About Blue Springs

For immediate release                                                                             Contact: Cyndi Fahrlander, 816-943-2565

St. Mary’s Medical Center Hosting Free

Anterior Hip Replacement Seminar

Blue Springs, Mo.— Many people suffering with arthritis, hip pain and limited hip movement find relief through hip replacement. However, after traditional hip replacement procedures patients are often restricted to limited hip movements for six to eight weeks after surgery. Now a new minimally invasive procedure, anterior hip replacement, is gaining popularity and allowing patients to recover and return to normal activities much faster.

The Joint and Spine Institute at St. Mary’s Medical Center will host a free anterior hip replacement seminar on Thursday, November 8, 5:30-7 p.m., in St. Mary’s Education Center located at 201 NW R.D. Mize Road,
Blue Springs, Mo.

Robert F. Paul, DO, with Orthopedic Surgeons, Inc., will share information on the advantages of anterior hip replacement and who may be a good candidate. Dr. Paul earned his medical degree at the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine where he also completed his residency. He is board-certified in orthopedic surgery.

This event is free, but space is limited. Please register by 816-228-3335.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is an active organization in the community offering our patients a caring environment with a wide range of services and expertise. With 146 licensed beds and over 340 active physicians, U.S. News and World Report named St. Mary’s one of the 10 best hospitals in Kansas City.

St. Mary’s is the only hospital in eastern Jackson County earning the Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing care. St. Mary’s also offers a full range of services for women. This includes the Women’s Health Institute composed of the Birthing Center, the first in Missouri, and the Breast Center, complete with Certified Breast Patient Navigators for more personal patient care.

Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Mary’s provides 24-hour cardiac care, diagnostics and interventions. In a National Quality Award, St. Mary’s was named
top performer.

All -

COMBAT has invited everyone to their town hall event [

It is being hosted by StandUp Blue Springs and St. Mary’s Hospital.

This is one of a series of COMBAT town hall meetings regarding the storage, use and disposal of prescription medications; the others are not in Blue Springs.

Thanks,

Chief Wayne

Wednesday, October 24, 2012
St. Mary’s Medical Center Education Center
201 Northwest R D Mize Road
Blue Springs, MO 64014 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Join Jackson County COMBAT and these community
partners for an informational session about the dangers of
prescription and over-the-counter drug abuse.
Learn how to store prescription and over-the-counter drugs
safely in your home, how to dispose of expired drugs
properly, and how to notice signs of prescription and
over-the-counter drug abuse.

For More Information Contact:

Ascension Health

Sheila Biggs

314.733.8202

sheila.biggs@ascensionhealth.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ascension Health in Negotiations with HCA Midwest Health System

On Transfer of Carondelet Health

(ST. LOUIS) October 16, 2012 – Ascension Health has entered into negotiations with HCA Midwest Health System to sell St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Medical Centers and other Carondelet Health subsidiaries in Kansas City, Mo. The three Carondelet Health long-term care facilities, Carondelet Manor, Villa St. Joseph, St. Mary’s Manor, currently operated by Carondelet Health and Benedictine Health System, and the two hospital Foundations, would remain operated by Ascension Health.

“The decision to enter into these negotiations was made following a period of review and discernment by both the Carondelet Health Board and Ascension Health. This action supports our focus on providing a Vital Presence in the communities we serve, meaning we serve where we are needed and how we are needed to be there,” said Robert J. Henkel, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ascension Health. “Ascension Health will continue to serve the community by helping to meet the growing need for senior services.”

“Being a part of a system with a large local presence would strengthen Carondelet’s position in this competitive market which is critical to ensure the system’s long-term success amidst the myriad of changes that are occurring as part of health care reform,” said Fleury Yelvington, President and Chief Executive Officer of Carondelet Health.

If the negotiations lead to a sale, HCA Midwest has expressed a commitment to working with the local Diocese to preserve the hospitals’ Catholic heritage.

About Ascension Health

Ascension Health (www.ascensionhealth.org), a subsidiary of Ascension Health Alliance, is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Ascension Health, which provided $1.3 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs last year, is the nation’s largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Our Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 122,000 associates serving in more than 1,400 locations in 21 states and the District of Columbia.

###

News Release
stmaryskc.com

For immediate release Contact: Cyndi Fahrlander 816-943-2565
September 28, 2012

St. Mary’s Medical Center Invests in
“Smarter” CT Scanner

Blue Springs, Mo.– St. Mary’s Medical Center has added a new, 128-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner—the only one like it in Kansas City area. The new CT scan has several advantages over older-model CT scans. It provides higher-quality images with as much as a 40 percent reduction in the radiation dose and uses less contrast for exams.
The scanner, General Electric’s Optima 660, provides fast, high quality imaging that will be used in many clinical areas including interventional radiology, cardiology, neurology, oncology, vascular—even routine CT. It can scan the entire body in just eight seconds. It allows physicians a non-invasive way to see inside the body—showing a 3-D image.
“The new scanner will give us the best view we’ve ever had of the body,” says James Bergh, MD, Interventional Radiologist at St. Mary’s Medical Center. “And it does it faster, with less radiation and less contrast. Plus, it’s easier to use.”

Members of the media are invited to learn more about the scanner at a Blessing and Open House in the CT Suite of the Radiology Department at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, October 10, 3 p.m.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is an active organization in the community offering our patients a caring environment with a wide range of services and expertise. With 146 licensed beds and over 340 active physicians, U.S. News and World Report named St. Mary’s one of the 10 best hospitals in Kansas City.

St. Mary’s is the only hospital in eastern Jackson County earning the Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing care. St. Mary’s also offers a full range of services for women. This includes the Women’s Health Institute composed of the Birthing Center, the first in Missouri, and the Breast Center, complete with Certified Breast Patient Navigators for more personal patient care. Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Mary’s provides 24-hour cardiac care, diagnostics and interventions. In a National Quality Award, St. Mary’s was named top performer.

For immediate release Contact: Cyndi Fahrlander, 816-943-2565

Oncologist Joins
St. Mary’s Medical Center

Blue Springs, Mo.– David Bouda, MD, recently joined the medical staff at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Dr. Bouda is board-certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. He specializes in hematology and oncology.

Dr. Bouda earned his medical degree at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. Dr. Bouda completed his fellowship in hematology/oncology at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

Dr. Bouda is practicing with Midwest Cancer Care in Kansas City, Mo.

St. Mary’s Medical Center is an active organization in the community offering our patients a caring environment with a wide range of services and expertise. With 146 licensed beds and over 340 active physicians, U.S. News and World Report named St. Mary’s one of the 10 best hospitals in Kansas City.

St. Mary’s is the only hospital in eastern Jackson County earning the Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing care. St. Mary’s also offers a full range of services for women. This includes the Women’s Health Institute composed of the Birthing Center, the first in Missouri, and the Breast Center, complete with Certified Breast Patient Navigators for more personal patient care.

Carondelet Heart Institute at St. Mary’s provides 24-hour cardiac care, diagnostics and interventions. In a National Quality Award, St. Mary’s was named
top performer.

This undeveloped gem nestled in our downtown district will soon be the home of a historic building, thanks to the generous donations of local Blue Springs residents and the tenacious efforts of the Blue Springs Historical Society. Over the past year the Blue Springs Historical Society, in conjunction with the City of Blue Springs and the Kansas City Southern Railroad, have raised funds and gathered support to save our downtown train depot from demolition. On July 29^th at 10am, the depot will begin its move down Main Street to its new home in Central Park. If you would like to participate in the celebration of the saving of our depot, join us on Main Street Friday morning and join the parade as we escort the depot to its new home.

Also located in Central Park is the city’s first Community Garden. A part of the Let’s Move initiative, the city provided the park land and infrastructure for the garden, and collaborated with StandUp! Blue Springs to manage and implement this exciting new amenity for our residents. The following pictures show the success of the garden.

It’s hard to dispute, when Blue Springs residents set their minds to accomplishing a goal, exciting things happen!

Blue Springs Farmers Market – Saturday, June 30 from 7 a.m. to noon in downtown Blue Springs.  Home grown fruits, vegetables, meats and other items for sale that are locally grown or made by hand. The University of Missouri Extension Office will be giving a ‘Cooking of the Day’ class.

Let’s Move! Saturdays – Saturday, June 30 from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center, 1401 Northwest Park Road for “Firefly Adventure”.

Music in the Park Concert – Sunday, July 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. the Cover Me Bad alternative/classic rock band will perform from the gazebo at Rotary Park at Railroad Lake, 600 NW Vesper Street. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy this free concert event.

United States Air Force Band Concert – Monday, July 2, 6:30 p.m. Please come and support the Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble at Rotary Park as Railroad Lake, 600 NW Vesper Street. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and enjoy this free concert event.

City Fireworks Display – Wednesday, July 4 from Blue Springs High School Peve Stadium. Loose Change performing from the football field from 8 - 9:30 p.m.  Fireworks display begins at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Tailgating in BSHS, Freshman Center, and Centennial Pool-Plex parking lots

Centennial Pool – Open daily from noon to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. Features two giant water slides, a 25-yard indoor, 50-meter outdoor, and a wading pool. Daily admission is $5 for ages 4 and older (3 and under free), season memberships also available. The pool is located at 2401 NW Ashton Drive.

Adams Pointe Golf Club – 1601 NE RD Mize Road. 18-hole championship course and a practice facility. Call (816) 220-3673 for daily fees and a Tee Time.

For additional information visit www.bluespringsgov.com/parks or call the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department at (816) 228-0137.

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI

PRESS RELEASE

903 W. Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015  —  P: 816.228.0110  —  F: 816.228.7592  —  W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE:              June 25, 2012

CONTACT:      Kim Nakahodo, Communications Manager

                        Phone: 816.655.0497, Cell: 816.651.6449

                        Email: knakahodo@bluespringsgov.com

City opens Vesper Hall as a Cooling Center

Blue Springs, Mo. – The City of Blue Springs has opened Vesper Hall as a Cooling Center in response to the heat advisory for Jackson County issued by the National Weather Service. 

Blue Springs residents can find refuge from the extreme heat at Vesper Hall during normal operating hours of Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday/Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Vesper Hall will be available as a cooling center all week due to the warm forecast.

“We are encouraging our residents to take heed to the warnings of excessive heat and make all efforts to protect themselves from the dangerous weather,” said Mayor Carson Ross.  “Please be sure to pay special attention to senior citizens, young children and those with health or breathing problems and outdoor pets.”

Heat is the No. 1 weather-related killer. On average, excessive heat causes more than 1,500 death per year in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  That average death tally exceeds the average caused by tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and lightning combined.

Health officials recommend avoiding the excessive heat by staying in an air-conditioned building if possible.  The Jackson County Health Department also gives these heat health recommendations:

• Drink more water. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Avoid liquids containing alcohol or caffeine.
• Schedule outdoor activities before noon or in the evening.
• When temperatures reach into the 90s, a cool shower can offer more help than a fan.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• If you must work in the heat, monitor the condition of co-workers and ask them to do the same for you.
• Rest often in shady areas or, if possible, in air-conditioned facilities.
• Wear wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself.

To see other Jackson County Cooling centers, visit www.jacksongov.org or contact the United Way at 2-1-1 and receive a list of near-by cooling stations by providing your zip code.

###

Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/BlueSpringsGov or become "fans" of the City's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bluespringsgov.  Links to both sites can be found by visiting the City’s Web site at www.bluespringsgov.com.

Kim Nakahodo

Communications Manager

City of Blue Springs, Mo.

903 W. Main Street

Blue Springs, MO 64015

Phone:   (816) 655-0497

             (816) 651-6449

Fax:       (816) 228-7592

Email:    knakahodo@bluespringsgov.com

www.bluespringsgov.com

Twitter:  bluespringsgov

www.facebook.com/bluespringsgov

For immediate release Contact: Cyndi Fahrlander 816-943-2565

St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Medical Centers
Earn National Healthcare Awards

Kansas City, Mo. – St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Medical Centers have earned prestigious honors in Professional Research Consultants’ (PRC) 2011 National Excellence in Healthcare Awards. PRC presented Five-Star Patient Perception Awards to the 2 North cardiac/telemetry unit and Mammography at St. Joseph, and the 3 West medical/surgical unit and the Birthing Center at St. Mary’s.

Five-Star Patient Perception Awards are awarded to hospital service lines that scored in the top 10 percent nationally in 2011 based on the percentage of patients who rated the units as “Excellent” for Overall Quality of Care questions.

“We are honored to be recognized among the best in the nation in patient perception of care,” said Ginger Bliss, the Carondelet Health executive with organizational responsibility for the customer experience. “Every day our nurses and staff work diligently to ensure our patients have the best experience possible. This award is a reflection of their commitment and dedication to exceeding our patients’ expectations.”

Carondelet Health consists of two acute care hospitals and three long-term care facilities. With 450 beds and 900 physicians on staff combined, St. Joseph and St. Mary’s Medical Centers offer quality patient care to the Kansas City area. Both acute care facilities have earned Magnet Designation for excellence in nursing care and offer a Breast Center, Birthing Center and Carondelet Heart Institute. Consistent with our mission, Carondelet Health provides compassionate, quality health care and has a special concern for those in financial distress. Carondelet Home Care Services have been named the top in the U.S. Visit Carondelet Health on the Web at carondelethealth.org.