03 Apr 2013

Genesis Offers Free Prom Photos

By Craig Cooper
Come To Genesis Before Prom, Not After

DAVENPORT, Iowa - April 3, 2013 -- The final month of high school can provide life-long memories of prom and graduation. However, for hundreds of American teens, their friends and their families, spring becomes
a reminder of tragic loss or devastating injury.

Hundreds of teens die across the country each year in alcohol-related vehicle accidents in the final months of the school year.

The trauma services department at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport wants to make sure the upcoming proms are good memories for Quad Cities teenagers by stressing this message: "We want to see you before
prom ... Not after!''

On Saturday, April 27 from 3-6 p.m., Genesis will be offering free, professionally taken prom photos at the campus of Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street. The photos are shot with the attractive backdrop of
the fountains in front of the hospital. Each individual (two photos per couple) will receive a free 5-by-7 color photo.

There will also be an option to have the photos uploaded to Facebook pages rather than receiving photo prints.

Prom-goers taking advantage of the offer will be asked to sign a pledge that they will have not use alcohol or illegal drugs on prom night; they will use their seatbelts; and, they will not be distracted drivers. By signing the
pledge, they will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card.

"Prom Night should be a positive experience with wonderful memories. There is nothing more tragic for a family or friends than to go through a Prom Night accident that could have been prevented by simply practicing
safe driving on the special night,'' said Andrea Bladel, Trauma Coordinator, Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme St. "We hope everyone going to the prom will come and see us before the prom to have their picture taken and to sign a safe driving pledge so that we don't see them under much sadder, or even tragic circumstances, on prom night.''

No reservations are required for the photos. For more information, call (563) 421-9275.

Davenport Central, Davenport North and Davenport West will be among the high schools celebrating proms on April 27.

Here are safe prom tips from Genesis for parents and teens:

  1. Discuss your plans with your date and friends ahead of time. Know your plan and discuss the plan with your parents.
  2. Plan ahead how you will say "no'' to alcohol or illegal drugs if they are offered.
  3. Keep your parents informed about a change in plans after the prom.
  4. Tell them where you are going and assure them you will keep your cell phone on.
  5. Teens should know where their parents will be in case they need to reach them quickly.
  6. Keep an eye on your date, driver and your friends to make sure they don't drink alcohol during the night.
  7. Plan no-alcohol, post-prom activities in advance, such as cards or board games and snacks at someone's house; a karaoke party; or keep dancing at someone's house.
  8. If you are uncomfortable with the way the night is going, call your parents, a friend, or a cab and go home.

###
08 Mar 2013

Inflatable Colon Raises Awareness About Colorectal Cancer

By Craig Cooper
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- March 7, 2013 -- Genesis Cancer Care Institute will create awareness about colorectal cancer with an inflatable you won't see at a child's birthday party.

A walk through, 20-foot-long, 8-foot-high inflatable colon with colorectal health features inside will be on display to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screenings.

The public is invited to check out the super colon on Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in front of the Genesis Cancer Care Institute. The Genesis Cancer Care Institute is located on the Genesis Medical Center, West Central Park Campus at 1401 W. Central Park, Davenport.

The giant colon replica is tall enough to walk through and is designed to educate people about the risk, symptoms, prevention, early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer.

"March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and we hope our efforts to raise awareness will result in more people scheduling their first colonoscopy at age 50, or their follow-up colonoscopy 5 or 10 years later,'' said Kim Turner, cancer research nurse with the Genesis Cancer Care Institute. "Colonoscopy is one of the best health screenings available because the procedure removes pre-cancerous polyps before they become a more dangerous issue.''

Colon cancer is the No. 2 cause of cancer deaths in Iowa, ranking only behind lung cancer.

There will be colorectal health fact sheets and brochures available from Genesis Cancer Care Institute staff on March 15.

###
01 Mar 2013

Genesis Nursing Homes Recognized As Best Nursing Homes

By Craig Cooper
Genesis Nursing Homes Receive Highest Ratings from U.S. News & World Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- March 1, 2013 ? Westwing Place in DeWitt, Iowa, and Illini Restorative Care, Silvis, Ill., have each received the highest possible overall rating and have been awarded "Best Nursing Home" designation in U.S. News & World Report's fifth annual Best Nursing Homes survey.

The Best Nursing Homes 2013 ratings highlight the top nursing homes in each city and state, out of nearly 16,000 facilities nationwide. The U.S. News goal is to help users find a home with a track record of exceptional care.

Best Nursing Homes uses data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency that assesses homes in three categories -- health inspections, level of nurse staffing, and quality of care -- and gives each an overall rating.

U.S. News awarded the "Best Nursing Home" designation to homes that earned an overall rating of five stars from CMS in January 2013. Fewer than one of every five nursing homes in the country received five stars for overall rating.

Westwing Place, located adjacent to Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, received five stars for quality measures and four stars for health inspections and nurse staffing. Illini Restorative Care, adjacent to Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, received five stars for health inspections and nurse staffing and three stars for quality measures.

Genesis Senior Living, Aledo, Ill., received four stars in overall quality. The facility received four stars for health inspections, four stars for quality ratings and three stars for nurse staffing. The Aledo facility, adjacent to Genesis Medical Center, Aledo, is the latest addition to Genesis nursing homes.

"We take our commitment to providing the best possible senior living and rehabilitation experiences very seriously,'' said Glen Roebuck, Executive Director of Senior Services and Strategy for Genesis Health System. "Any time your standard of care is recognized by others, it is a positive message for our staff that are we on the best course for our patients.

"Families are becoming more astute consumers of senior living and rehabilitation options for their loved one. Ratings like this give those consumers a good place to start in their search for the best choices."

Along with the ratings, U.S. News has published a series of articles and a guide to users who are choosing the right nursing homes. The ratings and features are at http://www.usnews.com/best-nursing-homes.

###
22 Feb 2013

Casting For Recovery Retreat Seeking Iowa Participants

By Craig Cooper
"Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after." -- Henry David Thoreau

Thoreau's thought mentioned only men, but a unique national program allows women who have experienced breast cancer to benefit from a fishing experience.

Casting for Recovery enhances the quality of life of women with breast cancer and survivors of breast cancer through fishing retreats designed to promote and support mental and physical healing.

The first Casting for Recovery Iowa retreat will be held October 11-13 and will take advantage of the fine Northeast Iowa trout streams near Decorah. Women with breast cancer and survivors are invited to apply for the free retreat.

Casting for Recovery retreats use counseling, medical education, and introduction and instruction in fly fishing to provide a healing opportunity for women of any age, or stage of treatment.

The typical schedule for retreats includes instruction in the basics of fly-fishing and casting, and how those are related to the recovery process of breast cancer, with a focus on quality of life skills.

"We hope women in the region who are making the journey with breast cancer will take advantage of this great opportunity to continue their healing while enjoying the calming influence of nature,'' said Sally Werner, executive director of the Genesis Cancer Care Institute, a sponsor of the Iowa retreat. "Casting For Recovery has an excellent record of lowering the concerns that are part of a breast cancer diagnosis.''

In 10 areas, including worry, fatigue, sadness or depression, and appearance, participants in Casting For Recovery events have overwhelmingly reported feeling more aware and accepting of their circumstances, and are better able to cope with their condition following their participation.

"The best thing about fishing may not be the fish at the end of the line. It may be the peace and the beauty of enjoying nature, especially with other people who have a shared cancer experience,'' Werner explained.

To apply for participation in the first Iowa Casting For Recovery retreat, go to www.castingforrecovery.org and search for the Iowa specific site on the left side of the home page. For the Iowa retreat, participation is limited to 14 residents of Iowa. Application deadline is Aug. 2.

###
22 Feb 2013

Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available

By Craig Cooper
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Feb. 19, 2013 - Anyone 50 years old or older, or
those with other factors associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, are
encouraged to pick up and return a free colon cancer testing kit in the Quad
Cities during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March.

The kits are provided free of charge as long as supplies last. This annual
screening is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Walgreens Drug Stores,
Illini Laboratory and the American Cancer Society. Completed kits should be
mailed to the Illini Laboratory. Participants will have results mailed to them
within four weeks.

The kits are designed to detect small amounts of hidden blood, which can
indicate early problems with polyps or cancer before other symptoms are
apparent. Anyone with a positive test should contact their family physician
and ask about a colonoscopy. Also, anyone 50 years old or older should ask
their doctor about having a first colonoscopy.

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer
diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American
Cancer Society's estimate for the number of new colon cancer cases in the
United States for 2013 is 102,480.

The death rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 people per year) from
colorectal cancer has been dropping in both men and women for more than
20 years. There are a number of likely reasons for this. One is that polyps
are being found by screening and removed before they can develop into
cancers.

Screening is also allowing more colorectal cancers to be found earlier when
the disease is easier to treat and cure.

Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer and more lives could be
saved if people better understood the risks of the disease and received
regular testing.

Screening and colonoscopy are the most effective ways to prevent colon
cancer from developing. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous
polyps, which are growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These
polyps can become cancerous.

Removing polyps during a colonoscopy can prevent colorectal cancer from
developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are
thought to be preventable.

Because there are often no symptoms to polyps, it is important to be
routinely screened.

For more information on colon cancer, including risk factors, prevention
options, and early detection methods, please call the American Cancer
Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Free kits can be picked up at the following locations in March, or until
supplies last:

Walgreens Drug Stores

Bettendorf: 830 Middle Road, 3425 Middle Road; Clinton: 806 S. 4th St.,
1905 N. 2nd St.; Davenport: 1805 Brady St., 1720 West Kimberly; 1525
East Kimberly, 1660 West Locust St., 4011 East 53 rd St.; East Moline: 301
30th Ave.; 1301 Ave. of the Cities; Moline: 3601 16th St., 555 19th Ave.;
4000 Ave. of the Cities; Milan: 440 10th Ave. West; Muscatine:1703 Park
Ave; Rock Island: 3100 11th St.; 2955 18th Ave.

Other Pick-Up Locations
Genesis Cancer Care Institute, 1351 West Central Park, Davenport; Genesis
Medical Center, Illini Campus, 801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Illini Laboratory,
801 Illini Drive, Silvis; Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, 1118 11th Street,
DeWitt; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, West Campus Information
Desks; Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, East Campus Information Desks;
Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa; Mercer County Hospital,
Aledo, Ill; American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, 2397 Cumberland
Square, Bettendorf.

Risk Factors
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. Personal risk varies,
so your doctor can help you make informed decisions about when to begin

testing and the most appropriate testing method for you. Factors associated
with increased risk for colon cancer include :

  • Age - most diagnosed are 50 or older.
  • Race - African Americans are at greater risk.
  • Personal or family history of colon cancer.
  • Personal or family history of intestinal polyps.
  • Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative or Crohn's colitis).
  • Certain genetic factors (familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome, hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, Ashkenazi Jewish descent).
  • Smoking, or use of other tobacco products.
  • Physical inactivity.
  • Diets high in red meat.
###

06 Feb 2013

Genesis Nursing Scholarship Applications Available

By Craig Cooper
DAVENPORT, Iowa - Feb. 5, 2013 -- The Genesis Health System Foundation has announced applications for BSN and MSN degree completion scholarships are now available online.

This year, the award has increased from $2,000 to $2,500 for each degree completion scholarship for current Genesis nurses.

Applications for scholarships to current full-time nursing students are also available, and are awarded in the form of a forgivable loan based upon subsequent employment with Genesis Health System.

In 2012, the Genesis Health System Foundation awarded more than 40 degree completion scholarships to nurses employed at Genesis valued at more than $80,000.

Applications for the scholarships are due on or before March 25, 2013. Scholarship recipients will be announced in early May.

Scholarship applications can be found at the Genesis Health System website, www.genesishealth.com/scholarships.

For more information, call the Genesis Health Services Foundation office at (563) 421-6864.

###
18 Jan 2013

Diewald Named COO Of Genesis Health System

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- January 18, 2013 -- Genesis Health System President and CEO Doug Cropper has announced the promotion of Wayne Diewald to GHS Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. The health system COO is a new leadership position announced by Mr. Cropper last month that will report directly to him. Mr. Diewald had been President of GMC Davenport and a Genesis Health System Senior Vice President.

In making the announcement, Mr. Cropper explained the organizational need for "expert and focused" leadership dedicated to achieving performance excellence across the health system.

"This re-structuring will promote greater system integration and consistency in quality clinical care and customer service," said Cropper. "And, it will result in a more agile organization that is better able to respond to the shifting demands of a changing health care environment."

Mr. Cropper went on to express great confidence in the ability of Mr. Diewald to help accelerate Genesis' progress on the Journey to Excellence.

"He brings both business savvy and a deep commitment to our mission of 'compassionate, quality health services to all those in need' to this assignment. I know Wayne will help guide us wisely forward," said Cropper.

Mr. Cropper also noted the growing demand for a greater share of his attention to more long-range strategic issues and away from operations as a contributing reason for the creation of the new COO position.

"With system operations now in the capable hands of Wayne, I will focus on our goals for population health and strategic growth as well as our vision of national leadership in quality and safety," Cropper said.

Divisions reporting to the new COO will include : Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Genesis Medical Center, Illini; all critical access hospitals; Outpatient Services; Genesis Health Group; Genesis Home Health & Hospice; and, all Genesis
Nursing Homes.

Earlier this week, Genesis Health System Senior Vice President Flo Spyrow announced Curt Coleman has been named administrator for Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, on a permanent basis, effective immediately. He had served as
interim administrator for GMC DeWitt since July 1. Coleman also will continue to serve as Genesis administrator of Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa as he has since July 1, 2011, when Genesis began providing management services to the facility.

###

28 Dec 2012

Popular Baby Names At Genesis

By Craig Cooper

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Dec. 27, 2012 - Olivia and Mason were the most popular names for babies born at Genesis this year.

Olivia (18 babies) edged out Isabella (17) as the most popular name for newborn girls at Genesis BirthCenters in Davenport and at Genesis Medical Center, Illini Campus, Silvis. Sophia, No. 3 on the Genesis list this year, held the top spot the past two years.

Olivia moved up from a tie for sixth in 2011.

Mason, which didn't make the Genesis top ten last year but was No. 1 in 2010 at Genesis, was the name for 17 baby boys born at Genesis.

The rest of the top most popular girls names for Genesis babies were Ava and Madison (12); and Emma and Zoey (11).

Following Mason as the most popular boys name at Genesis were Benjamin (14), William, Alexander and Noah (13 each).

Babies born at Genesis were trendy again in 2012. The top five girls names nationally, according to babycenter.com were Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Isabella and Ava. The top five boys names were Aiden, Jackson, Ethan, Liam and Mason.

Isabella, the most popular baby girls name at Genesis in 2009 and No. 1 nationally in 2010, continues to be a regular on popular baby name lists. Isabella instantly became one of the most popular baby girl names in the U.S. with the release of the "Twilight" series of books and movies.

A few babies born at Genesis in 2012 can be pretty certain they won't have to share their names with classmates. Among the unique names given to babies born at Genesis in 2012 were Aabro, Akyndrea, Ellashawnee, Jahzzyiah, Laushantiana, Princess Tylaiz, Unterriona, Izhais, Souleymane and Xhevdet.

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Olivia (18); 2. Isabella (17); 3. Sophia (14); 4. tie, Ava and Madison (12); 6. tie, Emma (11) and Zoey (11); 8. tie, Avery and Chloe (10); 10. Lily (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2012 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (17); 2. Benjamin (14); 3. tie, William, Alexander and Noah (13); 6. Elijah (12); 7. tie, Henry, Anthony, Jayden and Jackson (11). 

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (22); 2. Ava (17); 3. tie, Addison and Isabella (16); 5. Lily (13); 6. tie, Olivia, Emily and Ella (11); 9. Madison (10); 10. Kylee (9).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2011 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Alexander (17); 2. Elijah (15); 3. tie, Noah and Landon (14); 5. Logan (13); 6. tie, Owen, Aiden, Brayden, Liam (12); 10. tie, Gavin and Jackson (11).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Sophia (30); 2. Isabella (23); 3. Emma (22); 4. Ava (20); 5. Addison (18); 6. Ella (17); 7. tie, Madison (14) and Madelyn (14); 9. tie, Lillian (13) and Abigail (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2010 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Mason (22); 2. Aiden (17); 3. tie, Alexander (13); Jacob (13); Jayden (13); Luke (13); Zachary (13); 8. tie, Noah, Owen, Caleb, Benjamin, and Carter (12).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Isabella (27); 2. Olivia (20); 3. Addison (17); 4. Abigail (16); 5. Ava (15); 6. Grace (14); 7. tie, Emily; Emma and Madison (12); 10. tie, Alexis and Hailey (11).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2009 At Genesis BirthCenters

1. Noah (20); 2. tie, Ethan and Carter (19); 4. Alexander (18); 5. Logan (17); 6. tie, Jacob and Aiden (16); 8. Benjamin (15); 9. Jack (14); 10. William (13).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Addison (21); 2. Hailey (20); 3. Madeline (18); 4. tie, Abigail, Emily and Emma (17); 7. tie, Isabella and Olivia (16); 9. Chloe (15); 10. Ava (12).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2008 At Genesis Birth Center

1. Jaden (25); 2. Aiden (23); 3. tie, Alexander and Noah (21); 5. tie, Kaiden and William (19); 7. tie, Landon and Logan (17); 9. Elijah (16); 10. Benjamin (15).

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ava (22); 2. Olivia (21); 3. tie, Addison and Lily (18); 5. Elizabeth (16); 6. tie, Madeline, Alexis, Sophia, Isabella (14); 10. tie, Emma, Madison (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2007 At Genesis Birth Centers

1. Aiden (29); 2. tie, Noah and Jacob (18); 4. Ethan (17); 5. tie Jackson, Tyler, Landon, Gabriel, Benjamin, William and Alexander (Alex) 15.

Most Popular Girls Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Emma (29); 2. Olivia (20); 3. tie, Ava and Hannah (19); 5. Addison (18); 6. Grace (17); 6. Isabella (16); 7. Abigail (15); 8. tie, Alexis and Lauren (14); 10. Emily (13).

Most Popular Boys Baby Names In 2006 at Genesis Birth Centers

1. Ethan (28); 2. tie, Aiden and Carter (20); 4. tie, Andrew, Logan, Mason and Noah (17); 8. tie, Alexander and Jacob (16); 10. tie, Hunter and Joseph (15).

###

16 Oct 2012

Genesis Celebration of Life Nov. 10

By Craig Cooper
DAVENPORT, Iowa -- Oct. 15, 2012 -- Genesis will help open the holiday season with a festive Celebration of Life on Saturday, Nov. 10.

The traditional Remembrance Tree will be illuminated to start the season at 6 p.m. in Bechtel Park at River Drive and Iowa Street, Davenport. Donations will be accepted for tree light sponsors with proceeds supporting Genesis Hospice Care.

Special entertainment will be provided by a brass quintet, dancers, and, the Holiday Pops Children's Choir. The choir will feature music from "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Polar Express."

There will be cocoa, cider and other refreshments.

Individual "light" sponsors are invited to make a donation of $10 to honor the memory of loved ones. Names received by the Genesis Foundation by November 5 will be included on a "Scroll of Names,'' which will be given to ceremony attendees.

To sponsor a light, call (563) 421-6865 or visit www.genesishealth.com/tree.

Genesis Hospice is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team to assist in managing symptoms, as well as enhancing quality of life. The common goal of all services is to provide the patient and family with comfort.

###
16 Oct 2012

Genesis Nursing Homes Earn High Ratings From CMS

By Craig Cooper
Mercer County Nursing Home in Aledo, Ill., and Illini Restorative Care, Silvis, Ill., have each earned 5-star quality ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Five stars is the highest and most respected rating a nursing home can achieve. The combined rating is based on health inspections, staffing and quality measures.

Westwing Place at Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, earned a 4-star rating in overall quality.

The 5-star rating from CMS is the highest ever for Mercer County Nursing Home.

"We believe in high quality resident care and set a standard of excellence in everything we do," said Myron Higgins, administrator, Mercer County Nursing Home. "Every member of our staff is dedicated to our residents and their families."

Mercer County Nursing Home is a 92-bed skilled nursing facility managed by Genesis Health System. The nursing home provides residents with superior short and long-term skilled nursing care administered by caring professionals. Highly trained and experienced staff offer residents individualized and compassionate attention while providing a wide range of health care services, including physical, occupational and speech therapy along with around-the-clock nursing care.

Mercer County Nursing Home earned 5 stars for quality ratings, 4 stars for health inspections, and 3 stars for staffing.

Illini Restorative care earned 5 stars for health inspections and 5 stars for staffing.

Westwing Place earned 4 stars in every category and 4 stars overall.

For more information about senior living options at Genesis, go to www.genesishealth.com/srliving.

About Genesis Health System

Genesis Health System and its affiliates offer a full continuum of care, including preventive, primary, acute and tertiary hospital care; home health; hospice; rehabilitation; and long-term care. Its affiliates include Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, DeWitt and the Illini Campus in Silvis, Illinois; the Genesis Health Services Foundation, Visiting Nurse Association and GenVentures Inc. Genesis also manages Mercer County Hospital, Aledo, and Jackson County Regional Health Center, Maquoketa, Iowa. Serving a 10-county area of eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the Health System also operates Genesis Health Group. For more information, visit our Web site at www.genesishealth.com.

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