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hospitals receive nursing study grant
Clearwater Valley and St. Mary’s Hospitals received a grant from the Idaho Alliance of Leaders in Nursing (IALN) to provide training for eight nurses through the Washington State University Rural Nurse Internship Program. Four nurses from each facility will participate in the program which is designed for newly-hired, acute care nurses in rural settings. 
The funds will provide financial support for one year for each nurse to participate in nine videostreamed seminars, nine web-based study modules and a week long conference in Spring, 2006. The nurses will also work with both a preceptor and a mentor. Each is issued a pocket computer with a clinical database. “The participating nurses will really benefit from this program. It combines the latest in technology with the knowledge of experienced rural nurses to further the knowledge of our newly hired nurses,” said Sue Higgins, CVH Director of Nursing Services. “All our nursing staff will gain information and expertise as these four nurses share what they are learning.” WSU’s program is the first distance learning nurse residency program in the nation. The topics covered during the year’s program include crisis assessment and management, rural health principles, pharmacology, advanced procedures, pain management and knowledge of six subspecialties. This is the second year the IALN in collaboration with the Idaho Hospital Association has distributed the Hospital Allocated Funds (HAF) grants. A total of $300,000 is being distributed statewide under the program in this round of funding. “Working in a rural hospital requires a very special nurse because they are expected to do it all rather than specialize. Having this comprehensive training available to our newly hired nurses will help them gain the expertise they need in this setting,” said Iris Hawley, SMH Director of Nursing Services. The CVH nurses who will be trained through the program include Lola Ryan, Beth Zollman, Becky Syverson and Tim Norton. Their preceptor will be Demetra Stewart. The SMH nurses who will participae include Elizabeth Morello, Crystal Hartig, and Char Arnzen Hospital invites communities to their 75th anniversary party Seventy –five years ago on November 3, 1930 Our Lady of Consolation Hospital in Cottonwood first began serving patients. Over the years renovations were made, additions were added, the name was changed to St. Mary’s Hospital, a new building was constructed, clinics were opened and staff changed over time. 
“Although there have been many variations, the one consistent feature continues to be the quality of healthcare provided in a compassionate manner to the families in the communities we serve,” said Casey Meza, CEO. “That’s why we like to include them in our celebration.” SMHC is sponsoring a 75th Anniversary Community Celebration on Saturday, November 5 at 8:00 p.m. at the Greencreek Community Hall. Prior to the public celebration the staff will gather from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for an employee appreciation dinner. The free public celebration will include a no host bar and dancing to Centerline, formerly the Selway Cruisers The band specializes in music from the 70’s and 80’s up to the present. Many members of the band began playing together 13 years ago. Recently they had new members join as others left to pursue other interests. All of the musicians and singers are from this region, hailing from Kooskia, Greencreeek, Kamiah, Cottonwood and Lewiston. “We decided to take on a new name because we’ve had a change in some of our band members and it better reflects the type of music we play,” said Larry Nims, band member. “The name, Centerline, was chosen because many songs are associated with being on the move and there’s a sense of romance connected with the highway. Besides, we all liked the sound of the name. We’re looking forward to playing our new material to such a fun crowd.” Their favorites include ‘Blue Collar Man,’ ‘Hit Me With Your Best Shot,’ ‘Hearts on Fire,’ ‘Love Hurts,’ ‘Rednecked Woman,’ and ‘Who Will You Run To?’ “We play classic rock, some country and the hits we grew up with, as well as the newer sounds,” said Nims. “There will be something for everyone and it will all be very danceable.” The group will also be playing at the Clearwater Valley Hospital Foundation’s Harvest Moon Cruise on Saturday, November 12 at the Armory on Highway 12 in Orofino. According to Larry Kidd, SMHC Chief Operating Officer, the event is the hospital’s way of thanking the communities for their support. “We would not be celebrating 75 years of success without the support from the people of this area. We are proud and honored to provide healthcare to them, their families, neighbors and friends. We hope to see everyone there to have a good time and toast to another 75 years of quality health care.” |
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