Two Twelve Medical Center

Katherine Roehl, secretary, Ridgeview Board of Directors, was recognized for earning certification through the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA) trustee certification program. The comprehensive certification process prepares hospital trustees to effectively meet the growing demands of serving on a hospital board and to be strong health care and community leaders. Roehl was one of 25 hospital trustees from across the state who were recognized recently for earning this certification.

By participating in MHA’s voluntary certification program, hospital trustees receive training on current health care trends, governance best practices, ethics, government regulations, patient safety and quality. Participants undergo 35 hours of coursework, making Minnesota’s initiative the most comprehensive in the nation.

Trustees who have completed MHA board certification are eligible to participate in an additional eight hours of coursework to obtain advanced certification, which provides education to ensure excellence, innovation and accountability in health care governance.

“In Minnesota, more and more hospital trustees are formally preparing themselves to address the complex issues facing hospitals and health systems today,” said Lawrence Massa, MHA president and CEO. “Our trustee certification program proactively ensures that hospital leaders are equipped to make good decisions. Earning certification demonstrates a trustee’s commitment to the patients and communities the hospital serves.

The Minnesota Hospital Association represents 142 hospitals and health systems, which provide quality care for their patients and meet the needs of their communities. For more information about MHA’s hospital trustee certification program, visit www.mnhospitals.org/trustees.

Ridgeview Medical Center is pleased to announce the arrival of its first baby of the new year. A baby boy, Dawson Anderson, was born on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, at 3:35 a.m., weighing six pounds, 12.5 ounces and measuring 19 inches. He is welcomed by parents Jessica and Nate Anderson of Excelsior, Minn.

Jennifer Finger, CNM

Jennifer Finger, CNM, has joined Western OB/GYN, a Division of Ridgeview Clinics in December, and sees patients at its Waconia and Chaska clinic locations. The addition of Jennifer grows the long-established practice to seven physicians, four midwives, a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant.

Jennifer is a board-certified nurse midwife with a special interest in well-woman care from adolescence through menopause, water births, holistic care and integrative therapies. “My approach to patient care was greatly influenced by the positive, caring and intuitive support I received during the birth of my own children,” said Jennifer. “With each birth, my midwife worked with me to implement a birthing plan that honored my choices and was by my side throughout the birthing process. I offer that same personalized care for my own patients today,” she added.

Jennifer received her Masters of Science, Nurse-Midwifery from Frontier Nursing University in Hayden, KY.

To schedule an appointment call 952-442-2137.

Greg Davidson, manager, and Jay DuRose, paramedic, with Ridgeview Ambulance, stand with Fran Carlson, White Earth Ambulance, in front of one of two retired Ridgeview ambulances donated to the White Earth Ambulance Service. White Earth ambulance staff took possession of the vehicles Nov. 20 at North Central Emergency Vehicle Sales in Lester Prairie following repair and the addition of new graphics.

During this season of thanks and giving, Ridgeview recently helped another community provide lifesaving services through the donation of two retired Ridgeview ambulances.

Jay DuRose, a paramedic for both Ridgeview Ambulance and White Earth Ambulance serving the White Earth Nation Ojibwe tribe in northern Minnesota, wondered what would become of Ridgeview’s recently retired ambulances following the replacement of nine new ambulances to the fleet. DuRose mentioned to Ridgeview Ambulance leadership that White Earth Ambulance was in need of new vehicles, which set into motion the selection of the two best vehicles for donation.

North Central Emergency Vehicle Sales in Lester Prairie donated the removal of all Ridgeview graphics from the two selected vehicles and inspected them for any mechanical needs. The work on the two vehicles was completed and, on Nov. 20, White Earth ambulance staff took delivery of the donated ambulances.

The donation of the vehicles provided a savings to White Earth that will allow them to upgrade their in-ambulance cardiac monitors. “It was an honor for Ridgeview Ambulance to work with another emergency medical service provider to help meet a community’s needs, provide equipment for better patient care and find an opportunity for our vehicles to  continue saving lives,” said Greg Davidson, manager, Ridgeview Ambulance.

Destined to be used for parts and eventually recycled at a salvage yard, these two ambulances will again be on the road, providing care and comfort to new crews and patients in the White Earth community.

Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center has been named a “Best Nursing Home for 2018-2019” by the U.S. News & World Report.   The organization earned 5 stars again this year to qualify as a top performing nursing home.

U.S. News ranks nursing homes based on the findings of health inspections, nursing staffing and medical quality measures using Medicare data.  Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center ranked above average for all three measures.  Out of 15,000 nursing homes reviewed, less than 3,000 earned the designation of a Best Nursing Home.

Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center has been working internally on several initiatives to ensure that the highest quality of care possible is offered at all times.  These initiatives include working with the National Healthcare Safety Network to improve C. Difficile surveillance and to prevent the spread of infection at the organization in conjunction with antibiotic stewardship and vaccinations for residents and staff.  Staff members also have an ongoing commitment to quality assurance and performance improvement to continually assess patient care and assure that any issues are addressed promptly through various quality committee and initiatives.

Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center is part of the Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center campus, which includes a critical access hospital, short-term to long-term nursing care, Sunrise Plaza Independent Living Apartments, Ridgeview Le Sueur Clinic and an Adult Day Health Center.

Visit health.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes to learn more about the rankings and to see how Ridgeview Le Sueur Nursing & Rehab Center compares to other nursing homes in the area.

Ridgeview Medical Center is pleased to announce that the Ridgeview Le Sueur Clinic will open on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. The clinic will be on the Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center campus located on South Fourth Street in Le Sueur, and will be open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The team of providers will include Ashley Morehouse, FNP, and Carol Eggersgluess, FNP.  Ridgeview Le Sueur Clinic will offer same-day care for acute illnesses and minor injuries, annual physicals and other preventive health services, as well as access to Ridgeview’s comprehensive network of specialty care services and providers.

“It’s important for Ridgeview to be able to provide care close to home for our community, and we are proud to open the Ridgeview Le Sueur Clinic. This clinic will increase the access to primary care in our community, and allow us to continue to offer services where and when our customers need it most,” said Pam Williams, Vice President, Ridgeview Le Sueur Medical Center.

The clinic space, formerly occupied only by Mayo Clinic Health System – Le Sueur, will now be home to both clinics with separate patient check-in areas.

Construction of the clinic is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2019.

Please call 507-593-5920 to schedule an appointment.

Ridgeview was recently named a Readers’ Choice Award winner by SunPatriot newspaper readers (Waconia, Norwood Young America and Carver County News/Watertown) in the following categories (readers wrote in the names of their top choices in a July/August survey):

• Ridgeview Medical Center – Best Emergency Room
• Two Twelve Medical Center – Best Urgent Care Facility
• Ridgeview Specialty Clinic, Otolaryngology & Lisa Kunz – Best Hearing Center
• Carrie Meyer, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA – Best Audiologist
• Kamruz Darabi, MD, FAAD, Ridgeview Specialty Clinic – Best Dermatologist

The list of winners was published in the Oct. 25, 2018, issue of each newspaper.

Pictured from left to right are: Ridgeview Vice President John Prondzinski; Ridgeview Director of Construction and Real Estate Sara Aulizia; Waconia Mayor Jim Sanborn; Ridgeview Board Chair Mitch Kilian; Ridgeview Foundation Chair Fred Green; Lead Donors Ann and Norman Hoffman; Ridgeview President and CEO Mike Phelps; David Larson, MD, Emergency Physicians and Consultants Pa.; Matthew Herold, MD, Emergency Physicians and Consultants Pa.; Kathie Pulchinski, RN, Ridgeview Nurse Manager; Brittany Simonson, BWBR Architects; Scott Hughes, Knutson Construction; and Micah

Ridgeview broke ground Oct. 22 on the new Norman and Ann Hoffman Emergency Center on its Waconia campus. Slated for completion in 2020, the $18.8 million, 23,000-square foot remodel and ED expansion will enhance Ridgeview’s capacity to provide lifesaving procedures and care for the thousands of patients and families who use Ridgeview’s emergency services each year.

“This is one of the most exciting and important improvements we will make to Ridgeview’s Waconia campus,” said Mike Phelps, Ridgeview president and CEO. “Ridgeview and the community it serves are deeply grateful to Norman and Ann Hoffman for their lead gift to make this significant project possible,” Phelps said.

The expansion will include improved patient experience and privacy, increased treatment and support space to enhance patient care, eight observation rooms, and four behavioral health Emergency Department rooms. The project will also include space for cardiac/pulmonary rehab to support patient recovery and wellness, improve patient experience and be more accessible to patients with a covered parking lot.

“We also thank the many generous community members, businesses and other supporters of our Lifeline for a Lifetime campaign, through which Ridgeview Foundation and its Board are raising funds in support of this significant project,” Phelps added.  “We especially recognize Charter Bank; Lakeview Clinic, Ltd.; Security Bank & Trust; Emergency Physicians & Consultants, PA.; Melchert, Hubert & Sjodin; and the Droege Family for their commitment to this campaign.”

Fourteen Ridgeview-affiliated physicians were named to Minnesota Monthly magazine’s Top Doctors list published in the October 2018 issue.  The list includes 935 physicians in 65 specialties.

Ridgeview-affiliated physicians recognized in the 2018 Top Doctors listing include:

• Louise Ou-Yang, MD, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Western OB/GYN, A Division of Ridgeview Clinics
• Maureen Utz, MD, Dermatology, Ridgeview Clinics
• Ellen Bendel-Stenzel, MD, Neonatal & Perinatal Medicine, Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A.
• Susan Bowers, MD, Pathology, HealthPartners
• Nicholas Burke, MD, Interventional Cardiology, Minneapolis Heart Institute
• Jeanne Mrozek, MD, Neonatal & Perinatal Medicine, Minnesota Neonatal Physicians, P.A.
• Steven R. Rousey, MD, Oncology, Minnesota Oncology
• Paul Rust, MD, Nuclear Medicine, Consulting Radiologists, Ltd.
• Clark Schumacher, MD, Vascular & Interventional Radiology, Consulting Radiologists, Ltd.
• Lioudmila Sitnikova, MD, Urology, Minnesota Urology
• Neil Skemp, MD, Urology, Minnesota Urology
• Paul Sperduto, MD, Radiation Oncology, Minneapolis Radiation Oncology
• Jeffry J. Twidwell, MD, Urology, Minnesota Urology
• Yale Wang, MD, Cardiology, Minneapolis Heart Institute

The list was compiled after asking more than 10,000 licensed doctors in the 11-county metro area, as well as Olmsted County, to name up to three doctors other than themselves in each specialty category.

Need care for a minor illness, seasonal allergies or more? Consider visiting www.RidgevieweCare.org, through which online care and prescriptions are available for 21 conditions now including head lice, minor burns, motion sickness and general skin conditions.

Conditions treated through Ridgeview eCare now include:

• Canker sore
• Cold sore
• Cold
• Dermatitis
• Ear pain (otitis externa)
• Eczema
• Epi Pen refill (auto injector)
• Female bladder infection
• Head lice
• Influenza
• Mild asthma medication refill
• NEW: Minor burns
• NEW: Motion sickness
• Pertussis exposure
• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Seasonal allergies/allergic rhinitis and allergy refill
• Sinus infection
• NEW: Skin conditions (general)
• Sore throat
• Tick bite
• Vaginal yeast infection

Ridgeview eCare is available for a cost of $35, payable by credit card, debit card or Health Savings Account (HSA) card, and provides quick, convenient, online care for minor illnesses and symptoms – without making an appointment or visit to a clinic.

Ridgeview eCare is available to anyone, anywhere in the state of Minnesota and accessible from any web-enabled device. Simply log on to www.ridgeviewecare.org and complete the brief online interview by entering your symptoms. Once you complete the process, a Ridgeview Clinic clinician will review and respond with a diagnosis and treatment plan within one hour of Ridgeview’s scheduled business hours.

Should you require medication, prescriptions will be sent to your preferred pharmacy for pick-up. If your symptoms indicate an emergent or serious health condition, you will be directed to call 9-1-1 and/or go to the nearest emergency, urgent care or clinic location.

Hours of operation

Ridgeview eCare can be used at any time of day, and Ridgeview providers will respond within one hour between 8 a.m. and 8 pm., Monday-Friday, and 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Ridgeview’s eCare service is not available during holidays; however, customers will be provided information about Ridgeview’s Emergency and Urgent Care locations during non-business hours.

For more information, visit www.ridgeviewecare.org or contact Ridgeview Delano Clinic at 952-442-7800.