M B I A ONION January, 2000 Volume 105, Number 1
fano*Fgaegg dames institutions Think HAROLD L.
,IiuNI0u . The driving force for a finished wort COL UM itor Monte Sahlin Editor , very congregation within the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Denise Valenzuelo Editorial Director F Wilona Korimabodi Editorial Assistant Church has both a local mission and a global mission. It is in George Johnson Jr. News R Information Coordinator this context that the local church is envisioned in the Columbia Randy Hall Production Coordinator Union as the central focus and driving force of the Adventist mission George Johnson Jr. Advertising to carry the "eternal gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue and people" (Revelation 14:6-12). The VISITOR is the Adventist publication for people in the Columbia Union. It is printed to inspire confidence in the Saviour and His church We believe that this positive statement of vision represents our and serves as a networking tool for sharing methods members, chur- greatest force for change. The local church is the church! This is ches and institufions con use in ministry. Address all correspondence to: Columbia Union VISITOR. Free to Columbia Union members. Non- more than an evocative message about the future, it is the force of member subscription-57.50 per year. unseen connections that influence the behavior of individuals, con- COLUMBIA UNION CONFERENCE gregations and conferences for local and global mission. It is a fun- 5427 -. • damental Bible concept. (301) 196-0800 or (410) 997-3414 hflp://www.columbiansion.arg In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the congregation, unlike congregations in some denominations, is essential to the entire international network of ADMINISTRATION Harold Lee Presidest ministries and institutions. It is the foundation upon which the entire system rests. No Edward Hotschiedler Secretary single congregation or institution, nor any level of the denomination, however large, can of Dale Beoulieu Treasurer itself achieve the mission of the church. It takes each unit, witnessing and working where it VICE PRESIDENTS is located, to finish the task. Hamlet Corms° Education Robert Patterson General Counsel Although some congregations struggle just to survive, others are strong and well. By Monte Sahlin Creative Ministries practicing the principle of interdependence in the Biblical Tithing system, the strong help
OFFICE OF EDUCATION the weak, the gospel continues to go forward, and the purpose of God is preserved. Our Hamlet Conosa Director corporate vision culminates in the return of the creator of the universe, Jesus Christ. Ian Kelly Associate LaVono Gillhom Associate The congregation is the center for redemptive, transforming grace. It is the command Christine Greene Certification center for community mission, where the vision is cast and made to happen. It is in the con- SERVICES gregation where relational ministry is based, where family is made and where discipling Adventist Health(are Ron Vhsbey Board Chair takes place. It is in the congregation where the people of God do church, where the wor- Communication shiping, working and witnessing community meets the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of Denise Valenzuela Director George Johnson Jr. Assistant the universe. Management Information Services A local congregation is where a person goes for fellowship, where the gospel of trans- Harold Greene Director Durral Kindopp Assistant forming grace is preached and taught, where a person professes faith in Christ as Saviour Preethie Meesarapu Assistant Mont and Lord, where spiritual direction is given, where people experience God, where the dox- Don Settie Director ology is sung and the Lord's Prayer is prayed, where Tithes and offerings are given, where Revolving Fund Peggy Lee Secretary/Treasurer children are dedicated to God and marriage vows are made, and where baptism and the Peggy Jean Lee Assistant Lord's Supper are conducted. In the congregation, children learn Bible verses and adults Treasury Carol Wright Undertreasurer discuss their theological implications. It is in the congregation where beliefs are inextricably Deanna Trimarchi Assistant Trust/PARL woven into the imagination of individuals. The local church is the church! Robert Patterson Director The church is God's key institution on earth, and no part of the church is more impor-
LOCAL CONFERENCES tant than the local congregation. It is the primary face of the church, the door to the com- ALLEGHENY EAST: Alvin M. Kibble, President; Robert Booker, Visitor Corres- munity of faith, a foretaste of the coming kingdom. It is the instrument of God's mercy, the pondent; P.O. Bon 166, Pine Forge, PA 19548. Telephone: (610) 326- 4610. theater of His grace, His shalom. ALLEGHENY WEST: Willie J. Lewis, President; Robert C. Lewis, Wsiror Correspon- Adventist congregations know Christ's transforming grace as it helps people find the dent; 1339 E. Brood St., Columbus, OH 43205. Telephone: (614) 252-5271. CHESAPEAKE: Kenna Harcombe, President; Rob Vandemon, Visitor (OF way of discipleship, live consistently as they journey that path and faithfully invite others tc respondent, 6600 Martin Rd., Columbia, MD 21044. (410) 995-1910; Washington, D.C., area, (301) 596-5600. walk with them. This transforming grace is necessary to fulfill the church's mission, locally MOUNTAIN VIEW: Randy Murphy, President; Chen Hawkins, Visitor and globally. That grace cannot be purchased in a bookstore, learned at a seminar, down- Correspondent; 1400 Liberty St., Parkersburg, VP/ 26101. (304) 4224581. loaded from a website or borrowed from the surrounding culture. NEW JERSEY: Dowell Chow, President and Visitor Correspondent; 2160 Brunswick Ave., Trenton, NJ 08648. (609) 392-7131. Congregations are places of refuge and retreat for regrouping in the face of hurt, distress OHIO: Raj Attiken, President; Bette Toscana, Visitor Correspondent; P.O. Box 1230, Mount Vernon, OH 43050. (740) 397-4665. or injustice. Without the local church, there would have been no Martin Luther King Jr. to PENNSYLVANIA: Mike Cooley, President; Celina Worley, VisirorConespondent spearhead the civil rights movement. The church is the conscience of society; it is the source 720 Museum Rd., Reading, PA 19611. (610) 37443331. ABC, P.O. Box 3641, Hamburg, PA 19526. (610) 562-5156. of healing and hope in cities and towns. POTOMAC: Herbert Broeckel, President; Sue Kendall, Visitor Correspondent; What is God calling the church to be and do in this new century? The mission never 606 Greenville Avenue, Staunton, VA 24401. (540) 886-0771. ABC, 8400 Carrot Ave., Take= Pork, MD 20912. (3011439-0700. changes, but the world we must reach is changing constantly. I will continue with this ques Printed by the Review and Herald Publishing Association in Hagerstown, MO 21740. tion next month. Think about it! Volume 105 Number I Harold L. Lee is president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the eight-state region served by the Co- lumbia Union Conference.
2 VISITOR, January, 2000 Contents Bible studies on video
Columbia Union God ci (ales us as unique individuals and calls us into the Adventist community of 15 College Gateway believers. Therefore, we celebrate our diversity in race, culture, gender and view- point yet are united in truth and the mission of Christ.
uring this year, several church members from our region will play Adventist HeaIthlete starring roles in the long-running Bible study video series produced "Maryland health institutions D by the Pacific Press Publishing Association. Hosting the series is Jeff Scoggins, a member of Triadelphia Church in 69 face scrutiny, challenges" Columbia, Maryland. He has been with the project for three years and will- ingly takes time from his duties as communications manager in the General Conference Office of Global Mission to appear in the quarterly videos. The series is taped at the Adventist Church world headquarters in Silver Adventist Healtblare Spring, Maryland. Each show highlights the main topic of the current Adult "WAH cardiologist performs Sabbath School Lesson. During the series' 12-year production run, its guests state-of-the-art procedure" have included well-known church leaders, laypersons, pastors, secretaries, 10 teachers, and students, as well as other Adventists from all walks of life. "We ask our participants to dig deep into their own experience for in- sights and practical tips for Christian living," says producer Charles Mills. "I tell them to make the lessons real for our viewers, and they do just that 11-11 A Healing Ministry with amazing clarity and resourcefulness." The guest list for the four shows scheduled for release during 2000 in- 15-18 BMA Communiqué clude Bonita Shields, associate pastor of Spencerville Church; Hulda Romero, website editor at Sligo Church; Paul Virgo, a NASA computer ana- 19-26 Potomac People lyst and a Sligo member; Adan Saldafia, a graphic designer and other stu- dents of God's Word who work at the General Conference and North American Division offices. 27-30 Pennsylvania Pen A new feature of the video series is the presence of Clifford Goldstein as editor of the Adult Sabbath 31-34 Mission Ohio School Bible Study Guide. "With Goldstein on board, 35-38 Dateline New Jersey expect the unexpected," said Mills. "He has unique insights 39-12 Mountain Viewpoint and an exciting style that gets you thinking. The discussions he leads each quarter opens 43-16 Chesapeake Challenge doors for personal spiritual growth. He's an amazing tal- 47-50 Allegheny West Catch the Vision ent and brings additional im- pact and practical ideas to the Clifford Goldstein (right), generates 51-54 Allegheny East Exposé show." lively discussions on the major Bible For more information on themes with Carol Barron (center), a 55-57 Resource Guide these Bible study videos, con- member of Emmanuel Brinklow Church, tact your local Adventist and Jerry Lutz, pastor of Spencerville Book Center. Church. 58-63 Bulletin Board Columbia Union Conference resource & response line—you call, we listen and respond! METRO '99 has come and gone. Many Columbia Union churches featured this satellite uplink in their congregations. What spiritual blessings did your congregation receive from the program- ming? How many baptisms did your church have as a result of this evangelistic event? Please send your human-interest stories and photos to: Visitor, 5427 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia, MD 21045, or send a fax to (410) 772-9724. 1.800.SDA.PLUS http://www.columbiaunion.org • [email protected] VISITOR, January, 2000 3 Views from the Gateway
New be • innin• s Betty Johnson, director of academic support and testing "For I am going to do a new thing. See, I have already begun! Don't you see it? I will make a road through the wilderness of the world for my people to go home and create rivers for them in the desert!"— Isaiah 43: I9. Today, we stand upon the verge of the unknown. There lies before us the new year, and we are going forth to possess it. It's not only a new year, but also a new millennium. Who can assess what we shall find? What new experiences, what changes shall come, what new needs shall arise? The comforting message from our heavenly Father says He will do new things for us. All our supply is to come from Him. God, I think, is a lover of new beginnings. He gave us a week wrapped up in a package of seven days, with a fresh, new sunrise at the start of most every day. When the world was sinful, He cleansed it with the Flood so it could start over. Someday He will do that again—start over with those who are interested. How often we wish for another chance to make a new beginning, a chance to blot out our mistakes and change failure into winning. Allow this new year to be a new beginning for you. Go ahead and read some new books, meet new people, travel to new lands, feed the homeless or be a mentor to a teen in need. It only takes a sincere heart to try and live a little better and to add a little sunshine in the world where they live. So never give up on life and the new beginnings it has to offer. Jesus has the same philosophy. He said, I didn't come to call the people who know they are perfect, but those who know they are not. God is interested in the sinners—those who have made mistakes, those who can concen- trate on winning, rather than on losing. Are you having a difficult time, remembering some pain from this past year or maybe feel that God has forgotten you? Well, don't despair! God promised that He would do a new thing in our lives and make a way through the wilderness just for us! Get ready to enjoy this new year, the year 2000—a year of opportunity, a year of leaning, a year of persistence, a year of praise, a year of progress and a year of training for holier work above. May this new year be like no other!
CUC hosts Writers Conference
Jennifer Leen, senior communication major Columbia Union College held its Writers Conference continued had the opportunity to write and "The students loved it," said annual Writers Conference No- that afternoon with workshops produce their own show, includ- Miller. "They learned on the job and vember 7-9, 1999. There were 120 presented by prestigious speakers ing the use of live video footage. saw the immediate benefits of their students in attendance, 30 more such as Anthony DeBarros of USA Wri rs Conference students preview their ne the previous year. Pine Tree Acad- Today, Michael Shepard of the emy and Collegedale Academy at- Washington Post, Michelle Sturm of tended, in addition to the acad- Insight and Mark Tapscott of the emies within the Columbia Union. Heritage Foundation Center for The conference began on Sun- Media and Public Policy. day evening with introductions, One of the highlights of the con- games and food. By 9:00 a.m. ference was a workshop session Monday morning, students were entitled "The Newscast." David on their way to Washington, D.C. Miller, coordinator of the broad- to tour places such as USA Today, cast media program at CUC, in- National Geographic, Ford's The- structed the students on how to ater and Capitol Hill. produce a news show. Students 4 VISITOR, January, 2000 Calendar of Events
METE 15 SA Prayer Breakfast Community Church CUC presents loaves & Fishes Sabbath Surge-National Cathedral How to finance a colle • e education 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday 18 NEYE concert at Carnegie Hall Madge Johnson, assistant director of marketing 19 Chapel-Willie Oliver One of the greatest challenges the calendar and make an ap- 2—Philadelphia, PA, 5-7 p.m.; 21 Campus Ministries Retreat through 1/23 facing college-bound students to- pointment now by calling (800) 5—Mt. Vernon, OH, 5-7 p.m.; Band tour through 1a2 835-4212. 7—Parkersburg, WV, 3-7 p.m.; day is how they will pay for it. The Vespers costs of college tuition, room and January 8—This date is available; 22 Community Church board, books and fees looms 18—Washington, DC, 6-8 p.m.; 20—Cherry Hill, NJ, 5-7 p.m.; 24 Student Missions Week through 1/28 above many parents and students. 19—Takoma Park, MD, 6-8 p.m.; 2 I—Trenton, NJ, 5-7 p.m.; At Columbia Union College, we 22—Annapolis, MD, 6-8 p.m.; 23—York, PA, 5-7 p.m.; 25 Faculty Meeting want to help parents and students 30—Hamburg, PA, 10 a.m.-I2 29—Richmond, VA, 5-7 p.m.; 26 Chapel-Jan Paulsen find ways to finance an education noon; 30—Virginia Beach, VA, 5-7 p.m. 28 Loaves & Fishes and also teach them more about 3I—Hyattsville, MD, 8 p.m. These dates and times are sub- CCC tour through 1/29 financial aid. February ject to change. Please refer to your Vespers To facilitate this process, mar- 1—Hagerstown, MD, 6-8 p.m.; church bulletin for current times Singspiration keting representatives from CUC 2—Takoma Park, MD, 6-8 p.m.; and locations. The month of April Phase II will be traveling throughout the 3—Takoma Park, MD, 5-7 pm; is open for appointments. Please call Columbia Union to meet with 5—Baltimore, MD, 5-7 p.m.; (800) 835-4212 to schedule a ses- 29 Campus Ministries Prayer Breakfast those who need answers to their Silver Spring, MD, 6-7 p.m.; sion in your area. Community Church college finance questions. If you 8—Frederick, MD, 6-8 p.m.; Sabbath Surge would like to schedule a time for 12—Centerville, OH, 6:15-8:15 31 Departmentals a church or school group or a p.m.; personal one-on-one session that 15—Southern MD, 6-8 p.m.; is not listed in this schedule, 23—Columbia, MD, 6:30-7:30 ebruar please call Mary Kay Porter or p.m.; Black History Month Madge Johnson at (800) 835- 24—Takoma Park, MD, 5-7 p.m., 2 SA Fast Break 26—Eastern Shore, MD, 6-8 4212. CUC wishes Chapel Columbia Union College finan- p.m.; 4 Black History Celebration through 2/5 cial aid counselors will be in these 27—New Market, VA, 10 a.m. you a Happy Loaves & fishes local areas between January and March New Year! April of this year. Please review I—Wilmington, DE, 6-8 p.m.; Vespers Phase II 5 SA Prayer Breakfast Community Church Loaves & Fishes con't: Writers Conference 9 Band Festival through 2/12 Chapel 11 Loaves & Fishes work." cialized in those particular areas. ference this year," said Spaulding. Vespers Other "The atmosphere at Writers "The students loved the interactive workshops Conference was great, and it re- sessions. They wanted a challenge, 12 Community Church included ally kept my attention," said Zach and next year, we're really going to Loaves & Fishes "Editing Grizzell, a junior at Spring Valley give it to them." 13 SA Valentine's Banquet 10 I ," "Writ- Academy. "I'd like to come back If you would like more informa- 14 Week of Prayer through 2/18 ing for In- next year." tion about CUC's annual Writers * For athletic events, please check s igh t ," Stacy Spaulding, Writers Con- Conference, please contact Stacy our website at www.cuc.edu. "Spinning ference director and journalism Spaulding at (301) 89 1-4211. and Selling" instructor at CUC, hopes to and "Dra- make the workshops even more matic Per- interactive in the future. Next McMasters of the formance." year, Spaulding hopes to incor- columbia union college news January 2000 dom Forum All of the porate photojournalism and sessions deadline journalism into the con- were highly interactive and fea- ference. tured professionals that were spe- "I'm thrilled with Writers Con- is published in the Visitoreach month by Columbia Union College • President: Charles Scriven • Editor: Jen Caracole • Communication Consultant: George Johnson Jr. • 7600 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912 • (800) 835-4212 • httplAwar.coc.edu VISITOR, January, 2000 5 Adventist HealthCare
Maryland health institutions face scrutiny, challenges
Since the Washington Post, in an ongoing series of articles regarding Adventist HealthCare (AHC), pub- lished an article about compensation of top executives, the Columbia Union Conference administration has begun a thorough investigation into the situation Pastor Harold L. Lee, union president, says: "I am committed to full disclosure on this topic, but I do not want to pre-judge anything or anyone nor release information that has not been thoroughly checked for accu- racy and relevance. It would be irresponsible of any leader to rush out with specific statements at this time, which later prove to be less than the full story. We are really still in the research phase at this time." As relevant information becomes certain, the Visitor will publish a more detailed report.—The Editors
Board accepts CEOs resignation and Maryland Hospital Association's board of trustees. Harold Lee, a member of the board and president of the votes restructuring plan Columbia Union Conference, has become chairman of The board of directors for Adventist HealthCare the board. The board acted to commence a search for a accepted the resignation of the organization's chief ex- permanent CEO. ecutive officer on November 3. This came as part of an In addition, the board approved a new structure for overall restructuring plan designed to strengthen the the two Montgomery County hospitals operated by Ad- management of the organization's hospitals. ventist HealthCare. Previously, the president and CEO The board met to discuss concerns that had been of Adventist HealthCare held the same title with both raised about Shady Grove. "It has an overriding re- hospitals. Under this new structure, a president and sponsibility to its patients, doctors, employees and chief operating officer will be appointed for Shady other community members to ensure the maintenance Grove Adventist Hospital, and a president and chief of high standards of quality care at all of its facilities. operating officer will be appointed for Washington Ad- This is the framework under which we acted," said ventist Hospital. They will report directly to the chief Ron M. Wisbey, chairman of the board. "It is with executive officer of Adventist HealthCare. much regret that we accepted the resignation of Cory During the meeting, the board appointed Kiltie Chambers, a person of high integrity and great moral Leach as president and chief operating officer of Wash- character. Obviously, these are difficult decisions, but ington Adventist Hospital. Leach has 16 years of acute- the board felt this was the right move at this particu- care executive experience. lar time." In addition, the board appointed Terry White to Wisbey has assumed responsibilities as interim chief serve as interim president and chief operating officer at executive officer and relinquished his position as chair- Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. White has more than man. He has chaired the Adventist HealthCare board 25 years of health-care management experience. since 1985 and currently serves as vice chair of the Chambers had been affiliated with Adventist Health- Care for more than 30 years, first serv- ing at Washington Adventist Hospital in 1969. He moved up through the ranks at Washington Adventist Hospi- tal, holding positions as director of personnel and vice president of person- nel. In the late 1970s, he joined the administrative team that was instru- mental in building Shady Grove Ad- ventist Hospital, a Rockville facility that opened in 1979. In 1994, he as- sumed responsibility as the chief oper- ating officer at Shady Grove and then was appointed the president and CEO of Adventist HealthCare in September 1997. "I can't stress enough the amount of respect the board has for Cory, who devoted his professional life to this or- ganization and its mission," added Wisbey.
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, located in Rockville, Maryland
6 VISITOR, January, 2000 Adventist HealthCare
The independent expert will study salary patterns Officials meet with accrediting agency and pay equity. In addition, departmental comparabil- Officials from Shady Grove Adventist Hospital trav- ity and comparability with other market-based health- eled to Chicago on December 13 to appeal a decision care positions will be reviewed. The analyst will be by an accrediting body that lowered the hospital's ac- charged with addressing salary and compensation poli- creditation status. During the hearing that lasted more cies both retrospectively and prospectively. than seven hours, officials from Shady Grove and the In a decision made at a previous meeting, the board Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Or- voted to invite all members of the board to executive ganizations (JCAHO) reviewed more than 2,000 pages compensation committee meetings. At the December of documentation presented by the hospital. 16 meeting, the board also carefully reviewed all ac- Shady Grove remains accredited by the JCAHO, and tions and recommendations of the executive compensa- its license is in good standing. In addition, the hos- tion committee, which met earlier in the day. pital's eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid funding "Our goal is to ensure fairness in our pay scales and remains intact. comparability with the market for all positions," said "We made an earnest, detailed presentation that em- Ken DeStefano, vice president and general counsel for phasized the policies and procedures in place to ensure Adventist HealthCare. "Part of the board's fiduciary quality care," noted Kenneth DeStefano, vice president responsibility is to ascertain that the policies by which and general counsel for Adventist HealthCare. "The we have determined compensation packages in the collective goal of both parties was a fair and impartial past, as well as the policies we will use to determine hearing of the facts in this case. We feel that this was future compensation for employees at all levels, is ethi- achieved." cal, fair and just." DeStefano was one of 10 representatives from the The board acknowledged the very difficult eco- hospital who participated in the presentation before a nomic environment in which compensation decisions three-member appeal panel. Officials from the JCAHO for health-care employees must be made. "Health-care told the Shady Grove team that a decision will be made economics is a moving target," added DeStefano. "We on February 3. Surveyors from the JCAHO had con- will use a national expert with a strong reputation in ducted an unannounced survey at Shady Grove on Oc- health-care compensation, especially as it relates to tober 22. earning patterns and the changing economics of an evolving work force in health care." Those economics Board to hire outside expert to review include a regulated system for setting hospital rates in Maryland, a national shortage of nurses and cost-of- compensation living concerns, among other issues. The Adventist HealthCare board decided on Decem- In other business, the board reviewed the implemen- ber 16 to hire an outside expert to conduct a complete tation of Adventist HealthCare's corporate compliance analysis of compensation within the organization. plan. This plan includes a code of ethical behavior, During the meeting, the board reviewed executive com- mechanisms to report concerns and conflicts when pensation with another outside compensation expert making decisions and standards of conduct for em- and then unanimously voted to expand this review to ployees relating to issues such as conflict of interest, all levels within the organization. Continued on page 8
Timeline
October 17, 1999 The Washington Post begins running stories alleging declining patient care at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital, which is operated by Adventist HealthCare (AHC).
October 18, 1999 Maryland health department investigators begin an on-site probe of complaints about low staffing levels. October 22, 1999 The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) per- forms a one-day surprise survey. November 3, 1999 Cory Chambers, Adventist HealthCare CEO, announces his resignation at a special board meeting.
November 15, 1999 The Maryland health department releases a report of its on-site probe. The JCAHO puts Shady Grove's accreditation status on probation or preliminary non-accredita- tion.
December 13, 1999 Presentation by AHC before the JCAHO in Chicago appealing Shady Grove's pre- liminary non-accreditation status.
February 3, 2000 JCAHO report expected.
VISITOR, January, 2000 7 Adventist HealthCare
Continued from page 7 employment law and informed consent, among other things. The development of a corporate compliance plan was approved by the board this past year, and ori- entation for all employees began earlier this year. Earlier in December, the board appointed a quality committee to govern the organization's various perfor- mance improvement processes. This action was re- viewed at the December 16 meeting. The board also appointed a strategic planning committee to oversee the development of Adventist HealthCare's planning process. The board renamed the existing finance committee as the business affairs committee. All members of the board will be invited to these committee meetings. The board appointed a professional practice com- mittee that will be responsible for overseeing the credentialing process and other medical staff issues. This committee will regularly report its activities to the board. Adventist HealthCare is the faith-based, nonprofit organization that operates Shady Grove Adventist Hos- pital, Washington Adventist Hospital, Hackettstown Community Hospital (New Jersey); seven nursing cen- ters; a large home health care agency; and a number of other health care services.
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital is a center for chil- dren's care in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Articles published by the Washington Post
Sunday, October 17 "Complaints by doctors about staffing and patient care" Tuesday, October 19 "Maryland inspectors began an investigation" Tuesday, October 26 "Surveyors from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) visit SGAH" Friday, November 5 "Board accepts Chief Executive Cory Chambers' resignation" Tuesday, November 16 "JCAHO evaluators recommend revoking the accreditation of SGAH" Wednesday, November 17 "Maryland hospital inspectors issue report" Wednesday, December 1 "Compensation of top executives at Adventist HealthCare (AHC)" Thursday, December 2 "Patient care at Sligo Creek nursing home and other facilities run by AHC" Wednesday, December 8 "AHC leaders speak to Montgomery County Council" Thursday, December 9 "Washington Adventist Hospital surprise inspection by surveyors from the JCAHO" Sunday, December 12 "JCAHO has been under scrutiny for supposedly being too lenient" Tuesday, December 14 "AHC officials go to JCAHO headquarters in Chicago to appeal" Tuesday, December 21 "SGAH sued by family of woman who died" Wednesday, December 22 "Pay raise for nurses"
8 VISITOR, January, 2000 Adventist HealthCare WILONA KARIMABADI Shady Grove Adventist Hospital creates a new place for children and amilies
An unexpected visit to a hospital can be a traumatic apists, as well as top-notch equipment specially de- event for a child, but Shady Grove Adventist Hospital signed for the unit's premature and acutely ill infants. is combatting this problem by creating a place that ca- The pediatric intensive care unit is the first and only ters to the needs of children. About 27 percent of all one of its kind in Montgomery County. This unit also emergency patients cared for at SGAH are under the features a staff of adept professionals, including board- age of 18. The hospital recently opened a brand new, certified pediatric intensivists, pediatric critical care 11-bed unit for pediatric patients. The unit comple- nurses, pediatric respiratory therapists and a pediatric ments its acclaimed pediatric emergency department— social worker. Shady Grove Adventist Hospital pro- the only one of its kind in Montgomery County and vides family-centered, comprehensive health care for one of only three in the state of Maryland. The de- infants, children and adolescents. partment, which opened in July 1996, treated 12,000 children this past year. Developed with the specific needs of children in mind, unique features of the pediatric unit include bright, cheerful color schemes, child-sized furniture, a special playroom and even a toy train suspended from the ceiling throughout the unit. The emergency depart- ment also includes child-friendly components with spe- cially designed equipment. The units are staffed with professionals trained in emergency and pediatric medi- cine and are committed to working with patients and families to deliver the best imaginable care for the child and family. Shady Grove also has neonatal and pediatric inten- sive care units. In the neonatal unit, expert neonatolo- gists are supported by a highly trained and competent staff of nurses, nurse practitioners and respiratory ther-
The pediatric emergency department at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital treated more than 12,000 children in the past year.
Pediatric emergency department vital statistics • The new, 1 1-bed unit opened on December 21, 1999. • The pediatric emergency department opened Two nurses provide care in the neonatal intensive in July 1996 with eight beds and the mission care unit, part of Shady Grove's extensive range of of treating pediatric patients under the age pediatric services. of 18. In just three years, there was a defi- nite need to expand. • The Peds ED at Shady Grove is the only one of its kind in Montgomery County and is one of three in the state of Maryland. • In 1998, the Pediatric ED treated some 12,000 children. in addition, the `"main" emergencydepartment treated an additional 4,900 pediatric patients. Twenty-seven per- cent of all emergency patients seen at Shady Grove are under the age of 18.
VISITOR, January, 2000 9 Adventist HealthCare
Washington Adventist Hospital cardiolpgist performs first state-of-the-art heart procedure in U.S. A new, non-surgical heart procedure to relieve se- and the amount of blockage in their arteries," noted vere angina was performed by a cardiologist at Wash- Dr. Shawl. ington Adventist Hospital (WAH) in Takoma Park, During the procedure, a catheter is threaded through Maryland, for the first time in the United States on De- the femoral artery into the heart. A tiny needle rotating cember 15. at 1,000 to 2,000 revolutions per minute is placed in- Fayaz Shawl, director of interventional cardiology at side the catheter and used to drill 10 to 15 tiny holes, WAH, was the first to perform the procedure in the usually in two rows, in the heart. These holes create world this past August during a trip to India after per- channels for blood to flow through the heart, thus by- forming animal studies in the United States. The proce- passing the severely clogged arteries, which restrict dure, known as Mechanical Percutaneous Myocardial the necessary supply of blood. This concept was de- Revascularization (MPMR), is designed for patients rived from the hearts of reptiles, which circulate blood who suffer from diffusely diseased blockages in their through channels rather than blood vessels. arteries and for whom other forms of treatment, such "MPMR allows for easier navigation and greater as angioplasty or bypass surgery, either haven't worked precision, particularly in controlling the depth of the or aren't an option. Many such patients are candidates holes we make in the heart, and we expect the study for heart transplants. These patients suffer from severe will show this procedure provides good clinical out- angina (chest pain) or have severely limited mobility as comes for the patient," said Shawl. a result of their condition. The first U.S. patient to receive MPMR was a 53- "This is a safer, less-invasive alternative for patients year-old man with severe coronary artery disease. This who previously had little hope for resuming a normal patient has had coronary artery bypass surgery and at life because of the progression of disease in their heart least a dozen angioplasties since 1990. He also has se- vere lung disease and is not a candidate for any other cardiovascular intervention. According to the American Heart Association, more than 12 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease, which is characterized by a progressive nar- rowing of the arteries that supply the heart. Some pa- tients who suffer from severe recurring angina often are unable to conduct even the simplest of activities of daily living. Dr. Shawl estimates that eight to 10 per- cent of those with coronary artery disease—nearly a million Americans—could benefit from this new pro- cedure. This procedure is similar to PTMR, which uses a laser to burn holes in the heart but differs in several important ways First, mechanical PMR uses a scoring needle that's more precise than a laser, allowing the cardiologist to control the depth of the holes. In addi- tion, the scoring needle enables the cardiologist to ex- tract tissue for study, including tests for genetic clues to the development of heart disease. Also, the instrument used in the mechanical PMR procedure costs approx- imately $10,000 to $20,000, which is much less ex- pensive than the laser ($250,000) used in the PTMR procedure. Dr. Shawl is also a clinical professor of medicine at George Washington School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He is one of an elite group of cardiologists partic- ipating in a multi-site study for the mechanical PMR Mechanical Percutaneous Myocardial Revasculariza- device developed by AngioTrax of Sunnyvale, Califor- tion (MPMR), is designed for patients who suffer nia. Shawl plans to present the study findings at the from diffusely diseased blockages in their arteries American College of Cardiology Annual Session in and for whom other forms of treatment, such as an- March. gioplasty and bypass surgery, either haven't worked or aren't an option.
10 VISITOR, January, 2000 Dentist tleafthCare in the Columbia Union
IIIIW: AIM
Why do we have Adventist. HealIhCare &citifies?
This article originally appeared in the January 15, 1997, The continuation of a health-care ministry is a compelling issue of A Healing Ministry. Its message is still crucial, illustration of the seriousness with which Adventists take however, to maintaining a faith-based, Adventist health- the words of Jesus in His Olivet sermon: "I was hungry care system. We hope that this reprint, which has been and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was shortened slightly, will inspire hope, faith and courage for a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and those working and being served by Columbia Union Ad- you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me" ventist HealthCare institutions.—Editor (Matthew 25:35, 36 LB). Since 1991, Adventist HealthCare leaders and Adventist This series of six conferences has taken place during a Church leaders have met six times to discuss a broad range time of extraordinary challenge because of rapid changes of health-care issues of mutual interest. Our primary ob- taking place within the health-care industry. But times of jective was to explore the current mission of Adventist challenge are also times of opportunity, and Adventist HealthCare in the spotlight of our HealthCare is orienting itself to historical spiritual roots. rapid, fundamental changes in In 1863, the year of the formal Adventist HealthCare seeks the health-care delivery. organization of the Adventist Central to the future of Adventist Church, Ellen White had a com- integration of a personal faith in HealthCare is a commitment to con- prehensive health vision that tinue the healing ministry of Jesus quickly influenced church leaders. Jesus Christ with competent Christ. Thus, Adventist HealthCare She wrote convincingly about the seeks the integration of a personal intimate relationship between health-care delivery because this faith in Jesus Christ with competent physical and spiritual health. health-care delivery because this cre- Within three years, in 1866, our creates a health-care ministry. ates a health-care ministry. first health-related center was Searching for models and meta- opened for the care of the sick and to give instruction re- phors to guide us, we think of this ministry in three con- garding the preventive and restorative properties of such centric circles. We do not choose between them; we pursue neglected elements as exercise, nutrition, sanitation, fresh all three. Adventist HealthCare's first objective is to facili- air, fresh water and sunshine. tate health, wellness and patient comfort (the first concen- Thus began a health-care ministry chain that would ulti- tric circle). But compassionate Christian care (the second mately circle the globe, first in locations across North circle, which sets us apart from secular institutions) often America and then overseas. Today, there are more than stimulates interest in the church that sponsors such a minis- 150 Adventist hospitals around the world, including Loma try (inner circle, our Adventist lifestyle and belief system to Linda University, Washington Adventist Hospital, Shady be modeled by administration and staff). For this reason, Grove Adventist Hospital, Kettering Medical Center and Adventist HealthCare institutions across Florida Medical Center, the denomination's largest health- the Columbia Union are an important care institution. part of Adventism's "get acquainted" Every year, more people enter Adventist health-care fa- bouquet of opportunities. cilities than any other Adventist-owned/operated facilities.
is published in the Visitor each month by Adventist lee HealthcareIleafthCare M the Columbia Union. Ron M. Wisbey is chairman of Adventist Editor: Kimberly Luste Maran • Mid-Atlantic HealthCare Liaison: Ron M. Wisbey HealthCare and Kettering Medical Center. Regional correspondents: Deborah McCollough • Robert Jepson
VISITOR, January, 2000 11
diaso 4141R Continuing the healing ministry Tile mission (fAc6entist kea&
‘.7\iearly' 100 health-care professionals, in- sources with the community, especially those in need. cluding physicians, nurses and other prac- Every day, KMC provides care to men, women and fami- titioners, health-care administrators and lies who cannot afford critically important screenings and educators came together in Dayton, Ohio, nutritious meals. The medical center's financial health