden.

Ms. Conrad had been with Loma Linda since May of 1989 and is responsible for beginning and naming our Just For Seniors program. To Ms. Conrad go many credits: Besides her work with this very successful senior club-it's celebrating its 13th year with more than 30,000 seniors-Ms. Conrad runs the hospital gift shop and the volunteer program at LLUMC-East Campus.

Ms. Conrad's fun-loving spirit and talent will be sorely missed by all of the members at Just for Seniors, but they wish her all the best and know that she will continue to use her energy and talents to touch those around her.

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Thursday, February 5, 2004 TODAY