St. Luke's Health System

We wanted to update you on a post from last month. Mother goose has flown the coop with goslings in tow!

Nursing director Debbie Larson recently nominated Nampa respiratory therapy manager Chad Franklin for a Best Practice Award after Franklin and his team identified areas for improvement at a Nampa clinic. Thank you and congratulations!

Earlier this month, the northern lights filled our skies. Megan Gray was kind enough to send us these photos with our Boise hospital in the foreground!

Thank you, nurses! It was a great Nurses Week across St. Luke's. Last week, National Nurses Week was celebrated May 6-12 across St. Luke's, and we wanted to say one more time: Thank you to our amazing nurses!   "Across our health system, the difference you make cannot be measured, but it is noticed and appreciated," said SVP Clinical Practice Integration/Chief Nurse Executive Elizabeth Steger.   Check out some photos of our teams celebrating!

Hospital Week 2024 saw great weather across Idaho. Our teams gathered to enjoy good food and fun as well! 😎

The St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation annually recognizes those who have been of outstanding service to the foundation’s mission and goals at the Heritage Dinner. The event in Twin Falls includes St. Luke’s staff, physicians and providers who go above and beyond to support the work of the foundation as well as members of the community.   • Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Fairchild. • Physician of the Year: Dr. Daryl Ficklin. • Business of the Year: Twin Falls Subaru. • Board Member of the Year: John W. Wright. • Philanthropist of the Year: Dr. Jarom Lamb. • Champion of the Year: Arlen Blaylock, COO/CNO St. Luke’s Magic Valley. • Third Party Donor of the Year: Chick & Chaps.   A special award is given each year in honor of Dr. Ben Katz, the first board certified pediatrician in the Magic Valley and former hospital board member. Katz provided pediatric services for 45 years in Twin Falls, from 1952 through his retirement in 1997.   The Dr. Ben Katz Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who display the same degree of skill, leadership, commitment, longevity of service and generosity that were so evident to those who knew Dr. Ben Katz. This year’s Dr. Ben Katz Lifetime Achievement award winner was Sallee Middlekauff.   “Sallee’s dedication and devotion to the foundation has helped support our mission to improve the health of the people in our community,” said Dawn Soto, executive director of St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation.    “She has been a long-time committed board member and has made a huge impact and a difference in the lives of others. Her wisdom has helped guide us towards excellence. We are very fortunate to have Sallee as a valued member of our foundation family!”   This year’s Heritage Dinner also included a special “Everyday Angel” award presented to Foundation staff member Terry Rowe, a special events coordinator.   “On behalf of St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s Magic Valley Health Foundation, thank you for your outstanding contributions and your talent,” Soto said. “Your passion and your compassion have set a standard of excellence that inspires us all.”

Caring Heart Awards spotlight: Dr. Gregory Ball works tirelessly as a pulmonology physician in Magic Valley, providing his expertise to patients in need of respiratory care. “His patients adore him,” a St. Luke’s colleague said. “Every time I meet a patient of his, all I hear is positive compliments.” In 2023, Ball was honored with the Provider Excellence award, part of St. Luke’s Caring Heart Awards program. The award recognizes physicians and providers who demonstrate St. Luke’s values, behaviors and vision to be a trusted partner in providing exceptional patient-centered care. “Having Dr. Ball at our side during the pandemic and every other day was transformative,” said a colleague. “When the pandemic reached Dr. Ball's community, he stepped up and ensured that the patient population that entered our doors was well cared for. “He celebrated with his patients when they got to go home, and he cried with families when patients didn’t win an exhausting war with COVID, but never once did he slow down to take a break himself.” Another colleague added: “He is an incredible human who gave so much for our community.”

We are devastated to learn of the passing of Dr. Terry O’Connor, St. Luke’s Wood River Emergency Department physician.    A beloved and respected member of the Wood River community, Dr. O’Connor was renowned across the health system and state; among many accolades, he earned the Idaho Hospital Association’s Excellence in Patient Care award and was honored by South Central Public Health District for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. His passion for medicine and unwavering commitment to patients touched so many of us. Dr. O’Connor was not only a skilled physician but also a kind and compassionate individual whose presence brightened the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know him. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues. Read more about Dr. O’Connor’s remarkable life in this blog story from 2021. https://lnkd.in/eaazxMPi

A DAISY Award celebration was held recently for RN Kat Persad in the Boise NICU. She was nominated by the parents of twins and made a lasting impression on the new family. Below is an excerpt from her nomination,   “I remember going to see my twins the day after delivering, not knowing how to care for a preemie baby or what to expect. I went in, touched my little boy and startled him because I was rubbing him. (Persad) watched me do this and gave me the tip of patting instead, which seemed to calm him down.    "The following day we did not have her as our nurse but she took the time to go say hi to us and check on our babies. Kat was so genuine and sweet by getting to know us and listen to our struggles to have our twins.    "She was so empathetic and understanding with any question or concern we had. Kat knew every detail of my twins and although it was devastatingly hard to leave my babies, I felt very comfortable she was caring for them because I personally observed her talk to them, nurture them, soothe them and simply dress them up in cute outfits.    "She got to know and memorize our routine and did everything she could to allow us to be there for everything which we so badly wanted. It was amazing to see (Kat) go beyond her job role and just show such love to a stranger’s baby, let alone their parents who are going through a hard time by being away from home and having to be in the NICU.”

Happy Mother's Day!