pomerene-medical-group

Welcome Dr. Vivian Chidi

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:50:30 GMT

Pomerene Medical Group welcomes Vivian Chidi, MD. Dr. Chidi is a gastroenterologist and internal medicine physician who cares for patients with a wide range of digestive and liver conditions.

She brings more than a decade of experience in both hospital and clinic settings, including emergent and high-acuity care, with a focus on helping patients get clear answers and a practical path forward.

“Gastroenterology can feel overwhelming when you do not know what is causing your symptoms,” Dr. Chidi said. “My goal is to listen carefully, explain what we are seeing, and make sure every patient feels supported.”

Training and experience

Dr. Chidi completed medical school at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. She completed her internal medicine residency at UPMC in Pittsburgh, and her gastroenterology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She also completed additional fellowship training in inflammatory bowel disease and interventional endoscopy at Cleveland Clinic.

What Dr. Chidi helps patients with

Dr. Chidi provides care for conditions affecting the digestive tract and liver, including:

Upper digestive conditions
Digestive tract conditions
Liver disorders
Diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy

Procedures and services offered

Patients may be referred for evaluation, ongoing management, or endoscopic procedures, including:

Colonoscopy, including polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection
Upper endoscopy, including balloon dilation and Savary-guidewire dilation
Pouchoscopy with ongoing pouch management

Location and appointments

Pomerene Medical Group Offices
1261 Wooster Road, Suite 210
Millersburg, OH

Now taking new patients
To schedule an appointment: 330-763-2018

Why Women’s Health Care Matters at Every Age

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 17:56:15 GMT

Women’s health care is not the same for everyone, and it changes over time.

Needs can shift from routine checkups to pregnancy care, family planning, and support during menopause. Steady care close to home helps women stay healthy and address concerns early.

Mary Beth Marburger is a board-certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Pomerene Women’s Health Services located in Berlin where she works alongside the midwives and OBGYN physicians to provide optimal care to the ladies of the community. She focuses on listening carefully, answering questions clearly, and helping women take practical steps to protect their health.

“Women’s health is about caring for the whole person, not just one visit or one season of life,” Marburger said. “My goal is to help women understand what is happening with their bodies. I also want to support them in staying active and well for the long term.”

Women often come in with concerns like changes in their monthly cycle, ongoing discomfort, or other symptoms that don’t seem normal. These concerns are common, but they should be checked rather than ignored. Early care can bring relief and peace of mind. It can also lead to simpler treatment when needed.

Marburger also provides care during pregnancy and after delivery. Patients can come in to confirm pregnancy, begin early care and education, keep up with regular checkups, and return for follow-up after birth. Counseling before pregnancy is available as well.

Preventive care is a key part of women’s health. Yearly visits focus on routine exams, recommended screenings, and guidance on cancer prevention and bone health. Patients can talk through daily habits such as food, movement, and weight management. Family health history can also help guide care.

“No matter your stage of life, consistent checkups help you stay ahead of problems and keep doing what you love,” Marburger said.

Dr. Leon Miller Retires After 37 Years of Service

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:00:09 GMT

After 37 years of dedicated service, Dr. Leon Miller has retired from his surgical practice.

Throughout his career, Dr. Miller has been a trusted surgeon and a steady presence at Pomerene. His compassion, clinical expertise, and commitment to high standards of care have shaped the experiences of countless patients. He has also been a valued colleague, supporting and mentoring staff and helping strengthen surgical care across the organization. His impact will be felt for years to come.

We are deeply grateful for Dr. Miller’s contributions and wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter. We invite others to join us in celebrating his remarkable career and expressing appreciation for the difference he has made in so many lives.

Surgical services will remain available at Pomerene with Dr. Michael T. Schell, who is available for surgical consultation and ongoing care.

Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Sporting Clay Shoot

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:51:15 GMT

Sporting Clay Shoot - June 19, 2026

Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Sporting Clay Shoot is on Friday, June 19, 2026, bringing together shooters, sponsors, and supporters for a day that benefits Pomerene Hospital .

Held at Airport Ridge Sporting Clays in Millersburg, this event raises critical funds that support hospital operations, equipment purchases, and facility improvements. Every team and sponsor plays a direct role in helping Pomerene continue providing high-quality care close to home.

Event Details

The shoot will take place at Airport Ridge Sporting Clays , located at 9537 County Road 292 in Millersburg, Ohio.

Schedule for the day includes:

8:00 a.m. Registration opens with a light breakfast available
10:00 a.m. Teams are released to begin shooting (no show birds provided)
1:00 p.m. Lunch, awards, and raffle drawings
2:00 p.m. Annie Oakley shoot, with the winner receiving a gun

Team Registration

Teams of four can register for $1,000 , which includes:

One squad of four shooters
A station sponsor sign with company name
Entry into a drawing to win a gun for all participants

Team registration deadline is June 5, 2026.

To register a team contact:

Cindy Yoder
Pomerene Hospital
Phone: (330) 763-2001
Email: cyoder@pomerenehospital.org

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorships are available at multiple levels, offering visibility while directly supporting Pomerene’s mission.

Available opportunities include:

Title Sponsor – $10,000
Gold Sponsor – $5,000
Bird Sponsor – $4,500
Silver Sponsor – $2,500
Bronze Sponsor – $1,500
Team Sponsor – $1,000
Hospitality Sponsor for meals or side games
Cart Sponsor – $600

Sponsors receive recognition through event signage and advertising, with higher-level sponsors included in radio promotion and event banners. The sponsorship commitment deadline is May 1, 2026 , to be included in advertising.

To become a sponsor, please contact:

Cindy Yoder
Pomerene Hospital
Phone: (330) 763-2001
Email: cyoder@pomerenehospital.org

Why It Matters

All proceeds from the Sporting Clay Shoot directly benefit Pomerene Hospital. Funds raised help sustain hospital operations, invest in new equipment, and support ongoing improvements to the facility. It is a practical way to support healthcare services that serve our region every day.

Whether you are shooting, sponsoring, or supporting from the sidelines, your participation makes a meaningful difference.

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes First Baby of 2026

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:27:48 GMT

Baby girl Oaklynn arrives on New Year’s Day!

Millersburg, OH — Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce the arrival of its first baby of 2026 , a baby girl named Oaklynn , born on January 1, 2026, at 2:49 p.m. Oaklynn weighed 5 pounds, 10 ounces at birth.

Proud parents Joel and Amy Yoder of Holmesville welcomed their daughter at Pomerene Hospital, marking a joyful beginning to the New Year for their family and the community.

The arrival of the hospital’s first baby of the year is a special tradition at Pomerene. To help celebrate the occasion, the Pomerene Auxiliary presented the family with a commemorative gift that included a rocking horse, diapers, a stuffed animal, a toy, and a Busy Learners Activity Cube .

Pomerene Hospital is honored to care for families during life’s most meaningful moments and is proud to support parents throughout pregnancy, delivery, and beyond. The hospital’s maternity team is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care in a comfortable, community-focused setting.

Pomerene Hospital extends congratulations to the Yoder family and wishes them all the best as they begin this new chapter with their daughter.

Pomerene Hospital, rated one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in the US, is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital. Pomerene employs more than 325 employees while maintaining a medical staff with 80+ physicians. For more information, call (330) 674-1015 or visit www.pomerenehospital.org .

Welcome Carrick Miller

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:12:19 GMT

Pomerene Welcomes Carrick Miller to Family Care Team

 Millersburg, Ohio – Pomerene Hospital is pleased to welcome Carrick Miller, PA-C, to its Family Care team in Millersburg. A lifelong Holmes County resident and 2019 graduate of West Holmes High School, Miller is looking forward to serving the community he’s always called home.

Miller completed the Physician Assistant program at Ashland University in 2025 and will begin seeing patients in Pomerene’s Family Care offices in February 2026.

“I always wanted to come back and provide care for the community that raised me here in Holmes County,” said Miller.

Patients will be able to schedule appointments with Miller by calling Pomerene Family Care at 330-674-3333.

Pomerene Hospital is proud to continue expanding access to trusted local providers, offering personal medical care right here at home.

Pomerene Updates Visitation Guidelines

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 19:54:15 GMT

Effective December 1st 2025, Pomerene's visitation guidelines:

At Pomerene Hospital, we believe healing happens best when patients feel supported by the people they love. That’s why we follow a patient- and family-centered approach to care.

Pomerene has an open visitation policy , meaning family and loved ones are welcome 24 hours a day , based on the patient’s preference and consent . We encourage visitors to partner with us in creating a calm, comfortable, and healing environment for every patient.

New Director of Laboratory Services

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 14:59:39 GMT

Tony Malatesta Named Pomerene Director of Laboratory Services

Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce the promotion of Tony Malatesta to Director of Laboratory Services. This advancement reflects Tony’s strong leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to supporting high-quality patient care.

Tony rejoined Pomerene in 2023 and has played an essential role in strengthening the hospital’s laboratory operations. His accomplishments include upgrading key laboratory equipment, improving workflow efficiency, and transitioning multiple tests back in-house to enhance service quality and turnaround times. These improvements have contributed to greater operational efficiency across the department and increased support for clinical teams throughout the hospital.

In his new role, Tony will continue leading laboratory staff and advancing strategic initiatives that expand and improve diagnostic services for the community.

Pomerene Hospital congratulates Tony on this well-deserved promotion and looks forward to the continued growth and collaboration his leadership will bring.

New Providers In Family Care & Internal Medicine

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:22:11 GMT

Pomerene Welcomes Jodi Swihart & Brayden Chaney

Millersburg, Ohio – Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce two additions to its care teams in Millersburg: Jodi Swihart, MSN, APRN, FNP , now seeing patients in Family Care, and Brayden Chaney, PA-C , who will join the Internal Medicine team and begin seeing patients in early 2026.

Jodi Swihart, MSN, APRN, FNP — Family Care
Swihart brings 14 years of experience as a Certified Nurse Practitioner serving patients in Wayne County and surrounding communities. She earned her BSN from Malone and her MSN from the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing. She is now welcoming new and existing patients in Pomerene Family Care in Millersburg. The clinic can be reached at 330-674-3333.

Brayden Chaney, PA-C — Internal Medicine
Chaney is a lifelong Holmes County resident and a West Holmes High School graduate. He completed the Physician Assistant program at Ashland University in 2025. Chaney will care for patients primarily at Pomerene’s Millersburg Internal Medicine offices beginning in early 2026. The office can be reached at 330-893-1318.

With more local providers, Pomerene Hospital is proud to help members of our community get the care they need, close to home.

Jenna Jacobs new Executive Director of Human Resources

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 16:35:07 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Names Jenna Jacobs as Executive Director of Human Resources

Millersburg, Ohio — Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce the appointment of Jenna Jacobs, SHRM-CP, as the new Executive Director of Human Resources.

Jacobs joined Pomerene in March 2024 as a Human Resources Generalist and has most recently served as the hospital’s Physician and Provider Recruiter. During her time with Pomerene, she has demonstrated strong leadership, strategic insight, and a collaborative approach that has made a lasting impact across the organization.

As Executive Director of Human Resources, Jacobs will guide Pomerene’s HR initiatives with a focus on employee engagement, organizational culture, and workforce excellence.

A lifelong resident of Holmes County, Jacobs lives in Millersburg with her husband and two daughters. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Kent State University and a SHRM-CP certification. She is also pursuing a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Ashland University, expected to graduate in December 2025.

Prior to joining Pomerene, Jacobs worked for several years as a recruiting manager, bringing extensive experience in talent acquisition and employee relations.

Pomerene Hospital congratulates Jenna on this well-earned promotion and looks forward to the continued leadership and vision she will bring to the organization.

2025 Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:17:04 GMT

Pomerene Auxiliary presents

the 16th Annual Christmas Festival

Friday, December 5th 2025

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 6th 2025

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The countdown is on!

Get into the holiday spirit and join us for the 16th Annual Christmas Festival , hosted by the Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary at the beautiful Berlin Grande Hotel in downtown Berlin.

Festival Hours:

Friday, December 5 | 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 6 | 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

This beloved community tradition is back and bigger than ever, featuring over 100 stunningly decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, holiday décor, and charming furniture pieces —all available for purchase! You’ll also have the chance to win exciting prizes through our festive raffles.

All proceeds from the event goes towards purchasing patient care equipment and facility improvements at Pomerene Hospital, helping us continue our mission of “Caring for Our Community’s Health.”

Admission: $5 per person | Children 14 and under are free

We’re so grateful for the incredible support from our sponsors, donors, and community members. A special thank-you to our Diamond and Platinum Sponsors : Berlin Grande Hotel, Holiday Inn Express, The Bargain Hunter, Pomerene Medical Staff, Ascend Advisory Group, Charm Builders, Hummel Group, Millersburg Pizza Hut, Faith View Bookstore, J. Miller & Son Excavating, Aultman and Aultcare, ProVia, Tritt Party of 4, Sugarcreek Concrete Finishers, Trail Farm Supply, Whisler Plumbing & Heating, Killbuck Savings Bank, and Beltone Premier Hearing Center.

Whether you’re shopping for the perfect holiday piece or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, we’d love to see you there!

For more information about attending, donating, or purchasing items, please call (330) 763-2001 .

Let’s celebrate the season—together!

Celebrating Community at the 2025 Antique Festival

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:15:35 GMT

On Sunday, October 5, several Pomerene employees and their family members marched in the 63rd Holmes County Antique Festival Grand Parade through historic downtown Millersburg.

The Holmes County Antique Festival is more than a parade. Over its two-day run, the event offers antique markets, arts and crafts, live music, classic car shows, and family-friendly activities.

At Pomerene, we believe that being part of our community means showing up, not just in healthcare, but in shared moments and local traditions. We’re proud to walk alongside our neighbors, celebrate our county’s heritage, and show our appreciation to our community.

Thank you to every team member who joined us. You made our presence personal.

A Gift of Comfort

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 16:04:41 GMT

Local Business Donates 150 Pillows to Pomerene Hospital

Sometimes generosity starts with a simple conversation.

At this year’s Holmes County Fair, Pomerene Hospital staff were greeting visitors at their booth when a local business owner stopped by. That visitor was Brad Schmucker of Millersburg Tire Service. After chatting with the team, Brad mentioned he wanted to give something back to the hospital.

His wife had recently been treated in the Emergency Department, and the experience made him think about the small comforts that make a big difference during a hospital stay. Wanting to help others, he chose to meet a simple but important need: pillows.

On behalf of his grandchildren, Brad provided 150 EverLuxe wipeable pillows that will be used across the Emergency, Inpatient, and Outpatient departments to provide comfort to patients every day.

Pomerene Hospital extends heartfelt thanks to Brad and Millersburg Tire Service for this meaningful gift, one that reflects the kindness and connection that make Holmes County special.

Pomerene Receives CPR Training Kit from American Heart Association

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 18:13:57 GMT

Training Kit to Support Lifesaving Education

MILLERSBURG, OH – Pomerene Hospital has received a CPR Anywhere training kit from the American Heart Association, expanding its ability to teach lifesaving skills at community events and health fairs.

The donation was made possible by Gabbi Roszman, Community Impact Director for AHA Northeast Ohio, who directed funds from her community impact budget to support Pomerene’s outreach efforts.

The portable training kit includes 10 mannequins, 10 kneeling pads, 10 AED training simulators, and educational materials on both flash drive and DVD. It will be used by Pomerene’s AHA-certified instructors and mobile health team to provide hands-on CPR training throughout the region.

“Having this kit allows us to bring practical, hands-on CPR training directly into the community,” said Anne Gunther. “We’re grateful for this support from the American Heart Association. It’s a meaningful step in helping people feel prepared to respond in an emergency.”

Immediate CPR can double the chances of survival after cardiac arrest, and this resource will help more people in Holmes County and surrounding rural areas gain the skills and confidence to take action when every second counts.

Pictured left to right: Shelbie Murphy, RN; Julia Klink, RN; Gabbi Roszman; Nate Hall, RN; and Hollie Yoder, RN.

Auxiliary Contribution Improves Patient Experience in Obstetrics

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:49:02 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Provides Funding for Flooring Replacement in Obstetrics Unit

Pomerene Hospital is excited to announce that the Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary has generously provided funding to replace flooring in the Obstetrics Unit.

This contribution will enhance the comfort, safety, and overall patient experience for mothers, babies, and families who receive care in the unit.

Since its founding in 1972, the Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary has played an important role in advancing the hospital’s mission of “Caring for our Community’s Health.” Through countless hours of volunteer service and ongoing fundraising, the Auxiliary has supported projects and initiatives that directly impact our community.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Auxiliary for their ongoing partnership and dedication to making a difference.

To learn more about the Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary, contact Susan Miller at (330) 674-1584, ext. 1100 or email sumiller@pomerenehospital.org .

2025 Energy Cup Award Winner

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:01:46 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Receives Ohio Hospital Association’s 2025 Energy Cup Award

Pomerene Hospital is proud to announce that we have been awarded the Ohio Hospital Association’s 2025 Energy Cup Award for small hospitals. This award recognizes outstanding energy efficiency improvements, and Pomerene earned the honor by achieving the largest energy use reductions from 2023 to 2024 among all small hospitals in Ohio.

Energy efficiency is more than just saving on utility bills—it’s about being responsible stewards of our resources, reducing environmental impact, and creating a healthier, more sustainable facility for our patients, visitors, and staff.

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our Building Services team, led by Rex Miller, Building Services Director, along with Dustin Lower, Cory Bates, and Jonathan Armijo. Their commitment to improving systems, identifying energy-saving opportunities, and implementing efficient practices played a key role in earning this award.

The Ohio Hospital Association’s Energy Cup Award highlights hospitals that are setting the standard for environmental responsibility in healthcare. Pomerene Hospital is honored to be recognized among them and remains committed to investing in sustainable practices that benefit both our community and the environment.

Recognized for Excellence in Rural Stroke Care

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 13:27:29 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Earns American Heart Association’s 2025 Get With The Guidelines ® –Rural Stroke Bronze Award

Pomerene Hospital is proud to announce that we have been honored with the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines ® –Rural Stroke Bronze Award for 2025. This recognition is based on our hospital’s performance data from July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024 and reflects our commitment to improving stroke care in our community.

The Get With The Guidelines ® program is an evidence-based initiative designed to help hospitals consistently deliver the latest, most effective treatments for stroke patients. The Bronze level award recognizes hospitals that have made significant progress in applying these guidelines and improving patient outcomes — particularly in rural settings, where timely and effective stroke care can be more challenging.

This award is a testament to the dedication of our physicians, nurses, and staff who work tirelessly to provide exceptional stroke care for our patients, by following proven, evidence-based guidelines, we’re ensuring that every patient receives the best possible chance at recovery.

Receiving this award places Pomerene Hospital among a select group of rural hospitals nationwide recognized for excellence in stroke care. It also reinforces our ongoing mission to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Holmes County and the surrounding region.

Pomerene Hospital Expands Sleep Services Through Partnership with Board-Certified Sleep Specialist

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:43:03 GMT

Expanded Services Aim to Help Patients Sleep Better, Feel Better, and Live Healthier

MILLERSBURG, Ohio (July 2025) — Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce its partnership with Dr. Butros Latouf, M.D., a board-certified sleep specialist, to lead the Pomerene Sleep Clinic, offering expert diagnosis and personalized treatment for a wide range of sleep disorders.

With sleep-related conditions like sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless leg syndrome on the rise, access to qualified care is more important than ever. Pomerene’s Sleep Clinic provides a convenient, local option for individuals struggling with disrupted sleep, fatigue, and related health issues.

Under the direction of Dr. Latouf, the Sleep Clinic offers both in-lab and at-home sleep studies, as well as modern treatment options and telehealth-based follow-up care. Services are tailored to each patient’s needs, with a focus on comfort, accessibility, and long-term wellness.

Sleep Services Offered:

• In-Lab Polysomnography (PSG)

• Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT)

• CPAP/BiPAP Titration and Support

• Telehealth Visits for Ongoing Sleep Disorder Management

Why Choose Pomerene Sleep Clinic?

• Fast scheduling and streamlined referral process

• Clear, detailed diagnostic reports with actionable treatment plans

• Convenient telehealth visits for evaluations and ongoing care

• Led by Dr. Butros Latouf, a board-certified sleep medicine specialist

• Multidisciplinary care coordination to support overall health

Pomerene’s Sleep Clinic also supports area providers by offering timely access to sleep evaluations and clear communication throughout the treatment process. Patients can feel confident knowing their care is overseen by a highly trained specialist, backed by a trusted local hospital.

Appointments and Referrals

Patients and referring providers can learn more or schedule an appointment by contacting:

Doug Porter, Referral Coordinator

Phone: (330) 674-1584 ext. 1113

Fax: (330) 763-2062

Sleep is essential to your physical and mental health. With expert care now available close to home, better rest is within reach.

For more information, visit www.pomerenehospital.org.

Pomerene Hospital Earns National Recognition from the American Heart Association

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:19:23 GMT

Awarded Gold for Excellence in Rural Heart Attack Care

MILLERSBURG, Ohio (July 2025) — Pomerene Hospital has received national recognition from the American Heart Association with the Get With The Guidelines® – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold Award , highlighting its commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care to patients experiencing severe heart attacks.

The award is based on two years of data (January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2024) submitted through the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® quality improvement program, which supports hospitals in consistently implementing the latest research-based treatment guidelines. The ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) is among the most critical and time-sensitive types of heart attacks, requiring rapid and coordinated care to improve patient outcomes.

The Gold level designation is reserved for hospitals that demonstrate consistent excellence in meeting program benchmarks, including timely diagnosis, intervention, and post-care management for STEMI patients. Pomerene’s achievement places it among a select group of rural hospitals nationwide committed to bringing advanced cardiovascular care to their communities.

This recognition also brings national visibility to Pomerene Hospital through the American Heart Association’s broader celebration of awarded hospitals. Pomerene will be included in upcoming US News & World Report "Best Hospitals" print and digital editions and will be part of the AHA’s recognition at the 2026 International Stroke Conference .

The hospital's success reflects the strength of its clinical team, emergency response protocols, and commitment to improving patient outcomes in rural settings. With the nearest major heart centers often miles away, Pomerene's ability to deliver guideline-driven cardiac care locally plays a vital role in saving lives.

For more information on Pomerene Hospital’s heart and emergency care services, visit www.pomerenehospital.org .

About Get With The Guidelines®
Get With The Guidelines® is an American Heart Association initiative that helps hospitals nationwide improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease and stroke through the use of research-based clinical protocols, professional education, and performance tracking.

Pomerene Hospital Names New Chief Executive Officer

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:16:55 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New CEO, Anne Gunther

MILLERSBURG, Ohio (July 1, 2025) – After serving in the role of interim chief executive officer for the past three months, Anne Gunther, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, will officially assume the role of CEO of Pomerene Hospital.

“With her extensive leadership experience, Anne is well prepared to lead our great team of employees and providers at Pomerene,” said Mel Yoder, Pomerene Hospital, Board of Directors Chair. “She has already proven to be an extremely valuable asset to this organization, and I look forward to seeing her excel in the position of CEO.”

During her 35 years with Aultman Health System, Gunther has served in a variety of executive nursing and healthcare operational roles including system chief nursing executive; vice president heart & vascular; women’s & children’s services; and cancer services. For the past three years, she served as president of Aultman Hospital in Canton.

Anne earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree from Walsh University, her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Akron and her doctorate in nursing practice from Walsh University. She holds nurse executive specialty certifications by The American Nurses Credentialing Center and American Organization of Nursing Leadership. Anne is active in numerous volunteer activities and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Aultman Health Foundation, Aultman Women’s Board and Central Stark County YMCA. She is also the past president of the Ohio Organization for Nursing Leadership.

“I am excited to join the Pomerene family, and honored to lead a great team that continually strives to improve the health of the community we serve,” Gunther said. “I look forward to continuing our commitment to provide the highest-quality health and wellness services for Holmes County residents and the surrounding communities. Together, we can provide high-quality healthcare services, close to home.”

2025 DAISY Award Recipients

Thu, 15 May 2025 19:53:20 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Honors 2025 DAISY Award Recipients

Pomerene Hospital is proud to announce that Alysia Hershberger, RN, and Charles Wilbur, RN, have been honored with the DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, a national recognition celebrating the compassionate, skillful care nurses provide every day.

Alysia Hershberger began her career at Pomerene in 2017 as a unit assistant and has grown into a trusted nurse and leader, earning her RN in 2022. She currently works on the Medical-Surgical Unit and is cross-trained in the Special Care Unit (SCU). Alysia serves as a preceptor for new team members and is known for her calm, encouraging presence even in high-pressure situations. Her dedication, leadership, and genuine care for patients and staff alike make her a valued member of the Pomerene team.

Charles Wilbur joined the Emergency Department in 2023, relocating from South Carolina with his wife, Georgina, and daughter, Isabella. In a short time, Charles has become a respected colleague and a steady, compassionate caregiver to patients in critical moments. He brings a wealth of experience and insight, consistently going above and beyond to support both his patients and team.

The DAISY Award was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who passed away in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. The care Patrick received from nurses during his illness inspired the creation of the DAISY Foundation, which now partners with over 4,600 healthcare organizations and nursing schools worldwide to recognize extraordinary nurses.

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New Board-Certified OB/GYN

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 16:09:55 GMT

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New Board-Certified OB/GYN

Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce Dr. Summer Holmes-Mason, MD, FACOG, has joined its team as a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist. Dr. Holmes-Mason will be serving patients at the Pomerene Women’s Health Center located in Berlin.

With over a decade of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Holmes-Mason brings a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and expertise to the women of Holmes County and surrounding communities. Her approach emphasizes holistic, patient-centered care at every stage of a woman’s life — from adolescence through menopause and beyond.

Dr. Holmes-Mason completed her undergraduate studies at Pennsylvania State University and earned her medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She then completed her residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Maryland Medical Systems in 2014. In addition to her medical training, Dr. Holmes-Mason has pursued specialized studies in Restorative Reproductive Medicine and Functional Medicine, allowing her to provide an even more comprehensive approach to women's healthcare.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Holmes-Mason to the Pomerene family," said Jason Justus, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. "Her experience and holistic approach to women's health are perfectly aligned with our commitment to providing personalized, compassionate care to the women in our community."

Dr. Holmes-Mason will focus on a wide range of OB/GYN services, including:

Adolescent healthcare
Advanced Surgical Treatments
Breast cancer screening and problem evaluation
Contraceptive care
Fertility evaluation
Health and wellness counseling
Health management during childbearing years
Infertility
Lifestyle Medicine
Menopause health promotion and problem management
Obstetrical Care- Pregnancy through Birth
Pap smears, HPV screening
Pregnancy Loss prevention
Reproductive Endocrinology
Well-woman exams

When not in the clinic, Dr. Holmes-Mason enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She is also passionate about cooking, dancing, traveling, and reading.

Dr. Holmes-Mason is currently accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Pomerene Women’s Health Center at 330-674-3000 or visit www.pomerenehospital.org .

Pomerene Hospital, rated one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in the US, is an independent, private, not-for-profit hospital. Pomerene employs more than 325 employees while maintaining a medical staff with 80+ physicians. Visit www.pomerenehospital.org for more information.

Pomerene Hospital Encourages Local Residents to Take Advantage of Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings Through BCCP

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 18:07:36 GMT

Take Charge of Your Health: Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings

Pomerene Hospital is urging local women to find out if they qualify for the Breast & Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP), which provides free mammograms and pap smears to eligible patients. By calling the BCCP hotline at 1-800-929-6626, women can easily enroll in the program and schedule their screenings at our office.

Breast and cervical cancer screenings are essential tools for early detection, which significantly improves treatment outcomes. Unfortunately, Holmes County has seen lower rates of screenings compared to statewide averages, as indicated in recent health assessments. Regular screenings, such as mammograms and pap smears, are vital in catching cancer at its earliest stages when it is most treatable.

Pomerene’s Women's Health Nurse Practitioners, Angela O’Shea and Mary Beth Marburger, are committed to increasing access to these life-saving screenings. In addition to offering in-office appointments, we are excited to announce that our new Mobile Unit is now available at various locations throughout Holmes County, providing convenient screening services closer to home. Visit our website at www.pomerenehospital.org for details on Mobile Unit locations and dates.

As we enter October—Breast Cancer Awareness Month—there’s no better time to take charge of your health. Call 1-800-929-6626 today to check your eligibility and schedule a screening that could make all the difference.

Pomerene Hospital is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to Holmes County and surrounding communities. For more information, visit www.pomerenehospital.org or call (330) 674-1015.

2024 Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 19:36:29 GMT

Join us for the 15th Annual Christmas Festival!

Friday, December 6th

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 7th

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Location:

Berlin Grande Hotel

4787 Township Rd 366,

Berlin, OH 44610

Admission:

$5 Per Person

(Kids 14 and under

are FREE)

For more information please call

330-674-1584, Ext. 1100

Get into the Christmas Spirit and experience the beautiful array of trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and locally made furniture all available for purchase!*

Plus, take a chance to win unique raffle items!

All proceeds benefit Pomerene Hospital.

* Purchased items and raffle prizes may be picked up at the conclusion of the festival

The countdown is on!

Thank you to all our sponsors!

A Yoder Sealing

Andreas Furniture

Bent Wood Solutions

Berlin Furnishings

Buckeye Career Center

Buckingham Doolittle & Burroughs

Bully Dawgs Towing

Butros Latouf, MD

Charm Harness & Boot

Cheryl Shaver

Coblentz Chocolate Company

Country Corners Greenhouse

Country Furniture & Bookstore

Country Life Antiques

Country Road Primitive

Created Hardwood

Creative Wood Design

D & M Rocks

D. T. Construction

Danbury Senior Living Millersburg

David A. Miller

Dura Cabinet

Dutch Craft Furniture of Berlin

Dutch Family Furniture

Faith View Bookstore

Farmstead Furniture

Gintz's Old Barn Primitive Items

Golden Values

Gospel Book Store

Harvest Thrift Store

Helping Hands Quilt Shop

Hershberger Hardware

Hershberger's Farm & Bakery

Hershy Way Ltd

Hidden View Lumber

Hiland Bikes

Holmes County Chamber of Commerce

Holmes County Pottery

Homestead Furniture

Howard Hanna Real Estate Services

J Miller & Son Excavating

J. Miller Woodworking

Jim's Auto Care

Kauffman Lawn Furniture

Kaufman Realty & Auctions

Kaufman's Kountry Accents

Killbuck Savings Bank and bag

L & L Auto Care

Letters & Littles

Lone Star Quilts

Lori Yoder

LuxCraft LLC

M Yoder Seamless Spouting

Majora Lane Care Center

Miller's Creamery

Miller's Rustic Furniturre

Millersburg Pizza Hut

Millersburg Tire Service

Millwood Quality Furniture

MRV Siding

Ohio's Hospice / Palliative & Supporitive Care

Paint Creek Logging

Pomerene Administration

Pomerene Admitting

Pomerene Amish Services, Nurse Navigation & Mobile Health

Pomerene Compliance & Risk

Pomerene Emergency Department

Pomerene Human Resources

Pomerene OB Unit

Pomerene Quality Department

Pomerene Therapy

Posey Pad

Premier Metals LLC

Premier Woodcraft

Red Poppy

Scenic Hills Furniture

Schlabach Wood Design

Sheiyah Market

Siesta Outdoors

Signature Tile and Floors

Stony Point Metals

Sycamore-Run - Scenic Pointe

The Budget

The Cabin Store

The Commercial & Savings Bank

The Pottery Niche

Tractor Supply

Trail Farm Supply

Trail Tire

Troyer Toys

TruBridge

Twin Oaks Barns

Uhland Farms

Walnut Creek Antique Mall

Walnut Hills Retirement Communities

Weaver Leather

Whisler Plumbing & Heating

Woodland Rustic

Pomerene Hospital Honored as One of Northeast Ohio's Top Workplaces

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 13:51:41 GMT

Recognized for 19th Time, Pomerene Hospital Celebrates Exceptional Work Environment and Employee Satisfaction

Millersburg, OH — Pomerene Hospital is thrilled to announce that it has been honored with the North Coast 99 Award for 2024. This prestigious recognition celebrates our ongoing commitment to creating an exceptional work environment and marks the 19th time that Pomerene Hospital has been distinguished with this award.The North Coast 99 Award recognizes the top 99 workplaces in Northeast Ohio that excel in fostering a supportive and engaging work environment. This accolade highlights Pomerene Hospital’s outstanding efforts in employee satisfaction, professional development, and overall workplace culture.

Our achievement of the North Coast 99 Award underscores our dedication to providing not just outstanding patient care but also an exceptional experience for our staff. At Pomerene, we believe that a happy and engaged workforce is crucial to delivering the best possible care to our community. Our focus on creating a positive, supportive workplace ensures that our employees are motivated, valued, and equipped to thrive in their roles.

Pomerene Hospital’s recognition as one of the top 99 workplaces in Northeast Ohio reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect, which in turn enhances our ability to provide top-quality care to our patients. This award also highlights our efforts to attract and retain talented professionals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

As a cornerstone of the Millersburg community, Pomerene Hospital continues to prioritize the well-being of both our patients and our employees. Our commitment to maintaining an exceptional workplace aligns with our broader mission to deliver outstanding healthcare services and to support our staff in achieving their professional goals.

Pomerene Hospital, rated as one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in the US, is an independent, private, not-for-profit institution. With over 325 employees and a dedicated medical staff of 130+ providers, we are proud to be recognized for our workplace excellence.
Thank you to our incredible team for their dedication and hard work, and to our community for your continued support. Here’s to a bright future ahead as we continue to provide exceptional care and foster an outstanding work environment.

Pomerene Receives AHA Awards for Excellence in Heart and Stroke Care

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:42:21 GMT

Pomerene Receives a Trio of AHA Awards for Excellence in Heart and Stroke Care

Pomerene Hospital's award-winning approach aligns with national guidelines to improve heart and stroke care outcomes.

Millersburg, OH — Pomerene Hospital has earned three American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines® and Mission: Lifeline® achievement awards, demonstrating its dedication to providing exceptional cardiovascular care. The group received a Gold award for Stroke, a Silver award for Coronary Artery Disease STEMI, and a Bronze award for Rural Stroke.

These awards reflect Pomerene’s commitment to following the latest research-based guidelines in the treatment of heart disease and stroke. Adhering to these protocols is proven to result in more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a stroke or heart attack, with heart disease and stroke being the first and fifth leading causes of death, respectively. Research consistently shows that patients recover better when healthcare providers rigorously follow established treatment guidelines.

Pomerene’s participation in the Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs underscores its focus on improving quality care. By aligning its practices with the American Heart Association’s evidence-based protocols, Pomerene is actively contributing to better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions, and lower mortality rates. These awards highlight the group’s ongoing commitment to excellence in cardiovascular care, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced by rural communities.

Smith brings holistic approach to medical care in Loudonville

Thu, 07 Mar 2024 19:39:02 GMT

Loudonville, OH – Nurse practitioner Sarah Smith is bringing more than 20 years of experience in holistic healthcare to Pomerene Family Care in Loudonville.

Smith has a diverse background that includes pediatrics, women's health, massage therapy, healing touch, fitness and nutrition. She will work alongside fellow nurse practitioner Debra Lewis to meet the need for a well-rounded family practice within the community.

“I have always enjoyed health and wellness and problem solving within that umbrella,” Smith said. “I had an amazing clientele base with my holistic practice. That encouraged me to become a family practitioner, because I was an advocate for patient care – physically, mentally and spiritually.”

Smith earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ashland University and her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University.

Along with her staff, she sees her role as building a trusting relationship with patients by communicating openly, listening to their concerns, and offering the best clinical evidence and resources available for their health. By equipping individuals with health information and education, she hopes to improve overall well-being in the community.

“We enjoy our jobs,” she said. “Our patients trust us with not only their healthcare but also with sharing their sorrows and happiness. We become extended family members in a sense, and it is quite an honor!”

Smith stays busy on a small farm with her husband and children, where they strive to make choices that support a healthy lifestyle.

“There is no such thing as perfection,” she said. “It’s about the willingness to take the first steps at making better decisions.”

Pomerene Family Care in Loudonville is currently accepting patients. Contact the Loudonville office at 419-994-0212.

Matthews brings passion for midwifery care to Pomerene

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 16:01:34 GMT

Megan Matthews is the newest Certified Nurse Midwife to join Pomerene’s midwifery team.

Pomerene’s Certified Nurse Midwives are healthcare providers that go through comprehensive training, providing personalized and holistic care throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

In her role, Matthews will support women from puberty through menopause. She says she is passionate about pregnancy and birth and has wanted to be a midwife since she was 4 years old.

“I went with my mother to her prenatal appointments when she was pregnant with my sister,” Matthews said. “I fell in love with pregnancy and knew that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up.”

Matthews earned a Masters of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University and is a Certified Nurse Midwife through The American Midwifery Certification Board.

She has over eight years of experience as a Labor and Delivery RN and an additional two years as an OB/GYN office RN.

“I was drawn to Pomerene because of the emphasis on normal physiologic labor and birth with minimal interventions,” she said.

Pomerene’s midwifery services prioritize informed decision-making, empowering women to actively participate in their own care. Midwives provide education, support, and guidance to ensure a positive and safe birthing experience.

Matthews will deliver midwifery care at Pomerene office locations in Millersburg, Berlin and Sugarcreek. Childbirth takes place at Pomerene Hospital’s birthing center.

Asked what Pomerene’s mission of caring for our community’s health means to her, Matthews said it’s about taking care of the well-being and happiness of the people around her.

“It means being there for each other, supporting one another, and promoting a healthy lifestyle for everyone in our community,” she said. “It’s about making sure that we all have access to good healthcare and resources that can help us stay healthy and thrive.”

Outside of Pomerene, Mathews enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and three daughters, Briar, Linden, and Bishop on their small farm.

Pomerene obtains accreditation from the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 17:13:11 GMT

Pomerene obtains accreditation from the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality

Millersburg, OH - Pomerene Hospital has been surveyed by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) and has successfully met the requirements for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating compliance with CIHQ Standards and the Conditions of Participation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This recognition reflects the hospital’s continuous commitment to safety and quality patient care.

Pomerene was subjected to a rigorous unannounced onsite assessment.The CIHQ team toured the hospital, reviewed medical records, observed care practices, and interviewed staff and patients.

“CIHQ’ goal is to partner with hospitals to improve the care provided in our communities,” states Richard Curtis, Chief Executive Officer of CIHQ. “CIHQ is proud to recognize Pomerene Hospital for achieving accreditation.”

"This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to caring for our community’s health,” said Jason Justus, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “We are proud to partner with CIHQ in their mission to enhance healthcare services for those we serve."

For more information, please visit the CIHQ Accredited Hospital website.

Pomerene Hospital receives American Heart Association award

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 11:18:58 GMT

Pomerene Hospital receives American Heart Association award

The American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition Bronze award recognizes efforts to address the unique health needs of rural communities.

Millersburg, OH — People who live in rural communities live an average of three years fewer than urban counterparts and have a 40% higher likelihood of developing heart disease. Pomerene Hospital is committed to changing that.

For efforts to optimize acute cardiac care and eliminate rural health care outcome disparities, Pomerene Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Rural Recognition Bronze award for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

The American Heart Association recognizes the vital role of rural hospitals in providing timely evidence-based care to residents in rural areas. Eligibility for award recognition in the Get With The Guidelines® - CAD program is based on a unique methodology focusing on suspected non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS) and/or STEMI performance metrics for all participating rural hospitals.

"We're proud of our daily efforts to improve the lives of those affected by coronary artery disease,” said Jason Justus, Pomerene Hospital CEO. “This award recognizes our commitment to care for our community by providing access to high-quality emergency cardiac care.”

Permanent hair removal is here!

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 18:00:01 GMT

Flawless Electrolysis

If you've been looking for a permanent solution to unwanted hair, book a consultation with Flawless Electrolysis located in the medical spa suite at the Pomerene Medical Building.

The service is offered by Kiersten Steiner, a certified Electrologist/Cosmetic Therapist, who spent more than 8 years as a registered nurse at Pomerene Hospital. Electrolysis/Thermolysis is an FDA approved method to effectively eradicate hairs and prevent them from growing back. It is effective for both women and men of all hair colors and skin tones.

From brows to legs, Kiersten safely employs precise techniques to target individual hair follicles, ensuring patient comfort throughout the procedure.

Here’s how it works:

A tiny probe is inserted into the hair follicle
Galvanic current is applied, and lye produced, which will destroy the hair follicle’s ability to grow new hair (Electrolysis), or Radiofrequency waves heat up and destroy the hair follicle’s ability to grow new hair. (Thermolysis)
Hair is then epilated/removed

If you're curious about the process or have any questions, get in touch with Kiersten at 330-317-2210. She's more than willing to answer your queries and guide you through your journey to permanent hair removal.

About Kiersten

A former Pomerene nurse, today Kiersten resides in Wayne County with her husband, Titus, and their two wonderful children, Gracyn and Hudson. They cherish their time together at a charming little farm where they work in the fields, feed the animals, and tend to the mini orchard and bees. When she’s not engrossed in a good book, enjoying a leisurely walk, or nurturing her flowers, you can find Kiersten playing the piano.

“Holmes County has always had a special place in my heart, so I decided to move my career back to serve this wonderful community,” she said.

Easy Peasy Mammograms

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 12:00:13 GMT

Pomerene Announces Collaboration with MDsave to Provide Screening Mammograms at Reduced Costs for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pomerene announces its collaboration with MDsave on the healthcare services platform’s annual mammogram campaign, making preventive care more accessible and affordable to the Holmes County area. Together, Pomerene and MDsave will reduce the cost of 2D screenings and 3D screenings to $149.

Beginning October 1, patients can purchase a voucher for a screening mammogram. Vouchers are available to anyone concerned about out-of-pocket costs and remain valid for six months.

"At MDsave, we understand the importance of preventive care, and we are proud to work with [facility] to provide patients the opportunity to take proactive steps in their health with our mammogram promotional campaign," said Charlie Byrge, chief operating officer for MDsave. "By taking advantage of this campaign, patients can make sure they get the care they need at affordable prices.”

Patients can shop and purchase their procedure on www.mdsave.com/mammogram or contact MDsave’s in-house customer support team for assistance. Spanish-speaking customer support is also available.

About MDsave

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, MDsave is the nation’s leading online medical service platform connecting providers, employers, and consumers to fully bundled, transactable, high-quality healthcare at fair, transparent prices. Through innovative technology, MDsave simplifies the healthcare billing process for patients and providers through bundled pricing and upfront payment. MDsave’s patented technology also supports employers and payers to deliver more value to employees and policyholders, minimizing out-of-pocket deductible costs. For more information, visit www.mdsave.com .

Pomerene to Host Annual “Baby Walk” Walkathon October 14, 2023

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 18:43:06 GMT

(Millersburg, OH) Pomerene Hospital is planning its annual “Baby Walk” fundraiser for the Pomerene Lifting Hearts bereavement program for Saturday, October 14 ^th .

The "Baby Walk" is a 10-mile Walkathon that will start at the Pomerene Memory Garden at 9 am. With registration beginning at 8 am. The walk continues through the Holmes County Trail to Fredericksburg.

Pizza will be provided in Fredericksburg at the conclusion of the walk. Those who cannot walk the entire 10 miles are welcome and encouraged to join us halfway to participate.

For additional information on the event or to obtain a sponsor sheet, please contact Toni Mishler, Bereavement Coordinator at Pomerene, at 330- 674-1584, ext. 2130.

The walk is by donation, and walkers are encouraged to get individual sponsors. Participants may walk in memory of a specific baby and will receive a personalized button to wear at the walk.

Toni encourages anyone to participate in the event, with special invitation to those families who have been personally touched by infant death.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to reconnect with others who have been affected by infant loss and to offer support to each other, while at the same time providing the funds necessary for us to continue helping other families in the future with our services and events. “Combine this while enjoying the beautiful Holmes County Trail during the fall, and it's a win-win”, she said.

All proceeds benefit support group events educational materials, comfort items for bereaved families and continued maintenance of the Pomerene Memory Garden. The memory garden is a place of peace and encouragement for families who have suffered infant loss.

Pomerene named great workplace for top talent

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:12:55 GMT

Pomerene Hospital has been selected as one of ERC’s NorthCoast 99 winners for 2023.

This marks the 18th time that Pomerene has won the award, which honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. The program was developed in 1999 by ERC, a firm that helps organizations build great workplaces through thought leadership, comprehensive data, and HR solutions.

As described by the award website:

“The NorthCoast 99 award doesn’t just recognize great Northeast Ohio workplaces. It recognizes great places to work for top talent — people that drive results, provide competitive advantages, and allow businesses to innovate and grow.”

To apply for the award, Pomerene demonstrated its commitment to policies and practices that attract and retain top performers. In addition, employees completed surveys about their workplace, including a survey that measures the preferences of top-performing individuals

“The quality of our medical, nursing, and clinical staff has allowed Pomerene to remain a national leader in rural health care,” said Jason Justus, Pomerene CEO. “We invest in bringing top talent to our organization, because we believe our community deserves the highest level of care.”

Pomerene is nationally recognized for high-quality stroke care

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 14:58:40 GMT

Pomerene is nationally recognized for high-quality stroke care

Pomerene Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® - Stroke Gold quality achievement award for our commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest evidence- and research-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death.

Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home.

Pomerene receives national recognition for heart attack care

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 13:49:55 GMT

Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center

Pomerene Hospital has received an award from the American Heart Association recognizing its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack.

The Mission: Lifeline® STEMI Referring Center Gold Plus Award recognizes Pomerene’s care of patients experiencing an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year, about 285,000 people in the U.S. will experience this condition, which is caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery.

Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a

STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

The Mission: Lifeline Referring Center award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to getting patients the most up-to-date research-based care for STEMI as outlined by the American Heart Association.

Recognition as a Mission: Lifeline Referring Center is designed to showcase hospitals of every size on the front lines of care that do not have 24/7 cardiac catheterization lab availability but work in collaboration with emergency medical services to ensure patients receive guideline-directed STEMI and NSTEMI care.

Pomerene nurses receive award for compassionate care

Thu, 11 May 2023 15:31:42 GMT

Pomerene Hospital is proud to celebrate two nurses – Maria Burgett and Lori Zimmerman – who recently received The Daisy Award for their unwavering commitment to compassionate care.

The Daisy Award recognizes excellence in nursing, honoring individuals across all specialties, roles, and career stages.

Lori was nominated for the award by an individual whose father came to Pomerene for a knee replacement. The nominator said Lori offered her father dignity, respect, and kindness while also patiently instructing a student nurse.

“Both her treatment of my father, and the student nurse, left us very confident in the care that we received and would receive during the surgery,” the individual wrote. “On the day of the surgery, we were greeted again by Lori and her student nurse, putting my dad at complete ease knowing he was in good hands. We were impacted by Lori, and I can only imagine the valuable and lasting impact Lori had on the student nurse and her future patients, because she had such a positive mentor during a very important stage of her training.”

Maria’s nominator said that after she fell ill while visiting the area, Maria provided her with efficient, kind, and compassionate care.

“She treated me like I was the only patient she had. She never hurried, took time to talk to me and always asked if there was anything she could do or get me to make me more comfortable,” her nominator wrote. “I’ve been to several hospitals but never received the high level of care that I received at Pomerene.”

The Daisy Foundation was established in honor of Patrick Barnes, who lost his life to an auto-immune disease. The foundation’s award program was inspired by nurses who cared for Patrick during the last weeks of his life. It gives patients, families, and co-workers an easy way to express their gratitude for nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care.

Learn more at daisyfoundation.org.

Millersburg’s Pomerene Hospital ranks among nation’s best

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 20:37:50 GMT

Millersburg, OH – Pomerene Hospital was recently named a Top 20 Rural & Community Hospital by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

Pomerene was selected from a group of 1,800 hospitals using the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX, the most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. The determining factors for the rankings are based on eight indices: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge, and finance.

“The value Pomerene brings to Holmes County and beyond is truly a gift,” said Daniel Mathie, Pomerene Board President. “We are pleased to see this national recognition for the hard work being done here.”

Pomerene had previously been named to the Chartis Healthcare Consulting list of Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals, only one of four hospitals in Ohio to garner that distinction.

“Providing quality care for our community will always be Pomerene’s primary goal,” said Jason Justus, CEO of Pomerene. “Earning this honor shows that our doctors, nurses, therapists, techs and all Pomerene team members continue to make a huge positive impact on the friends and neighbors we proudly serve.”

Pomerene Hospital operates today with more than 325 employees and 80 physicians, Offering more than 30 different departments and serving residents from Holmes county and the surrounding areas.

Wellness Over 50 with Pomerene

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 14:14:05 GMT

Pomerene Neurology now offering Electroencephalography (EEG)

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:48:54 GMT

Gestational Diabetes/ "Sugar" in Pregnancy

Tue, 10 Jan 2023 16:41:19 GMT

Diabetes is a health problem that results in too much sugar in the bloodstream and not enough in cells where it can be used properly for energy. The problem occurs when the body is not able to make the hormone insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the insulin that is made doesn’t work very well (type 2 diabetes). Gestational diabetes (GDM) is “temporary” type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy.

Women with GDM don’t make enough insulin or the pregnancy hormones interfere with the insulin that they do make during pregnancy. It also affects how the cells use the sugar. This results in high levels of sugar in the blood, which is transferred to the baby. The baby turns the extra sugar into fat which is mostly around his or her belly. These are often referred to by ladies in our community as “Sugar Babies”. This extra birth fat increases your baby’s chance of having obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes later in life. In addition, the baby may have difficulty being born if he or she is too big, and can have low blood sugars that require special care right after birth. Uncontrolled GDM can also lead to respiratory problems and stillbirth. This is why it’s so very important to know if you have developed GDM and to work diligently with your midwife to keep it under control.

Risk factors for developing GDM during pregnancy can include things like:

· Being over 25 years old

· Obesity/Overweight prior to pregnancy

· Prior pregnancy with GDM present

· Having high blood pressure

· History of a very large baby (9# or more)/or one that got “stuck” (Shoulder Dystocia) during delivery

· History of several miscarriages, a stillborn baby, a baby with birth defects,

· If your mother, father, sister, or brother has diabetes

· Presence of sugar/glucose urine at the first prenatal visit

· Having a condition called polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or exhibiting symptoms of PCOS without official diagnosis.

· If prior to pregnancy you were diagnosed with Insulin Resistance and were taking medications such as Glucophage (Metformin) or Supplements such as Cinnamon/Chromium Blends or Glucofort to control excess sugar in the blood.

· Women who are Hispanic, African American, Native American, South or East Asian, or from the Pacific Islands are also at higher risk for developing GDM.

If you have any of the listed risk factors you have a higher chance of getting gestational diabetes. Screening for GDM typically occurs around the 28 ^th week of pregnancy, but may be done earlier if there is a high level of risk.

Testing for gestational diabetes is done by having the woman ingest a “load” of glucose/sugar. This is usually around 50 grams. After 1 hour the blood is then tested to check the level of blood sugar present. If it is elevated it means your body is having difficulty processing large amount of sugar/glucose and a diagnostic test is done to either confirm you have GDM or fully rule it out. Often what is ingested/drank is a sweet orange flavored drink similar to an extra sweet Sunkist Orange Soda Pop which is provided to you by your midwife. Some providers may offer to do a test called a Hemoglobin A1C which provides a snap shot of your average blood glucose level for the previous 3 months to assess for this. This method of testing does not necessarily pick up gestational or pregnancy related diabetes since it only looks at previous months’ blood sugar averages. If your preference is not to drink the sweet drink provided to you, I suggest discussing alternative testing methods with your midwife. There are other options/alternatives to still get us the information.

If after the testing is completed you find that you do have Gestational Diabetes you will be asked to test your blood sugar at home. I like to meet with patients 1:1 to show them how to test their blood sugar level and explain how through diet and exercise they can keep their blood sugars well controlled throughout their pregnancy. Often I have found that women feel they can’t eat anything once diagnosed with GDM. On the contrary! You can eat, in fact I want you to eat, it’s what you eat and quantity that matters most. Occasionally diet and exercise isn’t able to keep blood sugars within optimal range and they may require oral medication or insulin to control blood sugar.

Women who have GDM have an increased risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life. Adopting the health eating habits and regular exercise they committed to during pregnancy will help decrease this risk long term. Women are usually checked again at the 6 week postpartum appointment to ensure the diabetes has cleared their body after birth, as occasionally it doesn’t.

Another fun fact is that breastfeeding is very important if you have had GDM. It will help you lose weight and will help your baby maintain a healthy weight too. Believe in yourself and your ability to have a healthy baby.

Sources:

American College of Nurse Midwives Share with Women patient handout titled: “Gestational Diabetes”

Centers for Disease Control patient handout titled “Gestational Diabetes”

Who is affected by Breast Cancer?

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 14:09:28 GMT

Who is affected by breast cancer? Think carefully before you answer. If you said ‘women,’ you are partially correct. But the correct answer is ‘EVERYONE;’ everyone is affected by breast cancer. Men don’t get breast cancer as often as women and that is why men don’t get screened for breast cancer and women do. But a man will be affected when a woman in his life is diagnosed with breast cancer; it could be a wife, a mother, a sister or even a daughter. EVERYONE is affected by breast cancer.

One in eight women have a life time risk of breast cancer, that means about 12.5% of women will at some point during their life experience breast cancer. That’s a lot of women! Let’s do a little exercise, name eight women you know. Now think about it, statistically speaking one of those women will at some point in their life experience breast cancer. That’s a sobering thought.

This statistic is why society has placed such importance on breast cancer screening and why Pomerene Hospital has invested in the latest technology in breast cancer screening - Tomosynthesis Mammography (also known as 3D-mammography). This new technology allows the breast to be imaged in layers, providing a better look at the breast tissue, and allowing cancers to be detected at a smaller size and therefore at an earlier stage. The earlier the stage at detection, the better the survival rate after treatment.

Some have told me they don’t have a family history of breast cancer, so they don’t think they need to get tested; that thinking is wrong! If you have breasts, you have a risk for breast cancer! The majority of breast cancers happen spontaneously, meaning it’s not a woman’s genetics that caused the cancer. This is the GOOD news about breast cancer, just because your mom or sister may have gotten breast cancer doesn’t mean you’ll get breast cancer. This is also the BAD news about breast cancer; just because your mom or sister didn’t get breast cancer, doesn’t mean you can’t get breast cancer.

So what are the screening recommendations? According to the American College of Radiology a woman with an average risk for getting breast cancer should start having annual screening mammograms at at age 40 years. Women with a high risk of breast cancer should talk their doctor about when the right time is for them to start breast cancer screening as they should start mammograms earlier than age 40.

Article by: Dr. Eva Durbin, MD

Call today to schedule your breast cancer screening appointment (330) 674-1584, ext. 4124.

Pomerene Hospital earns its 3rd ENERGY STAR certification; Outperforms similar U.S. buildings on measure of energy efficiency

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 12:08:26 GMT

Pomerene has announced that Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, Ohio has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR® certification for superior energy performance. This is the 3rd year that Pomerene Hospital has earned the ENERGY STAR, reflecting a legacy of continued energy savings.

“Improving the energy efficiency of our nation’s buildings is critical to protecting our environment, “ said Cindy Jacobs, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “From the boiler room to the board room, organizations are leading the way by making their buildings more efficient and earning EPA’s ENERGY STAR certification.”

ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants are verified to perform in the top 25 percent of buildings nationwide, based on weather-normalized source energy use that takes into account occupancy, hours of operation, and other key metrics. ENERGY STAR is the only energy efficiency certification in the United States that is based on actual, verified energy performance.

“We’re honored to earn the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance at Pomerene Hospital and appreciate the efforts of everyone who has been involved in its efficient operation,” said Jason Justus, CEO. “Saving energy is just one of the ways we show our community we care, and that we’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment and public health, both today and for future generations.”

On average, ENERGY STAR certified buildings and plants use 35 percent less energy, cause 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers—all without sacrifices in performance or comfort.

To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR. For more information about ENERGY STAR for Buildings and Plants, visit www.energystar.gov/buildings

Pomerene Hospital is nationally recognized for its commitment to providing high-quality stroke care

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 16:51:52 GMT

Pomerene Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines ^® - Stroke Gold Plus quality achievement award for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.

“Pomerene Hospital is committed to improving patient care by adhering to the latest treatment guidelines,” Jason Justus, CEO “Get With The Guidelines makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis, which studies show can help patients recover better. The end goal is to ensure more people in our community can experience longer, healthier lives.”

“We are incredibly pleased to recognize Pomerene Hospital for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke,” said Steven Messe, M.D., chairperson of the Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. “Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

It Takes Guts: To Avoid Season Allergies?

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 12:43:08 GMT

Sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, red eyes. If you've been a sufferer of seasonal allergies like me, you may have experienced one, or more, of these symptoms. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, are your body's overreaction to environmental stimulants such as mold spores and pollen1. Your body will produce and send chemicals such as histamine to ward off "invaders," thus causing the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, itchy throat, etc1.

More research in the nutrition world is discovering that our immunity, emotions, and the development of certain diseases are all linked to our gut2. Though the gut makes up the stomach and small intestine, the primary microbiome, or collection of bacteria, is found within the large intestine3. The question remains: are seasonal allergies linked to the gut, as well?

Simply, yes. Nutrition can not only influence your reaction to seasonal allergies, but it can also help to prevent or lessen their severity. Certain foods, in particular, can help to grow and diversify bacteria in your large intestine, thereby improving immune response. Why is that important? In a 2021 study, it was found that adults with allergic rhinitis have a less diverse bacterial collection in their gut compared to a control group4. That is, having different types of healthy bacteria is more important than simply having healthy gut bacteria. Furthermore, the gut can "communicate" with the lungs via the lung-gut axis, which plays a role in health and disease5. Therefore, impacting your gut bacteria can cause positive or negative effects on your lung and respiratory health and vice versa with your gastrointestinal health.

How can you grow and diversify your gut bacteria to help improve your immunity and potentially improve seasonal allergies? Through your diet! Bacteria, like us, need to eat to survive. By giving the bacteria a good source of food, they will flourish. Here are ways to improve and diversify the gut bacteria through diet:

Prebiotics are foods that get broken down in the small and large intestine to be used as fuel for bacteria.

Examples: Fruits and vegetables: Getting a variety of different fruits and vegetables will provide food for different bacteria within your gut to grow.

Probiotics are live microorganisms, typically bacteria.

Examples: yogurt, sauerkraut (raw), kefir, kombucha, fermented foods.

Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate that is broken down in the large intestine.

Examples include whole grains, whole fruits (including the outermost layer/skin/peel), whole vegetables (including the outermost layer/skin/peel), nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, and seeds.

Polyphenols are plant compounds that act as antioxidants.

Examples: Dark Chocolate and cocoa, Red (dry) Wine, Grapes, Green Tea, Almonds, Blueberries, Onions, Broccoli.

Please keep in mind that nutrition is just one part of treating and preventing seasonal allergies, and if you experience severe allergies, please speak with your doctor about treatment options. For more nutrition information, contact Pomerene Hospital Dietitian, Jackie Kaufman, at 330-674-1584, ext. 1090.

Sources:

1.) Yale Medicine. (2019, November 20). Seasonal allergies (allergic rhinitis). Yale Medicine. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/seasonal-allergies2 .)

Robertson, R. (2021, August 4). 9 ways to improve your gut bacteria, based on science. Healthline. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/improve-gut-bacteria#TOC_TITLE_HDR_113 .)

Gorbach, S. L. (n.d.). Medical Microbiology , 4th Edition - NCBI Bookshelf. Chapter 95 Microbiology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7627/4 .)

Watts, A. M., West, N. P., Zhang, P., Smith, P. K., Cripps, A. W., & Cox, A. J. (2020, September 24). The gut microbiome of adults with allergic rhinitis is characterised by reduced diversity and an altered abundance of key microbial taxa compared to controls. International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/5105365 .)

Enaud, R., Prevel, R., Ciarlo, E., Beaufils, F., Wieërs, G., Guery, B., & Delhaes, L. (2020, February 19). The gut-lung axis in health and respiratory diseases: A place for Inter-organ and inter-kingdom crosstalks. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology. Retrieved June 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7042389/

Pomerene nationally recognized for its commitment to quality care for heart attacks

Tue, 21 Jun 2022 15:50:58 GMT

Pomerene nationally recognized for its commitment to quality care for heart attacks

Pomerene has received American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ^® STEMI Referring Center Gold Plus recognition for its commitment to ensuring science-based treatment for all people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks.

Each year, more than 280,000 people in the U.S. experience this type of heart attack, caused by a complete blockage in a coronary artery. Nearly 40% of people who go to the emergency room with acute coronary syndrome are diagnosed with a STEMI. Like all heart attacks, this requires timely treatment to restore blood flow as quickly as possible.

Mission: Lifeline is a national, community-based initiative improving systems of care for patients with STEMI, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), stroke and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The program focuses on streamlining processes to speed the delivery of proper treatment for time sensitive, neuro-cardiovascular disease states.

“Care coordination is particularly important when someone experiences a STEMI heart attack, and American Heart Association guidelines call for specific science-based treatment,” said James G. Jollis, M.D., volunteer chair for the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines ^® - Coronary Artery Disease Systems of Care Advisory Work Group and professor of medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. “Hospitals like Pomerene Hospital are recognized for consistently supporting patients to ensure the best opportunity for recovery.”

“Pomerene Hospital is thrilled to earn our Gold Plus status from the American Heart Association for our STEMI Referring process,” said Jason Justus, CEO. “We are proud of our institution’s processes and procedures during these critical events and the professional dedication, expertise and commitment from our Emergency Department team, nurses, physicians, and entire hospital to provide the highest level of quality health care to our community and patients. I cannot thank our staff enough for achieving such high marks and performance. ”

Pomerene Awards Nurse of the Year

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Wed, 25 May 2022 20:17:34 GMT

Pomerene would like to congratulate, Jessica Boal, RN who has been named Pomerene Hospital's 2022 Nurse of the Year. This award is given annually to candidates who are nominated by peers and selected by the nursing leadership team. Recipients are compassionate, knowledgeable, ethical and dedicated to improving patient care and fostering teamwork.

Jessica is a nurse in Ambulatory Care, and she embodies all of these qualities and many more. Fran Lauriha, CNO, says, “She is vital part of our nursing team, and without nurses like Jessica, the care that our patients receive would be very different. We rely on our nurses to provide quality compassionate care. She is an incredible asset to our team.”

We also would like to recognize those employees who were nominated for the award. Tammy Gutheridge, Jessica Boal, Brooke Tulk, Shelbie Murphy, Heidi Burgett and Jenny Wolfe.

Pomerene Awards an Extraordinary Nurse

create@casselbear.com (Cassel Bear) — Wed, 25 May 2022 18:22:25 GMT

Pomerene Hospital proudly recognized one of its dedicated nurses who provide best-in-class patient care as well as represent the highest level of professionalism and compassion as a nurse and caring to the Holmes County community and those beyond every encounter, every day. The extraordinary care provided by Zach Lowe, RN, resulted in a prestigious accomplishment – being recognized as a DAISY Award recipient.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known, but not uncommon auto-immune disease. (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System). The care Patrick and his family received from Nurses while he was ill inspired the creation of The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses, an evidenced-based means of providing Nurse recognition and thanking Nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

Our recipient, Zach Lowe, RN, began his career at Pomerene in July of 2018 and has worked on Pomerene’s Medical Surgical unit since. His nomination for the award was sent in by a patient of Pomerene that Zach had cared for. The patient wrote, "Zach's compassion for his job showed his nursing skills." They went on to explain that, "His knowledge was also noted as I witnessed his skill while teaching a student. After reading about your organization and how the DAISY Award was born, he embodies your vision for extraordinary nurses!"

Jason Justus, CEO, would like to add, “The origination of the Daisy Award is based upon the positive impact nursing can have on patients and patient family members. Often, the positive impact from nursing is not exclusive to the provision of clinical care. Instead, the positive impact involves compassion and human behavior exhibited by nurses. I believe Zach Lowe, RN, Daisy Award winner, excels in his professional provision of clinical care, but is best known for his individual attention, compassion, and caring bedside manner. These excellent traits are a reflection of the entire nursing team at Pomerene.”

Pomerene’s mission is “Caring for our community’s health,” and we are proud that our devoted nurses continue to be the beating heart of our hospital and our community.

In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 4,650 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects and Medical Mission Grants.

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

Beginning 5K and 10K Training

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 14:38:13 GMT

A good training plan should be at least ten weeks long, the longer the better.

Different parts of the body adapt to training faster than others so don’t rush the process or injuries will result.

Make sure you have a good pair of running shoes. Getting a proper fitting done at a local running store is the best place to start. Old shoes or those that don’t accommodate your feet properly can lead to injury and less enjoyment.

Be sure you are getting enough proper fluids daily. Dehydration can become a serious problem. Listen to your body, a dry mouth means you are already falling behind on hydration.

Diet is very important, eating too much or eating certain foods can cause issues for some runners and not eating enough won’t provide your body with the necessary energy to complete the tasks you are asking of it.

Weekly mileage or time spent running should not increase by more than 10% per week once you begin training.

Begin running 3 days per week, alternating days, giving your body time to adapt to the new stress. Run at a steady comfortable pace and walk as necessary. Set a goal of 30 minutes for each run during the first two weeks of training.

Two days a week add some strength training on none running days. Focus on core exercises, the core is everything from your chest to your knees; your core is what gives you support and good posture while running.

Only add more running days to your week when you are able to complete all of your 30 minute runs comfortably without the need to walk.

After a few weeks of training add some post run strides to your routine three days per week. Strides should be 10-15 seconds of running at a quicker pace. Your focus should be on good posture not how fast you can go. Strides are good for helping to body adjust to a quicker pace as well as helping the brain fire signals to your muscles at a faster rate.

Pomerene Hospital Designated a 2022 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 17:18:22 GMT

Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg, Ohio today announced it has been recognized as a 2022 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX™.

“Pomerene is thrilled to learn of this prestigious recognition.” Says Pomerene CEO, Jason Justus. “Organizationally, Pomerene has been focused strategically and operationally towards achieving this high standard. We believe the underlying objective assessment and associated metrics provide a measurement of excellence and trust for our community, patients, and providers we serve. In addition, achieving this high honor is a testament of the commitment and compassion of our clinical care team, providers, and our entire support team who refused to waiver or accept less for our patients’ outcomes, quality of care, and experience delivered to all our patients.”

Justus continues, “On behalf of our Board of Directors and leadership team, we want to thank all of our employees, staff, and providers for their tireless and unwavering dedication towards meeting our mission, “to care for our community’s health.””

“Despite unprecedented adversity rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly in light of the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”

Over the course of the last 12 years, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

Pomerene Hospital is an independent, private not-for-private rural community hospital. Pomerene employs more than 325 employees while maintaining a medical staff with more than 90 providers. With more than 30 departments and services, including outpatient and inpatient care, specialty care and more, Pomerene is one of the largest employers in Holmes County and serves the greater Holmes County area, including residents living in all contiguous counties. For more information, visit www.pomerenehospital.org .

Cardiovascular Endurance

Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:21:34 GMT

Cardiovascular endurance is the ability of the heart, lungs and blood vessels to deliver oxygen to working muscled and tissues, as well as the ability of the muscles and tissues to utilize that oxygen. AS cardiovascular endurance is improved you will experience several benefits including increased heart size, this size increase improves the strength of you heart muscles and increases its ability to preform work at a lower heart rate. Decrease in heart rate, this reduces the stress on the heart making it more efficient. Increased cardiac output, this improves the ability of the heart to pump blood throughout the body helping muscles and organs get oxygen rich blood flow. This is the most significant adaptation in the cardiovascular system. Increasing cardiovascular endurance can also help lower blood pressure and increase blood plasma volume.

Improving your cardiovascular endurance doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be done by walking, running, hiking, swimming and biking. The key is to challenge the aerobic system to ensure you continue to see increases in cardiovascular endurance. Challenging your aerobic system can be done by increasing the time spent doing a particular activity, as you begin to max out the amount of time you want to spend on activity you can then increase the intensity of your effort to continue to challenge and improve your cardiovascular endurance.

If you are looking to get started on improving your cardiovascular health, we are here for you. To get help setting up a program stop and see us at the Kinetics front desk. Better health awaits you. We’re ready for you.

Pomerene Recognized for Performance Leadership in Outcomes

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:09:24 GMT

As part of National Rural Health Day, Pomerene Hospital, has announced it has been recognized by The Chartis Center of Rural Health and the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) for overall excellence in Outcomes. The Performance Leadership Award program utilizes the results of the Hospital Strength INDEX® to recognize top quartile performance.

“The Pomerene Board, Administrative and leadership team, along with all of our employees, staff, and providers are honored to be recognized by NOSORH for excellence in Outcomes." said Pomerene CEO, Jason Justus. “Quality of patient care and Outcomes is at the core of what we do at Pomerene. Achieving this award while addressing the challenges associated with COVID-19 is a positive reflection upon the dedication, commitment and professionalism exhibited by our entire team.”

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Based entirely on publicly available data sources, the INDEX methodology is the data foundation for a number of industry-leading rural recognition programs, rural health safety net-related research, and legislative initiatives. Performance Leadership Award recipients are rural hospitals ranking in the 75 ^th percentile or above in the INDEX performance pillars for Quality, Outcomes, or Patient Perspective.

“Despite the fact that COVID-19 has created greater instability across the rural health safety net, we continue to see countless examples of rural hospitals rising to the challenge to serve their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “I believe this dedication to mission and drive to overcome unexpected challenges echoes the long-standing commitment among rural hospitals to deliver high-quality care. We are thrilled to honor this year’s top quartile performers.”

“Across the nation, rural hospitals have been working exceptionally hard to adjust to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. While it has not been an easy year, I believe the perseverance displayed by rural hospitals and their partners at the State Offices of Rural Health exemplifies the true spirit of National Rural Health Day,” said Teryl Eisinger, Chief Executive Officer, NOSORH. “We are delighted to join The Chartis Center for Rural Health in honoring the 2020 Performance Leadership Award winners.”

Muscular Strength

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:45:13 GMT

Muscular strength is the overall force production required by our muscle fibers to overcome a certain amount of resistance. Each fiber has a specific amount of force capacity. This amount of energy can be measured and provide us with a quantitative value of strength. Furthermore, strength is required to move. Imagine the body as a complex system of levers and pulleys. The muscles contract and pulls the bone, which enables movement. In a basic sense, the more strength we attain the easier it is to move.

Muscular endurance is the same concept with regards to time. It’s our muscle’s ability to maintain that force capacity throughout an extended duration of time. Increasing muscular strength and endurance can improve performance and physical fitness. Additional benefits include improving joint health and bone density, cardiovascular strength, lower body fat percentage which can decrease overall risk for disease, improve metabolic function and insulin sensitivity, heightening cognitive performance and mental acuity, and improve overall quality of life.

While increasing muscular strength and endurance are important aspects of health, I believe the most vital aspect of attaining optimal health is nutrition. The quality and types of food we consume has a direct impact on our well-being. Eliminating ultra-processed food and vegetable/seed oil is a great place to start. Becoming more conscious of where and how our food is sourced, its quality, nutrient density, and the bioavailability of vitamins and minerals are vital to improving our quality of life.

Pomerene Announces Addition of New Service – Pomerene Chronic Pain Management Center

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 04:12:03 GMT

Pomerene Hospital is excited to announce the addition of a new service to the Holmes County community, Pomerene Hospital Chronic Pain Management Center. This new service will provide pain solutions to those who suffer from pain that has been present for more than three months, and for which over-the-counter measures have not been effective to resolve the pain problems.

The Pomerene Hospital Pain Management Center will perform an initial exam and obtain the appropriate studies to come up with a diagnosis and treatment plan intended to return each individual patient back to a functional lifestyle. The treatments may include Physical and Occupational Therapy, injections, and a variety of medications tailored to the patient’s individual needs.

Our experienced provider, Dr. Charles V. Barrett, has an extensive history in treating all forms of Chronic Pain in the outpatient settings. Dr. Barrett is double board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Management. He is currently seeing patients at Pomerene Chronic Pain Management Center, located on the second floor of the hospital, and welcomes new patients.

Pomerene Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Fran Lauriha, expresses her excitement about the new service. “Dr. Barrett is an accomplished pain doctor who is an expert in chronic pain and various types of interventions to treat chronic pain. This a great option for our patients who may not have any other way to treat their chronic pain and can help get the pain relief they need. Having the pain clinic as an added service at Pomerene and an expert in pain management is really going to be a benefit for our community and help improve overall outcomes and patient care.”

For appointments or questions, please call (330) 674-1584 extension 1124.

Pomerene Hospital Is a 2021 NorthCoast 99 Award Winner

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:01:09 GMT

Pomerene Hospital is proud to be recognized by ERC as one of 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. This is the 16 ^th time that our organization has received the prestigious NorthCoast 99 Award .

NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program and event in its 23 ^rd year that honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. “More than a business award or event, NorthCoast 99 is a yearlong research project that ERC established to help make our region a long-term destination of choice for companies and high-performing individuals. The data from this program helps employers stay current on organizational practices and understand what top performers want and need so they can be responsive,” said Samantha Marx, Member Service Director at ERC, who oversees the program.

NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process that asked for detailed information on how their organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in the following areas: organizational strategy, policies, and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition, and onboarding; employee well-being; employee engagement and talent development; total rewards; and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“We could not be more thrilled to receive the NorthCoast 99 Award for our 16 ^th year!" said Jackie Genetin, Human Resources Director at Pomerene. "Despite the crazy year we all faced, this award shows how resilient our Pomerene employees were and continue to be. We look forward to celebrating this award as it represents a monumental time that we have all overcome, for the people who deserve it the most; our Pomerene people.”

“Talent wins in today’s labor market. The NorthCoast 99 winners know this so they continue to build progressive and innovative HR practices and benefits to attract and retain the best and brightest. We’re thrilled to recognize the 2021 winning organizations and look forward to sharing their success stories,” said Kelly Keefe, President of ERC.

"I concur with Mrs. Keefe, talent is what helps organizations meet their mission and represents a competitive difference in today’s market place." exclaimed Jason Justus, Pomerene Hospital CEO. "We believe in our employees and the value they bring to Pomerene each day. During 2020 our employees were invaluable in our ability to serve our community and to fulfill our role as “essential workers.” We will continue striving to meet the needs of our employees and their families because they are a part of our Pomerene family.

The 2021 NorthCoast 99 Awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CareerCurve; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Gino’s Awards; Impact Architects; Maloney + Novotny; Meyers, Roman, Friedberg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; UKG; and Wayfind Creative.

About Pomerene
Pomerene Hospital is an independent, private, not-for-profit rural community hospital located in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country in Holmes County. Pomerene employs more than 33 0 employees while maintaining a medical staff with over 90 providers. From outpatient care, specialty care, to the in-between, Pomerene Hospital is here for you.

About ERC

Since 1920, ERC has provided people data and HR services to help leaders make better decisions. Through our certified HR advisors, we offer consultative services, compensation benchmarking and data, workplace polls and surveys, networking, and cost savings opportunities. We also offer virtual and classroom instructor-led training, on-demand learning, individual and team assessments, one-on-one coaching, and employee engagement services. In addition, ERC sponsors the ERChealth insurance program for Ohio employers. Additional information about ERC and our services can be found at www.yourERC.com .

Pomerene Hospital earns national recognition for efforts to improve stroke treatment

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:41:18 GMT

The American Heart Association presents Get With The Guidelines-Stroke SilverPlus award for commitment to prioritizing quality care for stroke patient

Pomerene Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s SilverPlus Get With The Guidelines ^® -Stroke Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds, and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times.

Get With The Guidelines-Stroke was developed to assist healthcare professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating stroke patients.

“Pomerene is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to helping our patients have the best possible chance of survival and after a stroke,” said Fran Lauriha, Pomerene Hospital CNO. “Get With The Guidelines-Stroke makes it easier for our teams to put proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis to improve outcomes for stroke patients.”

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home.

“We are pleased to recognize Pomerene Hospital for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

About Get With The Guidelines ^®

Get With The Guidelines ^® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with tools and resources to increase adherence to the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 9 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org /quality.

Pomerene Hospital earns national recognition for efforts to improve STEMI treatment in Holmes County

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 19:55:11 GMT

Pomerene Hospital has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ^® EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.

“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”

Program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for STEMI patients.

“Pomerene is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Jason Justus, Pomerene Hospital CEO. “The Mission: Lifeline program puts proven knowledge and guidelines to work on a daily basis so patients have the best possible chance of survival.”

About Mission: Lifeline

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline ^® program helps hospitals and emergency

medical services develop systems of care that follow proven standards and procedures for acute coronary syndrome patients. The program works by mobilizing teams across the continuum of care to implement American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology clinical treatment guidelines. For more information, visit heart.org .

Sharing the Road Safely – Bicycles

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 14:38:14 GMT

This year, with an increased number of bicycle accidents, I wanted to share a few thoughts and information. In my role as Nurse Navigator, I have had several patients with serious head injuries from their accidents. Statistics show that 85% of head injuries can be prevented by wearing a properly fitted helmet. I share this not to blame or shame anyone, but instead to show the impact of what one simple intervention can do. A few other simple, easy interventions that bike riders can do to increase safety are to have lights and reflective gear on the bike and on the rider.

Another important aspect to remember when sharing the road is knowing the responsibilities and rules of the road and following them. Bicycles, whether an e-bike or a regular bike, are required to follow the same rules on the road as vehicles are. A few examples include waiting in the line of vehicles at a stop sign instead of riding on the right side of all the vehicles to make a right-hand turn and stopping at all stop signs and red lights instead of riding through them to make a right-hand turn.

Accidents are just that, accidents and can never be anticipated. While the interventions mentioned above are not a complete list, they are interventions that can be utilized to help prevent and reduce this risk of accidents and injuries.

Pomerene Family Care Welcomes Kimberly Hills, PA-C

chareseb@pomerene.org (Charese Botjer) — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:46:01 GMT

Pomerene Family Care is pleased to announce the expansion of its care team. Kimberly Hills, PA-C, has been practicing family care and serving the Holmes County community for over sixteen years and joins providers, Dr. Jenna Frakowski, Danielle Byler, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and Debra Lewis, MSN, APRN, FNP-C.

Kimberly Hills, PA-C, went to Central Christian High School and graduated from Malone College. She completed her Physician Assistant schooling at the Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo College of Medicine). Kimberly treats patients across the lifespan from newborn to geriatrics. Her key clinical interests include: women’s health and wellness, pediatric care, and dermatologic procedures.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kimberly Hills, PA-C to our experienced team of Pomerene Family Care providers. Kim has a wealth of experience, and we know that she will add quality and value to our practice and patients.”

If you are in need of family care services, Kimberly Hills, PA-C is currently welcoming new patients of all ages in Millersburg at 1261 Wooster Road, Suite 200.

Together, our Pomerene Family Care team are dedicated to providing a full spectrum family care practice to meet the healthcare needs of you and your loved ones of all ages. We have one goal – to always be here for your entire family. We have three locations – Millersburg, Berlin and Loudonville. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call 330-674-3333, or visit our website at www.pomerenehospital.org .

Immunizations. Why Do We Recommend Them?

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 21:52:18 GMT

August is National Immunization Awareness month. I would like to take some time to discuss vaccinations, how they are developed, and the diseases they treat.

To understand immunizations, we need to go back, way back. In 1000 CE, the first form of inoculation was practiced by the early Chinese through a process called variolation, in which the fluid from a smallpox lesion was used to scratch into the skin of a non-infected person. While this process caused all the symptoms of the disease, and some did die, the death rate was much lower.

In 1796, Edward Jenner noticed that milkmaids who developed cowpox, a viral illness similar but milder than smallpox, were not afflicted with smallpox. Armed with this information, he inoculated a child with the fluid from a cowpox pustule. Months later, he exposed the child multiple times to smallpox, but he did not contract the disease. Through medical and technological changes over the next 200 years, the smallpox vaccine was developed, leading to the eradication of the disease.

From that time, research began to develop preventative medicines for other life altering and threatening diseases. In 1885, Louis Pasteur began working on the development of a vaccination for rabies. He researched and administered vaccinations to dogs for four years. Then, in 1885 an eight-year-old boy was severely bitten by a rabid dog. Two days after the injury, when the child’s death seemed inevitable, Pasteur administered 14 daily doses of a rabbit spinal cord suspension containing progressively inactivated rabies virus. The vaccination was successful, the boy survived, and the rabies immunization became introduced to the world.

Through the 1930s, antitoxins and vaccines were developed to fight diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, anthrax, cholera, plague, typhoid, and tuberculosis. In the middle 20 ^th century, vaccine research and development flourished and continues today. We have eradicated smallpox, polio, and diphtheria, and greatly reduced the incidence of measles by 99.9%, mumps by 97.4%, rubella by 99.98%, pertussis by 96.6%, and Haemophilus influenzae, which can cause meningitis, pneumonia, blood stream infections, and other illnesses, by 99.8%. Since 1900, there has been a 74% decrease in mortality in developed countries.

History is clear, vaccinations are safe, effective, and save lives and the on-going research ensures that this remains true. Have a conversation with your healthcare provider about which immunizations you or your child needs.

For more information about vaccinations or to schedule a well visit, please call Pomerene Family Care at 330-674-3333 or schedule an appointment online!

Human Milk...Amazing!

Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:29:14 GMT

I’ve been told, “I’ve never seen anyone more excited about breastfeeding than you.” In fact, one patient’s friend recently referred to me as “Lacto-Lady” (she actually couldn’t remember my title of lactation consultant, but I didn’t correct her…sounds like it might come with a cape, and what’s not to love about that?!). So, what IS the big deal with breastfeeding? Why would I spend so much time and energy learning about it and then strive so hard to pass it along? There is simply not enough room allotted for this article to answer those questions fully, but I will mention a few of the most important points in hopes of sparking some interest and further understanding.

There is nothing on this planet that can come close to human milk for a human baby, coming from that baby’s own mother. Period. There are now 100,000 known components comprising human milk (that’s not a typo – 100,000!). Science now has names and known actions for approximately 1,000 of those with ongoing research into the workings of the remaining 99,000. The thought is that some of these ingredients are remarkably responsible for the full completion of many of the body’s systems on the cellular level. Without these human milk components, the body must substitute or do without during the growth process. Substitutions and deficits lead to suboptimal development and inflammation, opening the body up to disease processes.

Two of my favorites (of the 100,000 human milk ingredients) are the glycoproteins MUCIN 1 and MUCIN 4. Talk about amazing ….these little guys are rock stars! They have the ability to settle into the top layers of the intestine to block out pathogens (the bad guys) while still allowing in nutrients. At the same time, their tails are decoys that resemble the infant’s top intestinal layer – harmful pathogens are attracted to these decoys and attach to them. The MUCIN brothers then hold onto these bad boys until they die: HIV, rotavirus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella don’t stand a chance. Other glycoproteins have demonstrated binding to H. influenzae, Streptococci, Helicobacter pylori, Reovirus, E. coli, and Burkholderia cepacian. I don’t know about you, but this stuff gives me goosebumps!

It is no wonder that back in 1991, in an effort to reduce infant mortality, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), a global program to encourage the broad-scale implementation of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. Many developing countries which in the past accepted huge amounts of infant formula (which was then mixed with contaminated water!) have seen a 50% drop in infant mortality since these efforts.

In 2015, Ohio ranked seventh highest in infant mortality amongst all states in the US. Knowing that breastfeeding lowers infant mortality, the Ohio Hospital Association and the Ohio Department of Health collaborated to offer the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies breastfeeding program, an initiative to recognize maternity centers in Ohio that have taken steps to promote, protect and support breastfeeding in their organizations. The program offers a number of opportunities for learning and networking in support of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding. We are happy to announce that last month, Pomerene Hospital was awarded our fifth and final star, the highest ranking, in the Ohio First Steps for Healthy Babies program. As “Lacto-Lady”, I am very appreciative of the nurses and OB providers I work alongside who have contributed to this accomplishment.

References

Cacho, N. T., & Lawrence, R. M. (2017). Innate Immunity and Breast Milk. Frontiers in immunology, 8, 584.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2017.00584

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/infant_mortality_rates/infant_mortality.htm

https://ohiohospitals.org/Patient-Safety-Quality/Statewide-Initiatives/Infant-Mortality-Initiatives/First-Steps/Application-Participating-Hospitals

https://www.unicef.org/programme/breastfeeding/innocenti.htm

Wambach, K. & Riordan, J. (2016). Breastfeeding and human lactation 5 ^th ed. Burlington, MA: Jones and Bartlett Learning

Wilson-Clay B., Hoover, K. L. (2017). The breastfeeding atlas 6 ^th ed. Manchaca, TX: LactNews Press.

Pomerene Health Foundation Awards $4,000 Scholarship to Area Student

websupport@bluefoot.com (Digital Support Team Web) — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 17:09:31 GMT

Each year, the Pomerene Health Foundation awards a one-time $4,000 scholarship to assist a local High School Senior or College/University student who is pursuing a healthcare career. The student must have parents employed by Pomerene Hospital or Health Professionals of Holmes County, Inc. After reviewing this year’s applications, the Pomerene Health Foundation has awarded Spencer Dailey the $4,000 scholarship.

There are several criteria that must be met in the application process to be considered for this award. The student must be accepted or enrolled into a four-year or two/three-year technical school in a healthcare related field, have a cumulative High School GPA of 3.25, a minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT of 1,000, submit High School or College transcripts, provide one letter of recommendation and submit a 200 word essay.

After reviewing each application for academic excellence, financial need, ACT/ SAT scores, and extracurricular activities/community involvement and other achievements, Spencer Dailey was chosen to receive the scholarship.

Spencer will be attending Kent State University studying Biology / Pre-Medicine. He graduated from Strasburg Franklin Local High School where he was ranked second in his class. Spencer had an ACT score of 24, a 3.98 GPA, was Vice President of the National Honor Society, and Student of the Year.

Join us in congratulating this local student on such great achievements!

Pomerene Hospital Plans to Host its Annual Memorial and Butterfly Release

websupport@bluefoot.com (Digital Support Team Web) — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:13:12 GMT

Pomerene Hospital is hosting its annual Memory Garden ‘Memorial and Butterfly Release’ on Sunday, June 27th. The ceremony will include a butterfly release and special music. All are welcome. The memory garden is located behind the Amish House and employee parking lot.

The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. with music beginning at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony will include a devotional, special music, a tribute to “Heaven’s babies,” the placement of new memorial stones and the release of 60 painted lady butterflies into Pomerene Hospital’s Memory Garden. The event will take place rain or shine and those attending will be shaded under a tent. A dessert reception will immediately follow.

The memory garden, which was constructed in 2011, serves as a place where families can go to enjoy the serenity of the garden and remember their loved ones.

Toni Mishler, Bereavement Coordinator at Pomerene Hospital expressed her excitement for this year’s event. “We strongly encourage the public to come and witness this beautiful event, both for perinatal loss awareness and the efforts put forth by Pomerene to encourage healing.”

The memory garden is a part of Pomerene Hospital’s ‘Lifting Hearts’ bereavement program, which addresses individual needs of families who have experienced the death of an infant at any stage of development. It promotes an interdisciplinary approach to reach out to grieving families from the moment their baby passes away through the period of grieving.

For more information on the memorial and butterfly release, call Pomerene Bereavement Coordinator Toni Mishler at 330-231-8530.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea - What You Need to Know

Wed, 19 May 2021 03:16:36 GMT

Getting a proper night sleep is so important. It allows the body to regenerate for the next day. Lack of sleep can lead to many other ailments including high blood pressure which can lead to stroke. Many people, up to 6 million each year are diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

For many it begins with a partner telling a patient that they witness them stopping or pausing breathing during their sleep. Others complain of daytime sleepiness. This usually ends with a visit to their local healthcare provider.

Screening tools have been developed that assist or predict the likely hood of a patient having OSA. These include the “STOP BANG” assessment tool as well as the “Epworth Sleepiness scale”. Once your provider assesses your situation, they will order a sleep study if needed.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and they happen many times a night. The two major types of sleep apnea are “Obstructive” and “Central”. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is caused by tissue in the oral pharynx blocking off the flow of air. Central Apnea is caused within the brain and is a failure of the brain to send signals to the muscles to breath. These can range from mild to severe. Severe apnea must be treated as soon as possible.

Sleep Study

There are two types of studies performed. The first is an "In-Lab Study." This study requires the patient to spend the night in a sleep lab. Most sleep labs look more like a home bedroom than a lab room. The difference being that in the lab is all the diagnostic equipment required to help measure and make a definitive diagnosis of OSA. During this process, the wires are attached to the head and torso and a flow cannula is placed in the tip of the nose. The patient is monitored by a registered sleep technician who is generally a respiratory therapist as well through the night.

The other type of sleep study is the “Home Sleep Study”. This study consists of a patient taking home a small device and wearing it overnight. Many patients prefer this over the in-lab study because they can sleep in their own bed. This type of study in not able to diagnose central apnea. Central apnea is diagnosed from an in-lab study.

Treatment

Treatment for OSA has evolved over the years and now includes many options. Some of those options are positive air pressure devices, implantable nerve stimulators, dental appliances and oral surgery. Your provider will discuss options for treatment and assist you in getting the best option for you.

What's Next?

Talk to your provide and discuss which type of test is best for you. Once this is determined, your provider will send an order to the lab at Pomerene Hospital. The lab will get insurance approval and then schedule you for a study. Pomerene’s sleep lab is open and testing patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients are being screened, temperature is monitored, and testing is performed. If you have questions, please call Jim Valentine, Manager of Sleep lab Services at 330-674-1015.

Pomerene Awards Two Nurses for Extraordinary Care

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 19:51:08 GMT

Recently, Pomerene Hospital proudly recognized two of its dedicated nurses who provide best-in-class patient care as well as represent the highest level of professionalism and compassion as nurses.and caring to the Holmes County community and those beyond every encounter, every day. The extraordinary care provided by both, Kristi Schrock and Natalie Kolp, resulted in a prestigious accomplishment – being recognized as DAISY Award recipients.

Our first recipient, Kristi Schrock, began her career on Pomerene’s Medical Surgical unit on September 20, 2016 as a unit assistant while she attended nursing school at Malone University. She received her nursing degree in 2017 and remained as a registered nurse (RN) on the Medical Surgical unit while cross-training in the hospital’s Special Care unit. Currently, Kristi is serving as Chair of the Unit Council.

Natalie Kolp, our second DAISY Award recipient received her nursing degree at North Central State in 2016 and worked as an aid in the Hospice Unit before coming to Pomerene. On November 10, 2016, Natalie began her career at Pomerene as a Float and now works full time in the Emergency Department.

Jason Justus, CEO of Pomerene Hospital, shares his excitement for both recipients. “Pomerene is very proud to be a proponent of the Daisy Award and what it means within nursing.Even more so, Pomerene is excited to have two of our own nurses recognized for their excellence in nursing care, as well as their personal compassion towards their patients and the families we serve.Kristi and Natalie are very deserving and represent the very best in nursing care at Pomerene.”

“The Daisy Award provides a way for a patient, family, visitor, staff member, or anyone in the hospital setting to recognize a nurse for their extraordinary care.” States Fran Lauriha, CNO of Pomerene Hospital. “Over the years, I have worked with so many nurses who always think that they are “just doing my job,” however, their efforts leave a long-standing impression on someone they have cared for.This award empowers our nurses at Pomerene and lets them know that their efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated.We are blessed to have nurses like Kristi and Natalie provide such compassionate care to our patients and families.”

Pomerene’s mission is “Caring for our community’s health,” and we are proud that our devoted nurses continue to be the beating heart of our hospital and our community.

More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.

National Registered Dietitian Day

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 13:58:43 GMT

National Registered Dietitian Day

First celebrated in 2008, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day commemorates the dedication of RDNs as advocates for advancing the nutrition status of Americans and people around the world. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Day, celebrated each year on the second Wednesday in March, was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to increase the awareness of registered dietitian nutritionists as the essential providers of food and nutrition services.

We did a Q&A with our very own Registered Dietitian, Jackie Genetin, RDN, LD!

What is a Dietitian? What do you do at Pomerene?
A Registered Dietitian (Nutritionist) (RDN) is a nutrition expert who went through education and experience specific to nutrition to help individuals achieve their health goals and can work in a variety of settings. A RDN has specific licensure to provide individualized nutrition education to any individual in need of food and diet assistance. Here at the hospital, I help to create the menus for our patients, ensure they are eating appropriately and accurately according to their diet needs, preferences, and medical history. As well, I provide nutrition education to numerous disease states, including Diabetes as a part of our Diabetes Education Program, and help individuals make lifestyle changes through diet.

Why did you choose to pursue a career in Dietetics?
I have always enjoyed cooking and helping my mother in the kitchen. I was able to pair that with science to do what I love!

What services do you offer through Pomerene?
I help to provide education and recommendations in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. I am able to visit our inpatients to recommend changes for their diet needs, as well as ensure they are getting the appropriate amount of nutrients per day while they are in the hospital. In addition, I meet individuals who have been recently diagnosed or dealing with a chronic disease that can be improved through dietary changes.

Do I need a referral? How can I contact you?
Nutritional counseling is covered by some insurance. This requires an order from your physician. Referral from your Physician is not necessary for “out of pocket” pay. Package prices are available. In addition, if you are a Kinetics member, nutrition education is offered at a reduced rate. For more information, visit: Nutritional Counseling | Pomerene Hospital

What is your favorite healthy meal to cook for your friends/ family?
I absolutely love to grill, especially shish kabobs! I typically marinate chicken, steak or seafood and have them on their own skewers. I also will have a variety of vegetables (sweet peppers, onions, sweet potatoes, red potatoes, mushrooms, squash, broccoli, cauliflower) on other skewers and then squeeze fresh lemon over top when all done. SO GOOD!!

What is one food (from anywhere in the world) that you would love to try?
This is a difficult question because there are many places I would love to visit specifically for the food culture. I would say send me over to the Mediterranean regions and I’ll try anything!

What do you do in your spare time?
I am currently training for a triathlon which is taking up some spare time, other than that, I enjoy anything outdoors and spending time with family and friends.

If you could wish to have any one special talent, what would that be?
Speak another language fluently.

Pomerene Hospital Plans Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine to Phase 1C Population in Holmes County

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 20:56:06 GMT

On March 4 ^th , Pomerene Hospital will begin administering vaccinations to those individuals categorized in Phase 1C of Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The Phase 1C group includes those age 60 and older as well as those who meet the following occupational and medical criteria:ELIGIBLE

MEDICAL CONDITIONS:

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Bone marrow transplant recipients
Pregnancy
Type 1 diabetes

ELIGIBLE OCCUPATIONS:

Child Care Services – including administrators, teachers and substitutes enrolled in Ohio’s Professional Registry who are currently working in open child care and pre-kindergarten programs
Funeral Services – including embalmers/morticians, funeral home directors, crematory operators and apprentices
Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers – including probation and parole staff, and active firefighters

Under Phase 1C, all available vaccines will be administered to those who meet the requirements and wish to be vaccinated. At this time, the supply of vaccinations to our county continue to be intermittent and limited which may restrict availability. Please note that it is possible for individuals to be placed on a waitlist.

If you wish to be vaccinated at Pomerene Hospital, you have two options. You may call our vaccination scheduling line at 330-674-1584, extension 1066 or you may email vaccine@pomerenehospital.org . If you chose to email, please provide the individual’s name, age and phone number.Vaccinations continue to take place in the Hospital Auditorium. Additional instructions will be given during the scheduling process.

Updates concerning Pomerene vaccination availability and scheduling for other age groups will be announced in local newspapers, local radio, our Facebook page, and our website www.pomerene.org .

Pomerene Hospital to Become Affiliate of Aultman Health Foundation

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:57:42 GMT

Aultman Health Foundation and Pomerene Hospital have entered into a management agreement that will allow Pomerene to become an Aultman affiliate, effective Jan. 29, 2021.

The affiliation will unite the Holmes County community hospital with a regional health care center, providing a continuum of care for the residents of Holmes County and beyond. The affiliation will bring together Aultman Health Foundation, with its tertiary medical center and its nationally recognized health care plan AultCare, with Aultman College, Aultman Orrville Hospital, Alliance Community Hospital, Aultman Specialty Hospital and Pomerene Hospital.

”The management agreement will allow Pomerene to further develop the longstanding relationship that exists between Pomerene and Aultman and is a natural next step,” said Dan Mathie, chairman of the board of directors, Pomerene Hospital. “We will be affiliating with a regional health care system who shares our values and who we know, respect, and trust. The management agreement will strengthen both of us as we work together to provide the highest-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care throughout the region while at the same time retaining local control.”

Aultman and Pomerene have a long-established relationship, and the affiliation of the two further aligns Aultman’s vision of developing a streamlined, locally owned, integrated system of health care services for the communities they serve. The two organizations already share services and assist each other with best health care clinical and business practices. The two have, in fact, worked together as members of the Independent Hospital Network for more than 20 years.

“After carefully examining this affiliation opportunity, our board of directors determined that Pomerene Hospital would be a valuable partner in Aultman’s regional health care system, and that this affiliation would support our mission to lead our community to improved health,” said Ed Roth, president and CEO, Aultman Health Foundation. “This will also benefit Pomerene, which will have a local partner providing the support and services of a larger integrated health care system.”

The affiliation between Aultman and Pomerene will look to directly benefit the community by:

Expanding services provided locally
Increasing access to recruitment and retention of talent
Improving Pomerene’s financial performance and long-term stability
Enhancing quality of care, patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes

Once the affiliation is completed, the current management team and staff will remain in place, and Pomerene will retain its name at this time.

About Aultman Health Foundation
The Aultman Health Foundation is a not-for-profit health care organization serving Stark and surrounding counties. The vertically integrated institution includes Aultman Hospital, Aultman Orrville Hospital, Alliance Community Hospital, the locally managed health insurance provider AultCare, The Aultman Foundation and Aultman College. With 1,032 beds, over 800 active physicians and a team of more than 7,000 employees, Aultman is Stark County's largest hospital. For more information, visit www.aultman.org .

About Pomerene Hospital

Pomerene Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital serving Holmes County and its surrounding areas. Pomerene is a 55 bed, acute-care hospital nestled in the hills of Amish Country. With more than 325 employees, 95 providers and 65 volunteers, Pomerene is one of the largest employers in Holmes County and is a fifteen-time recipient of the NorthCoast 99 Best Places to Work. Most recently in 2020, Pomerene received a 5-star Quality Rating from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). For more information, visit www.pomerene.org .

Pomerene Cardiac Rehabilitation Plans to Reopen Services March 2nd

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 20:59:33 GMT

Pomerene Hospital is pleased to announce the reopening of its Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on March 2, 2021. After several months of being unable to offer rehabilitation services to patients of greater Holmes County due to the 2019 novel Coronavirus, we are pleased to resume our service and return to caring for the health and wellness of our patients.

If you or a loved one have experienced a heart attack, undergone a heart procedure, or have a chronic heart condition, a cardiac rehabilitation program is one of the best steps you can take to move your health forward.

Pomerene Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation offers personalized, medically supervised programming to help you improve your heart and overall health and wellness. We want to help you through the challenges of your lifestyle habits through exercise training, health education, and stress management.

Our program helps patients:

Lessen the physical and emotional effects of heart disease
Improve stamina and strength to better engage in daily activities, such as work
Reduce risk of having another heart attack
Improve eating habits to help lose weight

“Our Cardiac Rehab program through Pomerene Hospital is just one more way to keep your healthcare local and in Holmes County.” Dr. Claudine Dumandan, Cardiologist and Cardiac Rehab Program Director, and her team of registered nurses play an integral role in encouraging and motivating program participants. “Having already seen the physical and emotional benefits our previous patients have experienced; we are excited and look forward to continuing this excellence in care to those needing cardiac rehabilitation!” Renee Conkle, RN-BC, Cardiac Rehab Supervisor.

Cardiac Rehabilitation classes are scheduled twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Pomerene Kinetics Medical Fitness Center, located at 1237 Glen Drive, Millersburg Ohio. All exercise sessions are supervised by a physician.

To learn more about our program, please call 330-432-0468

Mammography 101

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:38:04 GMT

Mammography 101

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a month to remember that everyone is affected by breast cancer. Everyone?

While women make up the majority of breast cancer cases (breast cancer in men is possible, but rare), men are also affected when someone they know - wife, mother, sister, or friend, gets breast cancer.

How common is breast cancer? Statistically one in eight women will get breast cancer at some point in their lives. Do a quick calculation, how many women can you think of by name off the top your head? Family, friends, colleagues, church member, etc. Can you name 40 women? Divide that by 8; statistically five of those women you name will get breast cancer at some point in their life. That’s sobering. Now think, reader, if you are a woman, you could be one of those five; reader if you are a man, that could be your spouse.

The good news is there is a screening test that detects most breast cancer - a mammogram. It is essentially an x-ray of the breast that is interpreted by a radiologist (a physician specialized in interpreting medical imaging).The American College of Radiology recommends that for a women of average risk they get a mammogram every year after the age of forty (some women have higher than average risk, these women need to discuss with their primary care providers when they should start breast cancer screening). Unlike some cancers that grow slowly over several years, breast cancer can show up in just one year, making it important that women get an annual mammogram.

What role does breast exam play? Monthly self breast exam and an annual clinical breast exam are very important, but they don’t replace mammography. The goal of mammogram is to detect a cancer while it is still very small; the earlier the stage the better the survival rate.

A common question I’ve been asked is about the radiation. Similar to an x-ray, mammogram uses a low dose of radiation. The risk of getting breast cancer from a mammogram is very, very, low and the benefit of detecting a cancer early outweigh the risk. Are there other ways to screen for breast cancer? No; mammogram is the only tool that has shown a decrease in deaths from breast cancer. Sometimes a breast ultrasound or MRI is ordered to get another look at something that is seen on mammogram, but these cannot be used for breast cancer screening.

What happens if an abnormality is seen on the mammogram? Additional images will need to be obtained; with mammogram, ultrasound and/or MRI. Depending on the abnormality and how it is seen best a patient may need to proceed to a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure that a physician performs to get a piece of the abnormal breast tissue. The piece of abnormal tissues is sent to a pathologist (a physician specializing in looking at body tissue) to evaluate and determine if the tissue is cancer. If the abnormality is seen only on mammogram the patient would have a needle localization procedure in the mammography room and then they would go to the operating room for the surgeon to perform a surgical biopsy. If the abnormality is seen on ultrasound, the biopsy would be performed with ultrasound without needing to go to surgery. These procedures can all be done at Pomerene Hospital.

If you would like more information about breast cancer screening, the mammography test or how to prepare for the test you can find answers to your questions as well as additional resources at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=screening-breast . To schedule an appointment, please call Pomerene Radiology Services at 330-674-1584 , ext 4124.

Remember, breast cancer screening saves lives!

National Diabetes Month

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:34:06 GMT

National Diabetes Month

The changing of the seasons brings chilly air and falling of leaves- welcome November!

My name is Megan Raber BSN, RN and I am the new Diabetic Education Coordinator at Pomerene Hospital and what better time for me to introduce myself as November is also National Diabetes month. Diabetes is the 7 ^th leading cause of death in the United States and the number one cause of kidney failure, lower- limb amputations and adult onset blindness. These statistics are scary alone, but what it does not show is the magnitude of the loss of quality of life and hardships those living with these special challenges face every day. Odds are, you are reading this and thinking of someone you know who has diabetes or perhaps you are personally challenged by it yourself.

With the changing of seasons in mind, I know many people have felt the effects of change this year. Maybe it has been a change in daily routine, a change in seeing family and friends, a change in your work life. Or perhaps it has been a change in your health or a loved one’s or the ability to access resources for your healthcare needs. For me personally, it has been a great year of change and growth as a wife, mother and nurse trying to navigate life during a pandemic. Not to mention thetask of packing up and moving a home, a one year old and an oversized Siberian Husky 1,000 miles across the country. Despite the challenge; and although I already miss the beach, I am overjoyed and thankful to reside in and serve my hometown area after living the last seven years in Florida.

With all of the changes you may have experienced this year, I am sure it has also been a year of much self-reflection. If your own health and wellbeing related to your diabetes has been on your mind, please call the Diabetes Education office at Pomerene Hospital 330-674-1584 ext. 1023. Whether it be a new diagnosis, a speed bump in your current treatment plan, help in getting your diabetic supplies or an A1C that will not budge for you- I would be happy to assist you in navigating the life changes related to self-managing your diabetes.

COVID-19 Vaccination Q & A

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:31:49 GMT

COVID-19 Vaccination Q & A

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Fri, 05 Feb 2021 16:59:27 GMT

Keep Your Heart Healthy

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The term "heart disease" refers to several types of heart conditions, the most common being coronary artery disease (CAD) and can cause a heart attack. Heart disease occurs when a substance called plaque builds up in your arteries. This narrows them over time and reduces blood flow and oxygen to the heart, causing the heart to become sick. Heart disease can be prevented by identifying risks and eliminating them from your life.

Here are some ways you can decrease your risk for developing heart disease:

Don't smoke or quit if you do
Maintain a healthy weight
Eat a healthy diet low in fat
Exercise regularly
Prevent or treat your other healthy conditions, especially high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
Learn to manage your stress in a healthy way. Stress can be very damaging to the heart.

A life style change is easier to maintain if you do it with our family or friends. Do it together and keep each other accountable. Your health is the best gift you could give your loved ones!

Pomerene Helps Bring New Treatment, BAM, to Residents at Altercare Majora Lane

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:07:48 GMT

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, care providers and healthcare facilities worldwide have shared the same goal - to continue providing top quality, safe care to all patients while performing best care practices to help prevent the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.

Now more than ever, the care teams of Pomerene Hospital and Altercare Majora Lane are working together to keep residents of Holmes County and surrounding communities they serve, safe and in good health. Both organizations have proactively implemented leading safety measures and have continued to safely care for their patients and residents throughout the many months of the pandemic.

Most recently, in an effort to prevent COVID-19 hospital admissions, a cutting-edge immunotherapy infusion called Bamlanivimab, better known as BAM, was approved to be administered to Altercare Majora Lane residents diagnosed with COVID-19. BAM is currently being administered to patients found to be at high risk for severe symptoms of COVID-19 and to those who may need hospitalization if left untreated. It is most effective when given early and needs to be administered within 10 days of the onset of symptoms. By administering BAM within Majora Lane, residents do not have to go to the hospital and can remain in the comfort and familiar setting of Majora Lane.

There are many individuals to acknowledge for the approval and administering of BAM to Altercare Majora Lane residents, including one of Pomerene’s very own, Beth Amicone, Nurse Practitioner at Pomerene Hospital. Beth has been with Pomerene for 23 years, first as a staff nurse and now in her 5 ^th year as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She serves many caregiving roles in the Holmes County community, splitting her time between Altercare Majora Lane, the Holmes County Jail, Pomerene Express Care and caring for inpatients of Pomerene Hospital.

Amicone was actively following COVID-19 news and research, especially concerning BAM and the studies behind the medicine. Once the hospital began receiving and administering BAM, Amicone decided to work on getting it for residents of Majora Lane.“If it could keep one or two residents out of the hospital, it was worth it. These residents deserve everything that the general public can get and I was going to make sure that I did everything I could to make that happen,” Amicone stated. She introduced her idea to use BAM with her collaborating Internal Medicine physician and Majora Lane’s Medical Director, Pomerene’s own, Dr. Rohini Kalisetti, who supported the idea wholeheartedly.Kalisetti’s exact response? “Go for it!”

Amicone stated that getting approval took a bit of fast-talking, several emails and phone calls since time was of the essence to capture those residents within 10 days of their initial infections. From there, things move very quickly. “On a Tuesday night at 9 p.m., it took an ‘okay’ from Altercare Majora Lane Administrators and by Wednesday morning, we were administering the first BAM infusion.” Beth Amicone stated.

Since the approval to use BAM by Majora Lane, 24 residents have been infused with the medicine with no side effects or negative infusion reactions.At present, they are all doing well and have avoided hospitalization although Amicone warns, “It’s still very early. BAM is not a cure and will not guarantee a positive outcome - this is still COVID-19 in a very high-risk population.” Amicone also acknowledges the staff at Majora Lane. “They have all been amazing.Dealing with the virus in a nursing home is an absolute nightmare situation and every single team member has stepped up to the plate in so many ways. They really do care about every single resident. When I talked to staff about how complicated doing the infusions would be, they never hesitated for a second to help make it happen.”

“We are beyond proud to collaborate with Pomerene Hospital to offer this vital treatment to the vulnerable population we serve,” Chad Giauque, executive director at Altercare, said. “It is a welcomed partnership, one that we hope will continue to flourish. We understand that these times call for innovation and we are humbled to have had this opportunity. It will save lives.”

“The goal in using BAM is to see a decrease in hospitalizations within these high-risk categorized patients.” Stated Amicone. In order to qualify for BAM, the patient needs to be at least 12 years of age, and adults must be 65 or older or have another risk factor including:

Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35
Chronic kidney disease
Diabetes
Immunosuppressive disease
Immunosuppressive treatment such as

Patients 55 and older with heart disease, lung disease or those undergoing immunosuppressive treatment also qualify for BAM. The qualifications for pediatric COVID-19 patients over the age of 12 include:

Body mass index (BMI) above the 85th percentile for age
Cardiovascular disease
Sickle cell disease
Neurodevelopmental disease
Use of a medical dependent device

The collaboration between Pomerene Hospital and Altercare Majora Lane team members made this cutting-edge treatment possible for the residents within Majora Lane. Pomerene was pleased to provide BAM as well as the supplies needed to begin distributing BAM, such as IV fluid, tubing and other items. Beth Amicone specified that she had all the support in the world. “From Dr. Kalisetti’s support, to Craig Gilt, Pharmacy Director at Pomerene for being so willing to help facilitate this endeavor and to the entire care team at Majora Lane - they helped me make this possible for our residents.”

Fran Lauriha, Pomerene Hospital CNO, is proud of the efforts put forth by both organizations.“This is such a positive story of success given all the uncertainties that we have faced over the last year with the COVID-19 pandemic. It confirms that when healthcare providers from different organizations work together to deliver the highest quality care, the best possible outcomes will be achieved for patients. We are beyond proud of the Pomerene team for leading this initiative.”

Pomerene Hospital Continues Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine to Phase 1B Population in Holmes County

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 21:05:27 GMT

(Millersburg, Ohio) – On January 28 ^th , Pomerene Hospital will continue to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to those individuals categorized in the second group of Phase 1B under Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The 1B group includes individuals age 70 and older.

Under Phase 1B, all available vaccines will be directed to those who choose to be vaccinated and meet the requirement of age 70 and older. At this time, the supply of vaccinations to our county are intermittent and very limited which may restrict availability. Please note that it is possible for individuals to be placed on a waitlist.

Vaccinations will begin on Thursday, February 4 ^th , by appointment only, in the Pomerene Hospital Auditorium. Please call our vaccination scheduling line at 330-674-1584, extension 1066 to schedule now. Additional instructions will be given during the scheduling process.

You may also call the Holmes County General Health District to schedule your vaccination at their location by calling 330-674-5035.

Updates concerning Pomerene vaccination availability and scheduling for other age groups will be announced in local newspapers, local radio, our Facebook page, and our website www.pomerene.org .

Pomerene Hospital Plans Second Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine to Phase 1B Population in Holmes County

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 21:09:03 GMT

On January 28 ^th , Pomerene Hospital will continue to administer COVID-19 vaccinations to those individuals categorized in the second group of Phase 1B under Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. The 1B group includes individuals age 75 and older along with individuals who are age 18 and older with a severe developmental or intellectual disability as well as one of the following medical conditions such as:

Cerebral palsy
Spina bifida
Severe congenital heart disease requiring hospitalization within the last year
Severe Type 1 diabetes requiring hospitalization within the past year
Inherited metabolic disorders, including phenylketonuria
Severe neurological disorders, including epilepsy, hydrocephaly, and microcephaly
Severe genetic disorders, including Down-syndrome, fragile X syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Turner syndrome and muscular dystrophy
Severe lung disease, including asthma requiring hospitalization within the past year and cystic fibrosis
Sickle cell anemia, alpha and beta thalassemia
Solid organ donors

Under Phase 1B, all available vaccines will be directed to meet the needs of the group and who meet the above requirements who choose to be vaccinated. At this time, the supply of vaccinations to our county are intermittent and very limited which may restrict availability. Please note that it is possible for individuals to be placed on a waitlist.

Vaccinations will begin on Thursday, January 28 ^th , by appointment only, in the Pomerene Hospital Auditorium. Please call our vaccination scheduling line at 330-674-1584, extension 1066 to schedule now. Additional instructions will be given during the scheduling process.

You may also call the Holmes County General Health District to schedule your vaccination at their location by calling 330-674-5035.

Updates concerning Pomerene vaccination availability and scheduling for other age groups will be announced in local newspapers, local radio, our Facebook page, and our website www.pomerene.org .

Pomerene Hospital Plans Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine to Phase 1B Population in Holmes County

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:10:11 GMT

Beginning January 21st, Pomerene Hospital will begin administering COVID-19 Vaccinations to residents of Holmes County categorized in Phase 1B of Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Under Phase 1B, all available vaccines will be scheduled with individuals who are 80 years of age and older who choose to be vaccinated. Vaccinations administered to the public are free of charge.

Phase 1B Vaccination Tentative Schedule:

January 19 ^th - Ages 80 and older
January 26 ^th - Ages 75 and older
February 1 ^st - Ages 70 and older
February 8 ^th - Ages 65 and older

At this time, vaccinations in our county continue to be very limited (approximately 200 doses per week) and is not guaranteed. In conjunction with the Holmes County General Health District, we kindly ask for our community’s patience with scheduling and unforeseen changes as we move through the next several steps.

“As we begin to move into Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations, our focus is going to be on protecting our most vulnerable populations.I would encourage anyone who is 65 and older to consider getting the vaccination.” Says Fran Lauriha, Pomerene Hospital CNO.

Pomerene Hospital will begin scheduling individuals, ages 80 years and older only, starting Thursday, January 21 ^st . Vaccinations will begin January 21 ^st and January 22 ^nd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The vaccinations will be given in the Pomerene Hospital Auditorium by appointment only.Please call 330-674-1584, extension 1066 to schedule an appointment. Additional instructions will be given during the scheduling process.

Updates concerning vaccination availability and scheduling for other age groups will be announced in local newspapers, our Facebook page and our website www.pomerene.org .

Pomerene Hospital to Administer COVID-19 Vaccine to Frontline Caregivers and Staff

Mon, 04 Jan 2021 21:11:49 GMT

Pomerene Hospital has received its first direct allocation of 100 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The first round of 100 vaccines will begin to be administered on Tuesday, January 5 ^th , to our frontline healthcare staff who face the greatest risk of exposure to the virus. This includes providers, nursing staff, respiratory therapists, emergency department personnel, laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, and other employees who are involved with direct patient care.

"I am very pleased for Pomerene's front line staff to be given access to the COVID-19 vaccine.” Stated Jason Justus, CEO of Pomerene Hospital. “Our entire team of care givers deserve the opportunity to receive the added safety and health protection the vaccine provides for themselves, their families, and our patients. I am optimistic the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine will be a turning point for our organization, our community, and for the state of Ohio."

Last week, on Monday, December 28 ^th , the Holmes County General Health District (HCGHD) administered the first Moderna COVID-19 vaccines in Holmes County. Following recommendations per Phase 1A of Ohio’s Vaccination Plan, the first vaccines in the county were given to Pomerene providers and caregivers, EMS first responders and public health employees expected to be directly involved with providing community vaccination in the upcoming months.

Fran Lauriha, CNO of Pomerene Hospital stated, “This is the first sign of hope that we have had in a very long fight against COVID-19. During the pandemic, our front-line staff have been absolutely amazing and have shown so much strength and determination in caring for our patients when there were so many unknowns.On December 28, I received my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. After reviewing the data and the science behind the vaccines, I felt confident that the vaccine is safe and effective.Receiving the vaccine is an opportunity to knowwe are going to not only protect ourselves, but our patients, and our community.As a leader, I wouldn’t ask our employees to do anything that I wouldn’t do myself. While we are encouraged by the vaccine, we must remain vigilant in wearing a mask, and social distancing.”

Dr. Yasser Omran, Medical Director, is also very hopeful that with a vaccine, the pandemic will halt or become more manageable. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic almost a year ago, we have had limited success in controlling the spread of infection and treating the ill. The hope was to find an antiviral to treat the ill along with vaccines to protect the healthy. Now, we have a reasonable therapy for those who get infected. But most promising is the vaccine to protect the individual from illness and stop the spread. We have come a long way in a short period of time.”

Additional rounds of vaccines are expected to arrive over the next few weeks and will continue to be administered to critical groups, as classified under Phase 1A, including:

All healthcare workers, physicians and personnel who are routinely involved with the care of COVID-19 patients
EMS responders
Nursing home and assisted living residents and staff
Residents and staff at Ohio veteran homes
Home health and hospice workers
Dental providers
Individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, substance use disorders, who live in group homes or other facilities and staff at those locations
Patients and staff at psychiatric hospitals

Pomerene Hospital has been selected as a designated COVID-19 vaccine distribution site.Once the State of Ohio makes the vaccine available to the general public, we will provide more information on availability and access to the vaccine.

Additional information about Ohio’s Vaccination Plan and vaccines can be found at www.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

Prevent "Falls" This Fall Season

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:02:14 GMT

Prevent "Falls" This Fall Season

With fall fast approaching with winter on its heels, yard work is looming, as is other household prep for winter. Many of these tasks requiring bending, lifting, reaching and carrying, all of which may put your back into a position where injury may occur. So, whether you are raking leaves, cleaning out your gutters, getting out the Christmas decorations, or winterizing the camper, you may benefit from the following body-mechanics tips and tricks.

1.Use your back brace.

Your abdominals, that is. When preparing to lift, push or pull, first tighten your abdominals. Your abdominal muscles, along with several other muscles are key in stabilizing your spine. When contracted they act as a built in back brace, since they wrap around the front and back of your trunk from your ribs to your pelvis.

2. Lift with your legs.

If you are going to be lifting a heavy object, bend your knees to allow you to get closer to the object. Keeping your knees straight and just bending at the hips and/or back creates a lot of strain on your lower back and creates a greater potential for back pain in the future.

3. No playing Twister.

One of the biggest mechanisms of injury in the low back is lifting and twisting. When you are moving an object from one surface to another and walking is not required, try to pivot with your feet, while keeping your spine straight.

4. Phone a Friend.

If you have an object to move that is too heavy, big or bulky for you to move safely, get a friend or family member to help you.

5.Don’t forget to breathe while lifting!

If you currently have back pain, Pomerene Therapy can help! Come see us!

330-674-9066

Coronavirus FAQ

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 13:05:23 GMT

"Leaves of Three, Let it Be"

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 13:09:51 GMT

"Leaves of Three, Let it Be"

The flower beds are alive with color, butterflies, and bees, and weeding is a daily task. Overgrown fence rows are being freed of tangled greenery. Wood is chopped and stacked in preparation for another round of cold Ohio winter weather. Each of these summertime tasks, which get us out into the fresh sunshine, hold its own danger. Ohio may be short on venomous snakes and insects, but there is a poison that lurks among the greenery, one of which we must all beware.

Poison ivy plants are commonly found among the elements of beauty in our landscape.In fact, all year round, this plant has been known to cause misery.As nefarious as poison ivy might seem, there are many myths surrounding the “leaves of three” that should be dispelled to help prevent, or relieve, the itchy red rash it causes.

The rash that shows about 12-48 hours after touching the poison ivy plant is actually a “contact dermatitis”, much similar to a rash that develops with any allergen. The allergic reaction is a result of skin contact with the sap of the plant, urushiol, which is an oily substance with allergic properties. Any place the oil encounters skin, an allergic reaction, in the form of an itchy rash, develops.

Prevention is the best treatment for poison ivy rashes. Avoid areas that poison ivy plants grow: in flower beds, along fence rows, against trees. If avoidance isn’t possible, the next action is to wash quickly and thoroughly, within 30 minutes, if possible. Showering with plenty of warm water and soap (dish soap is an excellent grease cutter!) will remove the oil from the skin.Reducing exposure limits the extent of the rash. It is also a must to clean well under fingernails and any clothing, shoes, and tools to which the oil may have transferred. The oils may linger on them, spreading the rash long after exposure to the plant.

Alas, sometimes after the best of efforts, a poison ivy rash develops anyway. There are some things to know about this, too. Ultimately, if you did nothing to the rash, it would dissipate in about 2-3 weeks. Frequently, that is too long to suffer. Cool compresses, or even ice, oatmeal baths, and hydrocortisone cream, can relieve the itching. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and may also help alleviate the itch of the reaction. Poison ivy rash on the arms, legs, and torso are more annoying than worrisome.If the rash is on the face or groin, though, frequently a healthcare provider will prescribe an oral steroid to prevent further problems. Steroid injections are not recommended.If a problem with the medication occurs, the oral pill can be stopped. Once the medication is injected in to the body, there is no reversing it.

It is important to understand that any fluid that drains from the area cannot spread the rash. That is simply the body’s immune system trying to be in repair mode. Oils left on the skin, or repeated contact, though, can cause additional reactions. Keep the area clean, avoid scratching to prevent infection, and use soothing methods to treat symptoms.

A couple other bits of trivia: Ohio has only poison ivy. Poison sumac is found in the southern United States, and poison oak is found in western United States. Whichever you’ve been in contact with, though, the rash will be very similar. As it is an allergic reaction, not a rash specific to each plant, we could never tell the cause by looking at the rash.

Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in the Workplace - What Now?

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:30:46 GMT

The CDC has several recommendations to assist businesses when an employee is suspected to have or confirmed infected with COVID-19.

If an employee arrives to the workplace with symptoms or becomes ill during their shift, they should be separated from other employees as soon as possible, customers, and visitors and should be directed to go home. If an employee gets symptoms outside of work they should stay home. The employee should not return to work until they have consulted with a healthcare provider and met the guidelines set forth by the CDC.
Individuals with COVID-19 have had a wide variation of symptoms, including: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
On July 17, 2020 the CDC recommendations state that for the majority of people with COVID-19, isolation and precautions can generally be stopped 10 days after symptom onset and without a fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever reducing medications and with improvement of other symptoms.
It is important to close off any areas used for long intervals by the sick employee until cleaning and disinfection can be done safely.
In the event an employee is suspected or positive for COVID-19, employers need to determine other employees who may have been exposed and should take some extra measures:
Employers should inform employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 if the employee is confirmed positive.
Provide education to employees on what they should do if they become ill.
Employees should not return to work until they have met the guidelines to suspend home isolation and have consulted with a healthcare provider.
The CDC recommends that employers do not use antibody tests to determine which employers can work. A viral test checks a respiratory sample to determine if an employee has the virus.
Pomerene Hospital can do outreach testing at your business if you are considering testing all of your employees. Please contact Pomerene Hospital's Infection Preventionist to arrange for Outreach testing at your facility by calling 330-674-1015.
Additional information and resources are available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/general-business-faq.html .

What's On Your Back-To-School Checklist?

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 14:02:28 GMT

What's On Your Back-To-School Checklist?

Days are warm, the sun is shining, and back-to-school couldn’t be further from your mind. The truth is, those three short summer months will soon be gone, and life will again be filled with schedules and running from one activity to the next (hopefully!). Before we know it, our free time, during which we planned to get that to-do list caught up, will disappear. Now is the time to plan ahead.As children prepare to return to school, many are also getting ready to join their favorite sport or need those immunizations which are required. Right now is the time to get those well visits out of the way. Every child should have a yearly physical to monitor growth and development, as well as to address any future needs.

Those last lazy days of summer are frequently riddled with hurried parents, desperate to get those provider visits completed in a timely manner. Waiting until the last minute can mean deadlines may be missed. Getting your child’s well visit done now will relieve you of one back-to-school responsibility and offer more relaxed end of summer days.

As a reminder, if your child is entering preschool or kindergarten, check with your school for the paperwork which needs completed. Also, for children entering kindergarten, a DTaP and polio vaccine, frequently given as a combination, Kinrix, and the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella vaccines (frequently given as a combination, ProQuad) are due. For those going into seventh grade, a Tdap and meningicoccal vaccination are required. For those entering their senior year, a final meningococcal immunization is due.We also offer the serogroup B meningococcal vaccination series, to protect against the fifth type of meningococcal bacterium.

Unsure if your child’s immunizations are up-to-date? Let us check for you. Bring any immunization cards you may have at home and we will also check the Ohio Department of Health website to ensure your child has everything needed to be protected.

Have a safe, happy, healthy summer and get those well visits done early!

AUTHOR: Danielle Byler, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Taking the Sting out of a Sunburn

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 15:07:09 GMT

Taking the Sting out of a Sunburn

The American Academy of Dermatology (2020) recommends these 6 tips for treating a sunburn:

Take frequent cool baths or showers to ease the pain
Use a moisturizer that includes aloe-Vera to help sooth sunburned skin.
Consider taking ibuprofen to help decrease swelling, redness and discomfort.
Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration
If your skin blisters, let the blisters heal. Do not pop the blisters, as they will help protect your skin heal and protect you from infection.
Protect sunburned skin while it heals by wearing clothes that cover skin when in the sun.

Remember that a result of skin getting too much exposure from the sun’s ultraviolet rays can affect long-lasting harm to the skin and increase your risk for getting skin cancer.

Grocery Shopping During the Pandemic

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:11:12 GMT

Grocery Shopping During the Pandemic

What is the safest way to grocery shop during the pandemic? And what should you do when you get your groceries home? Here are some tips offered from the Food and Drug Administration [FDA], (2020):

Make a list before your trip to the grocery story. Only buy what you need for 1-2 weeks.
Wipe down and sanitize the handles of the shopping cart.
Practice social distancing while shopping – keeping at least 6 feet between you, other shoppers, and store employees.
Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when you leave the store and after you put your groceries away at home

B elow are a few more tips that recommended to help in preventing foodborne illnesses, not just during the pandemic but always:

Before eating, rinse fresh fruits and vegetables with running water.
Make sure your perishable groceries are refrigerated or frozen within 2 hours of purchasing.
Clean and sanitize your counters with a disinfectant product.
Remember to follow the 4 food safety steps-Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill

We encourage you to follow this advice to remain safe while you are shopping!

Author: Fran Lauriha, CNO Pomerene Hospital

Bump Up The Fruits and Veggies!

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 15:13:22 GMT

Bump Up The Fruits and Veggies!

The amount of fruits and vegetables you need in a day will vary based on your age, gender, medical history and lifestyle factors. The truth is, many Americans do not come close to their recommended daily requirement for healthy living (approximately 2 cups of fruit and vegetables per day). Rather than focusing on the negative, aiming to increase your fruit and vegetable intake every day will keep you on track towards your health goals, that fit your preferences.

Some strategies and tips to increase or transform your fruit and vegetable intake:

Become Aware- The first part to know if you are getting enough produce in one day is to keep track of what you are eating. This doesn’t have to be time intensive- just jot down the fruits and vegetables and the amount you eat in one day. If you find yourself having a small list, that’s a good indicator it’s time to bump it up!
Make it a Challenge- If you’re like me and enjoy a good challenge, consider challenging yourself and others to a healthful fruit and veggie competition. Determine a set time frame and scoring system, then see who is willing to try it with you.
Smoothies to Fruit Bars- Need an alternative to sugary popsicles or ice cream? Smoothies can be transferred to popsicle molds to be frozen and enjoyed as a summertime snack!
Frozen fruit to syrup- Heating frozen fruit (1 cup) and adding a little honey or maple syrup (1 teaspoon) to it is a great way to make a “nutritional” syrup without all the added sugar. Use this on top of pancakes, waffles, breads, or even ice cream for another way to sneak fruit in.

D o you struggle with vegetable intake? Try different dips, best in moderation, to get the job done! Click here to view some healthy dip recipes from our Registered Dietitian, Jackie Genetin.

Jackie Genetin, RDN, LD

Cook in Color

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 15:16:22 GMT

Cook in Color

Did you know that different cooking and baking methods of your fruits and vegetables can increase or decrease the amount of nutrients you get in your food? Below is some education and tips to try different cooking methods, without losing the benefits of your produce:

Fresh- Fresh is best? Not always the case. In some forms of cooking it activates the nutrient to become more available when heated rather than eaten fresh. Though, many fruits and vegetables contain majority of vitamins and minerals in this state. Your water-soluble vitamins, B and C.
Bake/Roast- A healthier version to frying because the oil or fats that you may add to the food do not replace the water in the food, therefore you are consuming less fat. Baking and roasting are basically the same thing, but used for different foods. Minimal vitamins and minerals are lost through this method.
Braise- This combination cooking method of searing then slow cooking an item in a liquid on low heat is primarily used for meats but can be used for vegetables. Vitamins and minerals can leech into the liquid over the cooking period. Try to reuse the liquid in soups or other dishes to use those nutrients that were lost.
Boil- Nutrients can be lost in the water, especially if salt is added. Primarily your water-soluble vitamins, B and C. Consuming or reusing the liquid is a great way to still consume those nutrients lost.
Dehydration- A fan favorite for fruits primarily as an easy way to carry with you on-the-go. During the process, an acid such as citric acid or lemon juice, is added to limit the bacteria growth. The acid and drying process can both alter the nutrient content.
Fry- Aim for air fried or pan fried compared to deep fry, so that less oil or fats are being transferred into the food, while still maintaining the crispy texture. High heats can alter fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K.
Grill/Broil- Grilling and broiling are both dry heat methods that heat from the bottom (grill) or top (broiler). These heating methods can reduce water- and fat-soluble nutrients if droplets are lost during cooking. Side note, reducing the amount of smoke can reduce your risk of potentially harmful side effects.
Microwave- A great method to heat your produce with minimal effects on nutrients. Microwave heats food by electromagnetic waves that cause the molecules within the food to vibrate or bounce, causing friction among the food, and therefore heating the food. Due to its short cooking time, much of the vitamins and minerals are maintained.
Steam- A water-based method to cooking, using minimal water. Since it uses minimal water, majority of nutrients are maintained during process.

Jackie Genetin, RDN, LD

Why you SHOULDN'T Delay Emergency Care

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 15:18:03 GMT

Why you SHOULDN'T Delay Emergency Care

Throughout the Pandemic, Pomerene Hospital Emergency Department has remained open to care for our Community! We know there are concerns about catching the virus, but if you have a true health emergency do not delay getting care that could negatively impact your health in the future.

It is important that you feel safe and confident when you are a patient in any of our facilities.

Your health matters, don’t wait to get medical care.
Our Emergency Department team is always ready when you need us - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
We are taking extra steps to keep you safe! From re-arranged waiting rooms to screening everyone that enters our facilities.Here are some of the additional steps we are taking to protect you:Isolating those with COVID-19 in designated areas and units.
Requiring everyone to wear mask. No worries if you don’t have one, we will provide one for you.
Expanding the distance between chairs in waiting areas.
Frequent cleaning of high-touch areas, deep cleaning between patients, and using an UV Cleaning Robot multiples times per day.
Limiting visitation (find updated visitor restrictions here )
Screening every person when they enter the hospital-patients, visitors, and employees are screened and temperatures taken.

Y ou can be confident that our Emergency Department is safe, operational and prepared to handle health emergencies when you need us.

So, What is a Midwife Anyway?

Mon, 08 Jun 2020 15:21:13 GMT

So, What is a Midwife Anyway?

What exactly does a Midwife do?

Many people think Midwives only delivery babies… but that isn’t true! Midwives are important members of the women’s health team and can care for female’s puberty through menopause. The word midwife means: “With Woman”. A midwife is someone who walks with women through their reproductive life from puberty through menopause. A few examples of the types of care midwives can give: prenatal care, births, yearly well woman exams, breast exams, pap smears, counseling/education on natural family planning or contraception/birth control, guidance/care for those going through change of life/menopause. They can also treat urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, breast infections and much more!

What do you like most about being a Midwife?

I love caring for women and their families, guiding them through some of the most important and intimate decisions/moments of their lives. It is both an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity care for our ladies and their families.

What do you like best about being a Midwife at Pomerene?

I enjoy caring for members of the local community. I like that our patients have high quality care in a homelike, quiet environment. Our midwives & staff are well versed in natural childbirth as many patients desire this, but we have epidural anesthesia available should a patient want one. We can provide very low intervention care as well as high tech care with multiple interventions if situations necessitate. The diversity of care is challenging, exciting & rewarding. I simply enjoy what I do and the population we care for.

I have worked at Pomerene since 1998. I enjoy working here and can truly say Pomerene is a huge part of my life beyond work. I met my husband in the Emergency Dept while working one night (He’s a firefighter/paramedic), got engaged at work and 3 of my 4 children were born here at Pomerene as well. As a member of the local community for the last 20+ years, Holmes county is my home and I desire to continue caring for those who live here. It is such a neat opportunity to run into patients in the community and be able to share “hello’s” and updates on how they have been since I have seen them last. We have such a great hospital in our community and it’s a privilege to be a part of it. Our small community hospital provides top notch, five-star care.

Who is the Midwifery team?

The midwifery team consists of myself, Barbara Poole, CNM, Carrie Jividen, CNM & Donna Augustine, CNM. It also involves our collaborating physician – Dr. Ibrahim Sozen. He is available to our team, should we have questions/concerns that require a higher level of care. We also work collaboratively with Dr. Jenna Frakowski and other obstetrical providers.

How do you work together with other Women’s Health providers and nurses?

All of the midwives work well together to provide excellent care for our women. We use written, verbal or in person communication between each other to ensure that the best of care is provided. The lines of communication are always open. Suggestions/Ideas are always welcome and we “bounce” ideas/perspective/information off each other frequently. There is a trust among all of us which is very strong and an essential piece of our practice.

What are some bits of advice to relieve pregnancy nausea?

Eat small frequent meals throughout the day, stay away from fried/greasy foods, stick with simple/bland foods. Don’t let yourself get hungry as this can often lead to bouts of nausea/vomiting. Try to eat a snack with protein before going to bed (cottage cheese, cheese/crackers, apple & peanut butter etc.) as this will “stick with you” more through the night and will have you less likely to feel nauseated upon rising in the morning. Keep lemon-lime soda & saltine/soda crackers (important… not butter/ritz type crackers!!!) close by and nibble on those/sip the soda when you first get up in the AM and before rising out of bed. Lastly, if the nausea is causing trouble with your daily activities contact your midwife as there are over the counter & prescription medications/supplements which can help lessen the symptoms.

What are some ways to relieve back pain during pregnancy?

My favorite go to for back pain in pregnancy is to prevent it!! During pregnancy your body goes through many changes, even how you stand and your center of balance changes. Start early in your pregnancy wearing good supportive shoes, bending at the knees vs. waist to maintain good body mechanics/posture when bending/lifting. Keep your weight balanced on both feet, stand straight and don’t slouch. Establish a routine of getting off your feet at least ½ hour each afternoon with your feet elevated. This will allow your back & legs time to rest, allowing you to return to your work with improved energy/stamina. Heating pads or hot water bottles applied to the sore areas can also be comforting, but watch that they aren’t too hot! Lastly, there a wonderful maternity support belts available should the above suggestions not improve it adequately. Just ask your midwife how to get one.

Add Color on a Budget

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 15:42:03 GMT

Add Color on a Budget

Are you a fan of produce but concerned about the cost? You are not alone! No need to fret because below are some tips for you to enjoy fruit and vegetables without breaking the bank AND make you feel so much better after eating them!

#AddColor by keeping it seasonal – stick with buying produce during its season to avoid over-spending.
#AddColor by buying local – this goes along with buying seasonal produce. Local orchards, markets, and greenhouses are stocked with fresh fruit and vegetables that are grown primarily within that specific season, and often grown right in your hometown!
#AddColor by re-purposing your aging produce – are your bananas or apples bruised? No need to throw them out! Bruised or aging fruits and vegetables can be great for smoothies, breads, soups, sauces, jams, etc. Throwing away food is throwing away money- the less you do, the better!
#AddColor by trying alternative options – Canned, frozen, and dried fruits and vegetables are great ways to still get the nutrients of the food, without having to spend as much. Be sure to check the label for added sodium and sugars that are not necessary!
#AddColor by trying a garden – Be in control of the produce you enjoy and try building a garden! Though it requires a lot of work, it saves a ton of money! Start small and “grow” from there ��

J ackie Genetin, RDN, LD

The 1,2,3's of Hernia Awareness

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 15:40:27 GMT

The 1,2,3's of Hernia Awareness

1. Did you know June is National Hernia Awareness Month?

A hernia occurs when an internal part of the body pushes through a weakness or defect in the body wall or muscle 5 million people are estimated to have some type of hernia.However, only approximately 750,000 people per year seek medical attention for their hernia. Hernias do not go away or get smaller on their own. Without correction, hernias usually become larger and more painful and uncomfortable and prevent people from enjoying favorite activities.As the hernia becomes larger, the bulge may limit mobility and/or the ability to perform physical exertion and/or exercise. The most optimal treatment for hernias with the best result is surgical intervention. The type of surgical repair will depend on the location, size and whether the hernia is a primary occurrence (first time) or recurrent after a prior repair. Hernia surgeries are common procedures that we are currently offering at Pomerene.

2. What are the potential complications of an unrepaired hernia?

Hernia repair is an elective procedure. The main complications of hernias are incarceration and strangulation.Incarceration occurs when the hernia and its contents can not be pushed, or reduced, back into the internal part of the body. Strangulation occurs after the hernia becomes incarcerated and then swelling cuts off the blood supply to the hernia and its contents.Incarceration and strangulation are surgical emergencies and medical attention should be sought immediately. The signs symptoms of incarceration/strangulation are a persistent bulge at the hernia site that can not be reduced, increasing pain at the site of the hernia, increasing redness, and increasing swelling of the skin/soft tissue overlying the hernia.Nausea and vomiting may indicate incarceration/strangulation of bowel and resultant obstruction.

3. What are the types of hernias?

Abdominal Hernia – Also referred to as a ventral hernia.Abdominal hernias generally occur above the belt line.
Umbilical Hernia – Occurs around or in your belly button. If your belly button typically is pushed in, but suddenly appears to have something bulging out then you most likely have an umbilical hernia.
Incisional Hernia – Occurs at the incision line of a previous surgery.The site is weakened because of the cutting of the skin, tissue, & muscles in that particular area.
Femoral Hernia – Occurs in the upper inner thigh or groin area. These types of hernias are more common in women.
Inguinal Hernia –Occurs on either the left or right side (sometimes both sides = bilateral inguinal hernia).The bulge can be appreciated in the groin below the belt line and/or extending into the scrotum. This particular hernia is more common in men.

Author: Michael Schell, M.D.

Older Adult Care During COVID-19

Wed, 27 May 2020 15:44:19 GMT

Older Adult Care During COVID-19

How can older adults keep healthy while at home?

The current situation is overwhelming in many ways. We are all fighting an invisible enemy. It’s not going to go away anytime soon and we all have to practice living with it, taking necessary precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

In this stressful situation, along with protecting us from being exposed to whatever it is out there, it is even more important to keep our chronic medical conditions under check for better quality of life. Stress causes lot of physical and psychological changes.

Stress eating, lack of activity, change in routine schedules/sleeping patterns and mood changes will adversely affect our health, especially if we have chronic health co-morbities like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, obesity, depression, etc.

Certain things that we all can do to maintain good health are:

Keep our regular routine and schedules as much as possible even though we are at home most of the time
Being compliant with medications
Keeping track of blood sugars and blood pressure as indicated by your doctor
Checking with your provider’s office in a timely manner if there are any acute health concerns
Keeping yourself active as much as possible
Take a walk when possible to increase number of steps
Simple aerobic exercises, stretching exercises, yoga, gardening, etc. can be safely done at home.
Never lose motivation. Even if it’s just for 10-15 minutes a day, it’s okay! KEEP MOVING!
Always try to eat healthy! Increase Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet to help elevate your mood.
oOmega 3 fatty acids can be found in a handful of mixed nuts, seafood, flaxseeds, and chia seeds to name few.
Take probiotics
If you ever feel the situation is getting out of hand and/or you feel depressed or stressed, please seek help immediately. “WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGEHTER”

What are some ways to prevent falls?

Avoiding sudden changes in position and quick turns will help to maintain balance thus decreasing falls
Pay attention to surroundings. Use a cane, hold onto support/side rails when possible
Keep hydrated
Wear comfortable shoes that fit well and be careful while walking on uneven or slippery surfaces
Contact your provider’s office if you think your blood pressure or heart rate are running low
Taking a Vitamin D supplement daily
Check with your eye doctor if there is a problem with vision

What are some activities that can help keep my loved one busy while at home?

Drawing, word puzzles, painting, board games, gardening, routine house chores, anything and everything that elevates ones’ mood. Use judgement on ability and follow necessary safety precautions.

What are some important things for me to monitor with my loved one?

Monitor:

Blood sugar if he/she is diabetic
Blood pressure
Weight check if history of heart failure
Obesity
Salt and fluid intake check if history of heart failure
Maintaining a food diary helps to keep track of carb/fat intake

What should my loved one do to protect themselves if they need to go out of the house to grocery shop or run errands?

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN CURE. But when we cannot avoid being out please try to:
Maintain adequate social distancing i.e., at least 6 ft distance all the times
Washing hands more frequently
Not touching unnecessary surfaces/objects when out as much as possible
Coughing or sneezing into ones’ sleeve or arm
Wearing a face mask if he/she has no contraindications and is able to tolerate

Author: Rohini Kalisetti, M.D., Pomerene Internal Medicine

Your Questions Answered with Dr. Rodney Miller

Sat, 09 May 2020 15:52:20 GMT

Your Questions Answered with Dr. Rodney Miller

How concerned should I be about going to my doctor visit or having a procedure at the hospital?

That is a very good question, and the answer may change with time. Currently the CDC is recommending people isolate themselves to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, seeking medical care is warranted. In-person visits or telemedicine can be utilized. Hospitals and offices are routinely monitoring patient and employee temperatures as they enter and exit the building. Also sometimes obtaining a travel history and finding out if they or a close acquaintance may have symptoms that are concerning. Of course, social distancing is recommended as well as wearing a face covering over the mouth and nose to help prevent the spread of the disease. It is also encouraged to avoid large gatherings.

Asymptomatic people with no symptoms or pre-symptomatic people who have yet to develop symptoms can be potentially spreading the disease. Testing can be carried out to determine if a person has the disease, or has antibodies to COVID-19. Facilities are routinely cleaning thoroughly to help avoid the spread of the disease. With that being said, Holmes County has had a low incidence of COVID-19 and hopefully with our appropriate measures in place, it is relatively safe to visit your doctor or hospital.

Can I have my elective surgery?

Recently, the governor of Ohio has allowed elective surgeries to be performed at the hospitals and surgery centers. They are trying to avoid prolonged inpatient stays for non-emergency surgeries. Also, we are trying to prioritize patient care based on symptoms. Patients are being screened for symptoms of COVID-19 and testing may be performed preoperatively to check for the disease Patients are recommended to self-quarantine for two weeks to avoid becoming sick and potentially having complications of the disease. Patients that are elderly and have medical conditions may benefit from avoiding surgery if their symptoms allow.

I am trying to avoid surgery, how can I control my joint pain?

Ice, heat or pain-relieving ointments can be tried. Ace wrap or a brace could also be considered. Home exercises, chiropractic treatments and/or physical therapy, either virtual or in-person, could be utilized.If you are not allergic, Tylenol is typically a safe over-the-counter pain reliever. Never exceed the amount recommended on the bottle. Motrin or Aleve, anti-inflammatories, at low doses for a short period of time may also help. However, anti-inflammatory medications can increase your risk of stomach ulcers, heart attacks and stroke. Therefore, it is recommended to talk to your primary care provider before taking these medications for any length of time. Injections, such as cortisone or other medications, can help alleviate pain.

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, utilizes a telephone call or cell phone with video capabilities, or a computer for the provider to evaluate the patient remotely Most insurances are now paying for this service to help maintain patient safety as well as the safety of the provider and their staff. A history and physical exam can be performed this way, and a treatment plan can be implemented. Follow-up visits, either virtually with telemedicine or in-person for future treatment, x-rays or injections can be established.

pomerene-medical-group

Welcome Dr. Vivian Chidi

Training and experience

What Dr. Chidi helps patients with

Procedures and services offered

Location and appointments

Why Women’s Health Care Matters at Every Age

Women’s health care is not the same for everyone, and it changes over time.

Dr. Leon Miller Retires After 37 Years of Service

After 37 years of dedicated service, Dr. Leon Miller has retired from his surgical practice.

Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Sporting Clay Shoot

Sporting Clay Shoot - June 19, 2026

Event Details

Team Registration

Sponsorship Opportunities

Why It Matters

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes First Baby of 2026

Baby girl Oaklynn arrives on New Year’s Day!

Welcome Carrick Miller

Pomerene Welcomes Carrick Miller to Family Care Team

Pomerene Updates Visitation Guidelines

Effective December 1st 2025, Pomerene's visitation guidelines:

New Director of Laboratory Services

Tony Malatesta Named Pomerene Director of Laboratory Services ﻿

New Providers In Family Care & Internal Medicine

Pomerene Welcomes Jodi Swihart & Brayden Chaney

Jenna Jacobs new Executive Director of Human Resources

Pomerene Hospital Names Jenna Jacobs as Executive Director of Human Resources

2025 Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival

Pomerene Auxiliary presents

the 16th Annual Christmas Festival

Friday, December 5th 2025

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 6th 2025

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The countdown is on!

Celebrating Community at the 2025 Antique Festival

A Gift of Comfort

Local Business Donates 150 Pillows to Pomerene Hospital

Pomerene Receives CPR Training Kit from American Heart Association

Training Kit to Support Lifesaving Education

Auxiliary Contribution Improves Patient Experience in Obstetrics

Pomerene Hospital Auxiliary Provides Funding for Flooring Replacement in Obstetrics Unit

2025 Energy Cup Award Winner

Pomerene Hospital Receives Ohio Hospital Association’s 2025 Energy Cup Award

Recognized for Excellence in Rural Stroke Care

Pomerene Hospital Earns American Heart Association’s 2025 Get With The Guidelines ® –Rural Stroke Bronze Award

Pomerene Hospital Expands Sleep Services Through Partnership with Board-Certified Sleep Specialist

Expanded Services Aim to Help Patients Sleep Better, Feel Better, and Live Healthier

Pomerene Hospital Earns National Recognition from the American Heart Association

Awarded Gold for Excellence in Rural Heart Attack Care

Pomerene Hospital Names New Chief Executive Officer

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New CEO, Anne Gunther

2025 DAISY Award Recipients

Pomerene Hospital Honors 2025 DAISY Award Recipients

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New Board-Certified OB/GYN

Pomerene Hospital Welcomes New Board-Certified OB/GYN

Pomerene Hospital Encourages Local Residents to Take Advantage of Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings Through BCCP

Take Charge of Your Health: Free Breast & Cervical Cancer Screenings

2024 Pomerene Auxiliary Christmas Festival

Join us for the 15th Annual Christmas Festival!

Friday, December 6th

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, December 7th

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The countdown is on!

Thank you to all our sponsors!

Pomerene Hospital Honored as One of Northeast Ohio's Top Workplaces

Recognized for 19th Time, Pomerene Hospital Celebrates Exceptional Work Environment and Employee Satisfaction

Pomerene Receives AHA Awards for Excellence in Heart and Stroke Care

Pomerene Receives a Trio of AHA Awards for Excellence in Heart and Stroke Care

Smith brings holistic approach to medical care in Loudonville

Matthews brings passion for midwifery care to Pomerene

Pomerene obtains accreditation from the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality

Pomerene Hospital receives American Heart Association award

Permanent hair removal is here!

Flawless Electrolysis

Easy Peasy Mammograms

Pomerene Announces Collaboration with MDsave to Provide Screening Mammograms at Reduced Costs for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pomerene to Host Annual “Baby Walk” Walkathon October 14, 2023

Tony Malatesta Named Pomerene Director of Laboratory Services