A publication about the team that cares for our patients.

Our voıceSeptember 2016

DORIS MORGAN, RN

how far would you go to

save lives?

“Working here is my ministry.”

how do you make your dreams reality?

M O R G A N

DORIS

RN // 8 years // 6 North

FUN FACT My husband and I raise cattle,

and our favorite cow is named Dr. Dodson.

DORIS has always been a hard worker with a vision for the future. Starting at age 13, she babysat, painted bleachers and cleaned county buildings to earn extra money. During high school she worked as a secretary at the Farmer’s Home Administration. She immediately start-ed as a bank teller after graduation, eventually working her way up to the position of bank officer in charge of training.

“When I was working in assets and liabilities, it was noth-ing for me to have $100,000 in my car to take it to another branch! Times sure have changed,” says Doris.

After 12 years, she was ready for her next step. She start-ed with the State of Tennessee where she became a state trooper. Being a woman in this line of work wasn’t always easy, and Doris remembered that some people didn’t feel that it was a woman’s place. Even though she liked her job, Doris always had a dream in her heart—and that dream was to become a nurse.

“My husband, Bruce, was so encouraging and wanted me to go for it, even if that meant a sacrifice for him,” says Doris. “He worked 16-hour days, nearly 7 days a week, so I could go to nursing school at Chattanooga State and not have to work at the same time. I was so thankful to make it through!”

Finding Her Home After getting her nursing degree, Doris settled in with CHI Memorial eight years ago, and now works on the 6th floor of the Guerry Heart and Vascular Center, where she is affectionately known as “Momma D” because of her caring spirit. She loves her boss and coworkers and hopes to finish out her career with this awesome team.

Doris likes to joke that she waited until she was a senior citizen before getting her college degree, but to her it was worth it! She was only 51 when she graduated, but this little joke is a perfect example of how she focuses on the positive in every situation. She believes in building people up, not tearing them down.”

“I love that CHI Memorial’s work environment is Christian- based, and that I feel comfortable praying with and for patients if they’re willing,” says Doris. “You can be com-forting to people in ways you don’t even realize. Working here is more than a job to me—it’s my ministry. You Can’t Keep Doris Down There’s no doubt that Doris can work circles around just about anyone. She works as a floor nurse, and she’s also the full-time caregiver for her mom who has Alzheimer’s disease. She and her husband love being outdoors, taking care of their cattle, working in the garden, and the old- fashioned canning that comes with all their fresh produce. They also love to camp by the lake and ride horses.

“I try to keep a positive attitude and thank Him for our blessings, no matter the circumstances,” says Doris.

3rd Career’s a CHARM

i was born in Miami, but moved to Guatemala right away with my family. I lived there with my parents and two siblings until I turned 16 and came to the United States during my junior

year in high school,” says Andrea. “We always traveled to the US to visit theme parks in Orlando twice a year and took trips across the country as well. It fueled my love of discovering new places and experiencing new things.”

Andrea has been to many places across the US, Canada and South America. She just returned from her first trip to Europe where she visited France, Spain, Belgium, the Greek Islands, Germany and Italy with her family.

Why Does She Love Traveling So Much? For Andrea it’s simple—travel helps her manage stress.

“Balancing work and school can be stressful at times. I love that learning about other cultures expands your mind and helps you see things from a different point of view. For me, getting out of town is the best medicine,” Andrea explains. “If you buy a car or computer, those things start losing their value right away. But trips with my friends and family build memories I’ll never forget.”

See page 8 for ways to get away on the cheap.

When Andrea finds a good deal on a flight, she always travels light. For most every trip, she only takes one carry-on bag to keep costs low and stay light on her feet. “I travel to see and experience different cultures and ways

of life, so I don’t focus as much on what I’m going to wear,” says Andrea. “But I do have a few tips

and tricks to share.”

USE A HUGE CARRY-ON BAG THAT YOU CAN PUT ON YOUR SHOULDER.

This acts as your personal bag, and you won’t be asked to check it at the gate if the

plane is full.

FOR WOMEN, SLIP IN A WALLET-SIZED PURSE WITH A LONG STRAP. These are perfect when you’re sightseeing because they hold the essentials like your license or passport, credit card and phone while keeping your hands free.

WEAR YOUR HEAVIEST SHOES. If you must bring more than one pair, throw the lightest choice in your bag. Make sure they’re comfy for lots of walking!

LAYER UP. Wearing a light cardigan or sweater and a scarf on the plane helps keep you comfort-able if temperatures drop and gives you more ways to change up your look.

ROLL INSTEAD OF FOLD. Rolling up your clothes keeps them wrinkle-free and conserves precious space.

Pack Like a Pro

“

Ready to Get Away?

MBA

W I L H E L M

ANDREA

Recruitment Specialist // 1+ years Human Resources

FUN FACT She grew up in Guatemala, her

favorite country is Brazil and she’s working toward her MBA.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVORITE ESCAPE?

LEARNING ABOUT OTHER CULTURES

EXPANDS YOUR MIND AND HELPS

YOU SEE THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT

POINT OF VIEW.

If you love to travel but think you can’t do it without lots of extra cash— think again! Andrea Wilhelm, recent Southern Adventist University graduate and frequent traveler, shares her tips to seeing the world without spending a fortune.

You never know what life circumstances will bring people together. For Keely Rector and Karen Frank, it was a heart condition and the need for pacemakers at younger-than-typical ages. Although they can’t remember exactly when, these two discovered common ground while working together at CHI Memorial and became fast friends. Now they share a kindred support system and even refer to themselves as the “pacer sisters.”

Keely’s StoryKeely had her first cardiac experience at age 25, while working as a CNA at CHI Memorial. Her heart rate was 180, and she was sent directly to the ER. She knew it was real pain, not something like the anxiety attacks she sometimes experienced. After trying several medications, her heart rate was still out of control. “My cardiologist said my heart wasn’t functioning properly. In fact, it was working overtime—all the time,” says Keely. “It made it difficult for me to think straight.”

She had an ablation—a procedure that corrects the electrical pathways in the heart—to help keep her heart in proper rhythm. It worked for several years, until Keely’s heart rate started dropping when she wasn’t on her feet and moving. She knew it was time to do something more and had a pacemaker implanted in 2011. Any time her heart rate drops below 60 beats a minute, the pacemaker kicks in.

“Even though it was scary at the time, I’m so thankful that I worked at CHI Memorial where the people around me could care for me,” says Keely. “It’s been a blessing to me physically, mentally and spiritually.”

Karen’s Story According to Karen, an ICU nurse (who now works in regulatory compliance and patient safety) raising two boys, she doesn’t have much time to sit still. She always had a slow pulse, but in 2007 she started to feel lightheaded and faint when she wasn’t on the go. Once she got moving again, the feeling would pass. Then one of these spells resulted in a hospital stay. Her dropping heart rate meant she needed a pacemaker.

“Because my body was protecting its vital organs, my circulation was poor and blood wasn’t getting to my hands and feet like it should,” remembers Karen. “After the pacemaker insertion, I woke up and felt like I had lost 100 pounds. My arms and legs were

floating like a butterfly, and so many people noticed a change in my skin tone and how much healthier I looked.”

R E C T O R

KEELY

Staffing Clerk // 15 years Resource Management

FUN FACT

Cat-lover, and her cat, Hannah, lived to be 20.

SHARING A SPECIAL BOND

SHARING A SPECIAL BOND

Did you know that heart disease is the number one

killer of women? It’s true. According

to the American Heart Association,

it causes one in three deaths each year—approximately one woman every minute!

Because the warning signs for women are different than for men, they’re often missed or mistaken for other health conditions. Women’s symptoms can occur while at rest, and mental stress is also a trigger. Pain, pressure or discomfort in the chest is the most common heart attack symptom, but women can even have a heart attack without chest pain!

If you experience these symptoms or think you’re having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately.

WOMEN AND

HEART DISEASE

Don’t

Downplay the

Warning

Signs

Even though Karen has always been on the go working and volunteering, her pacemaker gave her the renewed energy to get her BSN, master’s degree in health administration, and a doctorate in nursing. She also made time for regular exercise in CHI Memorial’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab program. She completed all phases of the program and recently transitioned her membership to the employee fitness center where she can still monitor blood pressure and get support if needed.

Sisterly Support Keely and Karen both feel lucky to be alive because of their pacemakers and have a positive attitude despite some of the limitations they face. They lean on each other and are quick to encourage and swap stories and tips to make living with a pacemaker a little easier. They also participate together in American Heart Association events, raising awareness about the heart disease dangers women face.

“Keely and I have experienced so many of the same things. We’re blessed to have each other as friends and a support system when we’re dealing with health challenges,” Karen laughs. “I don’t know how we ended up together in lower administration at Memorial, but I’m sure glad we did!”

F R A N K

KAREN

Director of Accreditation 25 years // Nursing Administration

FUN FACT She plays the accordion, and she and her sister married brothers.

WHO DO YOU LEAN ON IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?

STAY MINDFUL OF THESE LESS OBVIOUS SYMPTOMS:

DIZZINESS OR LIGHT-

HEADEDNESS

DISCOMFORT IN THE ABDOMEN,

NECK, JAW, SHOULDER OR

UPPER BACK

SHORTNESS OF BREATH

RIGHT ARM PAIN

NAUSEA, VOMITING

AND SWEATING

UNUSUAL FATIGUE

SHARING A SPECIAL BOND

SHARING A SPECIAL BOND

on the first trip taken nearly 20 years ago, he connected immediately with Africa Mission Services (AMS), an organization called to help Kenya’s Maasai tribe.

“After my first experience, I was hooked,” says Dr. Winters. “If you want to change your perspective on life and all you have, this is the way to do it. And if you want to love people, AMS will find a way to put you to work.”

Because of the tribalism that is pervasive in African culture, the Maasai tribe is one of the lowest on the socio-economic scale. They often work as herders who don’t own property, are very uneducated and have limited access to quality health care.

“The Maasai people have been taken advantage of by marketers and tourists, and they desperately need help to change their circumstances,” says Dr. Winters. “AMS went to the community and asked what was needed. Their answer was schools, clinics and clean water.”

From the Ground UpWhen Dr. Winters first started on his yearly trips, there was no infrastructure in place. This meant the group cooked their own food and established ways to shower before they could get to work in what’s called a traveling bush clinic. Now, the roughly 30 people who go on each trip work primarily in the five schools and the freestanding health clinic where they treat approximately 100 people every day.

The full-service medical clinic means they can offer a range of healthcare services—everything from treating worms to cleaning and sterilizing infected wounds to delivering babies. Dr. Winters

What started as a last minute decision to join a medical mission trip has turned

into a life-changing experience for Dr. David Winters and his entire family.

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO CHANGE LIVES?

Liv

es C

hang

ed,

Star

ting

with

His

Ow

n

W I N T E R S

DAVID

DO, Family Practice Physician 38 years // CHI Memorial Ooltewah

Family Practice Associates

FUN FACT Loves traveling and fishing.

and his family have been part of the hundreds of doctors, nurses, teachers, evangelists, builders and students who have volunteered and made a difference in the lives of the Maasai people.

Dr. Winters’ wife, Judy, has been so impressed by the work of AMS that she now serves on their advisory board. And after each trip, Dr. Winters brings back goods from Africa that he sells to raise money that goes directly back into the work coordinated by Africa Mission Services.

“My primary goal is to offer educational opportunities and advanced medical care so that the Massai people can lead a healthier life,” says Dr. Winters. “When you give of your time, you get a lot more in return when you see firsthand what an impact the work is making in people’s lives.”

when you give your

time, You get a lot more

in return when you see

firsthand what an

impact the work is

making in

people’s lives.

POINT OF INTEREST Out of Africa, the popular movie shot in 1985 and based on a Danish novel of the same name, was filmed on the very land that African Mission Services’ Engos Clinic is built. Staring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, the picture won seven Academy Awards including best picture, best director and best screenplay adaptation.

YOU CAN GET INVOLVED. Africa Mission Services (AMS) is an international, non-governmental organization (NGO) registered in Kenya. Its mission is to assist rural, underdeveloped communities within Africa to improve their quality of life physically, mentally and morally while providing short-term volunteers with hands-on experience in humanitarian service.

Since 1999, AMS has targeted the Maasai population in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, Africa. AMS’s base of operation borders the western half of Maasai Mara National Reserve in the Trans Mara District. This southwestern part of Kenya is populated by Maasai communities eager to partner with development organizations in their struggle to establish basic health care, primary education, sanitary living conditions and moral development.

If you partner with AMS by becoming a mission trip sponsor or going on mission yourself, you can chose to help out through building projects, medical work or community development that includes volunteering at one of the schools or helping with a clean water project.

Visit AfricaMissionServices.com for more information.

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDChattanooga, TN

Permit No. 256

Memorial Hospital2525 de Sales AveChattanooga, TN 37404

OUR VOICE EDITORIAL BOARD

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lisa McCluskey, MBA MANAGING EDITOR Sonia Moss WRITERS Lauren Lawson CONTRIBUTORS Vickie Cox, MBA, PHR

John Steele, MSM, PHR, SHRM-CP DESIGN LEADER Victoria R. Carlson PHOTOGRAPHER Brian Shakley

For Andrea Wilhelm, traveling (and looking for great deals) is a hobby. She’s always ready to hop on a plane when a good deal pops up.

Start your search at Google.com/flights. Enter your desired destination and dates you’d like to travel. If you don’t have dates set, even better! This means you’re more flexible to choose a flight that’s less expensive. Save the search, and check it every morning and evening to see how flight prices fluctuate. You can also compare prices on popular travel websites like Expedia and Travelocity. Certain times of the week are great for booking flights. Tuesday and Wednesday evenings tend to have lower flight costs, and booking after midnight almost always guarantees a cheaper flight.

For hotels, Andrea recommends using Airbnb or staying with friends. She also keeps an eye out for deals on Groupon and Hotels.com.

Andrea’s most important tip? “When you see a great price for a flight, book it immediately! Extra-low prices don’t ever last long.”

Finding Flights & Hotels on the Cheap