St. Luke's Health System

St. Luke's Nampa team welcomes fall with Jersey Day! Around St. Luke's Nampa last week, team members wore different uniforms of sorts and donned some of their favorite jerseys. Among the team in the photos are Marquesa Wilson (Distribution), Losa Manuokafoa (Administration), Charmaine Rausch (Women's Services), Terri Garnder (Surgical Services), and Rich Shelvock (FNS).

For most of the diners on a recent Sunday at a restaurant in Nampa it was a routine afternoon meal. For Sharon Sullivan, it was much more than that. “This is one of the most incredible days of my life,” Sullivan said. “To meet the person who saved my life, what an honor.”

RN Katie McDevitt was recently presented the DAISY award at the Milano Drive St. Luke’s Family Health Clinic with the team and leaders present. McDevitt used her resources and connections within the St. Luke's Centralized Clinical Resource team to connect a patient with the help she needed to ensure her safety and well-being. “It may seem like a small encounter or scenario, but it is a great reminder that nurses have the ability to make a huge positive impact in even the smallest interactions," the patient shared.

St. Luke’s IHT partners with Idaho Army National Guard at recent exercise to enhance cybersecurity defenses. Earlier this month, St. Luke’s partnered with the Idaho Army National Guard to test the security of St. Luke’s digital environments. Known as a penetration test, Idaho Army National Guard members worked side by side with St. Luke’s team members from multiple IHT departments, attempting to hack parts of our environment as a shared learning exercise. “It was such a great experience for everyone involved and both sides walked away having learned a lot,” said Shawna Hofer, St. Luke’s chief information security officer. “This was the beginning of a stronger partnership with the Idaho Army National Guard.” For the exercise, 20 participants split into two teams and a command center. The two teams were located at St. Luke’s Plaza in Boise and at the Anderson Center at the Boise Medical Center campus. This first-of-its-kind, weeklong educational exercise between the two entities served as a starting point and discovery phase to benefit both organizations and strengthen the cybersecurity community. The exercise highlighted St. Luke’s strong protections against potential cyber-attackers while also showcasing areas of opportunity to augment defenses. “The collaboration between and among both the Idaho Army National Guard and St. Luke’s team members was outstanding in building rapport and sharing knowledge and skills,” Hofer said.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in case you missed it, St. Luke's is excited to offer three new supplemental breast cancer screening options to be in place by year's end at locations throughout the health system. They will help with a new FDA amendment to identify patients with potential risk factors to catch cancers earlier and therefore lead to better outcomes. https://lnkd.in/g7kBbvtj

RN Dorcus Nanyonga of Boise 7 East was presented the DAISY award with her team present. She was nominated for her caring and persistence. “We have always received excellent care at St. Luke's … . Dorcas was the night nurse. By the time she finished giving my daughter her night meds and did the initial evaluation, she had her laughing out loud and actively participating in conversation: almost a miracle! She gave us excellent care all night long. "The second night was even more amazing! We were delighted to have Dorcas back. My daughter's pain was intense, she had tachycardia, B/P and temp slightly elevated. Dorcas worked with us and the doctor determined, readily and patiently until pain was controlled and vitals were stable. … She personally went all over two floors, checking every single empty room, until she found a comfortable chair/futon for me (I've had multiple back/pelvis surgeries). "It was like sleeping on a cloud! My back and pelvis relaxed, I slept! Thank you, God, and thank you Dorcas! She very obviously loves her job and learning new things, tells us how she studies to understand each patient, is very positive and proactive, said ONLY good things about her co-workers and workplace. A superb nurse, person and part of the St. Luke's team!”

Earlier this month, seven of St. Luke’s 11 security dogs attended a training session at St. Luke's Magic Valley. Human and K9 team members from Twin Falls, Jerome, Elmore, Boise and Meridian gathered to train on explosives detection. They meet every month at different locations throughout the health system. Two officers from the Twin Falls Police Department also assisted in this training exercise.

Meet Tabree McCoy, Assistant Nurse Manager, Women’s Services: “I started my journey with St. Luke’s 17 years ago with my dream of becoming a nurse. I started with St. Luke’s in the operating room for my first 7 years working as an orderly, unit secretary and a clean core supervisor. It was there that I learned my love of leadership and working not only for our patients but those who care for them. After graduating from nursing school, I was offered a position in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Boise. This was incredibly special to me, as I was born premature myself, same with my sister who was a NICU RN and is now a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. "While working in the Boise NICU, there was an opportunity to help open the St. Luke’s Nampa hospital. There I was offered a charge nurse position, where I learned two additional skills sets in labor and delivery and mother-baby. Being a part of St. Luke’s Nampa has been nothing short of amazing because we are not only one unit, but we are also one hospital. The teamwork, dedication, and the family-like culture that St. Luke’s Nampa fosters is next to none. "In 2019, I received the opportunity to become an assistant nurse manager for the St. Luke's Nampa women’s team. I jumped at the opportunity to take a position that I would get to not only help patients but help support our staff and our team. This position has not only been challenging but rewarding and has provided me with the professional growth that I was seeking. I have amazing support and a team that is like family. Our staff is what makes the Nampa Family Birth Center & Newborn Intensive Care Unit so special and unique. I am just happy to be able to be a part of it.” If you would like to join the team at St. Luke’s as an assistant nurse manager, click the link and apply today: https://bit.ly/4gnDgFC #choosestlukes #stlukeshealthsystem #healthcare #careeropportunity

Urologic oncology team supports Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk, shares expertise with community. Dr. Stephen Brassell and the urologic oncology team from St. Luke's Cancer Institute supported awareness and answering questions at the Avimor Prostate Cancer Awareness Walk on Sept. 15. In the team photo left to right is PA Derek Derkacs, Dr. Brassell, RNs Paola Avalos, Jackie Loera, Julie Arnold and Jacque Vanderpool, PA Christina Ricci and MA Makenna Kuecks. In the front is RN Amanda Macho and therapy dog Florence. Florence was a fan favorite! The urologic oncology team at the St. Luke's Cancer Institute is a highly experienced specialty team providing state-of-the-art biopsies and treatments for urologic cancers in Boise. It was wonderful to have their presence at the community event!

Behavioral Health team supports Twin Falls' ‘Bands at the Bridge’ Members of St. Luke’s Behavioral Health team in Magic Valley recently took part in the sixth annual “Bands at the Bridge” community event in Twin Falls. Sponsored by Love Yourself, a local organization that works to prevent suicide, the yearly event is a place for people to gather, remember and support those struggling with mental health. Team members had a booth at the event to provide information about St. Luke’s Behavioral Health resources in the area. They also answered questions and came up with a unique way to interact with both adults and children in attendance. St. Luke’s staff members held up small mirrors when talking with community members and asked each person to tell them one good thing about themselves. Responses resulted in a conversation about positivity during the ups and downs in life. Rubber ducks, stickers, pens and informational brochures were also shared with community members!