Gritman Medical Center

Don't miss out on the latest issue of Connections Magazine! Our digital edition is just a click away at gritman.org/connections. Through the expertise of our Orthopedic Sports Medicine Program, the gentle kindness of our pediatricians, or the compassion of our chaplains, staff, providers and volunteers across the Gritman System are helping provide extraordinary care to assist the people in our communities.

We are so excited to congratulate the team at Gritman's Wound Healing Center! The team was recently presented with the 2023 Center of Distinction Award for their success in treating patients. Given by Gritman partner Healogics, the award is presented to Wound Healing Centers across the country that have a comprehensive healing rate of greater than 77%, patient satisfaction greater than 92%, and an outlier rate of less than 16%. Please join us in thanking the Gritman Wound Healing team for their tireless and exceptional work of caring for our patients!

Congratulations to our own Shelly Nichols, Director of Gritman's Critical Care and Medical-Surgical Units, on receiving the Patriot Award from the U.S. Department of Defense and the Employer Support of the Guard And Reserve! This is Shelly's second time earning this honor, which is given to supervisors who go above and beyond with their military reserve staff members. Shelly was nominated for this award by Emmy, one of our Nurse Residents who recently presented it to Shelly on a brief break from deployment. Earlier this summer, Shelly was nominated for the same award by Autumn, a Critical Care and Medical-Surgical Nurse on our team. Thank you, Shelly, for your dedication and support for members of the Gritman Family and members of the military! We are incredibly proud of both Shelly and our military service members for their dedication and hard work to the the health of our patients. Thank you for your contributions!

We're proud to expand access to exceptional care through our new partnership with Lewis-Clark State College and the opening of our Warrior Health clinic on campus in Lewiston! Led by Nurse Practitioner and Warrior alumna Victoria Cruz, Warrior Health is a full-service, on-campus clinic serving students and staff from the Sam Glenn Complex on the LC State campus.  “I love this community and look forward to providing care to the staff and students at LCSC,” Cruz said. “I really feel that I can make an impact on this patient population, helping them navigate through the stressors and the normal changes that will happen when they're attending college.” Cruz and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Lynley James will see patients for everything from preventative care, routine office visits, acute illnesses, routine prescriptions, and immunizations. Students also have access to the full range of medical services offered by Gritman Medical Center, as needed and directed by their health care provider. The clinic is Gritman’s first in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley and an exciting complement to the full range of care provided throughout Gritman hospital and clinic locations across Latah County. Learn more about this exciting new expansion in the care of Warriors by visiting gritman.org/warriorhealth.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Christina Cervieri to Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Cervieri can assist in getting you back - back to living, back to playing, back to doing. Whether you have a torn tendon, broken bone, or need help with a regenerative procedure, Dr. Cervieri will work on getting you back to the activities you enjoy.  A team doctor for U.S. Figure Skating, Dr. Cervieri comes to Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons with more than two decades of experience in getting patients back to their best selves. “When I see a patient, I try to customize a plan for them by finding out what it is that's bothering them and what their goals are, then we create a shared plan to get them to their goals.” Learn more about our team at Gritman Orthopedic Surgeons by visiting gritman.org/orthopedic. 

We recently celebrated the graduation of our newest group of 19 Gritman-trained CNAs following the completion of their eight-week program. Our Education Department offers the only Certified Nursing Assistant program on the Palouse. Gritman's program is led by Registered Nurses and includes regular classes, self-study through our online curriculum and clinical hours at Gritman Medical Center, Aspen Park and Paradise Creek. Congratulations to the region's newest CNAs! We wish you luck as you pursue your passions in health care!

Join the Gritman Foundation on Wednesday, July 10, for a book reading and signing with Gritman Volunteer Chaplain Rodney Frey to learn about our Chaplain Program and celebrate the release of the expanded edition of Frey's book, "Carry Forth the Stories.” Frey is a Professor Emeritus of Ethnography at the University of Idaho. This expanded edition of "Carry Forth the Stories" includes a chapter on his experience serving patients as a Chaplain at the hospital. Proceeds from the book's sale will benefit patients through the Gritman Foundation. Frey will read from his book, and sign copies, from 4-5:30 p.m. July 10 at the 1912 Center. The event includes a first-hand look at Gritman's Chaplain Program, along with presentations from several of Gritman's Chaplains. The event is free and refreshments will be available. Learn more at gritman.org/foundation.

Sami has been a Patient Services Representative at Gritman’s Potlatch Family Medicine clinic since 2017, previously serving in Gritman’s Charlie Bear’s Child Care for eight years. As a Patient Services Representative, Sami is responsible for greeting patients, answering the phone, scheduling appointments and preparing charts for the next day’s patients – among other clerical duties. She also assists clinical staff as needed. Sami enjoys the relationship she is able to build with patients through her role representing Potlatch Family Medicine. “Speaking with the patients and getting to know them, as we are a primary care clinic, and we see our patients often,” she said. “I love working in the community that I live in.” She became a Certified Car Seat Safety Technician this spring. Sami helped coordinate a community car seat safety check in April in collaboration with Safe Start’s Mobile Safety Lab that took place outside the Potlatch clinic. Car seat safety checks were completed for families in the parking lot. To have a car seat safety check completed by Sami, please call the Potlatch clinic at 208-875-2380 to schedule. The team members at Potlatch Family Medicine all have a close bond. “We are like a family; we all get along really well together.” Sami also enjoys that her position allows her time with her family, in her community. “I love the rural clinics as it is great for my family with the schedule that I have, and they are very flexible when it comes to kids’ games and functions. I am glad I don’t have to miss out on my kids’ important moments,” she said. Outside of work, Sami enjoys spending time with her family, canning goods from her garden and being outdoors – camping, kayaking, hunting and fishing. Thank you, Sami, for your passion, dedication and excellent customer service you provide to the Potlatch community every day!   

Mary Jo serves as the Clinical Coordinator at Gritman’s Martin Wellness Center. She initially joined the Gritman Family more than 14 years ago as a volunteer before becoming a full-time member of the team. “I started as a volunteer and fell in love with the work,” she said. “It is an amazing feeling knowing the work you do truly makes a difference in patients’ daily lives. It fills your own cup to see how grateful these individuals are for the services you have provided.” She previously worked as the Lead Exercise Specialist before transitioning into her current position. As the Clinical Coordinator, Mary Jo manages day-to-day activities including billing and pool maintenance for the Wellness Center. She also helps teach some of the center’s exercise classes, including a class to help patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease called PE for PD. Class schedules are available at gritman.org/wellnesscenter. The part Mary Jo enjoys the most about her position is the people, she said. “Class participants become like family. We tease, we laugh and we have a great time with exercise.” Mary Jo describes the staff within her department as amazing. “I know everyone probably says that. I really do have the best team,” she said. “My team is the true definition of what teamwork is. We are positive, upbeat, and I can say they all truly care about everyone who walks through the front door, whether it be a teammate or a participant. Their compassion and dedication shines through, as nearly all of our classes are full.” Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her children, paddle boarding, hiking and photography. Thank you, Mary Jo, for your dedicated commitment and passion that ensures members of our community can stay active through exercise.  

Chantelle celebrated 25 years of service with Gritman Medical Center earlier this year. She was initially hired as a Dietary Aide with the Food Services Department and has worked in departments including Environmental Services, Admitting, Radiology and Information Services. Chantelle has held her current role, as an Information Services Help Desk Technician, since 2012. “Chantelle is a shining example of Growing Gritman AND the Gritman Way. She has worked her way through the ranks to her current position with the Information Systems department,” said Kris Peterson, the director of Information Services. “She plays a pivotal role in providing support to our customers, where her experience, expertise and excellent attitude always show. Chantelle continuously looks for ways to make things better and is an invaluable member of the Gritman Family.” Help Desk Technicians solve a variety of problems each day, tackling different issues on a continual basis, and that’s what Chantelle enjoys most about her position. She stays busy throughout the day, answering phones and helping staff solve technology problems as they arise. She also assists with team projects, oversees the staff directory and helps physicians set up their computers. Lately, Chantelle has spent most of her time helping prepare for the Gritman System’s Electronic Health Record transition to OCHIN Epic – “Go-live” for that project is  scheduled for June 24. Chantelle describes the team she works with as one of a kind. “Our group of people are so knowledgeable in the computer world; I don’t think there is anything that we can’t do as a group,” she said. “They are also funny and serious, all at the same time.” Outside of work, Chantelle enjoys spending time with her family, being in the outdoors and riding her side-by-side. She also crochets baby blankets for friends and co-workers. Thank you, Chantelle, for your passion, dedication and the excellent customer service you provide every day to our employees in need of technological assistance throughout the organization.