Compiled by Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s Guild hosting shred-a-thon
Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s Guild is sponsoring a shred-a-thon from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, November 9, at Our Lady of Lourdes Church’s parking lot, 19002 N. 128th Avenue, Sun City West.
Shredding for the Blind will shred items, and guild women will take donation. For more information, call 623-760-8479.
Abrazo Mesa Hospital plans fall opening
Abrazo Mesa Hospital, which will offer 24-hour emergency care, surgical procedures and inpatient rooms, is expected to open this fall at 5750 E. Baseline Road.
The opening date will be set upon completion of licensing in process, anticipated to be within the next 30 to 45 days, according to hospital officials.
Patients with abdominal pain, sprains and broken bones, cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, minor trauma, lacerations, bladder infections, dehydration, pneumonia and flu are typical of illnesses expected to be treated in the Abrazo Mesa Hospital emergency department.
“This is a new model for bringing healthcare closer to East Valley communities. We’re excited to offer these services for residents of Mesa, Gilbert and surrounding areas,” says Interim CEO Ed Staren. “It’s a beautiful facility and I am very proud of our team rolling up their sleeves and working hard to prepare for opening day. We look forward to caring for patients very soon.”
Abrazo Mesa Hospital will be open around the clock and staffed by board-certified or eligible emergency physicians, general surgeons and hospitalists. The 32,500-square-foot building will include a surgical suite, and diagnostic imaging and laboratory services.
“We have been working hard to create a culture of a patient-friendly, efficient environment with a consumer-focused orientation,” adds Christy Matlock, RN, administrative director for the hospital.
The hospital will create approximately 50 full-time-equivalent clinical and support staff jobs. It is the first East Valley facility for Abrazo Health, which operates hospitals, primary care and specialty physician practices and other services throughout the greater Phoenix area. The new hospital is designed to provide close integration with its sister facilities.
Expert speakers to offer help at complimentary conference
Successful Aging Partners will offer the “Roadmap Edition” of its “Aging Conference Series” on Saturday, September 28, at the Red Mountain Multigenerational Center at 7550 E. Adobe Street, Mesa.
Topics include: The 10 Things Nobody Tells You When You Age; Living More Successfully with Dementia; Where to Start When Home May No Longer Be the Best Option, Self-Care is the Answer; and Avoiding A Financial Health Care Crisis.
Doors open at 8:45 a.m. with informational visits with professional service providers. Speakers begin at 9:15.
Sponsored by Visiting Angels East Valley, this free, full-day conference includes lunch and a complimentary adult day program for care partners at Oakwood Creative Care, which is located next door.
Registration is free and required. Call Peggy at 480-833-8247 or email recep@visitingangelsaz.com to register for the conference.
Registration for the adult day program is separate and should be directed to Mesa’s Oakwood Creative Care at 480-641-7644 or email at jessica@oakwoodcreativecare.org.
New York reunion slated for February
Dewitt Clinton High School alumni living in southern Arizona are invited to its ninth annual, all-class reunion/brunch at Chompie’s in Chandler. For more details, contact lewaaronson@ca.rr.com or call 310-497-5478
Sun City seniors boogie at ‘Let’s Go Disco’
Sun City seniors dusted off the polyester leisure suits and boogie shoes to get down at the “Let’s Go Disco” event through Banner Olive Branch Senior Center and Dutch Bros. on August 14.
Under the glittering light of a disco ball, the event featured about 100 attendees from Banner Olive Branch Senior center and 25 volunteers from #BlessPHX initiative, a group of volunteers from Dutch Bros. Coffee.
All attendees — including Dutch Bros. volunteers — were encouraged to wear ’70s-themed dress. In addition to music and dancing, there was a photo station, games, free coffee and tea.
Award-winning administrator appointed to Sun City West
Certified nursing home administrator and assisted living manager Ami Mendez has been hired by Avista Senior Living in Sun City West.
“Our intention is to be the premier provider in the West Valley. Not only are we committed to offering the best care to our residents, we also measure our success by creating the most rewarding work environment for our team members,” Mendez notes.
Mendez received the American College of Healthcare Administrators “Eli Pick Leadership Award” given for consistency in exceptional outcomes and has been in Arizona skilled nursing and elder care services since 1991.
She earned a master’s degree in business administration and enjoyed her past role as an adjunct faculty member at Ottawa University where she educated master’s-level students on organizational therapy and behavior. An Arizona native, Mendez three children: Alec, Zachary, and Alyssa. She has a 5-year-old granddaughter, Mylie Alexis.
Info: 623-469-7728.
Mountain Vista Medical Center receives stroke program recognition
Mountain Vista Medical Center has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get with the Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.
The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
The Get with the Guidelines program provides hospital teams research-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. The program has affected 6 million patients since 2001.
This marks the second consecutive year Mountain Vista Medical Center has been recognized for its excellent treatment of stroke patients.
“A stroke patient loses approximately 2 million neurons each minute stroke treatment is delayed,” says Leann Bauernfeind, Mountain Vista’s stroke program coordinator. “Every second counts when it comes to stoke care, and this recognition further demonstrates our staff’s commitment to delivering advanced stroke treatments to patients quickly and safely.”
Mountain Vista earned the award by meeting quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.
The hospital also received the association’s Target Stroke Elite Plus Award. To quality for this recognition, Mountain Vista met specific quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.
