Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
In 1873, Mother Xavier Ross of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth sent four Sisters west from Kansas to start a hospital. They had $9 and the challenge to “look forward for what good there is yet to be.” Arriving in Denver, they solicited miners and cowboys for funds to help start the hospital. They opened in a cottage at the intersection of 14th Avenue and Arapahoe Street and began the organization that later became Saint Joseph Hospital. This year, Saint Joseph Hospital, now part of Intermountain Health, celebrates 150 years of providing healthcare in Colorado. Saint Joe’s is Denver’s second oldest hospital and was Colorado’s first private teaching hospital. Today it remains the most prominent teaching hospital in the city. Saint Joe’s provides a tradition of healthcare with more than 2,600 caregivers, nearly 1,600 physicians and advance practice providers, and more than 150 volunteers. Sister Renee Washut, a hospital volunteer since 2006, said the 150th anniversary milestone is a sign of what the Sisters have been able to do in Denver. “The fact that we can celebrate it is a good way to carry forth the history of our ministry here.” She added that Saint Joe’s is a special place for staff members and patients. “It seems to me that people are doing the work and living the opportunity to care for others who are so vulnerable.”
A special shout out this week to our incredible pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work hard to ensure our patients receive the medications they need to live their healthiest lives. We sincerely appreciate the knowledge and expertise you bring to your careers each and every day!
Food and shelter. Two basic needs. When your shelter is the hospital, your food is hospital food. And when it comes to wellness, studies show it’s an important part of your healing. “We have a focus on respect for ingredients, minimally manipulated foods, making things in house, ensuring that we serve up nutritionally dense food. And it's appetizing and executed in a way that shows respect for food and ingredients in general,” said Alex Govern, executive chef at Intermountain Health. The fact is hospital food is crucial to healing. While the fancy recipes might impress, the larger point is the message. This is our patients' temporary home and we'll give them choices to make it comfortable. “Because it changes your entire outlook associated with your stay at a hospital,” said Govern.
Caregivers in Colorado and Montana address housing insecurity through community service Housing insecurity is a top social determinant of health and a priority challenge as identified in community benefit analyses of multiple hospitals in Colorado and Montana. Caregivers are going above and beyond providing supplies and building homes to help address this critical need in their communities.
Hear first-hand from Sam, an RN with us at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, on how the incredible support she's received as an Intermountain caregiver inspires her to stay with us.
Happy Medical Assistants Recognition Week! We want to take a moment to recognize and thank all the hardworking medical assistants out there who play a vital role in healthcare. Your commitment to providing exceptional patient care is truly appreciated!
Committed to creating a healthier community, Intermountain Health and Ortho Montana are expanding orthopedic and sports medicine services in the Bozeman community. To meet the growing healthcare needs in Bozeman and surrounding communities, we've partnered to create the Gallatin Valley Surgery Center, a new, state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center which will be located in the former Gallatin Valley Mall, recently rebranded as Gallatin Crossing. “For more than 50 years Intermountain Health has partnered with Ortho Montana to provide our region with top-notch orthopedic care and this joint venture is a testament to our commitment to advancing healthcare,” said Jen Alderfer, president of the Montana | Wyoming Market of Intermountain Health. “This endeavor is also a stepping stone to expanding Intermountain Health’s range of services. It's about providing the Gallatin Valley with comprehensive healthcare that covers a broad spectrum of needs, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality and patient care.”
In honor of International Infection Prevention Week, we want to recognize and thank all the infection prevention professionals who work tirelessly to keep us all safe and healthy. Your expertise and dedication to preventing the spread of infections is crucial, especially during these challenging times. Thanks for all you do!
Happy National Healthcare Quality Week! This week, we celebrate the hard work of healthcare professionals who strive to improve the quality of care that we provide to our patients. Your commitment to patient safety, effective treatment, and positive outcomes is truly admirable. Thanks for all you do!
Nicole and Mark were vacationing in Thailand and, as part of the trip, they wanted to have an experience with elephants. But that day went terribly wrong when the elephant they were on became agitated, threw off the trainer, and started running. From her hospital bed at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Nicole said they both knew they were in trouble when the elephant not only threw the trainer but then rammed a man on a moped. That’s when they determined their best option would be to jump off of the large animal. Nicole ended up breaking her back, while Mark shattered his pelvis, broke two vertebrae in his back, and suffered other internal injuries. Both were taken to a hospital in Thailand. That’s when a friend of Mark’s arranged for Life Flight to travel halfway around the world to get them home. “It was a massive trip,” LifeFlight operations director Kent Johnson said. He was part of the meticulously planned mission to bring Nicole and Mark safely back to Utah. The mission included five pilots, five medical staff, several stops and perfect planning for the Challenger 604 super jet. “It was the furthest we’ve ever flown,” he said. The hospitalized Americans couldn’t have been happier to see them. “They treated us awesome on the plane,” Nicole said. “They’re super comfortable, it was a great experience actually.” Nicole is a hairdresser and said a client was one of the five medical staff on that 18-hour flight. She immediately felt at ease.
