University of Missouri's mission is to provide education, research and service to the residents of Missouri. This page offers online tools and information to help faculty and staff accomplish their goals.

Children's Hospital wins $50,000 from online promotion
Pediatric patients at University of Missouri Children's Hospital will benefit from a $50,000 donation from Foresters, a Toronto-based life insurance provider that champions the well-being of families.

The donation comes as the result of Columbia, Mo., radio station Y107's, a member of the Zimmer Radio Group, winning a national online voting campaign to determine "North America's Most Caring Radio Station."

During the three-week campaign, more than 1.1 million of the almost three million votes in the campaign were cast in support of Y107. The campaign allowed anyone to visit a Web page to vote for the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon partner of their choice.

"The real winners of this campaign are the kids who stand to benefit from this donation from Foresters," said Timothy Fete, MD, medical director of Children's Hospital, chair of the MU School of Medicine's Department of Child Health and Children's Miracle Network Professor in Pediatrics. "To all of our supporters who volunteered their time voting and encouraging others to do the same, we say 'thank you.' Winning this campaign highlights the incredible care our hospital provides pediatric patients every day and the wonderful support MU's Children's Hospital receives from all our partners and supporters year-round."

Zimmer Radio Group has supported Children's Miracle Network for three years by hosting an annual radiothon to raise money for MU Children's Hospital. In 2009, the event raised $225,000. The $50,000 award from Foresters will be added to the station's 2010 radiothon total.

Foresters sponsored the search for North America's Most Caring Radio Station to mark its renewed commitment as the international underwriter of the Children's Miracle Network's Radiothon program and to generate support for this successful program. Over the next four years, Foresters will provide more than $6 million to underwrite the costs of the radiothon program, ensuring all dollars raised during radiothon remain with the local hospitals

"This campaign was exciting to follow, as two radiothon partners were fighting for first place up to the last day," said Scott Burt, president and CEO of Children's Miracle Network. "With more than $370 million having been raised through Foresters' support of Children's Miracle Network, it is rewarding for us, along with Foresters, to help honor and boost the charitable efforts of the radiothon partners who have been doing so much for us for more than 10 years."

"Thank you to all participants who cared enough to support their local radiothon partner and local Children's Miracle Hospital," said George Mohacsi, president and CEO of Foresters. "Foresters became the founding sponsor of Radiothon in 1998 and we continue to be the underwriting sponsor because we have a shared commitment with Children's Miracle Network to support children's health."

Children's Miracle Network currently engages more than 340 stations to participate throughout North America in the radiothon program. Radiothon dollars are used to fund life-saving medical care, preventive educational programs and research into childhood diseases. In addition to its generous financial support, Foresters volunteers commit countless hours to their local Children's Miracle Network hospitals.

Foresters is a trademark of The Independent Order of Foresters, a fraternal benefit society.

Open house planned for University Physicians' clinic
The University Physicians-Jefferson City Dermatology clinic will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, at its new location at 2707 W. Edgewood Drive, Suite 102, in Jefferson City, Mo.

Representatives from the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting at the clinic at 4 p.m.

The open house will offer community leaders and patients an opportunity to tour the new clinic, which features expanded exam and procedure rooms and larger, more comfortable waiting areas.

The University Physicians-Jefferson City Dermatology clinic has been serving patients of all ages since 1998. Two board-certified dermatologists, Victoria Gunn, MD, and Barbara Ebert, MD, provide patients with the highest quality medical and surgical treatment for diseases of the skin, hair and nails.

The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To contact University Physicians-Jefferson City Dermatology, please call (573) 761-1830.

Heart ball set for Feb. 27
University of Missouri Health Care is proud to be the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Dr. Hugh Stephenson Heart Ball at the Reynolds Alumni Center on MU's campus. The heart ball will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, with a cocktail reception and silent auction. The event will include dinner, a live auction and entertainment by Rory Partin.

The event is named in honor of Hugh E. Stephenson Jr., MD. Stephenson has served the University of Missouri for more than 50 years as former president of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, former interim dean of the MU School of Medicine, former chair of surgery and John A. Growdon Distinguished Professor of Surgery.

A portion of the proceeds from the 2010 Heart Ball supports research and educational programs in our community through the American Heart Association. For more information or to view the silent and live auction items, please visit www.heart.org/columbiamoheartball.

University Hospital will host blood drive
University Hospital will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, in the hospital's main lobby.

Submit your event to Web site calendar
To post an event on University of Missouri Health Care's online calendar, please visit http://www.muhealth.org/calendar and click the link to submit an event. Events are posted on the Web site's calendar page as well as University of Missouri Health Care's main page, http://www.muhealth.org, on the "Events" tab.

Hospital auxiliary picks strawberry fundraiser date
University Hospital's Service League Auxiliary will host its annual chocolate-covered strawberry sale fundraiser from 7 a.m. until they are sold out on Friday, Feb. 12, in the hospital's main lobby. Half-pound boxes of milk chocolate- or white chocolate-covered strawberries cost $8.

To place pre-paid orders, visit Cherrel Rybolt, office support staff member, in University Hospital, Room 1L04, in the hospital's lobby. For more information, please contact Volunteer Services at (573) 882-4714.

As seen on TV
University of Missouri Health Care has introduced a new television advertisement in anticipation of the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute's opening in summer 2010. To view the ad, please visit http://www.muhealth.org/OrthoAd.

Black is the new gold
University of Missouri Health Care's 2010 national patient safety goal cards are now available. The new cards are black, replacing the gold 2009 cards, and should be attached to employees' ID badges for a quick reminder of the Joint Commission's goals.

Employees who have not received their 2010 national patient safety goal cards should contact their managers.

Managers may obtain additional cards by visiting University Hospital's Room 1W29 or Columbia Regional Hospital's administration suite. Managers at clinics may contact David Mountjoy, associate director of practice management, at (573) 882-2017. Managers at Missouri Rehabilitation Center may contact Mike Powell, head injury program manager, at (417) 461-5374. School of Medicine managers may contact their department administrators.

Garage elevators won't access ground floor beginning Jan. 25
The elevators at the entrance of University Hospital next to the Patient and Visitor Parking Garage will stop going to the ground floor beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 and continuing through the beginning of March. Patients and staff should access alternate elevators or take the stairs during the closure, which is due to utility work related to the new patient care tower.

ESP begins at University of Missouri Health Care cafeterias
Multiple University of Missouri Health Care locations have introduced a new program, Employee Speed Pay (ESP). With ESP, employees can purchase items by simply tapping their ID badges on a card reader. Cafeterias, pharmacies and gift shops will accept ESP at the following facilities: Columbia Regional Hospital, Ellis Fischel Cancer Center, Quarterdeck, University Hospital and Missouri Rehabilitation Center.

Employee Speed Pay is a quick, cashless way for employees to pay for their purchases and help avoid long lines at the register. For more information or to sign up, please visit: www.muhealth.org/esp.

The Grille To Go serving customers at University Hospital
The Grille To Go is now serving lunch and snack items in the main lobby of University Hospital. The eatery opened Jan. 4 and will remain open throughout the renovation of Main Street Café, which will become Essentials this spring.

At the Grille To Go, customers can purchase grab-and-go items from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Offerings include sandwiches, wraps, salads, soup, sushi, parfaits and bottled and canned beverages. The area also includes seating for those who wish to eat there. 

Main Street Café closed at the beginning of the year. The new, renovated restaurant will provide customers a more streamlined process for ordering food, which they will be able to eat in the upgraded dining area or carry out. Plans are under way to offer expanded hours on days, evenings, nights and weekends once Essentials opens.

Lactation space available at University Hospital
A space has been designed to accommodate breastfeeding employees at University Hospital. Room GW-12 is located in the staff locker room. It features easy access to a water supply and two private spaces separated with curtains for privacy. The room is equipped with a chair, shelf and electrical outlets. One space contains a Medela Symphony breast pump. Supplies for the pump can be ordered by contacting Lori Lampe, RN, a staff nurse and board-certified lactation consultant, at (573) 499-6066. 

For questions about the space, please contact Theresa Shettlesworth, a credentialing specialist in Medical Staff Services, at (573) 884-6120.

October/November Archives
Dr. Mitchell's life-saving legacy
Plus:
Photo finish: Amazing pics taken by our employees
A look at the new MU Psychiatric Center: Q&A with medical director John Lauriello
Click to read the issue online.

Hospital signage honors founding father of trauma care
Frank L. Mitchell Jr., MD, one of the founding fathers of modern trauma care, was honored at a ceremony at University Hospital Nov. 7. University of Missouri Health Care unveiled permanent signage on the University Hospital building with the wording "Frank L. Mitchell Jr., MD, Trauma Center."

In more than 50 years at University Hospital, Mitchell has been instrumental in building the hospital's trauma program. University Hospital's Frank L. Mitchell Jr., MD, Trauma Center is one of only two Level I trauma centers in Missouri nationally verified by the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The ACS verification is the highest national recognition a trauma center can receive.

"University Hospital is a nationally recognized trauma center thanks to the lifelong commitment and support of Frank Mitchell," said Jim Ross, chief executive office of MU Health Care. "Dr. Mitchell is a visionary whose contributions to modern trauma care have played a significant role in saving the lives of thousands of trauma patients."

Other speakers at the ceremony included M. Margaret Knudson, M., vice chair of the American College of Surgeons' Committee on Trauma; Erwin Thal, MD, professor of surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas; Donald Trunkey, professor of surgery at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland; and Kenneth Mattox, professor and vice chair of surgery at Baylor University in Houston.
                                                                   
"We are reminded of Dr. Mitchell's commitment to improving the delivery of trauma care each time a patient is transported to University Hospital by ambulance or the Staff for Life Helicopter," said Stephen Barnes, MD, associate professor and chief of the Division of Acute Care Surgery. "Modern medical technology is shortening treatment times and resulting in more successful outcomes for patients. This was the vision of Dr. Mitchell more than 40 years ago when he started University Hospital's ambulance service and remains the mission of our entire trauma team today."

To read about Mitchell's contributions to trauma care and the trauma center's accreditation, please view the latest issue of University of Missouri Health System's employee magazine, Archives, at http://www.muhealth.org/archives.  

Recycling programs offer employees many options
Partnering with University of Missouri Campus Facilities and the Sustainability Office, MU Health Care leaders are making "green" design a priority in the new Missouri Orthopaedic Institute and patient care tower construction projects. 

MU Health Care is pursing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for both projects from the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED certifications would be the first for the University of Missouri System.

"A basic building block of the U.S. Green Building Council's sustainable design awards is proof of a successful recycling program in each project," said Clarissa Easton, AIA, chief facilities officer. "We need everyone's help in demonstrating MU Health Care's commitment to our community and to good stewardship of the environment."

MU Health Care partners with MU to recycle numerous products, including plastic and aluminum beverage containers, paper and cardboard, batteries, linens, and printer ink and toner cartridges. 

To view a full-size PDF of a poster detailing recycling programs, including paper, batteries, cardboard, printer ink and toner cartridges, and linens, please click here.

Electronic paycheck records save time, paper
The University of Missouri is offering employees paperless paycheck stubs through the myHR human resources site. The paperless option allows employees to view paychecks sooner.

Electronic pay records through the myHR site also save paper. If all MU Health Care employees switched, approximately 115,000 envelopes and pieces of paper would be saved each year.

To choose paperless paycheck records, visit the myHR site at https://myhr.umsystem.edu. Once you are logged in, click the "Self Service" tab, then "Payroll and Compensation," then "View Paycheck" and "Set Pay Advice Delivery Method (campus mail or online)." Check the appropriate box to receive your pay advice online only. Pay records may be printed from the site. For more information, please contact the Payroll Department at (573) 882-7912.

Campus area near hospital designated tobacco-free
The designated smoking area at the southwest corner of Stafford Hall has been dismantled to comply with a new MU campus tobacco policy. Campus Residential Life staff has begun removing the tables, smoker stations, trash cans and fencing by Stafford Hall. Additionally, the Pershing area, including the Mid-Campus Housing project, which is currently under construction, and Defoe-Graham residence halls, are designated smoke-free areas.

All University of Missouri Health Care employees are expected to respect the designated smoke-free areas in Pershing and elsewhere on campus, in addition to complying with our tobacco-free policy. To view the MU Health Care tobacco-free policy, please visit https://docushare.umh.edu/dsweb/Get/Document-8892/LD-2%20Tobacco%20Free%20Policy.doc.

University of Missouri Health Care facilities are tobacco-free facilities to promote a healthier environment for our patients, visitors and staff. The use of all tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco) is prohibited in all areas of the facilities. To learn about tobacco-cessation resources available to employees, please visit http://www.umsystem.edu/ums/curators/wellness/programs.shtml#tobacco or contact Armine Alioto, RN-C, the nurse manager for Healthy for Life, the T.E. Atkins University of Missouri Wellness Program, at (573) 884-1439 or aliotoa@umsystem.edu.

University Physicians 2009 Directory published
The University Physicians 2009 Directory is now available. The directory includes educational, clinical and contact information for the more than 400 University Physicians who provide patient care at University of Missouri Health Care.

Copies of the directory will be distributed to all members of University Physicians, as well as referring physicians. To request additional directories, please contact Velvet Hasner, publications coordinator, at (573) 882-5818 or hasnerv@health.missouri.edu and provide the number of copies you would like and your campus mailing address (DC code).

Healthy for Life newsletter available online
The wellness newsletter published by Healthy for Life, the T.E. Atkins University of Missouri Wellness Program, is available on the program's Web site at www.umsystem.edu/ums/curators/wellness/newsletter.shtml .

University of Missouri Health Care 2009 Annual Report
Click here for the 2009 Annual Report. The Annual Report is also available on the About Us Web page.

An exciting new era for Children's Hospital
In October 2008, University of Missouri Health Care announced our plan to consolidate Children's Hospital services under one roof at Columbia Regional Hospital. The move of Children's Hospital will offer Missouri children comprehensive health care in a single, convenient location.

The move will take place in two phases. In the first phase, Children's Hospital will occupy new pediatric and adolescent units at Columbia Regional Hospital, with 100 percent private patient rooms. The Children's Blood Disorders and Cancer Unit, pediatric short-stay unit, pediatric intensive care unit and pediatric cardiology clinic also will move during the first phase, which is scheduled to be completed in summer 2010.

In the second phase of the Children's Hospital move, pediatric outpatient clinics will receive a new home at Columbia Regional Hospital.

"Our new home will offer patients and their families high-quality care in a kid-friendly, convenient location," said Timothy Fete, MD, director of Children's Hospital, chair of the Department of Child Health and Children's Miracle Network Professor in Pediatrics. "The location at Columbia Regional Hospital will provide single-stop children's health services, 100 percent private, newly renovated patient rooms and easy access by Highway 63 and Interstate 70."

Click here to read more about the move

While You Work car and laundry services
Poster | University Garage Site

University of Missouri Health Care's hospitality services program, in conjunction with local businesses, offers dry cleaning, laundry and car services for staff members and physicians. Employees at any University of Missouri Health Care facility in Columbia may use the services - all from the convenience of their work area. So don't worry about picking up your dry cleaning after a long shift or driving your car to the garage on your lunch break. With While You Work services, these chores can be taken care of while you're serving patients. More information

Pharmacy offers prescription delivery to Quarterdeck
The University Physicians-Smiley Lane Clinic pharmacy is offering free "While You Work" prescription delivery to employees at Quarterdeck. Deliveries are made between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Employees may pay using a credit card on file at the pharmacy or through payroll deduction. To set up payroll deduction, employees must visit University Hospital's Human Resources Department in Room 1W-46. A receipt will be provided to employees with each delivery.

To transfer prescriptions to the University Physicians-Smiley Lane Clinic pharmacy or for information about MU's 90-day prescription plan, please contact the pharmacy at (573) 817-3555.

Staff Council newsletter available online
The Staff Council News is available online on the Staff Council Web site at www.muhealth.org/staffcouncil. Staff Council News is published monthly by the University Hospital and Clinics Staff Council. Please submit article suggestions to Caprice Hudson-Forrest, MBA, software support analyst, at forrestc@health.missouri.edu.

Counseling services available to employees
In response to requests by University of Missouri Health Care staff, MU's Employee Assistance Program recently introduced office hours at University Hospital for MU Health Care employees. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each Friday at McHaney Hall, Room 11.

The program uses a three-pronged approach to assist University employees and work groups, said James Hunter, director of the Employee Assistance Program. Services include:

• Counseling services
• Training and development
• Organizational consultation

EAP offers approximately five free counseling sessions to employees and their immediate family members. The program's staff provide counseling and assistance on a variety of issues, such as family, financial, occupational and emotional stress.

"EAP can help employees cope with and resolve virtually every life problem," Hunter said.

Hunter also encourages employees to use EAP services as an assistance tool if they are looking for assistance in making a big decision.

"A person need not be in severe distress to seek out our services," he said. "Seeking assistance early is an important way to make good decisions."

For more information, please visit http://counseling.missouri.edu/eap/. To make an appointment, contact EAP at (573) 882-6701.

EAP to host monthly workshops
The University of Missouri Employee Assistance Program provides a monthly series of occupational brown bag workshops to help employees manage stressors connected to work. The sessions are held from noon to 1 p.m. on the first Friday of each month at University Hospital, Room CE505. The 2010 workshop topics are:

• "Burnout" on Friday, March 5
• "Conflict at Work and Individual Well-being" on Friday, April 2
• "Shared Commitment - How to Talk about Accountability" on Friday, May 7
• "Young Workers" on Friday, June 4
• "Work, Well-Being and Mental Health" on Friday, July 2
• "Safety Climate" on Friday, Aug. 6
• "Work, Non-work Interface" on Friday, Sept. 3
• "The Role of Personality in Individual, Team and Organizational Success" on Friday, Oct. 1
• "Counterproductive Behaviors at Work" on Friday, Nov. 5
• "Individual Development in the Workplace" on Friday, Dec. 3

Participants may bring their lunches to the workshops. There is no cost to attend; however, space is limited and registration is required. To register, please contact Tammie Tilmon, administrative assistant, at (573) 882-6701 or tilmont@missouri.edu.

Gainor sells CDs to benefit Children's Hospital
Gainor and Friends is a bluegrass group that features Barry Gainor, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at University of Missouri Health Care. Gainor is fundraising for Children's Hospital by selling his compact disc, "Bonesetter's Best and Bonuses," at the orthopaedic clinic front desk in University Hospital. More than $8,000 has been raised for Children's Hospital through Gainor's music. The CD costs $18 and checks can be made payable to MU Children's Hospital. To purchase the CD by mail, please send checks to Barry Gainor, MD, at 1030 Bourn Ave., Columbia, MO, 65203, and add $3 for shipping. Click here for video clips from performances.