healthcare heroes · shibu thomas (left), md, and tung tran, md, pulmonologists on the medical...

A S P E C I A L E D I T I O N O F

Y O U R H E A L T H Y L I V I N G M A G A Z I N E

HEALTHCARE HEROES: A TRIBUTE TO OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS AND THE COVID-19

PATIENTS THEY HEAL

CONTENTSFALL 2020

Read about other heroes, from the gatekeepers on our

police force and in admitting to the problem solvers in emergency management and the fundraisers

from our Foundation, at ShineOnlineHealth.com

3 Members of the emergency department staff across Methodist Health System exemplify what it means to excel on the front lines of the fight against the coronavirus.

6 All intensive care units underwent major changes due to the team’s tireless work caring for Methodist’s critically ill patients during the pandemic.

10 Respiratory therapists play a vital role in helping improve the quality of life for COVID-19 patients whose lungs, bodies, minds, and immune systems are on the mend.

12

16

Infection prevention and control, pathology, and laboratory service staff went into overdrive preparing for and battling the pandemic.

Read four inspirational stories about Methodist patients who recovered from their own unique bouts of COVID-19.

ShineOnlineHealth.com

SHINE (Vol. 10, Issue 3) is published quarterly as a community service for the friends and patrons of METHODIST HEALTH SYSTEM, telephone 214-947-4600, MethodistHealthSystem.org. To unsubscribe, please email [email protected].

James C. Scoggin Jr. CEO, Methodist Health System

Pamela Stoyanoff, MBA, CPA, FACHE President and Chief Operating Officer, Methodist Health System

Stacy Covitz, MBA Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Methodist Health System

Ryan Owens Director of Public Relations, Methodist Health System

Matt Peterson Manager of Publications and Internal Communications, Methodist Health System

Natalie Haddad Public Relations Coordinator, Methodist Health System

Runhua “Renee” Yan Communications Coordinator, Methodist Health System

Sheryle Nsangolo Public Relations Specialist, Methodist Health System

The information presented in this magazine should be viewed for general purposes only and should not be construed as prescribed medical advice. Please consult your private physician for further information or evaluation.

Models may be used in photos and illustrations.

Texas law prohibits hospitals from practicing medicine. The physicians on the Methodist Health System medical staff are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Methodist Charlton Medical Center, Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Methodist Midlothian Medical Center, Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals.

Methodist Now is a virtual internet platform that is owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services through the MethodistNow virtual platform are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.

Methodist Family Health Centers are owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and are staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services at these sites are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.

Methodist Hospital for Surgery and Methodist McKinney Hospital are independent legal entities separate from Methodist Health System and its affiliated hospitals. The physicians and other personnel providing care at these facilities are either employed by or independent contractors of Methodist Hospital for Surgery or Methodist McKinney Hospital and are not employees or agents of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, Methodist Health System, or any of its affiliated hospitals.

Developed by True North Custom2020 © True North Custom. All rights reserved.

Thank you to the entire staff of Methodist Health System, too numerous to name in this issue.

Your ongoing efforts to serve our patients, our system, and one another are inspiring.

Get Shine delivered to your inbox! Sign up at MethodistHealthSystem.org/

shine-e-news-registration

From supply chain and custodial staff to pastoral and physical plant services, read about the unsung heroes that keep Methodist Health System hospitals running.

Where life shines bright. SM

2 | SHINE SPECIAL EDITION | FALL 2020

The emergency department staf f represents the extreme front l ine in the f ight against COVID-19

Every day and night, emergency department (ED) doctors and nurses treat patients suffering from COVID-19 — a virus with no cure, few treatment options, and no known

immunity. During the pandemic, Methodist Health staff juggles a steady

stream of COVID-19 patients with the more routine — but no less urgent — needs of the ED, including strokes and heart attacks, as well as the worst trauma cases.

“There is no typical day in the ED,” says Jennifer Coffman, MD, medical director of the emergency department at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. “That is what makes it exciting and challenging at the same time.”

Nurses, as well as ED doctors like Dr. Coffman, can plan ahead but must always be prepared for the unexpected. In this case, the unexpected is a once-in-a-century pandemic.

Here are some of the ways Methodist’s ED staff has risen to the challenge:

Kimberly Roland-Edmondson, BSN, RN, at Methodist Dallas Medical CenterRoland-Edmondson is a rock for her colleagues in the ED. She is always a positive presence and ready to pitch in when a less-experienced nurse needs help. Like her fellow RNs, Roland-Edmondson’s spirit of camaraderie helped the team adapt their day-to-day processes early in the pandemic when the guidelines for personal protective equipment and other best practices constantly changed.

Diana Alonzo, BSN, RN, at Methodist Dallas Medical CenterAlonzo has taken new hires and nurse residents under her wing, showing them how treating COVID-19 fits into the daily routine of emergency medicine. “Mentees are a little bit more stressed than usual, but Diana has functioned as a mentor,” says Amanda Peña, BSN, RN, nurse manager in the ED at Methodist Dallas.

The front door to

Methodist Health System

“The teamwork between the nurses, the providers, and the physicians has

been great to watch. Everyone has stepped up.”

— Amanda Peña, BSN, RN, nurse manager in the emergency department

at Methodist Dallas Medical Center

M E T H O D I S T H E A LT H S Y S T E M . O R G | 3

OU

R S

TA

FF

Jeff Butterfield, MD, medical director of the emergency department at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterWithin a week of the first COVID-19 patient’s arrival, Dr. Butterfield set up negative-pressure rooms to keep the airborne virus contained. It’s just one example of the ways Methodist Health System remains focused on the safety and care of every patient who comes through its doors.

Ashley White, emergency medical service (EMS) liaison nurse at Methodist Dallas Medical CenterWhite makes countless calls each month to patients who pass through the ED, among other departments. Sometimes one follow-up call just won’t do, as was the case with an elderly woman who lived alone and was diagnosed with COVID-19. White called day after day to ensure she was OK.

“Under no circumstance should you avoid

emergency rooms or wait to see a doctor

if you feel your symptoms are serious.”

— Dr. Jeff Butterfield

It was all hands on deck at Mansfield’s ED nurse station where (from left) Allison Nelson, Dawn Morrison, RN, Blanca Estevez, Nursing Director Brooks Williams, RN, CCRN, and Leah Barbee, RN, monitored the symptoms of suspected COVID-19 cases. Nurses like Morrison and Barbee opened their homes to quarantining colleagues so they wouldn’t have to put their families at risk of infection. They also helped others whose spouses were laid off by offering gift cards, food, and other necessities.


OU

R S

TA

FF

Jennifer Coffman, MD, medical director of the emergency department at Methodist Mansfield Medical CenterDr. Coffman helped develop a rapid evaluation and treatment area in Methodist Mansfield’s ED for stable patients with COVID-19 symptoms. That allowed staff to move potentially contagious patients through the ED with minimal exposure to others. She also helped implement a surge plan so the entire ED could serve COVID-19 patients and have a separate “micro ER” for other patients.

Amanda Binnix, BSN, RN, CEN, LSSYB, directory of quality at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterBefore many people even realized the full, devastating effects of COVID-19, Binnix looked for ways to thwart it. As a trained nurse with a background working in an emergency setting, Binnix has demonstrated strong crisis management skills, ensured staff had the supplies and equipment they needed, and streamlined hospital processes. Because of Binnix, Methodist Charlton had a plan in place for handling the worst-case scenario.

“ER staff have an inherent ability to be nimble, remain calm, and continue

to focus on patient care, but the staff have been

truly amazing during this time.”

— Dr. Jennifer Coffman

For patients with milder cases, the journey ends here with their discharge from the ED. Others need the specialized care that only the ICU and COVID-19 units can provide. (Pages 6-9)


OU

R S

TA

FF

Shibu Thomas (left), MD, and Tung Tran, MD, pulmonologists on the medical staffSince the pandemic began, Drs. Thomas and Tran have worked tirelessly throughout Methodist Health System, both in a typical capacity in the ICU and in planning and administrative roles. “Those two guys really helped us the whole way,” says Les Cler, MD, FACP, CPE, chief medical officer at Methodist Dallas. “They endured an amazing amount of change and adaptation — and a lot of stress.”

“The nurses are doing so many jobs,” says Lauren Hoffman, MD, a hospitalist on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “They really have gone above and beyond.”

But don’t forget the pulmonologists and hospitalists, many of whom work long hours and as many as six weeks at a stretch without a weekend.

“The thing that really makes it where you can keep going is to have good camaraderie with the people around you,” says Les Cler, MD, FACP, CPE, chief medical officer of Methodist Dallas.

That teamwork is evident in ICUs and other units across the system and allows Methodist Health to provide our most critically ill patients the care and compassion they deserve.

The coronavirus gives rise to the COVID-19 unit and forces intensive care units (ICUs) to adapt

Nurses and doctors in the ICU and COVID-19 units now dress head to toe in personal protective equipment (PPE), including isolation gowns, gloves, face shields,

and N95 respirator masks.They work 12-hour shifts — on average — and must shuttle

in and out of negative-pressure rooms designed to contain the airborne coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Containing the coronavirus means keeping out patients’ loved ones, for their own protection. That’s put added emphasis on the care in caregiver, as nurses often play the role of surrogate family members.

The transformation inspired by a pandemic

“Our staff is not just helping patients, but they’re also helping families get information on a regular basis since they’re not able to visit the patients.”

— Dr. Shibu Thomas


OU

R S

TA

FF

Margaret Bondoc, ACNPC-AG, intensivist on the ICU staff at Methodist Dallas, Methodist Charlton, and Methodist Mansfield medical centersAs a highly skilled nurse practitioner, Bondoc has embedded herself in ICUs across Methodist Health System, managing the care of patients who need the closest attention.

“Margaret has a keen sense of awareness when it comes to patients,” Dr. Thomas says. “She’s able to stabilize them with her medical knowledge and skill.”

Liz Pearson, RN, (top left) and Sameil Deleon, RN, charge nurses in the COVID unit at Methodist Dallas Medical CenterAs part of the Resource team, Deleon and Pearson are veteran nurses who are accustomed to coming to work and going wherever they’re most needed. They’ve helped lead the COVID-19 unit as it doubled in capacity from 27 to 54 beds, caring for patients and less-experienced colleagues alike.

“Both of them are mothers, so they’ve become mother hens for anyone who comes down there,” says Carol Oran, RN, nurse manager at Methodist Dallas.

Lucy Burns (bottom left), RN, and Ruth Ruvalcaba, RN, charge nurses in the ICU at Methodist Dallas Medical CenterBurns is a “whirling dervish” and the “glue that holds the unit together,” says nurse manager Dawn Huggins, MSN, RN, COHN-S. A resource to everyone around her, she exudes joy and positivity that can be in short supply on the toughest days. Ruvalcaba “got thrown into the deep end of the pool” as a relatively new charge nurse, Huggins says, but has “taken to the role with aplomb.” She make sure her fellow nurses have everything they need to provide their critically ill patients with the best care possible.

“In a lot of ways, we overprepared and just really considered worst-case scenarios. We’re in a good position right now because of that.”

— Dr. Les Cler, CMO at Methodist Dallas


OU

R S

TA

FF

Mark Gemina, BSN, RN, CCRN, nurse leader for the COVID-19 unit at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterGemina fearlessly leads a team of nurses and patient care technicians to treat a 30-bed unit of COVID-19 patients. Recognizing that being quarantined away from their families took a toll on his patients, Mark helped obtain tablets so patients could chat online with family members. Gemina has worked 16-hour days to support his staff, and his empathetic leadership style has boosted the unit’s morale.

Jennifer Allen, BSN, RN, nurse manager in the ICU at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterWhile managing a 44-bed unit filled with the hospital’s sickest patients, Allen took a proactive approach by visiting another unit with COVID-19 victims in less dire conditions. There, she showed nurses how to care for patients so they could keep breathing on their own without the need for mechanical ventilation.

Jose Basora, MD, pulmonologist on the medical staff at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterDr. Basora was the first to volunteer for duty in Methodist Charlton’s 32-bed ICU. In addition to caring for the sickest COVID-19 patients, he helps educate staff on the latest research and ways to treat the emerging disease, including “proning” patients by placing them on their stomachs to help with breathing.

Chanse Boehringer, BSN, RN, charge nurse for the COVID-19 unit at Methodist Mansfield Medical CenterBoehringer provides exceptional leadership and works closely with physicians to build relationships between nursing and the ancillary departments, creating teams that respect one another and have one focus in mind: the patients. The morale is high, the energy is vibrant, and it’s like the entire unit is a family when Boehringer leads the charge.

Shantala Samart, MD, infectious disease physician on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield Medical CenterInfection prevention manager Cheryl Wherry, BSN, RN, CIC, LSSYB, has Dr. Samart’s back — and vice versa — when it comes to protecting each other and Methodist Mansfield patients from the coronavirus. Dr. Samart helped lead the hospital’s charge in the COVID-19 units and ICU.

“They have dug deep and figured out what they’re forged of. They go into the place

where no one else will tread, and every day they come back and do it again.”

— Dawn Huggins, nurse manager at Methodist Dallas


OU

R S

TA

FF

Anthony Boyer, MD, pulmonologist on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson Medical CenterDr. Boyer never gives up on a patient, not even a COVID-19 victim who spent six weeks on a ventilator and almost as many on dialysis after his kidneys failed. When the time came for the patient to go home, Dr. Boyer was there for the clap-out celebration and to wish the patient’s grateful family well.

Michael Foster, MD, pulmonologist on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson Medical CenterDr. Foster specializes in critical care medicine, internal medicine, and pulmonology — the trifecta for caring for COVID-19 patients. He wrote the COVID-19 manual for Methodist Health System, taking it upon himself to chronicle the latest research on testing and trends.

Danielle Cooper (below left), MSN, RN, PCCN, and Shannon Jackson (below right), BSN, MSN, RN-BC, nurse managers at Methodist Richardson Medical CenterBoth Jackson and Cooper had just begun their roles as nurse managers when the pandemic struck. Thrust into new roles, neither missed a beat. Jackson applies her expertise as a former trauma nurse to running one of two COVID-19 units at the hospital. Cooper’s team cares for patients on ventilators who require constant care.

Jacklyn Yeap (second from bottom), BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, nurse in the ICU at Methodist Richardson Medical CenterSince joining the ICU team last fall, Yeap has embraced team nursing and has served as charge nurse, a runner, and a primary nurse for COVID-19 patients. Her positive attitude and unwavering professionalism make Yeap a role model and an inspiration to the ICU team.

Linda Turner (bottom right), MSN, RN, CCRN, veteran ICU nurse at Methodist Richardson Medical CenterTurner developed a nursing model to help expand our ICU capacity during the pandemic. She partnered her ICU staff with COVID-19 unit nurses to form mentoring teams that share four patients a shift. Her innovative approach gives patients who need ventilators the around-the-clock care they require.

“The nurses really are amazing and deserve a ton of credit. They’ve responded to the

coronavirus pandemic with grace.”

— Dr. Anthony Boyer

Working alongside the doctors and nurses are the respiratory therapists who are uniquely trained and equipped to help COVID-19 patients breathe normally again. (Pages 10-11)


OU

R S

TA

FF

Respiratory therapists

to the rescue

Respiratory therapists have expert knowledge of the complex machines, equipment, and techniques needed to care for sick lungs.

The nature of their work puts them in close contact with patients, so respiratory therapists are among those at highest risk during the coronavirus outbreak. They brave potential exposure on a daily basis to put patients first.

To combat COVID-19, they mobilized quickly to fit machines with extra filters and adopted new protocols for the use

of aerosol-generating medications, which can cause the coronavirus to linger in the air.

Without missing a step, they managed complex ventilation systems and administered lifesaving medications, all while juggling multiple patients at once.

On top of assessing a person’s physical needs, respiratory therapists often soothe emotional patients, as well, spending time bedside to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.

As COVID-19 targets the lungs, the work of pulmonary specialists is more important than ever, highlighted by the respiratory therapists at Methodist Health System who work around the clock to serve the community

“Everybody’s been stepping up and adapting to the situation with great support from our own team and from other departments.”

— Susan Money, RRT-NPS, AE-C, ACCS, respiratory therapy manager at Methodist Charlton Medical Center

Todd Steele, RRT, RCP, respiratory therapist on the medical staff at Methodist Richardson Medical Center, was among the first to volunteer in the COVID-19 unit. He helped find vital medical supplies to ensure the hospital was prepared while never shying away from complex surgical procedures or complaining of new changes.


OU

R S

TA

FF

Jordana Bledsoe, RRT-NPS, RCP, team lead in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, provided staff with headwear, contributing to personal protective equipment and conserving much-needed supplies.

“We have come together more to look out for each other. We have each other’s backs to make sure we all have the protective gear we need.”

— Jordana Bledsoe

Clyde Malone, RRT, RCP, respiratory therapist on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center, cares for about six critically ill patients on a daily basis. But he also makes sure to take care of his co-workers, coordinating with a locally owned catering company to provide several meals for employees.

“It can be really hard for patients, especially without their family members around. They’re relying on your skills to take care of them.”

— Clyde Malone

Lucas Friedel, BSRC, RRT-NPS, director of respiratory therapy at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and Yan Lin, RRTIt’s the delicate task of respiratory therapists to ensure proper oxygen levels for COVID-19 patients on ventilators. Some suffer from silent hypoxemia, or “happy hypoxia,” a condition characterized by extremely low oxygen levels but no outward signs of difficulty breathing.

Testing for COVID-19 and preventing further outbreaks are every bit as important as treating patients. That’s where Methodist’s laboratory and infection prevention staff step in. (Pages 12-13)


OU

R S

TA

FF

ANSWERING THE CALL: COVID-19 TESTING AND PREVENTIONOften overlooked in the rush to treat COVID-19 are the tireless efforts of healthcare workers whose job is to identify the coronavirus and prevent it from spreading

Marie Wilson, MSC, RN, CIC, manager of Infection Prevention and Control at Methodist DallasA nurse by training, Marie is a fierce advocate of our nursing units, giving a voice to the staff most closely serving the patient and empowering nurses to decide what works best in reducing infections and the spread of the new coronavirus. With Wes Dunham, director of emergency management, she spearheaded the Methodist task force that has been instrumental to protecting the community and our patients, physicians, and staff.

Katherine Hartdegen, BSN, BS, RN, CPN, manager of Infection Prevention and Control at Methodist RichardsonAfter 15 years as a pediatric and NICU nurse, Katherine jumped at the chance to head up the Infection Prevention department at Richardson, five months before the biggest global pandemic in a generation. She hasn’t missed a beat, coordinating the hospital’s infectious disease protocols and the ever-evolving use of personal protective equipment.

PATHOLOGY AND LABS

The first job falls to pathologists and other laboratory staff, who each day test hundreds of specimens around the clock.

“We’ve had so many people step up, work extra, all weekend long, checking for test results,” John Strathearn, administrative director of laboratory services at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “They’re always there.”

In labs across Methodist Health System, highly trained professionals have shifted into overdrive since the pandemic struck locally. And thanks to their foresight, Methodist was ahead of the curve in terms of testing, says A. Joe Saad, MD, chairman of pathology for Methodist Health System.

“When COVID-19 started to hit in Dallas,” Dr. Saad says, “the only labs able to test were the Dallas County Health Department and our lab.”

Being a step ahead of the competition when the stakes are so high is how Methodist puts its patients first.

INFECTION PREVENTION

Staying a step ahead of the virus is where infection prevention and control (IP) comes in, devising strategies to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers alike.

This multidisciplinary team, whose backgrounds include nursing, public health, and lab sciences, seeks out patterns of infection within the hospital and the larger community and determines how best to stop the virus from spreading.

Among its most important roles is education, from training clinical staff on the proper way to put on and take off a respirator to stamping out misinformation and adapting to best practices that change by the day.

“Every day there’s new or conflicting guidance from public health agencies and professional organizations that we must reconcile,” says Marie Wilson, MSN, RN, CIC, manager of infection prevention and control at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “It causes frustration and doubt in a process already heavily burdened with uncertainty.”

It’s a testament to the IP team’s success that it can cut through the doubt to deliver a simple and reassuring message time and again.

“It is possible to slow and prevent transmission of this infection,” Marie says. “We are learning significant amounts every day.”


OU

R S

TA

FF

ANSWERING THE CALL: COVID-19 TESTING AND PREVENTION

Senait Woldai (left), MPH, CIC, LSSGB, manager of infection prevention and control at Methodist Charlton, pictured with Mark Gemina, nurse leaderSenait’s contributions are hard to overstate: She fields staff’s questions 24/7, updates administrators on new data and guidelines, and helps contact-trace employees for possible viral exposures. She also helped to create algorithms that are used for interpreting COVID-19 test results, guiding treatments, and deciding which precautions are necessary based on testing and symptoms. The success of these initiatives is a testament to her expertise and resolve.

Karen Roush, MD, vice chair of pathology for Methodist Health SystemWeeks before it became a global pandemic, Dr. Roush shared her worries about COVID-19 with her boss. “This is going to be a disaster,” Dr. Saad recalled her saying. “If we’re not ready, we’re going to regret it.” Thanks to her foresight, Methodist was the first health system locally to obtain the tests needed to identify the virus. That became especially important in early March when the first case of community-spread COVID-19 was treated at Methodist.

Tina McNabb, administrative director of laboratory services at Methodist Charlton Medical CenterTina and her team run an average of 100 tests a day for COVID-19 patients, in addition to thousands of other tests, delivering results in record time. Her department is the only one within the Methodist Health System equipped to test for the novel coronavirus, cutting the wait time from days at outside labs to four hours or less from hers. Without her team, doctors would not have the proper guidance to determine treatment plans, and nurses would not know which safety precautions are necessary.

Our frontline efforts are made possible by an army of unsung heroes who work behind the scenes, from physical plant workers to environmental services technicians. (Pages 14-15)


OU

R S

TA

FF

UNSUNG HEROES SHINE BEHIND THE SCENES

Methodist Health System’s success depends on every department working in concert, and the pandemic has made it more evident than ever that the

whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts

PASTORAL SERVICES

The pastoral services team at Methodist stands at the intersection of the community’s physical and spiritual well-being, reaching out to faith organizations to inform and educate people on ways to prevent the spread of the virus, where to get screened for infection, and how to safely return to worship.

With visitation policies restricted, many patients came to rely on our chaplains and ministers for strength. The pastoral services team provides for individuals of all faiths. Staff members used tablets to connect patients with spiritual leaders from different denominations.

“We’re dealing with a lot of tragic situations. Out of that come these existential questions of ‘who are we?’ and when I think about that, I think of pastoral care as an instrument of healing and peace.”

— Caesar Rentie, vice president of pastoral services at Methodist Health System

Rev. David Impwi (right), chaplain at Methodist Dallas, is one of several ministers on the pastoral care team. He has been instrumental in helping families understand and come to terms with loss.

SUPPLY CHAIN

Equipping a hospital to face a global health crisis is no easy task.

But supply chain workers across Methodist rose to the occasion, making sure our hospitals were prepared for the worst-case scenario.

The careful planning and foresight of leaders like Director of Supply Chain Operations Carol Powers, Senior Vice President Jan Lea, and Assistant Vice President Aaron Holt afforded hospital staff with the personal protective equipment (PPE), sanitation supplies, medical devices, and other valuable tools needed to tackle COVID-19 successfully.

Julian Escamilla (top left), supply chain manager at Methodist Mansfield, put his know-how as an Army veteran to work coordinating with every department in the hospital to extend PPE supplies, so protective equipment would be available when his colleagues caring for COVID-19 patients needed it most.

Luke McKittrick (bottom left), supply chain director at Methodist Richardson, worked tirelessly seven days a week to ensure the hospital had all the PPE and other supplies it needed to face the pandemic.


OU

R S

TA

FF

UNSUNG HEROES SHINE BEHIND THE SCENES “I want to recognize and give thanks to our community who graciously

demonstrated their generosity to Methodist. We have sought to be good stewards of the gifts entrusted to us.”

— Carol Powers, Director of supply chain operations, Methodist Health System

PHYSICAL PLANT

The fight against COVID-19 wouldn’t be successful without the contributions of Methodist’s Physical Plant team.With the onset of the pandemic, the entire department has stepped up. Facilities staff has been intensely involved with preparing the hospital for surges in patients. Plans for new COVID-19 units went into motion in just a matter of days and undergo changes daily, sometimes hourly.

Physical Plant technicians like Don Turner (left) and Juan Reveles (right) play an integral role prioritizing patient and staff safety and maintaining equipment and facilities

throughout Methodist Health System.

“I am very proud and fortunate to lead this team. Everyone is working very hard during this time, and they’re extremely engaged in the additional responsibilities brought on by the pandemic.”

— Mike Carroll, director of Physical Plant at Methodist Dallas Medical Center

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Floor technicians, housekeepers, and waste technicians act as the engine that keeps Methodist hospitals running. Every day, they ward against the spread of germs by sanitizing common areas, disinfecting high-touch surfaces, and cleaning patient rooms. Overcoming the unknown, they have continually worked to make our hospitals a safe place for everyone — just as they’ve always done.

Pictured right to left, Rosa Nyaoga, director of environmental services at Methodist Mansfield, leads a team that includes Noelia Toruno and Ledoina Campos who have never wavered in their mission to protect patients and their coworkers.

“I’d like to really thank my entire team because when it came down to it, even with the fears that were there, everyone stuck in there and found a way to overcome all the

challenges that we were facing.”— Olu Fasoranti, director of environmental services


OU

R S

TA

FF

A deacon-to-be at his DeSoto church, Patrick Roberson says his recoveryfrom COVID-19 is a testament to his faith and the medical team at

Methodist Charlton Medical Center

Giving praise W H E R E I T ’ S D U E

Things went from bad to worse for Patrick Roberson last spring when he lost his job at a car rental agency and then got sick.

Worried he’d been exposed to the coronavirus, Patrick checked himself into Methodist Charlton Medical Center. He didn’t leave for two weeks.

Now, the 51-year-old deacon-in-training says if it weren’t for Methodist Health System’s expert staff, he wouldn’t have lived to attend another service at Community Missionary Baptist Church of DeSoto.

“I don’t wish COVID-19 on anyone because it’s serious,” Patrick says. “But with the help of God and the Methodist Health doctors, I was able to make it through.”

UPHILL BATTLEBecause he suffers from asthma, diabetes, and hypertension, Patrick’s chances for becoming severely ill were high. Similarly, research has shown the chances he would make a full recovery were slim.

But he beat the odds.“Patrick’s response was better than we’ve seen with the

average patient,” says Jose Basora, MD, pulmonologist on the medical staff at Methodist Charlton.

Dr. Basora says Patrick was one of the first patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital.

After spending a few days in the COVID-19 unit, Patrick took a turn for the worse when his oxygen levels dropped dangerously low. In the ICU, Patrick was immediately put on a ventilator, a machine that would do the breathing for him.

“Patrick was already in full-blown respiratory failure,” Dr. Basora says. “At the time Patrick was admitted, treatments like convalescent plasma and the experimental antiviral drug remdesivir were not yet widely available to treat COVID-19.”

Instead, Patrick was treated with prone ventilation, a method where patients are laid on their stomachs to improve oxygen

flow. Dr. Basora also closely monitored Patrick’s fluid levels to prevent the disease from advancing.

“Most COVID-19 patients who are admitted to the ICU remain on a ventilator for nine or 10 days,” Dr. Basora says. “Patrick was removed from mechanical ventilation in seven days.”

Once Patrick was off the ventilator, he called his pastor, Oscar D. Epps Sr., to share the good news.

“Pastor, I’ve got a testimony. I’m cured from the coronavirus!” Patrick recalls saying.

GIVING PRAISEWhile he was under self-quarantine for 14 days, Patrick’s family and friends picked up where the medical staff left off, tending to his needs and making sure he had food and other supplies.

Patrick also took multiple tests to ensure he was free of the virus. Thankfully, each one came back negative.

Although he lost a lot of weight, Patrick feels healthy and is working harder than ever. He’s found a new job and sometimes works over 70 hours per week.

“I’m feeling fine!” Patrick says with a chuckle. “People say I’m one of the blessed ones.”

After Patrick’s recovery, Community Missionary Baptist Church wanted to give back to the hospital that saved Patrick’s life. The congregation took a day to serve food to Methodist Charlton employees and medical staff — Dr. Basora included.

“Methodist Health employees were thankful for the meal,” Patrick says, “but that pales in comparison to the gratitude I feel toward them.”

It’s because of their efforts that Patrick will soon become a deacon at his church.

“When you’re almost looking at death, you give praise where praise needs to be given,” he says. “My doctors and nurses ... I take my hat off to them. They were wonderful.”


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

When Patrick (right) was back to breathing on his own, his first call was to Rev. Oscar D. Epps Sr.,

telling him, “Pastor, I’ve got a testimony. I’m cured from

the coronavirus!”


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

A TROUBLING WARNING

When Érica Mendez got her smartwatch, she thought it would help her manage phone calls and text messages. She never imagined it could detect

COVID-19 symptoms, let alone help save her life and maybe even her grandmother’s.

The 29-year-old Dallas resident was taking a lunch break one day in July when her watch began sending her alerts. Her heart rate was skyrocketing.

“130...150...180,” the numbers flashed, well above the normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Érica began to feel pain in her chest and her head. She immediately left work and drove to Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

“I was worried I was going to have a heart attack,” she says.Érica’s unexpected detour to the hospital led to a positive

COVID-19 test and a weeklong stay.

LESSER KNOWN SYMPTOMSLooking back, Érica remembers having chills and headaches a couple of days before her heart rate spiked. At the time, she didn’t think much of it because she gets migraines regularly.

“Most people with COVID-19 — about 81% — have mild to moderate symptoms, such as muscle aches, a headache, and maybe a sore throat and runny nose, or even digestive symptoms,” says Miguel Villamil, MD, internal medicine physician on the medical staff at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. “The severity of the disease can depend on risk factors, such as age, obesity, or other pre-existing conditions.”

The infection is progressive, he says, so people may feel some fatigue and discomfort before more severe symptoms emerge, like shortness of breath, coughing, and fever.

Doctors say young adults, especially, are coming to the emergency department with abnormally high heart rates — just like Érica. And they’re more likely to wear fitness trackers.

“I actually feel like my watch saved my life,” Érica says. “If it weren’t for the alerts, I wouldn’t have gone to the hospital right away, and my symptoms could have gotten worse at home.”

Universities and tech companies are doing research to see if wearable gadgets could be useful in early detection of COVID-19 by tracking changes in heart rate, as well as body temperature.

PLASMA TREATMENTWhen Érica was admitted, she was having trouble catching her breath, and she’d later need supplemental oxygen.

The thing that surprised her most was the toll that COVID-19 took on her. She had developed pneumonia as an added complication of the coronavirus.

Doctors at Methodist Dallas treated her with steroids and convalescent plasma taken from the blood of an already recovered COVID-19 patient.

“The plasma contains antibodies that can fight the virus,” Dr. Villamil explains. “The theory is by transferring these antibodies to someone who’s still sick, it can help them fight off the infection.”

More data is needed to determine how effective it is, Dr. Villamil says, but it does offer a tool to help doctors fight the pandemic.

In Érica’s case, she seemed to respond well to the treatment.“About 24 hours after receiving the plasma, I started to feel

way better,” she says.

INSIDE THE COVID-19 UNITOne of the first things Érica did when she came to the hospital was call her grandmother who lives with her, so she could get tested, too.

Doctors found that she, too, had low oxygen levels, and she also tested positive for COVID-19.

Érica says the two likely became sick after her grandmother was infected on the job as an essential worker.

“We see a lot of COVID-19 patients come in as families,” Dr. Villamil says. “If one person becomes exposed, he or she can pass it to other family members living with them. And it can be difficult, even impossible, to quarantine away from each other in some cases.”

Fortunately, Érica and her grandmother were among the majority of patients who don’t need intensive care or ventilators to breathe for them. But it was still a trying time for the family.

Both women were isolated from each other and the rest of their family and friends. What eased those feelings of stress and anxiety for Érica was having thoughtful nurses caring for her.

FROM HER SMARTWATCH

Érica Mendez’s smartwatch gave the f irst signal that her heart rate was skyrocketing, and it turns out COVID-19 was to blame


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

Tonya Stringer, RN, and Evelyn De Ocampo, RN, would even carry messages between the women, keeping Érica informed about how her grandmother was doing.

“I loved every time that they came in,” Érica says.

ON THE MEND After a week, Érica was able to go home with her symptoms improving. Recovering at home, she spends much of her time checking on her grandmother’s recovery and following up on doctor’s appointments.

She says her experience with COVID-19 changed her perspective of the pandemic.

“At first, I didn’t really think it was going to happen to me,” she says. “I was in pretty good health, but experiencing that made me afraid for my life.”

Érica hopes others can benefit from the lessons she’s learned and urges everyone to wear a mask, wash their hands, and keep their distance.

“Everything, all these symptoms I’ve never experienced,” she says, “I’m never going to forget that.”

“I actually feel like my watch saved my life.

If it weren’t for the alerts, I wouldn’t have

gone to the hospital right away, and my symptoms

could have gotten worse at home.”

— Érica Mendez


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

After seeking care at Methodist Richardson

Medical Center, veteran James Turner and his wife,

Kathy, are thrilled at James’ new lease on life.


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

Vietnam veteran James Turner overcame COVID-19 and respiratory and renal failure thanks to a dedicated medical team and his unshakable faith

When James Turner was wheeled out of Methodist Richardson Medical Center in May, the 71-year-old Vietnam veteran was greeted by a multitude of well-

wishers cheering and singing gospel music.From hospital staff members to friends and family, they

were celebrating an unlikely recovery from COVID-19, as well as respiratory and renal failure.

“It’s the most remarkable recovery I’ve seen in my career,” says Anthony Boyer, MD, a pulmonologist on the medical staff of Methodist Richardson Medical Center, who treated James.

James became ill with COVID-19 in early March. No one knows for sure where he was infected. After less than a week in the hospital, his health took a dramatic turn for the worse.

He suffered respiratory failure and needed a ventilator to breathe for him for five weeks while he lay in bed under heavy sedation — a “medically induced coma” as it’s sometimes called.

Adding to the complications of COVID-19, his underlying diabetes forced his kidneys into acute renal failure, which required dialysis.

“Regardless of COVID, when someone develops respiratory failure and renal failure, their risk for mortality is very high,” Dr. Boyer says. “There were definitely periods when I thought he wasn’t going to survive.”

But because of the medical team’s dedicated efforts, James slowly started to get better during his seven weeks in the hospital.

“Once he turned a corner, every day his breathing was a little better and X-rays were a little better,” Dr. Boyer says.

James’ turnaround required a team of experts, including Dr. Boyer and his partner pulmonologist Michael Foster, MD; infectious disease specialists Serge Lartchenko, MD, and Sofia Ansari, MD; as well as nephrologist Parin Makadia, MD, MBA, who was instrumental in treating James’ kidney failure.

The nursing staff was also instrumental in James’ recovery as they offered continuous crucial care: monitoring vitals and equipment, administering medication, adjusting intravenous fluids, and tending to his hygiene and overall well-being.

“Words can’t explain how kind they were to me,” James says. “I hadn’t seen my family in a while, which made me feel like I would break down, but the nurses encouraged me and helped me make it through those times.”

Methodist Richardson was especially well-equipped to respond to COVID-19, having just completed construction on two additional floors of the hospital that were swiftly reorganized for COVID-19 care.

“It’s not a small feat to get all of the supplies and equipment up there, but we responded quickly to the unfolding situation,” Dr. Boyer says.

James doesn’t remember most of his harrowing health ordeal, including the three or four days that he spent in the hospital before lapsing into unconsciousness. Memory loss after sedation is common, Dr. Boyer says.

However, the deeply religious man and church deacon had vivid visions of his wife, Kathy, their five children, and others praying for him and even heard gospel music while in a coma.

“I know God brought me out of this. The prayers of the righteous and the amazing medical staff at Methodist are why I’m here today,” James says. “God worked a miracle in my life.”

James Turner holds a photo from his time in Vietnam.

BACK FROM THE

BRINK


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

SPOTTING THE WARNING SIGNSIn Corey Ripe’s case, a seizure was the f irst signal to his f iancée that

something wasn’t right — they were shocked to learn he was already in critical condition with COVID-19

COREY RIPE’S ORDEAL with COVID-19 began with a seizure in the drive-through of a fast-food restaurant.

“I placed my order, pulled forward, and put my car in park. The next thing I remember is waking up to paramedics and firefighters asking me questions,” Corey says. “I’d had a seizure, and the people in the car behind me called 911.”

Corey was taken to a nearby hospital where he underwent tests and was released later that night with an all-clear.

“He wasn’t tested for COVID-19 because, at the time, there was no evidence that seizures could be a symptom,” says Jena Parris, Corey’s fiancée. “He went back to work the next day and was fine the rest of the week.”

By the following weekend, that all changed. “As a healthy 47-year-old, it didn’t seem likely that I would get

COVID-19, much less have life-threatening symptoms if I did,” says Corey. “There are only two reasons I am here today and able to tell my story: God’s grace and the care I got at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.”

AN ORDINARY DAYThe day Corey ended up in the Methodist Mansfield emergency department began with a routine trip to the store.

After a nap, Corey woke up a few hours later fatigued and sounding even more congested, so he took some cough and cold medicine. When he woke again in the middle of the night feeling even worse, Jena knew something wasn’t right.

“He was talking nonsense,” she says. “I remembered a friend saying that seizures had just been linked to COVID-19 symptoms, so we went straight to the Methodist Mansfield emergency department.”

SPRINGING INTO ACTIONMedical personnel met Corey and Jena at the door after she called ahead to tell them she was bringing in a possible COVID-19 patient. Corey’s vital signs showed he was already in critical condition, and he was immediately taken to the ICU.

That was the last time Jena saw Corey for seven days.Shelley Lenamond, DO, internal medicine specialist on

the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield, was working in the COVID-19 unit when Corey was admitted.

“I can’t imagine how scary it is to watch your loved one rushed away,” Dr. Lenamond says. “I knew I could help by frequently communicating updates to his family. It’s become part of our job these days.”

As Corey was fighting for his life, Jena got phone updates from Dr. Lenamond and his nurses.

FOCUSED ON COVID-19 CAREThe entire medical staff of the COVID-19 unit has made the same commitment to frequently call and video chat with patients’ family members.

“When a patient’s loved ones are by their side, they are able to see all that the doctors and nurses are doing,” says Jaeca Flanagan-Simpson, RN, BSN, CCRN, a charge nurse in the COVID-19 unit at Methodist Mansfield. “The team of doctors and nurses working exclusively on the COVID floor are absolutely committed to their roles.”

Dr. Lenamond agrees, saying that having a dedicated team just for COVID-19 patients allows them to deliver high-level care, which ultimately aids in patient recovery.

After Corey was stabilized, he had a remarkable turnaround. Most COVID-19 patients spend two to three weeks on a ventilator; Corey was taken off after only four days.

“I was able to go home to Jena and our family a few days later,” says Corey. “I could never put into words how thankful I am to the nurses and doctors who took care of me. They saved my life.”


OU

R P

AT

IEN

TS

Telemedicine is helping Methodist Health System f ight against COVID-19, ensuring social distancing while keeping our promise of being your trusted source for healthcare

“Think of a virtual video visit as the same thing as an in-person visit, only the provider and patient could be miles apart rather than in the same room,” Harris says.

THE FUTURE IS NOW: HEALTHCARE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM A DISTANCE

TELEMEDICINE IS A relatively new tool in Methodist Health System’s bag of options — and it has become indispensable during the pandemic.

“Telemedicine is here to stay, without a doubt,” says Scott Harris, MBA, LSSGB, director of virtual care for Methodist Medical Group.

Providing care at a distance, whether by phone or online, allows our healthcare professionals to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients safely in their homes.

It’s been just two years since Methodist fully implemented its telemedicine options — just in time, it turns out. Since spring, when COVID-19 hit home in North Texas, the number of patients who have been treated by telemedicine has almost tripled.

And the satisfaction with the care they’re getting has blossomed, as well — a testament to how well the medical staff has adapted to providing care through a screen or phone line.

“It’s been very effective for treating our patients,” Harris says, “and we’ve seen some of our highest patient satisfaction levels ever thanks to telemedicine.”

At Methodist, the health and safety of our patients, communities, physicians, and our front-line staff drive everything we do. Telemedicine is helping us meet that challenge.

WHAT’S TELEMEDICINE BEST AT TREATING?

Virtual visits can handle a wide range of cases, from lower back pain to minor burns, flu, and stomach issues like IBS and GERD.

WHAT CAN’T BE DONE VIRTUALLY?

Physicals, blood tests, and anything requiring a scan aren’t possible, but the list of what physicians can do remotely is far longer than what they can’t.

HOW DOES A VIRTUAL VISIT WORK?

1. Patients will want to call their doctor’s office to schedule an appointment and ask about a virtual visit.

2. Clinic staff provides instructions to the patient on signing up for the MyChart online app.

3. On the day of the appointment, a staff member calls the patient to ensure they’ve downloaded the necessary app and are ready for the visit.

4. The healthcare provider initiates the visit at the appointment time and speaks to the patient as though they are both in the exam room together.

5. The physician diagnoses the patient, prescribes medication, and schedules any necessary follow-ups.


TE

LE

ME

DIC

INE

Methodist thanks our communities for their support!


MA

ILED

FROM ZIP CODE 43973

NONPROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 94

/MethodistHealthSystem

@mhshospitals

@MethodistHealthDFW

/MethodistHealthDFW

ShineOnlineHealth.com

Methodist Health System P.O. Box 655999 Dallas, TX 75265-5999

healthcare heroes · shibu thomas (left), md, and tung tran, md, pulmonologists on the medical...

Documents