HUTCHINSON AMBUCS
Editor: Tom Hymer
Guests:
Linda Harrison and Todd Laffoon representing the Promise Regional Medical Center were introduced by Curtis Mitchell. Tom Hymers guest was Mitch Harris and this is his second visit to the club.
The Sergeants Playground:
It was the fifth Friday of October which means the Big Hats run the meeting. Co-incidentally it was Halloween, so the Big Hats came wearing their hats. They were not very scary. So Big Hats Brad Thompson and Doug Foss masqueraded like sergeants and managed to scare some money out of innocent members. Here is a record of some of the victims. Bob Bush and Eric Steinle paid for exhibiting a lack of leadership. Curtis Mitchell was dinged for setting up the power point screen backwards. Al Strecker and Steve Harmon were fined for unknown reasons. Tom Hymer paid for letting his guest mingle with other Ambucs. Brenda Janda was wearing a costume of over-alls and a red shirt which earned her the admiration of Sergeant Brad, but he fined her anyway.
Adventures of the Round Tuit:
Dennis Reiser gave his account caring for the Round Tuit. He discovered some Ambucs who did care about the Tuit and they were Steve Conard and Eric Steinle at a football game, Doug Fosss uncle at a wedding, and Dan Powers son Dane. Now then, in the past it has been the practice to name in the newsletter the Ambuc who was given the Tuit for the upcoming week. However if this information is omitted the members would be required to remember who has the Tuit therefore increasing the care and concern for the Tuit, a very admirable goal.
Buy a fine (another term for advertising at an incredibly cheap price)
No one was willing to buy a fine.
Club Announcements:
Jay Pitzer and Duke Wiggins were voted in (railroaded is the more accurate term word) as Big Hat officers. They seemed very happy about their new appointments.
The annual Ambucs Christmas Party is planned for Thursday December 4, 2008. A sign-up form is included at the end of this newsletter that has all the details. It looks like you have some options in signing-up. You could complete the form and e-mail it to Jeff jbbrewer@luminousneon.com. You could print out the form and fill-in the required information and give it to Jeff or fax it to him at 620-665-7006. Or you could sign-up on a form that will be passed around during the next few meetings.
Jay has established another AMBUC work day to continue helping Keith and Stephanie Guthrie at Sundance Farms. They still have a lot of work to complete in preparation of her mothers return to the farm. It will be the coming Saturday (11/7) at 10AM. Thanks to those who helped last week hope to see you there Saturday.
Program:
Curtis Mitchell introduced Linda Harrison, CEO of the Promise Regional Medical Center. In her presentation she elaborated on the vision, needs, and goals at the hospital. Recorded here are some the highlights she shared with us.
The hospital was built 33 years ago and consequently is becoming an aging facility with various issues. For example the hot water system needs to be replaced at a cost of $300,000. The new system will have state of the art technology for energy efficiency.
Market forces are newer hospitals that have been built in the surrounding area that are owned by specialty physicians. This means increased competition and patients have more options to select from. Promise plans to meet this challenge by updating their facilities with new medical technologies and equipment to deliver the best care to the patients. Also this will help to attract younger physicians to the hospital staff.
Linda emphasized that the hospital has absolutely stopped the diversion of patients to other hospitals. In the past many of these patients were from smaller communities and the diversions generated criticism from their doctors. The hospital is committed do everything possible to deliver exceptional care to all patients.
The hospital has identified the top medical conditions that patients present to the hospital:
1. Heart disease is the chief cause of death. The hospital has installed a Dual Source CT scan to produce a better picture of the heart and its maladies.
2. Cancer in various forms is being treated with a tomotherapy unit.
3. Diabetes is an increasing disease and the hospital has a new hyperbaric therapy machine for the treatment of wounds, burns, and bites that dont heal.
Linda presented many other initiatives that the hospital is implementing to increase the ability to treat patients and drive the promise of delivering inspired care. One example is the Community Health Fair and Expo recently held on the State Fair Grounds that attracted over 2000 people. A few people were found to have extremely high blood pressure or high sugar levels. Finding these conditions now and starting treatment will prevent serious symptoms or possibly death that could occur in the future.
Drawings (another term for money-making opportunities)
Rick Mitchell won the 50/50 pot of $30. However he left early so President Al donated the money to the hospital.
Steve Conards name was drawn for the Newsletter Question, he didnt know.
Newsletter Question for next week:
How much is the cost for the new hot water system at the Promise Regional Medical Center?
PRAIRIE DUNES COUNTRY CLUB
Thursday December 4, 2008
HAPPY HOUR STARTING AT 6:30, DINNER AT 7:30
COST IS $25.00 PER PERSON
Menu is a choice of Cranberry and Apricot Stuffed Chicken or Seared Salmon with Pineapple Salsa. The entre comes with salad, seasonal vegetables, parsley new potatoes, warm rolls, butter, and a choice of tea, coffee, or water. There will be no dessert. The bar will be open and you will take care of your own tab. We will collect money for dinner when you check in that night.
Since this is a platted dinner selection, I must provide Prairie Dunes with an accurate total with numbers for chicken and salmon dinners. Deadline for signing up is December 2, 2008.
*If you sign up but do not attend, you will be charged for your dinner(s) because the club will have to pay whether you are there or not.
Name Number in Party #Chicken or #Salmon
1.______________________________________________________________________ 2.______________________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________________
4.______________________________________________________________________