Latest News – May 28
Widow Left Behind from Fire Needs Help
Many LT readers may remember the May 15 fire at the Lake Fork Mobile Home Park south of Leadville. If not, here’s the LINK to the original story.Well tragically, it turns out that this was the home of Dale & Jeanine Bowers, described as a “dear elderly Leadville couple,” on the First Baptist Church of Leadville’s Facebook Page. In the initial report from the Lake County Office of Emergency Management, it was stated that a male was removed from the smoke-filled unit and eventually transported to the St. Anthony Summit Medical Center in Frisco in serious condition. The following update was posted on the Church’s page, including a crowd source funding link where people may contribute to the deceased’s services as well as his widow’s dire situation:
Hello church & community folks. Just over a week ago, a dear elderly Leadville couple, Dale & Jeanine Bowers were struck with a tragedy as their home was destroyed by fire. After being rescued and resuscitated, Dale passed from this world to the next last Saturday, and Jeanine is now left with virtually no resources. We are praying that God would provide the funds for Jeanine to properly say goodbye to her husband and find a new place to live. FBCL will be doing what we can to continue to love this lady and help her to carry the burden that she now has. If you’d like to help, feel free to designate a gift for her at the church on Sunday and/or give through Paypal through the following link that a lady in the church has set up: LINK.
Leadville City Hall Has Pill Box, Contributions Welcome
Bring your unwanted drugs to City Hall. Yep, that’s right Leadville Mayor Jamie Stuever and Police Chief Mike Leake are encouraging Leadville and Lake County residents to bring unwanted or expired prescription drugs to the MedReturn Drug Collection Unit located right inside the foyer of City Hall.
All kidding aside, this disposal unit provides a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs. The program is coordinated by the Colorado Department of Health, and according to Chief Leake, will also be the end recipient of the drugs, disposing of them in a smokeless incinerator.
“Once the box is full, it will be handed over to the Dept of Health,” explained Chief Leake. “They will dispose of it from there.”
The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. On a serious note, the program helps to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs. Local law enforcement agencies across America have partnered in similar successful programs. Ultimately, removing unwanted prescription drugs from your homes helps prevent experimentation, addiction, overdose and even death.
Dr. Callen to Retire, Reception Planned for June 27
It’s official. Time to mark the calendar – June 27. It’s time to celebrate and commemorate! After thirty five years providing family medicine in Leadville, Wayne Callen, MD is retiring. St. Vincent Hospital invites the public to Dr. Callen’s Retirement Reception to be held on Friday, June 27 at 5 p.m. at the LeadvillevbElks Lodge, 123 W. 5th Street. Dr. Callen’s official last day of work will be July 11, 2014.
Dr. Callen came to Leadville in 1978 to be employed with a medical group which included Dr. Kehoe and Dr. Philbin. In a short time he joined their practice and has been a dedicated health care professional in Leadville and Lake County ever since.
Callen was as passionate then as he is now about rural medicine. In the late 70’s rural family doctors were involved in a broader spectrum of care then they are today. It was an exciting time for a new doctor.
“It is rare these days that a physician cares for generations of family members. Caring for the children and grandchildren of my initial patients has been very rewarding,” said Dr. Callen.
Currently Gary Petry, MD and Jackie Duba MPH, PA offer family medicine at the SVH Leadville Medical Clinic and will continue to do so. The hospital does plan to add an additional provider to the clinic medical staff in the near future.
“Everyone comes to retirement age at some point. And though I truly value my patients, the family practice, St. Vincent Hospital staff and my time spent here, it is my time to retire,” remarked Callen “My immediate plans are to travel overseas extensively and find some palm trees in the warmth of the sun.”
Peggy Frank, SVH Leadville Medical Clinic Director is available to answer any patient questions at 719-486-1264. Frank stated that “Doctor Callen will surely be missed, it is my goal to carry on his commitment and dedication to patient care.”
Letter from SVH’s CEO Joyce Beck
This month please join our Board of Directors at the first in a series of community input sessions on May 28 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Lake County Courtroom. The purpose of this meeting is to allow the community to have input about what services the hospital should provide. The discussion would also cover expansion and maintenance of services.
There are many positive things happening at St. Vincent General Hospital District (SVGHD). There are so many people working hard to make SVGHD a better place and their hard work is paying off.
Financially we are succeeding with a major improvements in collections which results in more cash in the bank, more bills paid which results in a more stable environment for all of us. This is a result of several people in the business office working hard to ensure accuracy, timeliness of billing is occurring.
One of the main things we ask our staff to ponder is the question, “am I part of the solution, or am I part of the problem”? You can tell if you are part of the solution by asking yourself if you …
- Look for better ways to do things and then work hard to make that happen
- Problem solve and then work hard on the solution
- Represent my organization and co-workers in a positive manner
- Always seek what is best for the customer (patient, in our case), putting them first at all times
If you answered yes to any of these questions than you are taking the opportunity to help improve your organization. You are a problem solver, you are improving processes and customer service. You are part of the solution.
I thank so many of you who are committed to SVGHD, believe in our mission and are willing to step forward and help us strive for excellence. I am very thankful to be working with people like you.
Hospital Week Celebrated with Student Artwork!
St. Vincent Hospital reached out to the community during hospital week, May 12-16. Lake County Middle School 7th and 8th grade art students created posters that were health and hospital themed. The posters hung in the main hallway of the hospital and staff and the community were encouraged to vote for three favorites. 8th grade students Martin Carrasco, Julio Gonzales and Becca Martinez won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place respectively. The top three students won gift certificates to area businesses, their posters are below. Great job kids!
Hospital Golf Tournament Set for June 20