Avera Marshall Recent News
Stay up-to-date on recent happenings
Foundation Golf Tournament: September 8, 2008
The Weiner Memorial Foundation is hosting its third annual Golf Tournament on Monday, September 8 at the Marshall Golf Club. The event will begin with a noon shotgun start. Four-person teams will play 18 holes in a best ball/scramble format. A $75/person registration fee covers green fees and an hors d’oeuvres buffet. Prizes will be given to the winning team and awards will be presented in several categories. Raffle tickets are also available for $10 for a chance to win:
- 42” LG HD plasma television
- Vikings vs. Packers tickets/trip
- 4Gb iPod Nano & speaker system
- TomTom GPS navigation system
- $100 Super America gas card
For more information on this event, to register or to buy raffle tickets, contact Mary Boulton, Foundation Director, by email or by phone at 507-537-9145 or Abby Ennenga, Administrative Assistant, at 507-537-9203.
Avera Marshall Employees Make Donation
The Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center Jeans for Charity committee has donated $1,221.50 to benefit the Lyon County American Cancer Society Relay for Life. The American Cancer Society is one of four charitable organizations that benefits from the Avera Marshall jeans promotion. The program allows employees to wear jeans on Fridays for a cost of $1 per week which is in turn given to charitable health-related organizations.
A team of Avera Marshall employees will be participating in the local Relay for Life Feat at the Fairgrounds event August 15-16.
Privatization Process Continues
The Avera Marshall Board of Directors and the Marshall City Council have begun a process to consider the sale of Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center to Avera Health. In 2004, Avera Marshall (then Weiner Memorial Medical Center) formed a partnership agreement with Avera. That partnership has proven to be very beneficial to the medical center and to the community. Leaders from the city and Avera Marshall believe that transitioning to an ownership relationship would provide even more advantages. With a recommendation from the mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force, the board and city council voted to enter into exclusive negotiations with Avera in June 2008. The next steps in the process, to take place over the next several months, include identifying negotiating criteria and determining valuation.
A process such as this naturally generates questions in the community. Please review the question-and-answer page to find out more about the privatization process. If you don’t see the answer to your question, contact us at info@averamarshall.org
Avera Marshall is maintaining open communication with the local news media, so watch for continued newspaper and radio coverage. And watch for opportunities on how you can learn more.
Answers to Your Questions About Privatization
Avera Marshall Earns Patient Safety Excellence Award
Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center has earned a Minnesota Hospital Association Patient Safety Excellence Award for its work on preventing patients from falling during hospital stays.
Patient safety is a top priority for Minnesota hospitals. Because of this, Avera Marshall joined the SAFE from FALLS initiative, where Minnesota teams are working collectively on implementing an extensive list of recommended actions to prevent patients from falling. The recommended actions are compiled in the SAFE from FALLS Roadmap to a Comprehensive Falls Prevention Program. The MHA Patient Safety Excellence Award is given to facilities who have achieved more than 90 percent of the actions recommended in the roadmap.
“The roadmap combines learning from reported events in Minnesota and national best practices to preventing patients from falling and helping patient safety initiatives succeed,” says Bruce Rueben, president of the Minnesota Hospital Association. “It is an extremely detailed list. That Avera Marshall was able to implement more than 90 percent is outstanding.”
“I’m extremely proud of our staff for the work and commitment they’ve shown in earning this award,” said Mary Maertens, President/CEO. “Ensuring that our patients are safe is one of our highest priorities. Receiving recognition for our efforts is tangible affirmation of the work we’re doing to provide the very best in patient care.”
New MRI Scanner Offers Amazing Images
Another technology upgrade at Avera Marshall means increased comfort for patients and improved diagnostic capabilities for doctors. A new, state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner has been installed and is available for exams. The upgrade allows sharper images, shorter exam times and expanded test capabilities, all near home.
Combined with other recent upgrades like the 64-slice CT scanner and the 4D ultrasound units, the new MRI scanner elevates Avera Marshall's diagnostic imaging services to the highest standard in the region.
