Jay on Healthcare

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-04T11:28:00.000-07:00

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

We are taking a strong team approach here at Tuomey to fight this disease with everything we have. Dr. Henry Moses, one of our talented surgeons, summed it up best when he said he hoped to work himself out of a job someday. We hope he gets his wish.

I’d like to put a plug in for the Fall issue of LifeTimes, which is being mailed today. You can also see a digital copy of the magazine on our website and Facebook page on Friday.

In this issue, our LifeTimes staff will look at the different stages of a woman’s life and how we are here to serve you as you enter those different parts of your life. And we dedicate this issue to the women in our community. Strong, vibrant women, like our two new Tuomey board members – Nicole Norris and Kim Harvin. These dedicated women joined our board in July and are sure to work hard for your hospital.

We also take a look at our physician partners and what they are doing to take care of women. Sumter Ob/Gyn, which has been a part of this community for more than 75 years, offers procedures and surgeries using the latest technology. There is no reason to leave this community for your gynecological or obstetric services. You won’t find better care anywhere.

As you read through this issue, we hope you gain some additional insight on how your community hospital is here for you – in each stage of a woman’s life. And we do it all for one reason: Our patients.

Sincerely,

Jay Cox, FACHE
President & CEO

Tuomey CFO retires; replacement named

2011-05-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

For more than 25 years, Paul Johnson has served admirably as the Chief Financial Officer for Tuomey Healthcare System. Mr. Johnson retired on April 30, 2011.

We already miss his intelligence, strong leadership and his dedication to our mission. But most importantly, we’ll miss his friendship and wonderful sense of humor.

"On behalf of the entire Tuomey Family, I want to thank Paul Johnson for his leadership over the past 25 years as Tuomey's Chief Financial Officer," President and CEO Jay Cox said. " We wish Paul the best as he enters this new phase of his life."

As one chapter closes, we open another.

Michael H. Winiarski has begun work as our new CFO. Mr. Winiarski, CPA, has more than 30 years of successful experience providing fiscal, strategic and operations leadership. He comes to us from Ohio after serving most recently as the CFO at East Liverpool City Hospital.

He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and also a member of the HFMA.

We are extremely proud of Mr. Johnson’s work at Tuomey, and we look forward to the service of Mr. Winiarski.

"We welcome Mike and look forward to working with him," Cox added.

MICHAEL H. WINIARSKI, CFO
TUOMEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM129 N. Washington St.Sumter, SC 29150
803.774.8616
michael.winiarski@tuomey.com

Update on Federal Court Case

2011-01-14T14:25:00.000-08:00

To the friends of Tuomey:

I would like to share some additional news concerning our court case. You are all aware that a new trial has been postponed until the Fourth Circuit has a chance to review the entire case. This is news we are very pleased with. Our legal team filed an additional brief with the court earlier in the month, and we are now waiting on the government to respond. In addition, we are very pleased with a recent filing by the American Hospital Association (AHA) in support of our case. This is a major stand by the AHA, and we are proud of their support. Click the following links for both filings – Tuomey’s and the AHA’s.

Thank you for your continued support.

Jay Cox
President & CEO

McLeod Healthcare is NOT buying Tuomey

2011-01-14T14:18:00.000-08:00

To the friends of Tuomey:

We have become aware of a rumor that McLeod Healthcare is, or may be, in negotiations to purchase Tuomey Healthcare. These rumors are simply NOT true. There have been NO discussions, negotiations or any other contact between Tuomey and McLeod concerning the sale of Tuomey or any part of Tuomey.

While we feel that it is difficult to respond to each and every rumor that may arise as the future of healthcare in all communities becomes a part of the national debate, we feel that it is important to respond to this particular issue.

Thank you for your continued support, and we are looking forward to a great 2011.

Sincerely,

Chal Glenn
Chair, Tuomey Healthcare System Board of Trustees

Jay Cox
President & CEO, Tuomey Healthcare System

AHA supports Tuomey in Stark Law appeal

2011-01-12T13:15:00.000-08:00

The American Hospital Association (“AHA”) has submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of Tuomey Healthcare System, Inc.

AHA is particularly interested in this case because it presents two matters of first impression in the federal appellate courts concerning the Ethics in Patient Referrals Act, more commonly known as the Stark Law.

The first is whether hospitals are entitled to rely on official commentary published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) in making decisions about how to structure their operations to be compliant with the Stark Law.

The second is what evidentiary showing is required to determine the amount the Government may recover—in equity or otherwise—for hospital services furnished pursuant to “referrals” that purportedly violate the Stark Law.

The AHA's position is that hospitals must be able to rely on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' official guidance for complying with the Stark Law, without worrying that the Department of Justice will later disavow conduct consistent with the guidance, the AHA said in an amicus brief filed yesterday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.

To read the entire brief that was filed click here.

* Founded in 1898, AHA is the national advocacy organization for hospitals in the United States. It represents approximately 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, and other health care organizations, as well as 37,000 individual members.

AHA’s mission is to promote high quality health care and health services through leadership and assistance to hospitals in meeting the health care needs of their communities.

Happy New Year from Tuomey!

2010-12-30T08:46:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from Tuomey!

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T06:04:00.000-08:00

As we pause for Thanksgiving this week, we'd like to thank all of our patients and families for choosing Tuomey. Also we'd like to thank all of our physicians, nurses and other employees for their outstanding service.

We honor all veterans ...

2010-11-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

Today is Veterans Day. Please join us in saluting all the veterans who have served our country and continue to serve our community.

We honor all veterans, active duty military and reservists by upholding the freedoms for which they fought. We honor their families as well – their parents, siblings, spouses and children, who also sacrifice.

Update on Federal Court Case

2010-08-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

From: Jay Cox, President & CEO

Subject: Tuomey Court Hearing

Date: August 27, 2010

This morning in Columbia, Judge Matthew Perry granted Tuomey's request to immediately appeal all of the rulings he issued after the jury trial last March. The appeal is to the United States Court of Appeals located in Richmond, Virginia. The Hospital's legal counsel believe today marked a very important first step in reversing the prior rulings against Tuomey and reinstating the Jury's verdict in favor of Tuomey. This appeals process could take at least 12 months.

Our employees' continued support provides great strength to those who are directly involved in the case on Tuomey's behalf. Tuomey is committed to bringing this matter to a resolution, which will allow the Hospital to remain a strong asset for the Sumter community. We will keep you informed as there are new developments.
Back to News List

ICARE Wall unveiled

2010-08-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, August 11, Tuomey held a reception honoring those employees who are included on our new ICARE Wall in the Main Lobby of Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

The ICARE Wall features fifteen Tuomey employees who are award winning Service Stars and who exemplify our core values: Integrity. Compassion. Accountability. Respect. Excellence.

After remarks by Tuomey Vice President Michelle Logan-Owens, each employee was presented with a photograph copy of his/her ICARE portrait.

ICARE Wall Honorees

Birnie Brooks

Frances McCray

Samantha Coulter

Lance DuBose

Seth Dyke

Kenya Clanton

Bobbie Booth

Hattie Stukes

Brian Huskey

Bernadette Sims

Brenda Mobley

Barney Keitt

Gwen Windham

Lisa Reardon

Marianna Hall

Dianne Simon

Care Reach video released

2010-07-22T08:40:00.000-07:00

Protecting the health of our children, regardless of their family's financial capabilities, is the sole purpose of Care Reach.

This program stretches deep into the heart of Sumter and Lee counties and connects children with needed medical and dental care.

Typically, these children are referred by school nurses and have problems that could affect educational outcomes.

Funded by The Tuomey Foundation, Care Reach takes a holistic approach to helping children, including enrolling them in Medicaid and addressing their behavioral issues, as well as their physical health problems.

A Q&A with Tuomey

2010-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Tuomey has been asked several questions by members of the community and the media. In order to be as helpful as possible, here are many of the questions and answers. We hope you find this information helpful!

When did Tuomey Regional Medical Center go from being managed by Quorum to being managed by Jay Cox?
The Tuomey Board has always had full control of Tuomey. Tuomey has been managed by the board, Jay Cox and his administrative team, since Jay was named CEO in 1990. Tuomey has had a management agreement with Quorum since the 1980s. Mr. Cox, Gregg Martin and Paul Johnson were employees of Quorum until 2005. At that time, the board decided it was best for the top three leaders of this organization to be employed by Tuomey. When the management team became sole employees of Tuomey, Tuomey modified its agreement to reduce the services being provided. Accordingly, we are still a QHR (Quorum) hospital, which gives us tremendous buying power for medical equipment and supplies and other benefits.

Why did the board terminate the contract with Quorum?
The contracts with QHR were not terminated. We are still a QHR hospital. The only substantial change was the Tuomey Board’s desire for all executive team members to be Tuomey employees.

Was there a press release regarding this announcement?
When this happened, all employees of Tuomey were made aware of the change in status. There were meetings with both management and employee relations, to make sure that all Tuomey employees were aware of the change.

Did current board members that practice medicine vote to approve their own contracts?
No, any board members who were involved in the part-time physician contracts not only didn’t vote on the contracts, they left the room when the board was making its decisions on the part-time physician contracts.

Is the board aware - and have they discussed the fact - that the (just out of bankruptcy) Natchez (Miss.) Regional Medical Center is suing Quorum Health Resources and two Quorum employees for $46 million in damages for “negligence, breach of fiduciary duties, fraud and other wrongful acts and omissions” committed during 2006 and 2007, including violations of the Stark Law?
Tuomey’s board has not discussed this case, since it has absolutely nothing to do with our hospital or our arrangements with Quorum. Are any of Tuomey’s financial records available to the community? Tuomey’s 990s are a matter of public record, and are available to anyone who would like to review them.Are hospital financial records of the past 20 years available to us for review? Do board members get health insurance paid after a certain amount of service? Again, our 990s are available for anyone to see. Board members are NOT paid any compensation and they do NOT receive any health benefits. In fact, it is truly a volunteer job with no compensation.

What were the terms of any and all government offers of a settlement?
When did the offers occur? Why were these offers rejected? Tuomey did its absolute best to resolve this matter before it went to court. All negotiations are confidential, and since the case is still pending, we are not at liberty to discuss the details of any discussions.

There are no attorneys on the board. If not, please explain why?
There are currently no attorneys on the board, but there have been in the past. Also, Tuomey has an in-house attorney at all board meetings.

What are the terms of Jay Cox’s employment contract? Do board members face personal liability for their decisions?
Tuomey does not release personnel information on any of its employees. Board members are not facing any personal liability in this case.

How much, as of June 29, 2010, has the hospital spent on its lawsuit with the government?
Over the past seven years, including all legal fees and fair market valuation fees for the design and implementation of contracts and the federal lawsuit, the hospital has spent almost $8 million.

Did Tuomey try and get the government’s opinion on these contracts?
The Tuomey Board approved taking the contracts to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Columbia to determine if there were any problems with the arrangements. In September 2005, Tuomey's attorneys met with an assistant U.S. Attorney and described the situation and later provided her with a copy of the agreement in question. This occurred before the whistleblower lawsuit was filed by the physician in question in October 2005. Tuomey's attorneys were told that the Government would get back with them if there were any questions or concerns. The next thing that Tuomey's attorneys heard from the Government was in February 2006, when they were informed of the existence of the whistleblower lawsuit.

Tuomey Board responds to lawsuit

2010-06-14T06:21:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last several years reading negative articles and letters to the editor regarding Tuomey Healthcare System and its case with the United States Government with particular attention given that we are the Board of Trustees for Tuomey. Because of the pending litigation, Tuomey’s lawyers advised Board members not to comment on this matter. We can no longer sit idly by, in silence, regardless of the lawsuit.

For almost five years, Tuomey Healthcare System has attempted to clear its good name in an epic battle against the federal government, which was started by the allegations of one local doctor. To this day, we believe that Tuomey followed both the letter and the spirit of the law. We did not ask for this fight with the Government, and contrary to statements made by people who do not know all of the facts, Tuomey has made several attempts to settle this issue over the last several years.

The only reason that this situation is not yet resolved hinges on the Government’s unwillingness to address this issue in a reasonable fashion. Rather, the Government has accused Tuomey, and by implication all of the fine doctors, nurses and other people who work here, of terrible things, none of which are true. At trial, the Government asked the jury to award it almost $300 million dollars based on allegations that Tuomey committed fraud against the Government.

To learn how we ended up where we are today, we have to look back to how this process began. Over six years ago, the Tuomey Board of Trustees made the decision to implement a strategy to work more closely with the physicians on its medical staff in an effort to improve the quality of care provided in Sumter and to create a more stable environment for physicians who work in the community. Tuomey’s Board felt that it needed to create these arrangements in order to keep these physicians in the community as the business side of practicing medicine weakened making it more difficult to practice medicine in our community.

Contracts like these which allow the physicians and hospitals to work more closely with one another are common throughout South Carolina and the rest of the country. Physicians and hospitals are actually being encouraged by Congress and other federal agencies to work more closely together. Tuomey obtained expert advice from outside attorneys and consultants who were experienced in health care law to assist in developing this physician integration strategy.

With their assistance and upon their guidance, we developed arrangements with members of medical staff to comply with the law. Tuomey believed at that time and still believes that those contracts are legal. Of the dozens of physicians that we talked with about this arrangement, only one physician raised any questions or concerns regarding the contracts. That doctor only raised those concerns after negotiations broke down because Tuomey refused to pay him more money than what was allowed in our fair market value opinions.

We looked into the concerns raised by the doctor and obtained a second legal opinion telling us that the contracts were legal. In the interest of transparency, Tuomey also authorized our attorneys to turn over a copy of the contracts in question to the U.S. Attorney's office in Columbia in September 2005. This was before the local physician filed his “whistleblower” suit.

Our lawyers were told by the Government that they would hear back if there were any problems. The next time that Tuomey heard from the Government was not until February 2006 when it was informed that it was under investigation for fraud. Since that time, Tuomey has been in a fight for its life. We never wanted to spend millions of dollars on lawyers and consultants to defend ourselves but we were left with no choice. That money would have been better spent on providing health care services to citizens that we serve. But the Board believed and still believes that since the contracts were legal, and were entered into to better serve the community, it would be wrong to simply cave in to Government pressure and terminate the contracts, which would undo any benefit that the community would realize by having the doctors and hospital work more closely with one another. We stood up for our rights and the interests of the people of Sumter, even though we knew it would be a tough fight. Some are now criticizing us for doing what we firmly believe was the right thing to do.

Several times during this period, we thought that we had the issue settled only to find that the Government did not want to settle the matter. Needless to say the last four years have been a nightmare for Tuomey and yet we kept the doors open and we kept our high standards of medical care for the community. From 2006-2009, Tuomey provided charitable or free care in the amount of $156,119,467 of total charges while defending this lawsuit.

In March of this year, Tuomey was left with no choice but to go to trial against the federal government. Tuomey did not want to put the hospital's very existence at risk but the government again left Tuomey no choice. The government sought almost $300 million from Tuomey. That would have put us out of business for good and put thousands of people out of work during the worst economic crisis in a century. Fortunately, a jury of 12 South Carolina citizens reached a verdict and determined that Tuomey did not violate the False Claims Act and that the Government was entitled to nothing. We believe this verdict completely vindicated Tuomey. Unfortunately, the judge recently indicated that he intended to throw the jury verdict out, order a new trial, and actually hand the Government over $50,000,000 dollars even before Tuomey has a chance to defend itself at the new trial. With all due respect to the judge, Tuomey believes this ruling is incorrect and will seek to have it reversed. If this judgment is enforced, Tuomey will be severely injured and this will impact our community.

The jury's verdict form did indicate that the jury thought that Tuomey violated the federal Stark law. The Stark law is a complex Medicare payment statute. It is not a criminal law or a fraud law. The jury’s verdict form gave no specific indication of how the hospital purportedly violated the Stark law. The Government asked the jury to give it money for the violation of the Stark law and False Claim Act. The fact that the jury did not award any money to the Government even though it stated that the Stark law was violated further supports Tuomey’s position.

This has been a harrowing journey for Tuomey. The citizens of Sumter need to understand that the Tuomey Board has been highly engaged in this process every step of the way and has always tried to do what we felt was in the best interest of our hospital. We have not been reckless or careless when considering the threats made by the Government. Despite having multiple lawyers, law firms, and consultants tell us that we did not violate any of the applicable laws; we still continued to look for a way to settle this matter.

A jury of our peers and yours agreed with us. Now the original verdict has been called into question. Tuomey and everyone in Sumter are faced with an unfortunate fact of life that has become all too common in today’s world -- if you disagree with the federal Government, you will pay--and pay dearly. Undoubtedly, the Government and others involved in this case are looking for a big payday, at the expense of the Sumter community. We believe this is legally and morally wrong, especially since the Government got what it paid for when it paid claims to Tuomey, that is, quality medical services for Medicare patients. At no time were any allegations made or evidence presented by the Government that Tuomey billed for services that were not performed or that were not necessary. The disproportionality of the penalties imposed by the Court are shocking, considering that no one was hurt by anything that the Government alleged. To the contrary, these fine doctors provided needed surgical care to thousands in our community.

The Tuomey Board is comprised of volunteers who all live in Sumter County. We are not paid a dime for our service on the Board. We take our fiduciary duties very seriously. We are proud of our administration, our doctors and our employees and their successes over the last 20 years. Their efforts have made Tuomey into one of the South Carolina’s best hospitals. Unfortunately, we do not see articles or news in the local paper about Tuomey's successes or the positive impact that it has on Sumter.

You should ask yourself why that is. You should also ask why the local paper has seemingly acted as a cheerleader for the Government throughout this process and seemingly rooted for a result that would cripple the community. We know that the Government and the so-called “whistleblower” and his attorneys stand to make a pretty penny off this process, but in doing so they are threatening Tuomey’s very existence. You might also want to write to your elected representatives, such as Congressmen Clyburn and Spratt, and Senators Graham and DeMint, to ask them why the Government is trying to destroy our local hospital.

In the end, regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, Tuomey’s Board, management, physicians and employees remain committed to providing quality health care now and in the future. So when you hear some uninformed people attacking Tuomey and the folks who provide care there, we ask you to consider the enormous value that Tuomey has brought to this community and whether it is in our shared interest to tear down what we have spent decades building. Tuomey deserves better and so does the Sumter community.

Board of Trustees of Tuomey Healthcare System:
Bobby Boykin, Chairman
Chal Glenn, Vice Chairman
Greg Thompson, Treasurer
Steve Creech, Secretary
Andy McFaddin, MD, Chief of Medical Staff
Jay Cox, President & CEO
Rev. James Blassingame
John Brabham
Henry Moses, MD
Phil Palmer
Kay Raffield
Sam Riddle, MD
Charles White, MD
Mitch Williams

A Century of Community Care

2010-05-06T07:44:00.000-07:00

For close to 100 years, our focus at Tuomey has been on providing the people of this region with the finest healthcare services, delivered daily by a highly trained team of doctors, nurses and caregivers. Our goals have been to watch families celebrate new beginnings, help patients recover from injury and illness, and to make sure that every person who walks in our doors is cared for in a way that meets both our mission and your expectations.

The government is continuing to try to recover millions of dollars from Tuomey – even after a jury determined that no false claims were filed. And now the government has requested a new trial, asking the judge to throw out the jury’s verdict. Because of this continued legal case, we can defend our reputation only in court filings, not through the news media. We trust the people of Sumter will render their fair-minded verdict based upon their own experiences with Tuomey. We will continue to do our part in protecting and preserving the health and well-being of this community, and we appreciate your support over the past few months.

While we have faced challenges in recent years, our commitment to our basic values and mission – and to you – has never wavered, and neither has your support. We thank you for that, and we look forward to continuing our service in this community well into the future. It’s a privilege to serve you and to provide those daily miracles.

For more on Tuomey and our operations, please visit us at http://www.tuomey.com/. We’re proud of the work we do and the people who make it happen.

Jay

Pearls of Wisdom

2010-04-15T09:56:00.000-07:00

Pull on your best jeans and favorite boots for Tuomey’s popular ladies’ night out, PEARLS of WISDOM.

It’s a great opportunity to learn a new skill or try your hand at something creative. You’ll enjoy a light meal and have time to relax before you head into your choice of 3 workshops.

Tuesday, April 27, 20105:30 - 9:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church.

Click here for the 2010 Pearls of Wisdom brochure/entry form.

There are still a few remaining slots let, contact Brenda Chase at 803.774.8662 to reserve your spot today.

Sumter’s Got Talent

2010-02-18T07:28:00.000-08:00

If you’re not doing anything on Feb. 26th, you need to head on over to Patriot Hall. And if you already have other plans, you might want to reconsider and still join us. It’s time for the annual Sumter Arts Showcase, and I promise you will not find anything better.

For 13 years now, Miss Libby’s School of Dance has organized this Showcase to raise money for The Tuomey Foundation. And they have done an outstanding job! They have contributed more than $175,000 to hospital-related projects through the Sumter Arts Showcase and its generous sponsors, including the Sumter Junior Welfare League. This year, all proceeds are designated to enhance infant and newborn care in the nurseries at Tuomey.

The Broadway-style variety show is simply something you don’t want to miss. Of course, it has some of the best dancers in our community, but it’s even more than that. There is music, theater, comedy, the Sumter-Shaw Community Concert Band, Lakewood and Sumter high schools and the Alice Drive Baptist Church Choir. It has something for everyone.

And we all know “Miss” Libby Singleton, and we thank her for the wonderful vision and inspiration. And her co-owners, Seth and Jennifer Reimer, are doing an incredible job as the new kids on the block. This is their second year co-producing the show, and it just keeps getting better. (And we’ll never forget that this is the brainchild of former owner Debbie Bowen. We miss you Debbie!)

With more than 100 performers in the show, I’m certain you’ll find something you love. So make plans now to join us! If you want more information, or want to go ahead and buy your tickets now, contact The Tuomey Foundation at (803) 774-9014 or Miss Libby's School of Dance at (803) 469-8277. You will not be disappointed!

Top Marks for Tuomey

2010-02-03T06:52:00.000-08:00

When it comes to grades, Tuomey just got an A+ on a major exam. And I could not be more proud of the team that led us there. Although it takes every single Tuomey employee to make the wheels turn, there are several folks who head up our Joint Commission survey – and we simply could not do it without them. Debbie Mixon, Lois McCracken and Gloria Bateman are incredible! And let me explain why.

You see, we go through an accreditation survey process every three years. It is more than you could ever imagine. And it is tough! We have four or five Joint Commission surveyors here on our campus for four full days. And they look at everything – and I mean EVERYTHING. From physician care to HR files and pharmacy charts to lab results and nurses’ reports. They look at ceiling tiles and fire walls as well as every step you take in the building. They talk to patients and families and employees and board members. There is probably not one square inch that they don’t look at, inspect or review. It is grueling!

And according to The Joint Commision’s website, there are “more than 17,000 health care providers who use Joint Commission standards to guide how they administer care and continuously improve performance. The Joint Commission is also the only accrediting organization with the capability and experience to evaluate health care organizations across the continuum of care.”

They survey us every three years. And these are surprise visits. We do have an idea of what quarter in the year they might come, but that’s about it. They simply show up on our doorsteps at 7:30 in the morning – and there they go – straight into the hospital!

So, as you can imagine, this is not something you prepare for overnight. You have to stay Joint Commission-ready, throughout the year. And everyone plays a role; every department has a set of guidelines specifically written for their areas. But someone has to be in charge and watch over everything. And that’s where Debbie, Lois, and Gloria come in. They keep us on our toes at all times. They are constantly reviewing policies, standards and guidelines. They can probably quote you chapter and verse on just about everything TJC looks at and reviews. I just can’t tell you enough about these ladies. I often brag about “Team Tuomey,” and I am always so proud of the work we do – so forgive me this week if I go on and on about the team we have here in Sumter. They just don’t come any better.

And just one more word about TJC before I stop for the week. As grueling as the process is, I’m glad they visited us. And I’m glad they keep us on our toes at all times. Because it makes us better – not for us – but for you and your families. When you need us, and you’re worried about a loved one, you know they are getting the best possible care. Safety guidelines are followed, quality care is a commitment, and the folks at Tuomey are always working to make things better. Not because we have to, but because we WANT to. It is part of “Doing the Right Thing.”

A new name for a great service

2010-01-21T13:17:00.000-08:00

The name might be changing, but the dedication to children is only getting better. Many of you are probably familiar with our program called Health Reach. It’s been around since 1996, and the employees who run it have countless heart-warming stories about the children touched by their efforts to keep them healthy and in school.

Due to some internal Tuomey changes in structure, and the way the program is funded, we have to change the name. It will now be called Care Reach. But for folks in the community, that’s about the only thing you’ll notice that’s changing. Chris Watson is still going to run the program for us – and when it comes to caregivers, they don’t come with a bigger, more compassionate heart than Chris.

It’s such a tremendous program! They connect children in Sumter and Lee counties with the medical and dental care they need. And in case you’re wondering, Care Reach has no generated income and no billable services, nor does it ever charge a child for care. In 2007 alone, Tuomey spent more than $260,000 serving children through this program.

Protecting the health of our children, regardless of their family's financial capabilities, is the sole purpose of Care Reach. This program stretches deep into the heart of Sumter and Lee counties and connects children with the doctors and dentists they need. Typically, these children are referred by school nurses and have problems that could affect educational outcomes. The nurses and providers in the program take a holistic approach to helping children, including enrolling them in Medicaid and addressing their behavioral issues, as well as their physical health problems.

Sometimes, as Chris has explained to me so many times, one cavity can turn into many more, and then there’s the oral surgery they’ll need or the additional visits to check out issues now related to their gums. And if your teeth hurt, you are not going to learn. It’s that simple.

It’s an incredible program that has served our community for more than a decade, and one that we feel should continue. When you’re helping thousands of children – more than 3,000 in the first decade – it’s a program you need to support. And we’re doing our part to make a difference in the lives of children.

If you need more information on Care Reach, or would like to help support the program – call Chris Watson at 774-9009. You’ll be proud of the work they do!

Ten things for 2010

2010-01-07T08:44:00.001-08:00

OK, I’m not going to call them resolutions! Just 10 things to think about for 2010. Ten things that we can all do – realistically – to make our lives better. We all start out with great intentions in January, but sometimes we make our goals a little too high. So we are going to be realistic here. We are going to make 2010 great by following these simple rules (at least most of the time).

Be realistic. That’s my first promise to myself this year. What’s the saying: “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” And it wasn’t. So whatever bad habits we have, we are going to change them slowly. We can’t fix everything today. Give yourself a break.

Make a plan. Stick to it. And prayer does help.

Get out and move. Exercise is great for everyone and it makes us feel better. And we’ll get healthier along the way. Walk a few extra feet in the parking lot, take the stairs, ride a bike with your child, golf with your son, go swim at the lake this summer. Just move!

Manage your stress. I know, I know. This one is easier said than done. But we should all try. Make a list, think about what’s important, set goals, prioritize. When you can check things off a list, you will feel better. Breathe. Take a yoga class.

Cut out some salt. And some sugar. Take small steps, but know that these two things aren’t all that great for you. And salt raises your blood pressure.

If you haven’t quit smoking, DO IT NOW! It’s time. I know it’s hard, but do it. Now! There are doctors out there who can help.

Get a physical each year. It’s important to know what’s going on with your body. Find a good family doctor and visit him or her. There are so many reasons to take good care of you.

Control your portions. Use a smaller plate and a smaller bowl. I know that sounds simple, but nutrition experts say it really works. Eat your fruits and veggies, nuts, beans, and lean proteins.

Do something for you. Especially you moms out there. You do so much for your families, that you sometimes neglect yourself. Go to a movie with a friend, have a small piece of (dark) chocolate. Get a manicure.

Help others. This one is probably the most important, and will make you feel better than most anything. Whether it’s donating blood, supporting the SPCA, giving canned food to a needy cause or money to United Ministries, you should make a difference. Knowing that you have helped someone who really needs it, that’s making a change!

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T12:48:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year from all your friends at Tuomey Healthcare System.

See you all in 2010!

The Lights of Christmas

2009-12-21T07:24:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t stopped by Tuomey lately, now’s the time to visit. The main hospital lobby, the Women’s Pavilion, the Outpatient Surgery Center and our Calhoun Street entrance are beautiful right now, thanks to the Christmas trees decorated and sponsored by so many friends of Tuomey. The decorations are incredible – handmade ornaments, traditional bright red balls, beautiful white lights – these trees have it all!

And the best part? In addition to brightening up the hospital, all proceeds are going toward Tuomey’s Hospice program. More than $50,000 has been raised this year alone through our Festival of Trees program. The Tuomey Foundation does an incredible job with this event each year, and the chairman of this event, J. Grady Locklear, gives his heart and soul to this festival, year after year. Thank you Dr. Locklear – it’s an understatement to say that we could not do this without you.

Each year, as we kick off the Festival of Trees and Circle of Lights program, we have a special Hospice family who turns on the lights at the opening program. They really get the event started, and help us to all remember why we do what we do. This year we were so proud to have the Moses family with us to do the honors. I cannot begin to tell you how much this family means to me personally, and to the history of this hospital (and entire community). The lights were turned on this year in memory of Tat Moses, one of our long-time employees who recently passed away from cancer. On hand were her husband, Richard Moses, and children, Dr. Henry Moses, a surgeon, and Mary Deakin, an RN at Tuomey. Richard served on the Tuomey board for more than 25 years, and has remained such a dedicated supporter of this hospital. We’re so blessed to have this family in our community.

If you can’t make it down to visit the trees, check them out on-line. There’s a great slide show at www.tuomey.com, showcasing the opening night’s event. It’s worth a visit.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tuomey Home Health Wins BIG

2009-12-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

When it comes to Home Health care, I’ve always known we have the best in the business. Now we have the national accolades to prove it. If you didn’t get a chance to read Belton White’s article in last week’s Item, click here to read the article.

Headed up by Kathy McMaster and Kim Price, you won’t find a more comprehensive program anywhere. If it can be done with a doctor’s order in your home, we can take care of it. And apparently better than just about anyone. Tuomey’s Home Health team was recognized recently with a 2009 Summit Award from Press Ganey, a company that partners with more than 10,000 healthcare facilities to rate and survey customer satisfaction.

Tuomey was one of only 74 winners at the national meeting, and the ONLY one who provides in-home services. The Tuomey program was recognized for maintaining an extremely high level of patient satisfaction over a three-year period. In fact, their patient satisfaction scores were in the 95th percentile or higher for those three years.

In addition to this incredible honor, the Home Health team was also named to the 2009 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top performing home health agencies in the U.S. This annual review identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and then highlights the top 500 within that group. Winners are ranked by an analysis of quality outcomes and improvement, as well as financial performance.

Manager Kim Price gives all the credit to her staff, but I want to take this time to applaud everyone – from the top of this department down. You give incredible clinical care, obviously, but that extra touch is really what makes you all shine. You are focused on the patient and his or her family; you always seem to work with a joyful spirit; and the patient comes first –every single time.

If you’re not really sure what all Home Health can do, check us out at www.tuomey.com/outreach/inhomeservices. I promise – you won’t find anyone who can do it better!

Being thankful

2009-11-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

We all know the tradition. You sit around the table telling everyone what you’re thankful for this year. A good job. Some savings. Healthy children. Most of us have some sort of tradition that goes that way, me included. And one of the things that I am thankful for is our wonderful hospital. The people that work at Tuomey are incredible. Let me tell you a quick story, and I think you’ll agree just how incredible they really are.

We had a case last year that was heart-breaking. One of those gut-wrenching stories that brings tears to your eyes. We had a lady on our oncology floor who had terminal cancer. She was going to die, and it was going to happen soon. Unfortunately, sometimes when people get cancer, no one can cure them. They die. And that in itself is heartbreaking. But you see, her husband was in ICU – and his prognosis at the time was not very good either. And they had two boys – 18 & 15.

Can you just imagine? Being that young and watching both of your parents slip away, on separate floors in a hospital – and you are not even out of your teens. Heart-breaking.

Members of the nursing staff and some of our case managers wanted to do something. Anything. The boys just wanted their family together. So that’s what they did. In her final hours, staff members pushed the mom’s bed into the ICU and placed her beside her husband. There they would lie beside each other – one last time, and the boys would have their family together. The staff took pictures. One last family portrait.

The mom died soon after that, and the oldest son was joining the military to help support his younger brother. And our staff couldn’t change the outcome, but they could bring that family together one last time. One last memory.

That’s the kind of people we have here at Tuomey. I hope we never have to repeat the events in this case, but if we do, that’s what I’m thankful for this year. People like this. People who really care.

I also want to give thanks for this special place that we call home and for all the people who make it special. We give thanks for a baby’s cry and for a family’s happy tears because of a talented, caring team of doctors and nurses.

We give thanks for a life saved and the technology – and the technician – that allowed it to be so. We give thanks for a therapist that helped a loved one return to being the person they were – and better.

We give thanks for allowing us to be a shoulder to cry on, a hand to lift you up and a heart to care about your path ahead. We give thanks for a single heartbeat, because in that brief moment resides the difference that makes miracles.

We give thanks for the miracles that happen at Tuomey every day, and for Sumter and her citizens, as you allow us to be a part of your lives.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Tuomey.

Home of the Brave

2009-11-18T06:01:00.000-08:00

Since Veteran’s Day was last week, I started thinking about the military and what a great service they do. We are so blessed as a country to have the freedoms we enjoy. We live our lives – mostly – in peace. We go to bed at night, wake up the next day, send the kids out the door, head out to the office and go about our business. We don’t think much about our safety, our borders, our country. It’s just expected. You know, we Americans in general are a little spoiled. And I like that. I like knowing that I don’t have to worry about bombings in my city. And I’ve never had to worry about someone strapping themselves with dynamite and driving into the restaurant I’m sitting in. It’s a good feeling, and one that most of us take for granted.

So for today, I am not going to take it for granted. I’m going to look around the town and appreciate it all – if only for today, I hope you’ll do the same. Think about the stories we hear on the news. Look at what’s happening in Iraq and Afghanistan. And know for today that someone is looking out for you. Someone is wearing armor and helping to keep terror from our shores. Soldiers and airmen are fighting and willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free.

I am so proud of Shaw Air Force Base, and the men and women who serve there. I have known some incredible individuals who have come through Shaw. And there are plenty more who will serve there in the future. We talk about the economic impact Shaw brings to our community, and that is important. Their fiscal impact is real. They buy homes, cars, groceries in our community. They send their children to school here and they pay taxes too. But the real impact is their service. Their service to us, our community, our country. They keep us safe.

And soon, we’ll have the Third Army here as well. We’ve already started welcoming some of their members to our community, and we are looking forward to meeting more over the next two to three years. We’ve always had a great relationship with our Air Force neighbors and I’m sure we’ll make the Army feel just as welcome. It’s the least we can do.

Also, I can’t write a blog like this without mentioning our very own General. We have been so blessed to have retired Gen. Tom Olsen as the chairman of our Tuomey Foundation board since it began in 1995. He was a true American hero and leader in Desert Storm. And he’s absolutely committed to the Sumter community and Tuomey today.

So, if only for today, remember how lucky we are to live, work and play in this great country. God Bless America!

“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” ~Elmer Davis

The Miracle of Medicine

2009-11-11T06:00:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that I’ve been in healthcare for a long time. You might however not know just how long. I started in 1966 when I was 15 years old. I worked part-time in Charlotte at Presbyterian Hospital, where I carried luggage up and down the elevators for the patients. I made 85 cents an hour. It was a good job; it was hard work and I learned a lot about people.

One of the things that I learned quickly was a lesson in faith. People – in general – have a lot of faith in their doctors. They did back then, and they still do today. And rightly so in almost all cases. Although we now research our own diseases on the internet, and we learn about medicines from TV commercials, we still have a tremendous amount of faith in what our doctors tell us. They have an expertise that’s very special. It’s a gift.

Here at Tuomey, I have worked with some incredible physicians. Men and women who practice medicine with their minds and their hearts. And although there are countless stories out there – about the lives they’ve touched – I want to take time today to tell you about two very special doctors.

Ben Raffield came to the Tuomey Emergency Department late last year with severe stomach pain. He knew it was no ordinary stomachache, but he had no idea how serious his condition was. He was admitted to Tuomey, and soon diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm – oftentimes, a fatal diagnosis. Fortunately for Ben, he was being taken care of by vascular surgeon Dr. Hans Brings. Since the aneurysm was at 11 cm, and they usually rupture between 5 and 6 cm, they were running out of time. In a five-hour surgery, with the odds stacked against him, Dr. Brings saved Ben’s life. In just over a week, Ben walked out of the hospital and back into his life – taking care of his grandson and planting his garden. I’m still amazed every time I hear this story. If we didn’t have Dr. Brings in our community, we’d probably not have Ben Raffield either.

Dr. James Goodson is another man who provides a tremendous level of care. Just ask Ann McJunkin. I don’t know anyone who could sing his praises any better. At 73 years old, Ann had worn glasses for more than 60 years. It was a part of her life that she had just become accustomed to. But a few years ago, she needed cataract surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery did not go as planned. That’s when she went to visit Dr. Goodson. He was able to discover exactly what went wrong and got her the care she needed. Ann recently told the folks at Tuomey that “being able to see at a distance is such a gift,” and that “had it not been for the advice of Dr. Goodson,” she would still be wearing those thick glasses. “He’s the only person I trust with my eyes,” Ann said. And now, after more than 60 years, she doesn’t need glasses at all. What a lovely lady!

I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture. What a blessing it is to live in Sumter and work every day with the wonderful physicians we have on staff. I couldn’t ask for a better job.

Jay Cox

“REALLY?”

2009-11-03T08:52:00.000-08:00

Those who know me well are now wondering, “REALLY?” You see, I don’t email. I’d still rather pick up the phone and call someone. Seriously. I do not email. When you are running a hospital – working with folks who take care of people every day – they need to see you, and they need to hear you. It’s my philosophy, and it has worked well for more than 30 years now.

I am smart enough to know, however, that people do get a lot of information from our website, from Facebook, the internet in general. They Twitter (although with that one I’m still not quite sure why.) And I use the internet. I like to see what other people think about the world, healthcare, our country. SO, here we go. I am starting a blog.

I am not claiming to be an expert. I learn something new just about every day. However, I have been in this healthcare business a long time. I have the gray hairs to prove it. So I’m going to start this blog to share with you my thoughts, opinions and passionate feelings on healthcare, Tuomey and probably a few other topics that strike me on certain days. I love what I do. I work with some of the best people in the business of taking care of people. I would put them up against anyone in the country. And I can’t wait to tell you their stories.

I plan on writing this blog at least once a week. It will always be MY OPINION. Not the board of Tuomey, not the medical staff, not our employees. It will be mine, and mine alone. I might sometimes step on some toes. And that’s OK. That happens when you are talking about important things. People have differing opinions, and that’s OK, too. If you like what I’m writing, let us hear from you. If you don’t like what I’m saying, I want to hear that too. It’s important that we Americans discuss difficult decisions. And right now, there is probably nothing more difficult on the table than healthcare.

We’ll definitely look into those complex issues next week, but for right now – since this is my first entry – I want you to know more about me. Who I am; where I’m coming from. We’re all a product of our raising, and my beliefs have instilled in me a few traits. I like people who are honest, and I want them to tell me the truth. In these conversations over the years, I’ve learned a few things. I think this list will give you a good idea of who I am and where I am coming from.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Westerns are still good movies. I want to be the guy in the white hat.
If your mom wouldn’t be proud of what you are doing, don’t do it.
My wife is the smartest person I know. Period.
Even really good people can sometimes make dumb decisions. Don’t hold it against them forever.
Forgiveness makes us all feel better.
Hire good people, then LEAVE THEM ALONE to do what you hired them to do.
Smile. It’s easier.
Think before you act.
Work hard each day. You’ll feel better when you sleep at night.
Always tell the truth. Always! That’ll help you sleep at night too.
Children grow up too fast.
Grandchildren are the sweetest things on earth.
Your FAITH really does carry you through difficult times.
The Golden Rule really is golden.
Think about how your actions are going to affect others.
Eat more salads. Exercise more.
People are basically good.
Hugs are great.
Elect smart, honest people to office – on all levels of government.
Be kind, say a prayer and be thankful for what you do have.

There. That should give you enough to know where I am coming from. I am very excited about this blogging opportunity. And I can’t wait to see you next week! Take care!

Jay Cox
President & CEO