University Hospitals’ Post

October is Filipino American History Month, and it’s a great time to recognize the contributions of Filipino Americans to the history and culture of the United States! In honor of this recognition, we’d like to spotlight Maruja H., Nurse Manager, who has been a valued member of our team for the past six years. “As an oncology nurse manager, I’m honored to be part of our patients’ journey through their cancer diagnosis,” Maruja said. “I have a great team of caregivers who truly dedicate themselves to caring and being there for our patients. Our patients become our family, and we become part of their support system as they navigate this difficult time. It makes you feel good when the patients tell you that the caregivers are the only thing they’re looking forward to when they come to our center!” Maruja explained that she loves working for University Hospitals because we care about and listen to our nurses. “UH provides us with resources and skills to grow both personally and professionally, and they encourage us to learn new skills by offering educational courses. They teach us to mentor our colleagues to prepare them to be the next generation’s leaders.” At UH, we value every caregiver on our team and take pride in fostering their growth. Join us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and fellow team members. Explore our current opportunities and apply today! https://lnkd.in/ehnWYTEZ #UHNursing #UHCareers #UHProud

When you have cancer, your care journey may involve multiple specialists, surgeries and oncological therapeutics, including chemotherapy, hormonal agents and steroids. While the goal of these complex protocols is to eradicate cancer cells, adverse effects of treatment can occur. One frequent challenge is steroid-induced insulin resistance. "Steroids can be prescribed during chemotherapy because they reduce pain, inflammation and allergic reactions and offer immunosuppressive properties," says Natalie Bellini, DNP, an Endocrine Nurse Practitioner and Program Director of Diabetes Technology at UH Cleveland Medical Center. “We treat large numbers of patients — with and without a prior history of diabetes mellitus — who experience rising glucose levels resulting from the high steroid doses they receive during cancer treatment.” At the UH Diabetes and Metabolic Care Center, our experts provide interdisciplinary care for UH Seidman Cancer Center patients. They understand that each patient’s journey is unique and offer personalized treatment plans to help safely manage glucose levels based on each person’s type and stage of cancer, other health conditions and health goals. A crucial component of that care involves best practices utilization of diabetes technology, such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems. “At University Hospitals, we treat a lot of cancer — and when treating cancer, often with it, we use steroids,” Bellini says. “We utilize diabetes technology to closely monitor and manage rising glucose levels during and in the days following chemotherapy cycles.” During cancer treatment, diabetes is often not the central health concern, Bellini notes. However, keeping glucose levels in check is essential to improving safety and well-being. At UH, patients receive individualized metabolic care during their inpatient stays, discharge and beyond. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gCkkaXWg #cancer #diabetes #CGM #AID #teambasedcare #patientsfirst

As we continue through Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re sharing the stories of team members who have battled breast cancer to celebrate the strength and resilience of survivors. Vickie T., Nursing Director, UH Seidman Cancer Center, explained that October reminds her of her family members, both those she’s lost to breast cancer and those who are survivors, as well as her own journey. “Although my diagnosis changed my life forever, October reminds me to slow down, be thankful for every day, and live in the moment.” Vickie recalls feeling numb when she was diagnosed. “In the blink of an eye, I went from caregiver to patient. As I went through surgery and treatment, my friends, colleagues, and team members helped me find hope and strength for the future. I had amazing support throughout Seidman, and everyone treated me like family. I was blessed to be there.” Vickie feels that she can relate differently to patients now that she’s been in the role of patient herself. “Although every person’s journey is different, I can help patients identify some of the emotions they’re working through as they face a cancer diagnosis. My hope for the future is to continue to provide support to patients, nurses, friends, and even strangers with breast cancer.” Vickie’s advice to those battling breast cancer is to take things one day and one moment at a time. “Be kind and be patient with yourself as you go through treatment. Stay positive and determined – this can change your outcome.” Being part of UH has allowed Vickie to grow as a leader. “The organization promotes continued learning, whether that’s going back to school or moving up in your career. They supported my goal to get my MBA. UH cares about their caregivers, and as a nurse who is a breast cancer survivor, I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else for care and camaraderie.” Be the difference and bring your career to UH today! https://lnkd.in/eeXseRTK #UHNursing #UHCareers #UHProud

Today’s UH Health Care Hero spotlight shines on Kristin Petro, who began working at UH Parma Medical Center in 2002 as an ED nurse and was promoted to Emergency Department Manager in 2019 – just ahead of COVID-19’s arising in Northeast Ohio. Kristin is also being recognized as a Bravo Winner by UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, as part of his Cliff Appreciates program. Kristin’s colleagues describe her as an exceptional manager of the UH Parma ED and say that her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in maintaining high standards of patient care. In addition to her outstanding management skills, Kristin has a wonderful sense of humor, as well as one of the qualities the best managers have: The ability to stay calm under pressure. Her leadership has been crucial in maintaining high patient scores while boosting staff morale, and her dedication to her team is evident as she works alongside them, even during weekends and on holidays. Her colleagues say that whenever the department is shorthanded, she steps in to provide direct patient care. Kristin responded to feedback from the employee engagement survey by creating a weekly G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) award to recognize members of the staff. So each week, peers vote on who was most deserving of the ED’s award that week, and that person gets the golden goat trophy. Her staff also appreciates Kristin’s creative approach to huddles. She asks both fun and thoughtful questions to keep the team motivated, even in the face of challenges that are regularly encountered in such a busy department. “In my opinion, she has one of the toughest jobs at UH Parma Medical Center – it’s high stress, with high volume, and high acuity. We are very fortunate to have her on our team,” says Joe Stefanko, the EMS Coordinator. Kristin also stands out because of her engagement with community first responders – including EMS, police and fire. For example, she regularly visits community fire departments because she knows that building relationships with outside agencies is vital for effective emergency response; it fosters open communication and collaboration. Her proactive approach ultimately enhances the care of patients and ensures a more coordinated response during emergencies. For all these efforts, inside and outside of UH Parma, Kristin epitomizes a UH Health Care Hero and for this we say thank you. Congratulations, Kristin! #UHProud #caregiverspotlight #emergencymedicine #collaboration #EMS #patientcenteredcare #emergencyresponse

University Hospitals is joining forces with medical and higher education institutions across Ohio in an ambitious, unprecedented new study to identify the root causes of mental illness and addiction, as well as factors that promote resilience. Funded with an initial investment of $20 million from the state of Ohio, the SOAR (State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience) study is the first-ever multigenerational study that aims to transform mental health prevention, treatment and resiliency. Investigators at 12 universities, medical schools and hospitals across Ohio, including UH, are surveying 15,000 volunteers from all 88 Ohio counties. In addition, they’re doing more intense study with physical and brain health markers with 3,600 people, examining multiple generations and siblings within a family. These tests include functional MRI with evaluation of recognizing emotion and managing stress, EEG, and blood screening for inflammatory biomarkers, increasingly implicated in mental illness. The SOAR study comes as Ohio faces sobering facts on mental health: Nearly one in four Ohioans live with a mental health issue, one in 13 live with addiction, and five Ohioans die by suicide every day. At UH, child psychiatrist and SOAR lead site investigator Molly McVoy, MD, is recruiting study participants in groups of two or more, who are age 15 or older, and who define themselves as a family. Participants need not have a mental health diagnosis or condition to join the study, and those taking psychiatric medications are also welcome to participate. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gqRX2am6 #SOARstudy #mentalhealth #research #patientsfirst

When you’re interviewing for a new role, don’t be afraid to speak your mind! Our recruiter Traci F. says, “Take chances, take risks, speak up. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas and thoughts.” Recruiters and employers want to get to know you, so being open and honest is a plus. If you’re interested in a role at University Hospitals, search available roles and apply today. https://lnkd.in/eUWeCPdw #UHProud #UHNursing, #UHCareers

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re celebrating the strength and courage of survivors, and we’re shining a light on caregivers who have battled breast cancer. For Michelle H., LPN PRN III, October brings back memories of her own diagnosis and the treatment that followed, though she hopes it’s a time of empowerment for others and a reminder of the importance of screenings. “Receiving the diagnosis of breast cancer was incredibly frightening,” Michelle says. “The hospital was offering free screenings for employees, and at first, I wasn’t planning to go. I never thought it could happen to me. In the end, I went with three coworkers.” As a single mom, Michelle decided to keep working as much as possible while going through treatment. “The hospital was incredibly supportive, accommodating the weeks when chemotherapy left me too sick to work.” Radiation brought challenges as well, as Michelle had to drive to Downtown Cleveland five days a week for seven straight weeks before continuing to work. “My coworkers went above and beyond … It would have been very difficult to manage without the love and support of my work family.” Going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment has given Michelle a deep sense of empathy and compassion for those who are sick, especially those battling cancer. Rick U., a fellow UH caregiver, experienced this himself when his journey with head and neck cancer began. “Michelle gave me hope, optimism, and confidence – she had been there. Michelle is an angel, and University Hospitals is blessed to have her.” Michelle would highly encourage others to join the UH team. “We’ve expanded greatly, with new facilities throughout Northeast Ohio. After 26 years here, I’m proud to work for such a top-tier healthcare organization.” We’re proud to count Michelle among our caregivers, and we’re so grateful to have a nursing team that’s so incredibly committed. Be the difference and bring your career to UH today! https://lnkd.in/eeXseRTK #UHNursing #UHCareers #UHProud

University Hospitals and Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) are collaborating in research to better understand hearing loss. “University Hospitals has a strong center for hearing sciences that is conducting research primarily focused on the auditory pathway from the outer ear to the brainstem, whereas the NEOMED team focuses on everything that happens past the brainstem to the auditory cortex of the brain,” says Alejandro Rivas, MD, Division Chief of Otology and Neurotology, Director of the UH Cochlear Implant Center and the Richard W. and Patricia R. Pogue Chair in Auditory Surgery and Hearing Sciences at UH. “By working together, we can maximize our research efforts to more fully understand the entire auditory pathway to better care for patients and unlock new potential for hearing restoration. Our partnership brings together Northeast Ohio’s leaders in auditory research from both institutions and has become a wonderful mechanism to inspire inquisitive minds as we train UH and NEOMED students.” Participants, for example, recently held their first symposium and identified joint interests that sparked plans for further collaboration. These plans include the study of the cortex and central auditory pathway in animal models and the implications of hearing loss on children’s behavior. The novel partnership is also paving the way for our two institutions to bring together additional faculty scholars in other areas of otolaryngology. With one of the largest cochlear implant programs in the nation and a large ENT patient volume, UH offers patients many opportunities to be involved in research – and for researchers to gain greater understanding. “We want to be recognized not only for our national and international collaborations but also for our regional ones,” Dr. Rivas says. “Hopefully, we will be able to extend these opportunities to colleagues and students in other areas of ENT and beyond.” Read more at https://lnkd.in/gUijdVcj #hearingloss #cochlearimplant #healthcarecollaboration #research #patientsfirst #medicaleducation

As Pediatric Nurses Week continues, we continue to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our amazing pediatric nurses! Today, we’d like to shine a light on one of our exceptional caregivers, Lauren Y., Clinical Educator. “What I love most about working as a pediatric nurse at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our most resilient young patients and their families,” Lauren said. “Children are able to find joy in even the toughest circumstances, focusing on their abilities rather than their limitations. As a pediatric nurse, there is nothing more rewarding than comforting a worried parent, reassuring a frightened child, or celebrating with a patient as they head home.” In her current role, Lauren feels privileged to be fostering the next generation of caregivers. Nursing is a second career for Lauren, and she chose to return to school to pursue a passion for helping others. “University Hospitals played a crucial role in this transition with their generous tuition reimbursement program. They’ve supported me throughout my nursing education, and they continue to do so as I pursue my Master of Science in Nursing,” she said. “I’d encourage anyone looking to embark on a career in pediatric nursing or advance their nursing career to consider UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, where they support your growth through nurse residency programs and clear promotional pathways. They truly value nurses at the heart of the organization.” We’re so grateful to have pediatric nurses like Lauren as part of our team, and we’d love to have you join our team, too. Apply today! https://lnkd.in/e-HcxmFu #ThisIsRainbow #UHNursing #UHCareers

University Hospitals Chief Financial Officer Bradley Bond was named to Becker's Healthcare “77 Academic Medical Center CFOs to Know” list in 2024. According to Becker’s, “The chief financial officers overseeing these institutions play a pivotal role in guiding financial strategies, handling substantial budgets, and fostering strategic partnerships to ensure financial stability and growth.” In selecting Brad for this list, Becker’s noted that “Since February 2024, Mr. Bond has served as CFO of University Hospitals, overseeing financial operations for its $6 billion in annual revenues, 21 hospitals, and over 32,000 employees. Mr. Bond is responsible for the system's financial strategy, treasury, revenue cycle, IT, supply chain and more. Amid challenging economic conditions, he has spearheaded $250 million in financial improvements and maintained its strong credit ratings. Mr. Bond also played a key role in stabilizing the system's transition to Epic EHR. Under his leadership, the Harrington Discovery Institute advanced groundbreaking drug discovery initiatives and financial structures. Mr. Bond plays a key part in supporting the system's commitment to community health investments, prioritizing maternal and child health, wellbeing and economic opportunity, with $531 million invested in 2022 alone.” Earlier this year, Becker’s selected Brad for its “160 CFOs to Know” list. Congratulations Brad! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eKaE8pdh #finance #financialstrategy #budget #financialgrowth #financialstability #investment #leadership