Welcome to The Pulse

We would like to introduce you to our new Assistant Director of Nursing at IFCH, Michael Conners. Michael comes to us from our own Emergency Department, where he has served as a Staff Nurse, Trainer, and Charge Nurse. In addition to the ED, he has experience in Intermediate Care, Surgical Circulator, ICU, and Disaster Medicine. Michael has also served as a US Marine, Fire Fighter, NREMT, Law Enforcement Officer, and as a Nursing Officer and Section Chief within the National Disaster Medical System.

Michael has studied at the College of Eastern Idaho, Boise State University, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Grand Canyon University. He has also taught emergency and disaster medicine operations at local, state, and national levels, as well as to international audiences. He has been a certified trainer with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, Washington and Idaho Emergency Medical Services, and various other agencies.

Michael calls Ammon, ID, home, and lives there with his amazing wife and three brilliant daughters. In his off time, he enjoys the outdoors, music, and spending time with his family. He spends a great deal of time exploring the area on his motorcycle and enjoys any type of cooking that involves fire. Michael’s motto is Auribus teneo lupum, there are always new challenges to be met and overcome.

Please join us in congratulating him on his new position.

We have a lot of job openings at the hospitals and across our affiliate clinics. If you know of anyone looking for a new opportunity, point them to our job page to browse through our current opportunities. You may even be eligible for a referral bonus!

https://www.idahofallscommunityhospital.com/employment-opportunities/

1. Kimery Capell—WINNER!

RN/IFCH ED

I would like to nominate Kimery Capell, ER RN, for the July ACE award. On 03 JUL 2022 night shift there was a new Behavioral Health Evaluator on duty that was unfamiliar with our processes for mental health holds and placements. The ER was very busy for the July 4th holiday weekend, which included multiple psychiatric patients. The new evaluator had fallen behind and was struggling greatly with navigating the complex process of assessment and placement. Kim, having a background in mental health nursing, volunteered to assist the Evaluator with paperwork and finding placement at mental health facilities.

In addition to managing her own patient load on a busy night, Kim was able to facilitate placement of three mental health patients, provide on-the-job training to the Evaluator, and still provide exceptional care to her other assigned patients. I have no doubt that without Kim volunteering to help, the patients would have had longer times spent in the ER instead of at an inpatient facility where they needed to be. Additionally, the new Evaluator stated her appreciation for Kim's help with managing so many behavioral health patients at once.

2. Victor "Paolo" Lava—RUNNER-UP!

RN/IFCH Med/Surg Dept.

I would like to nominate Paolo Lava, Med/Surg RN for the following:

One night, we had an exceedingly difficult to move, patient that needed to go to the bathroom every half hour or so. Paolo not only helped with the situation, but really brought his positive attitude which changed everything.

3. Angela "Angie" Dunn

LPN/IFCH Med/Surg Dept.

I would like to nominate Angie Dunn, Med/Surg LPN for the following:

Every time I work with Angie, she actively does things like takes vitals and blood sugars if she goes into the patients room. She actively does what she can to help other staff. She is great!

4. Trevor Daw

CNA/Unit Secretary/IFCH Surgery Dept.

I would like to nominate Trevor Daw, CNA from pre-op/PACU because he does a wonderful job caring for patients, keeping the supplies cleaned and organized, and training all new CNAs.

5. Sage Killpack

CNA/Unit Secretary/IFCH Surgery Dept.

I would like to nominate Sage Killpack because she is a rockstar! She is still working and doing an amazing job with a broken leg!

6. Jeremiah Brock

Manager/IFCH ED & De Jones Director of Purchasing/MVH & IFCH

I would like to nominate Jeremiah Brock (IFCH) and De Jones (MVH) for the Ace Award for the following situation (please refer to the news article below):

Jeremiah learned about a need for a family in our community and took the opportunity to help this family better care for their mother. Jeremiah called De Jones and the two of them quickly and efficiently found an old hospital bed tucked away in a warehouse to be used for a ‘parts-bed.’ On their own time, they took the time to clean it up and deliver it to this family! Not only that, but Jeremiah recruited his own family (his oldest son, and friends) to help carry the massive hospital bed into this family’s home and get it set up for use.

Jeremiah reported to me the next day that Mike Bartell contacted him (via text) to say that his wife had experienced her best night’s sleep in an exceptionally long time. This family was so grateful.

Jeremiah is always going above and beyond for, not only his ER staff (which he does daily!), but he is also continually serving others in different hospital departments, and outside of the hospital in our community.

East Idaho News article here

“On Friday, we got a call from someone from (Idaho Falls) Community Hospital saying that they wanted to donate a bed. They had the bedframe to donate, but they did not have the kind of mattress that we needed,” she said…

Idaho Falls Community Hospital dropped off the donated bedframe and set it up on Tuesday for the Bartell family.

Jeremiah Brock, the emergency department manager, and director at Idaho Falls Community Hospital, said he has known Mike Bartell and his family for several years. He used to coach football with Mike. He said his organization was happy to help in some way.

“I saw a post about the food truck (benefit), and I saw your story (on EastIdahoNews.com) on the bed. (I am) fortunate enough to be in a position here at the hospital. I called our supply and equipment director and said, ‘Hey, we got to have a bed somewhere,'” Brock said. “Luckily, I work for an organization that is very receptive and open. They jumped to the chance.”

Brock said it took about eight people to bring the bed into the Bartell home and set it up.

“It’s just awesome to be able to help anybody out, but it’s awesome to be able to help a family like that,” he said. “We are just happy that we had the opportunity.”