Author: Howard Taylor

DAISY Award Recipient May 2024

Posted on May 7, 2024

Meet Mary Haynes, RN at RMC Women and Children’s

Thanks to patient nominations like these, we are able to recognize our nurses for the outstanding care they provide. Read Mary’s story from her patient’s perspective:

“This DAISY award has been long overdue, but I have finally found the strength to sit and talk about my story. I came to L&D after battling covid for 2.5 weeks due to decrease in fetal movement. My nurse came down to get me from the ER and chatted with me the whole way to the unit and automatically I felt in good hands. She got me into the room and started chatting with me about my concerns while getting me on the monitor and checking on my baby. While in my heart I knew something was wrong, my nurse stayed at my side and was honest to me about everything. She left my side only one time and that was to have someone call the on call doctor and to bring me some snacks to try to get my baby to look better on her monitor. From that point on, she was at my bedside, full PPE gear due to a pending covid swab and having been positive still 2 days before.

At this point, everything moved fast. No family was allowed with me and she told me to call my husband, so calmly, but being a nurse myself, I knew what this meant. She guided me to a different room and put me on the monitor where a doctor came in and told me it was time for an emergency C-section. She guided me, or more like, ran me down the hallway to the OR table where she talked me through things calmly. Everyone on the unit was moving so fast, no one checked up or stopped for a single second. Due to my nurse and her co-workers, my baby got out so quickly, but unfortunately had a rough start and a prolonged NICU stay. She is a healthy 8 month baby girl now.

Without these nurses in labor and delivery, the physicians, the nursery, respiratory therapy, our outcome would have been much different. This entire Women and Children’s unit came together to focus on me and my baby, even after she was gone to the NICU. They took such good care of me in my most difficult time, they checked on her, and they facetimed with her. I can never say thank you enough, to MY NURSE , for everything she did for me that day. She deserves this award so much for the way she cared for me, as a nurse, I know how it can be to set everything aside and focus on one situation. I felt like I was the only patient in the hospital under her care that day. She has reached out to me several times since then as well. No one should have to go through what I did, especially alone. MY NURSE was a blessing placed where God meant for her to be that day. I will be forever grateful. ”

News Release: RMC Stringfellow Transition

Posted on March 22, 2024

RMC and Stringfellow to More Deeply Integrate

The integration is designed to enhance patient care, increase ease of access and optimize operations.

Anniston, AL (March 23, 2024) – Today, RMC Health System announced that in an effort to continue delivering the highest quality care to the community, RMC will more deeply integrate its two facilities, Stringfellow and RMC Hospital, and change the way it utilizes its Stringfellow campus. The transition, which is expected to take place over the course of this year, will ensure that patients can access the right services in the right settings and that RMC can meet the future healthcare needs of the communities it serves.

“The transition is about putting patients first and ensuring everyone has the access to the care they need,” said Louis Bass, President and CEO of RMC. “We are confident that these efforts are going to optimize the operations of our facilities and provide a better experience for our patients, physicians and employees. Redistributing our resources in this way will also allow us to invest in updated technology, new healthcare services and new models of care – it’s exciting to think about the possibilities.”

As part of this transition, RMC Health System plans to:

Retain all current Stringfellow staff members and facilitate their transition to roles within the RMC Health System. If an employee chooses to pursue a new career path, RMC will provide support and guidance to that staff member.

Transfer current inpatient services from Stringfellow to RMC’s main campus for improved, dedicated and centralized care.

By more deeply integrating these two facilities, RMC will be able to better care for patients while keeping the Stringfellow name and property a pillar for healthcare. Stringfellow will continue providing care through its emergency and surgical departments until the transition is complete. Patients should keep their appointments and will be contacted regarding any future scheduling changes.

RMC is committedto the continued employment of all Stringfellow employees. Each Stringfellow team member will have the opportunity to explore opportunities within the organization. This employee integration and collaboration will result in even stronger care teams and an enhanced ability to recruit and retain top talent across RMC going forward.

RMC will be sharing more about this transformative journey meant to make healthcare better for the entire community of northeast Alabama in the coming weeks.

About The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston

The Health Care Authority of the City of Anniston (RMC) is the premier regional healthcare provider for a five-county service area in northeast Alabama. With a total of 338 inpatient beds located at its Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center campus, 125 at its Stringfellow Campus, and numerous outpatient facilities, urgent care and specialty clinics, RMC is the region’s leading provider of choice. More than 1,900 employees, 300 volunteers and over 200 physicians, who represent a full range of medical specialties – including cardiac, women’s, orthopedics, oncology and emergency services – provide state-of-the-art healthcare to patients with integrity, skill and compassion. Learn more at www.rmccares.org.

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For Nurses and Students

Posted on February 5, 2024

Launch Your Nursing Career at RMC Anniston

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives? Are you considering a rewarding career in nursing? Look no further than RMC Health System in Anniston, Alabama. At RMC, we offer nursing students a dynamic and supportive environment to kickstart their careers in healthcare.

Why Choose RMC?

Commitment to Excellence: RMC is renowned for its commitment to excellence in patient care, medical education, and nursing practice. As a teaching hospital, we prioritize providing a comprehensive learning experience for nursing students, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on clinical practice.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Our cutting-edge facilities and advanced medical technologies provide nursing students with the opportunity to learn and work in a modern healthcare setting. From our well-equipped simulation labs to our specialized patient care units, RMC offers an immersive learning environment that prepares nursing students for real-world challenges.
Diverse Clinical Experiences: At RMC, nursing students have the chance to gain diverse clinical experiences across various specialties, including emergency medicine, critical care, pediatrics, obstetrics, and more. Our clinical rotations allow students to explore different areas of nursing practice and develop a well-rounded skill set that prepares them for success in their careers.
Educational Support and Tuition Reimbursement: RMC is committed to investing in the educational advancement of our nursing staff. We offer educational support programs and tuition reimbursement options to help nursing students pursue further education and professional development opportunities. Whether you’re interested in pursuing advanced degrees, certifications, or continuing education courses, RMC provides the financial assistance and resources you need to achieve your academic goals.
Career Growth Opportunities: With a strong reputation for excellence in healthcare, RMC offers nursing students unparalleled opportunities for career growth and advancement. Whether you aspire to specialize in a particular area of nursing or pursue advanced degrees and certifications, RMC provides the resources and support you need to achieve your professional goals.

Nurse Advocate

At RMC, our team is dedicated to making sure you have the tools necessary to succeed here. That’s why we have a designated Nurse Advocate to answer your questions along the way. Call …..

Cost of Living and Perks at RMC:

Department Contacts:

RMC Department Contacts:

Progressive Care Unit: 256-741-1158

Surgical Unit: 256-235-5745

Renal Floor: 256-235-5674

ICU: 256-235-5238

ER: 256-235-5179

OR: 256-235-5895

GI: 256-235-5118

Cath Lab: 256-231-8708

Cardiac Intervention: 256-231-2605

Ambulatory Care: 256-235-5118

OB Department: 256-235-5358

Orthopedics: 256-741-1122

Pediatrics/Gynecology: 256-231-8609

Oncology: 256-235-5679

Psychiatric Unit: 256-235-5082

Stringfellow Department Contacts:

Surgical Unit: 256-235-8933

ICU: 256-235-8907

GI Lab: 256-235-8956

OR: 256-235-8826

Detox Unit: 256-235-8933

Join Our Team

If you’re ready to embark on an exciting career in nursing, we invite you to consider RMC in Anniston, AL. As a member of our nursing team, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families while advancing your own career aspirations.

Discover the possibilities that await you at RMC. Apply today and take the first step towards a rewarding career in nursing.

“The Last Ounce of Courage”

Posted on April 29, 2021

A Tribute to COVID Staff and Patients, by Dr. Larry K. Martin

With the sudden power outage at my studio, I remembered the Severe-Thunderstorm Warnings- of damaging, straight-line winds. The rain came down in torrents, almost horizontally, in translucent sheets. I stepped to the edge of the front porch and decided just to stand there and marvel at the surreal landscape despite the wind and soaking rain. The trees bent in unison, almost to the tipping point, and a dark wall of rain methodically engulfed the horizon, transforming the peaceful countryside into an ominous panorama.

Suddenly, a dark object materialized from my left and out of nowhere- an eagle, flying low, at eye level- maybe thirty feet away. At first, it seemed to be heading directly toward me, either intentionally or perhaps just in a desperate try for the shelter of the porch. But then it pivoted a few degrees, and it became apparent that this eagle was just attempting to fly past without hitting the building. “She’s on her way to find shelter around Harper’s Lake,” I thought (having seen an eagle perched there last Spring). It took only a millisecond to identify this bird as a mature Bald Eagle, with the familiar white head and tail (more likely a female, as evidenced by her large size).

We’ve all heard that time can seem to pass much more slowly, or even come to a halt, during an extraordinarily dramatic event, such as an imminent plane crash. And so, it seemed that all movement was freeze-framed, as the eagle slowed and almost stopped in mid-air. The massive body executed a desperate half-roll. (An eagle’s head doesn’t rotate with its body when it rolls in flight; the head remains almost perfectly horizontal, allowing this bird of prey to stay visually riveted to its target during pursuit). The eagle’s glare was piercing, even while in motion, from an eye that seemed to stare at me as it swept past. At the risk of sounding overly

anthropomorphic, her demeanor suggested determination rather than aggression or panic. (On second thought, eagles always seem to wear a look of determination.) It was really the strong headwind that held her in place, flying with all the effort she could muster- just as static as she would appear if in an aeronautical wind tunnel. This time-warp thing, or whatever you might call it, can be a very useful phenomenon. With it, we can absorb visual details that ordinarily would seem only a blur.

The eagle was probably oblivious to the presence of this inconsequential human being; She was fighting for her very survival. It was the wind and the rustic building that posed a threat. In another second or two, another gust could slam her, mercilessly, against the heart-pine corner of the porch.

The long, powerful wings which would ordinarily respond by forming huge scoops to grasp the air were now flailing in discordant motions as if disagreeing on which direction to take. “She’s going to crash-land, any second now,” I thought- and braced for the sickening “thud.”

One of her wings seemed to touch the ground, but the opposite wing managed to capture just enough air to check the fall, and she righted herself. I almost drew a breath of relief but then remembered the old wire fence at the edge of the yard and the tangle of briar vines and shrubs just beyond, and I gritted my teeth.

If there had been more time to think, I would have known better. She would not crash. A Bald Eagle is not a sparrow or even a crow. It is a powerful piece of avian machinery – built to withstand the harshest downdrafts and wind shear- a bird too great to fail.

Then I noticed that the landing gear had not been lowered. She had no intention of crash landing or of landing at all.

After another split-second lull of wind and rain, the magnificent, winged body responded. Another dramatic half-roll and the eagle found a seam- and she shot forward as though she’d found an invisible springboard. The narrow ribbon of stable air gave her a momentary boost in elevation. Finally, both left-wing and right-wing seemed to be on the same page. As soon as both of those tremendous wings were able to beat in sync, she rose like a Phoenix and continued her climb- above the fence and beyond the scrub brush and trees.

Next Spring, she’ll be nesting- perched at the top of the tallest tree near Harper’s Lake.

All images and text are protected by Copyright held by Larry K. Martin, 2020.

This special edition now hangs outside of what was COVID Unit One, to remind us of the courage it has taken to overcome many days of adversity during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To purchase prints in this collection, please visit:

http://www.larrykmartin.com/eagles.php

Healthy Holiday Eating

Posted on November 25, 2020

Holiday eating has been shown to contribute to cumulative weight gain over the years. Here are some ways to reduce your caloric intake, but still enjoy your holiday feast!

1. Avoid skipping meals. Skipping meals to “save calories” is rarely successful. Skipping meals can slow down metabolism and increase cortisol levels, both of which can lead to overeating and weight gain. Take a time out for two healthy snacks if an entire meal is not an option. Yogurt with granola or whole wheat crackers with low fat cheese are two good options.

2. Portion control is the key. Over restricting food choices typically leads to failure for many people. Include favorite foods, but do so in moderation. Portion control takes practice as we have become accustomed to eating portions that are much larger than necessary. Leaving food on your plate is not a bad thing!

3. Eat slowly. Eating slowly can help you eat less. Activation of gut stretch receptors and release of satiety producing hormones take a minimum of 20 minutes to signal satiety (feeling of fullness) to the brain. Heading for a second helping before this time can lead to overconsumption and that dreadful full sluggish sensation.

4. Eat lower calorie foods such as vegetables. These foods tend to be nutrient dense and higher in fiber which increases satiety.

5. Avoid unnecessary calories. Only choose foods that you love. Wasting calories on foods because they are available is counterproductive.

6. Dessert-a tough one. Everyone loves dessert. Instead of eating the entire piece of cake or pie, eat only half. If you wish to sample several different desserts, try the “3 bite” rule essentially eating only three bites of several desserts. When preparing pies, skip the top crust to reduce calories and opt for fresh or frozen fruit with no added sugar over canned fruit options. Fresh Cranberry sauce is a sweet option that provides numerous nutrition benefits . See recipe below.

7. Incorporate physical activity. A post meal walk or activity can aid with digestion, burn excess calories and provide a much needed boost of energy.

8. Most importantly enjoy your Thanksgiving, savor the small joys in life and stay safe!