Dr. Michael Bonacum Elected AASM Fellow
Dr. Michael Bonacum Elected AASM Fellow
Michael G. Bonacum, DO, FACP, FAASM, an Internal Medicine and Sleep Medicine specialist, has been elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Fellow standing recognizes outstanding contributions to sleep medicine, significant achievements in the field, and dedicated membership in the AASM. Dr. Bonacum is one of 39 members who constitute the 2024 Fellows of the AASM.
“It is an honor for me to congratulate the members who have earned the distinction of being a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine,” said AASM President Dr. James A. Rowley. “Their contributions to our field have helped to advance sleep care, and the AASM has benefited greatly from their dedicated service.”
Dr. Bonacum is a board certified Sleep Medicine specialist through the American Board of Internal Medicine. He is the lead physician at Corydon Sleep Medicine, part of Corydon Medical Associates, and is the Medical Director of the Harrison County Hospital Center for Sleep Disorders, an AASM accredited sleep center.
HARRISON COUNTY HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Harrison County Hospital has entered into a partnership with Western Governors University (WGU). The partnership with WGU, recognized as a State of Indiana school, will provide a pathway for Harrison County Hospital employees to start or finish their degree, help with the nursing shortage that is being felt in most areas, and help our staff improve their skills to better their future. “We are excited to partner with WGU to provide an avenue for our employees to further their education,” said Robert Brown, Human Resources Director at Harrison County Hospital. “Being recognized as a State of Indiana school and with a focus on adult learners, we feel they will bring exceptional value to both our employees and hospital.”
Drive Thru Flu Vaccine Clinic
The Harrison County Health Department and Harrison County Hospital will offer a Public Drive-Thru Flu Vaccine Clinic on Tuesday, October 3 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Harrison County Fairgrounds. Cost is $20.00 for vaccine for those 5 – 64 years of age, and $60 for a high dose vaccine for those 65 years of age and older. Cash or check only. Will bill for Medicare patients. Medicare card must be presented.
The clinic is for ages five and older. Children 17 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The vaccine offered will be a quadrivalent vaccine, designed to protect against four different flu viruses.
Vehicles should access the clinic by entering the Harrison County Fairgrounds through the Main Entrance off Capital Avenue. Nurses administering the vaccine will be available on both sides of the car for the convenience of drivers and passengers requesting the shot. Those receiving the vaccine should wear sleeveless or short sleeve shirts. For faster service, print and complete the drive thru vaccine consent form in advance and bring it with you to the clinic.
DAISY Award
Congratulations to Jordan Metz, RN in the Emergency Department for receiving our second DAISY Award this evening! Jordan was nominated by a patient who felt that Jordan demonstrated what a great ER nurse is and how they should treat their patients. The patient described Jordan as a one of a kind nurse! Thank you, Jordan, for all you do and for having a special impact on your patient!
BEE Award
The BEE Award stands for Being Exceptional Every Day and honors team members outside of nursing who go above and beyond to provide excellent patient experiences. BEE Award Recipients exemplify the values of HCH in the respect, excellence and compassion that they show their patients, families and co-workers.
The BEE Award complements the Daisy Award for nurses. Just as the flowers need the bees to survive and thrive, our nurses also need their team to provide exceptional patient care.
Congratulations to Brandi Haynes, OB Tech in Labor & Delivery, for receiving our first BEE Award! Brandi was nominated 3 times!
Brandi’s nominations tell of her jumping into situations to help that are outside of her normal role, providing comfort and assistance to her team and of her giving 100% in any task she completes. We are so thankful to have Brandi!
There are two ways that you can nominate a staff member for a future DAISY or BEE Award.
To nominate a NURSE — https://www.hchin.org/daisy/
To nominate any other team member — https://www.hchin.org/bee-award/
Harrison County Hospital is proud to introduce our new Stars and Stripes Program
As a way to express our thanks to the many Veterans that have served our nation, we have now implemented a new program. Special Stars and Stripes wrist bands and other identifying items will let our staff and visitors know if a patient is a Veteran. We are thrilled to be able to thank them for their service.
In addition, should a Veteran pass at Harrison County Hospital, they will be honored by our staff with a Final Salute and Taps played overhead.
We appreciate your assistance with making this program a positive one for our Veterans. If you are a Veteran, or if you accompany a Veteran to the hospital for a visit, please let our Registration team know that they are a Veteran and they will begin the process.
Thank you!
HCH Foundation Purchases Weighted Blankets for Victims of Sexual Assault
The Harrison County Hospital Foundation recently approved a grant to purchase weighted blankets to provide comfort to victims of sexual assault. The Harrison County Hospital Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program requested the funding for the weighted blankets that will be given to victims of abuse, both children and adults. Weighted blankets have been proven to comfort victims of abuse. “We are so pleased that the HCH Foundation approved the grant request to offer weighted blankets to victims that come to us in their time of need,” said Damion Wagner, RN, Emergency Department Manager. “This is a difficult time for victims and any comfort we can provide helps them get through this process.”
The SANE Program is a completely free program offered to any victim of sexual assault. The program connects victims of sexual assault and domestic violence with medical/forensics exams by trained SANE nurses, law enforcement and advocates. If you are a victim in need of assistance from a SANE nurse, come to the Emergency Department at Harrison County Hospital or call 911 immediately.
EXTRAORDINARY NURSE RECOGNIZED AT HARRISON COUNTY HOSPITAL
Jennifer Rhodes, RN in the Obstetrics Department of Harrison County Hospital was recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
Jennifer was nominated by two separate families who wrote of her encouragement, care and support during their deliveries. One patient noted that “I will never forget my nurse, Jennifer.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
Said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, Doctor of Humane Letters (h.c) and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at [hospital] are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
“We are so excited to recognize Jennifer with our very first Daisy Award at HCH,” said Chief Nursing Officer Allison Howell, RN. “The nurses at Harrison County Hospital are exceptional, and being able to tell their stories and share their impacts on our patients and families is so important.”
Any patient, family or visitor can nominate a Harrison County Hospital nurse for the Daisy award at hchin.org/daisy. For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, please go to http://DAISYfoundation.org.
In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 5,500 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nurses Advancing Health Equity, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, Medical Mission Grants and their new Health Equity Grant programs. More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.