Rev. Michael Mercer, hospice chaplain, Community Home Health Services, understands the challenges and rewards of reaching those in need. One specific patient was not particularly interested in receiving chaplain services, but once he discovered Rev. Mercer was a Chicago Cubs fan, he agreed to allow the visits. Excited to have someone to talk with about baseball, the patient and chaplain formed a special bond, and Mercer went above and beyond to create an exceptional experience for this person in his final days of life. “As part of my care for him,” explains Mercer, “I was able to arrange a personal phone call from a player on the Chicago Cubs team to encourage him.”
Community Hospital South hosted several open house events on October 6-7, 2009 to showcase the 6 new operating suites in the new surgery addition. The events included media tours and a physician open house on Tuesday, October 6 followed by a general open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 7.
This is the first phase of the Next Evolution expansion to be completed. The surgical team will begin using the new operating suites on Monday, October 19. The remaining pieces of the expansion project are on target to be completed by mid-year 2010.
Community Help was established for employees of Community Health Network, to assist them with challenges they may be facing in their personal lives. Access to the program is available 24/7 by calling the Community Help line, 317-355-HELP. The line is staffed by members of Community’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP), who can connect employees in need with the appropriate resources for their situation, which may include an interest-free loan through the Community Health Network Foundation. All calls to the Community Help line are kept confidential.
