The 2012 National Hospital Week theme, “Making Miracles Happen” is aimed at uniting health care facilities across the country during the May 6-12 celebration. “National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people,” Donna Boatright, Administrator of Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital said. “We’re extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities.” Communities rely on hospital food service workers and physicians, theapists and nurses, administrators and volunteers and so many more every day. “National Hospital Week is our annual opportunity to thank these dedicated peope for their compassionate care and to remind everyone of the critical role our hospital plays in our community.”

Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital employees strive to be the number one contributor to the Nolan County United Way with a donation of $13,946.

The first annual Treadmill Walkathon which was held on February 17-18 was a tremendous success! Held to support the local American Heart Association efforts, the RPMH Community Outreach Team planned the 24 hour event. A total of 86 walkers participated, ranging in ages from teens to several in their 70s and 80s. Hospital Board members, patients, and citizens joined our staff in walking. There was at least one walker on a treadmill fo rthe full 34 hours and much of the time all 5 treadmills were in use as well as other exercise equipment. In all$2,086.00 were raised and presented to the AHA. Thanks to all the hospital staff and Community Outreach Team members who worked to makethis event possible. Promoting health and fitness is one of our primary purposes along with giving back to our community. Hopefully next year we will double the number of walkers!

Mickey Williams, Jennie Dodd, Center-Jerrie Gee, AHA Chairperson, Jennifer Serrault, Jill Adams

The 2011 Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital Employee of the Year is Keri Halford. The announcement was made at the RPMH Christmas Day Awards Ceremony. Keri was presented her plaque and monetary award by Wayne Chowning, Hospital Board member. Keri was described as dedicated and professional and one who goes above and beyond in her job duties. Rosa praised her for numerous compliments from co-workers and patients. Keri has worked at RPMH since January 2010. She is a Registered Nurse in our Emergency Department  and was the February Employee of the Month. Keri is a graduate of Post High School and Covenant School of Nursing in Lubbock. She and her children, Kambri and Brenson, live in Snyder.

Keri is pictured receiving her plaque from Hospital Board member Wayne Chowning.

Congratulations to our heartbeat of the year winners-Plant Operations!!!

These guys work tirelessly and with little recognition for the hard work and long hours they put in to keep our facility running. Whether it is mowing dead grass in the 100+ degree summer, chipping ice in the 20 degree winter, checking a drippy sink, or simply doing a walk through of the facility in the middle of the night to make sure that the facility is ok-these guys are here for the safety of the patients, the families, and staff here at RPMH. We are very grateful for their dedication, hard work, and generous spirit. Pictured left to Right are Howard Bryant, Ronny Ashley, Steve Clark-Plant Operations Director, Julian Garza and Chuck Browning.

The Field of Pink is a new way for RPMH to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness month as well as give back to the community. A small $5 donation is requested to purchase a stake with the name of a friend or loved one who has either fought the battle of breast cancer (or any cancer actually) or to memorialize someone who has lost the battle, or even to dedicate it to someone you hope never has to fight this battle. The stakes will be placed in the field in front of the hospital. All money collected will be donated to the American Cancer Society. It is our hope that the entire field in front of the hospital will be pink.

Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital Board Chairman recognized outgoing board member, Karen Rainbolt, for her twelve years of service and dedication to Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital. Ms. Rainbolt has served as chairman of the hospital Finance Committee and Joint Conference Committee during her tenure and has been a strong advocate for quality healthcare in Nolan County. Board members and staff thanked Ms. Rainbolt for her wisdom, leadership and vision. Ms. Rainbolt tendered her resigation at last month’s meeting which became effective on September 26, 2011. the Board plans to make an appointment to fill the remainder of Ms. Rainbolt’s term which expires in May of 2012.

On September 14, 2011, Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital was recognized by The Joint Commission, national hospital accrediting organization, for their outstanding performance in Key Quality Measures. As a “Top Performer”, Rolling Plains is among the top 14% of all accredited hospitals fo r2010. Shown accepting the award at the Monday, September 26 board meeting are board members Carlos Alvarado, Jose Villafranca, Linda Kite, Wayne Chowning, hospital board chairman, Steve Holcomb, and hospital quality director, Mickey Williams.

Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital Earns “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” Recognition from The Joint Commission

Sweetwater, September 14- Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital today was named one of the top performers on key quality measures by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of health care organizations in America. Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital was recognized by The Joint Commission based on data reported about evidence-based clinical processes that are shown to improve care for certain conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care and children’s asthma. Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital is one of only 405 U.S. hospitals and critical access hospitals earning the distinction of top performer on key quality measures for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance. Inclusion on the list is based on an aggregation of accountability measure data reported to The Joint Commission during the previous calendar year. For example, this first recognition program is based on data that were reported for 2010. To be recognized as a top performer on key quality measures an organization must meet two 95 percent performance thresholds. First they must achieve a composite performance of 95 percent or above after the results of all the accountability measures for which they report data to the Joint Commission were factored into a single score, including measures that had less than 30 eligible cases or patients. Second, they must meet or exceed a 95 percent performance target for every single accountability measure for which they report data, excluding any measures with less than 30 eligible cases or patients. Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital was recognized for achieving these thresholds for Pneumonia. ‘Today, the public expects transparency in the reporting of performance at the hospitals where they receive care, and The Joint Commission is shining a light on the top performing hospitals such as Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital that have achieved excellence  on a number of vital measures of quality of care,” says Mark R. Chassin, M.D., FACP,M.P.P., M.P.P., president, The Joint Commission. “We understand that what matters most to patients at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital-safe, effective care. That’s why Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital has made a commitment to accreditation and to positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes. Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital is proud to be named to the list of Joint Commission’s Top Performers on Key Quality Measures,” says Donna Boatright, CEO.In addition to being included in today’s release of The Joint Commission’s ‘Improving America’s Hospitals” annual repot, Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital will be recognized on The Joint Commission’s Quality website (www.qualitycheck.org).