Members in the News – May 2017

Banner Churchill Community leadership sees two changes

Hoyt Skabelund

Rob Carnahan

Banner Churchill , (BCCH) has a new chief executive officer.

Hoyt Skabelund, who has served as CEO since 2017, has accepted the position of Division CEO for Banner Health’s rural . In addition to these duties, he will serve as CEO of Banner’s Sterling Regional MedCenter in Sterling, Colorado.

Rob Carnahan will move from his current role as chief nursing officer (CNO) at BCCH to become CEO in Fallon.

A former nurse in Phoenix, Carnahan has been with Banner Health since 2011 and Banner Churchill since 2013. As CNO, Carnahan has responsibility for all of the hospital’s clinical areas as well as the ambulance service, cardiopulmonary services, diagnostic imaging and laboratory services. He leads a staff of 75 nurses and more than 200 employees total. He was selected president-elect of the Organization of Nurse Leaders for 2017.

Skabelund came to BCCH in 2014. He previously worked at Plains Regional Medical Center, a 106-bed hospital in Clovis, New Mexico. His new hospital, Sterling Regional MedCenter, is a 25- bed acute care hospital in northeast Colorado. The community has a population of about 14,000.

HEALTHCARE LEADER NAMED ACUTE SERVICES’ CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

Paul R. Sierzenski, MD, MSHQS, RDMS, FACEP, FAAEM, joined Renown Health as Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Acute Services, reporting to Douglas G. Merrill, MD, MBA, Renown Chief Medical and Academic Officer.

Dr. Sierzenski brings more than two decades of experience in acute care, healthcare quality and safety and population health management. He has spent the last 17 years at Christiana Care Health System, a large integrated 1,100 bed multi-hospital health system in Newark/Wilmington, Delaware. After completing his Masters in Health Quality and Safety at the Thomas Jefferson College of Population Health, he served in several leadership roles at Christiana including Medical Director of Clinician Performed Imaging, Associate Physician Leader for Operations and Patient Safety, and Quality Officer for Acute Medicine.

“I am honored to join the dedicated and patient-focused community of Renown,” said Dr. Sierzenski. “The opportunity to assist and support Renown care teams to improve the health, care delivery, and quality of care for northern Nevadans aligns directly with my passion for clinical care, quality improvement and population health.”

As one of the first clinical ultrasound fellows in the United States, Dr. Sierzenski spent the first decade of his career creating faculty, resident and fellow education and policies in Point-of-Care Ultrasound. He is a former board member of a large private emergency medicine group, Doctors for Emergency Services (DFES) and a founding member of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine. His health policy work included consultancy and committee work for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Quality Forum (NQF).

Dr. Sierzenski earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia. He is board certified as an Emergency Physician, and certified as a registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS). Dr. Sierzenski has been published extensively, and is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine at the Thomas Jefferson University/Sidney Kimmel Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Medical Center Both Recognized by March of Dimes for Reducing Early Deliveries

Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center and Summerlin Hospital Medical Center both reduced the number of elective inductions and cesarean deliveries performed before 39 completed weeks of pregnancy in calendar year 2016. All data provided met the March of Dimes’ criteria of an early elective delivery rate of three percent or less. This will give more babies a healthy start in life, the March of Dimes says.

“As health care providers, we understand the benefits of reducing unnecessary C-sections or inductions before 39 weeks or pregnancy, except when medically necessary,” said Karla Perez, Regional Vice President of The Valley Health System. “I’m proud our hospitals were part of the original 39+ Weeks initiative with the March of Dimes.”

The Valley Health System hospitals were among 100 hospitals nationwide who were asked to join with the March of Dimes in 2012 to implement the “39+ Weeks Quality Improvement Service Package.” It was the first time a health care system like Valley Health System was invited to participate.

Over 7,500 babies were born at Spring Valley and Summerlin hospitals in 2016. Both hospitals feature comprehensive maternity services, including antepartum care for high-risk expectant mothers, maternal triage, labor and delivery, mother-baby care, and level III neonatal intensive care units. Breastfeeding support and a variety of childbirth education classes are also available.

March of Dimes is partnering with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services; Division of Public and Behavioral Health and the Nevada Hospital Association to recognize Nevada birthing hospitals that pledge to eliminate early elective deliveries.

“The last weeks of pregnancy are important. Babies aren’t just putting on weight. They are undergoing important development of the brain, lungs and other vital organs,” says Paul E. Jarris, MD, MBA, March of Dimes Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. “We commend Spring Valley and Summerlin hospitals for being champions for babies with their quality improvement effort.”

Even babies born just a few weeks early have higher rates of hospitalization and illness than full-term infants, March of Dimes says. Although the overall threat is small, the risk of death more than doubles for infants born at 37 weeks of pregnancy when compared to babies born at 40 weeks, for all races and ethnicities. Babies who survive an early birth often face lifelong health challenges, such as breathing problems, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities.

Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center Announced New Family Medicine Residency Graduate Medical Education Program

Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center announced that a new Family Medicine Residency Graduate Medical Education (GME) program received initial accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). ACGME is a private, non-profit organization that evaluates and accredits graduate medical education programs.

“Southern Hills Hospital is proud to enhance medical education in Southern Nevada,” said Adam Rudd, Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center Chief Executive Officer. “By creating this new Graduate Medical Education program, it provides resources for resident physicians to develop their craft, while effectively caring for our community in ways that reach beyond our hospital walls.”

Specialized training in Family Medicine residency GME programs takes place over a three-year period. Residency is the final phase of the medical education process and required for a physician to practice medicine. It is anticipated that eight first-year Family Medicine residents will be accepted to the inaugural class.

Southern Hills Hospital and Medical Center is collaborating with Nevada Health Centers, the largest federally qualified health center (FQHC) system in Nevada for its Family Medicine continuity clinic and several rotations. The rotations include outpatient pediatrics, women’s health, school-based health and the Las Vegas Outreach Center for care of the homeless population in downtown Las Vegas. Southern Hills’ GME program offers innovative approaches to residency training in an extraordinary, collaborative environment to provide residents with the tools, skills and experiences.

BJ North Joins Northern Nevada Medical Center Board of Governors

BJ North, Executive Vice President and Retail Banking/Commercial Lending Manager of Plumas Bank, has been named to the Northern Nevada Medical Center (NNMC) Board of Governors.

North has more than 35 years of banking experience, specializing in business and product development. She joined Plumas Bank in 2008 to oversee the bank’s branch network, marketing and investment services. Prior to her position at Plumas Bank, she served as Chief Advancement Officer for Truckee Meadows Community College.

As a member of the Board of Governors, North will help oversee and enhance an organizational culture focused on quality care, patient satisfaction and a positive work environment.

“We are delighted that BJ has joined our Board of Governors. She is a distinguished business leader and will bring a wealth of experience and insight to us,” said Alan Olive, Chief Executive Officer for NNMC. “We look forward to her input and service on the Board. She will be a guiding force as we honor the life’s journey for the many patients we serve.”

North is involved in numerous international, national and local organizations including the International Women’s Forum, Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada, American Heart Association, Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, Western Industrial Nevada and Nevada Humane Society. She has been recognized both nationally and locally with the Jefferson Award for community and public volunteerism.

MountainView Hospital Names New Chief Financial Officer

Matthew F. Cova has been named the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at MountainView Hospital.

Cova has an accomplished career and progressive experience in financial, strategic and operational leadership. He is experienced in developing service line growth and physician alignment strategies that have consistently generated increased market share for the hospitals in which he has served. In his positions, Cova has demonstrated successful financial and operational results for hospitals and physician practices.

Cova comes to MountainView from University Medical Center of Southern Nevada (UMC) where he created, implemented and oversaw the business development and strategic planning functions of the hospital. He served as a member of the executive leadership team and was successful in establishing short and long-range plans and objectives. During his tenure, he was instrumental in working with the Governing Board on numerous strategic opportunities including receiving funding approval of three new QuickCares and a $6 million Emergency Room expansion.

Prior to his time at UMC, Cova was Chief Financial Officer at Desert Springs Hospital. As part of his duties as CFO, he managed case management, cardiopulmonary services and additional ancillary services. While CFO, Cova also served in the capacity of System Director of Accounting for the Nevada market.

Cova’s career trajectory and growth includes time as CFO at Northern Nevada Hospital in Sparks, Nevada where he implemented multiple revenue enhancement strategies and cost savings initiatives. He also spent time as Assistant CFO at the Oro Valley Hospital in Tucson, Arizona. Cova holds a Business Administration degree, with minors in Accounting and Political Science, from Loyola Marymount University in California. He earned his Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Summerlin Hospital to Undergo $16 Million Expansion, Renovation Program

Summerlin Hospital will undergo a $16 million capital improvement project to expand and renovate multiple areas within the 454-bed acute care hospital.

The key elements include adding a new 36 medical-surgical beds, which will increase the licensed capacity to 490 beds, and expanding the Birthplace at Summerlin Hospital by adding an operating suite, expanding the maternal triage area and increasing the newborn nursery capacity. Additionally, the Children’s Medical Center pediatric unit will undergo renovations.

“We’ve experienced a continued demand for services and growth within our community,” said Rob Freymuller, CEO of Summerlin Hospital. “We delivered over 5,000 babies in 2016, which is why we’re enlarging our birthplace. We’ve also seen an increase in emergency visits and surgical procedures.”

The hospital’s last major expansion, a six-story patient tower, was completed in 2009, adding more rooms for the women’s services, a level III neonatal and specialized nursing units for critical care, post-surgical recovery and medical needs. The hospital recently added another 48 parking spaces.

Nathan Adelson Hospice Receives $10,000 Donation from NV Energy

Carole Fisher, president and CEO of Nathan Adelson Hospice, announced that the NV Energy Foundation has provided a $10,000 grant to help fund the Uncompensated Care Program at the non-profit hospice.

The Uncompensated Care Program provides comprehensive and compassionate hospice care for the uninsured and underinsured in Southern Nevada. Every year, Nathan Adelson Hospice provides approximately $1 million in unreimbursed services and care to patients with the support of generous donations from companies such as NV Energy.

“We are very grateful for the support in helping to improve the quality of life for patients and their families,” Fisher said. “Generous donations like this help thousands of community members in a variety of ways.”

The financial contribution will allow the program to keep the patient in a community-based setting and prevent unnecessary treatments and hospitalizations. It offers an interdisciplinary approach to care coordination including physical, emotional, spiritual, and social service needs. Nathan Adelson Hospice has designed special programs and services for patients and their families to ensure their needs are met, many of which are supported by donations and grants:

 The Meal Delivery Program delivers meals to homecare patients and their caregivers through a partnership with Three Square, the Southern Nevada Food Bank.

 The Nathan Adelson Hospice Transportation Program ensures patients and families timely transportation.

 The Families in Need Program helps patients and families who need support with everyday necessities, ranging from household supplies to assistance with utility bills to obtaining non-perishable food items.

 The Hispanic/Latino Program strives to provide the most culturally competent care to Latino patients and their families by ensuring properly trained interpreters, bilingual staff and volunteers, materials that are transcreated for Latino populations, Spanish grief support groups and community partnerships to increase access to hospice care to a traditionally underserved population.

 The “We Honor Veterans” program strives to ensure the special needs of veterans are met through respectful inquiry, compassionate listening, and grateful acknowledgment.

Carson Tahoe Health Opens New Blood and Bone Marrow Transplant Care Clinic

Carson Tahoe Cancer Center announced a new blood and bone marrow transplant care clinic with support from the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. Under the collaboration, a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) physician and nurse from HCI will travel to Carson City once a month to treat patients both before and after they receive a transplant.

Blood and marrow transplants are performed in patients with cancers of the blood and lymphatic systems, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The transplants replace bone marrow that has been damaged or destroyed with a supply of healthy blood stem cells, which in turn travel to the bone marrow and promote growth of new marrow.

Currently, patients in the Northern Nevada area who need a transplant must travel outside the area for treatment. Through this model, patients will still receive their transplant at HCI in Salt Lake City. But they will now be able to receive care at the Carson Tahoe clinic for planning and follow-up appointments, which typically occur every month for a year following transplant.