Sue Kiel
The North Shore Health hospital board held a reorganizational meeting on January 23 with the election of officers, committee assignments, and reimbursement amounts set for mileage and meetings.
Following a short discussion and vote, the entire slate of officers was voted back in. Kay Olson will remain the chair, Sharon Bloomquist, the clerk, and Randy Wiitala, the treasurer for 2020.
The Grand Marais State Bank, which currently serves as the hospital district’s financial institution, was again picked to serve in that role for 2020.
Under new business, the board adopted a resolution to submit a Rural Hospital Capital Improvement grant.
“We are submitting the grant application for $125,000 to replace the Omnicell medication dispensing system,” said North Shore Health Administrator Kimber Wraalstad. “This is the same grant program that provided $125,000 toward a new ambulance. We hope we are as successful in receiving the grant as we have been in the past.”
Director’s report
With the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic developing a pharmacy, said Wraalstad, there may be opportunities for the hospital/ care center for collaboration between the two.
A nursing assistant training program designed exclusively for aging services has been approved for North Shore Health.
LeadingAge Minnesota Foundation developed the OnTrack program to address work shortage concerns.
OnTrack is a new hybrid model designed to train nursing assistants exclusively for aging services. Training includes 35 hours online, 24 hours of skills lab, and 16 hours of clinicals.
“Jon Moe and Mark Abrahamson worked with the Minnesota Department of Health to receive approval for this course in Grand Marais,” said Wraalstad. “Shelly Starkey, Goosie Silence, and Jon Moe are now working on hiring a course coordinator, advertising for students, and the process for scheduling the skills lab and clinicals.”
Grant award
North Shore Health was awarded a grant for $6,000 to participate in the Advanced Level project from the Minnesota Department of Human Services, said Kimber.
“The Dementia Live project will provide training for diet care and support staff to enhance the quality of life and/or quality of care for residents with dementia.
“In addition to providing training for 48 employees, the grant allows North Shore Health to train four coaches so we can continue to provide this training to all of our employees.”
Care Partners, said Kimber, has agreed to receive education as one of the coaches so we can have the opportunity to expand this training in the community.”
Kiel receives LeadingAge Minnesota award
Kimber also shared the good news that Sue Kiel, dietary cook at North Shore Health, received an award from LeadingAge Minnesota for their “Make Zero Harm Possible” program.
The letter from LeadingAge Minnesota stated, “Sue Kiel truly embodies the mission of providing community access to compassionate care each day in her work and is a tremendous team member to all who live and work at North Shore Health in Grand Marais.
“As a dietary cook, Kiel excels at ensuring nutritious meals for residents and patients at North Shore Health. Her attention to the individual needs of residents and her compassion for all she serves elevated Kiel to receive this award.
“For her commitment to safety, respect, and dignity, Sue Kiel is the most recent recipient of the “MakeZero Harm Possible” award from LeadingAge Minnesota.”
Said Kimber, “We are so proud of Sue! It was great to share her recognition with the board!”
Strategic planning
Two employees from Stroudwater, Eric Shell and San Givens, have been collecting information about North Shore Health for the Strategic Financial Operational Review. Kimber said Givens and Shell would complete their work and have it ready for review by the end of January or early February. Stroudwater will send someone to do a follow-up visit who will help with the development of a draft action plan, which will serve as a road map for executing the priority recommendations identified in the assessment report. Stroudwater will also help with the implementation and provide technical support for the application.
Community art show
On February 21 the Spirit of the Wilderness Church will hold its annual community art show at North Shore Health. The art that will be displayed comes from a Japanese discipline called Kintsugi. Artists using this method take broken pottery and repair it with precious metals, making the repaired pottery more beautiful than it was before it was broken.
Howard Hedstrom will make pedestals to display the work. The community is invited to consider the theme of brokenness, healing, and meaning through their chosen art form when submitting artwork.
Karen Neal will also exhibit her artwork during this time.
Governance Recognition
Kay Olson was one of 14 hospital trustees from across Minnesota who was recognized for earning certification through the Minnesota Hospital Association trustee certification program.
Hospital trustees receive training on current health care trends, governance best practices, government regulations, patient safety and equality.
Participants undergo 35 hours of coursework, making Minnesota’s initiative the most comprehensive in the nation.
Trustees who have completed the MHA voluntary certification are eligible to participate in an additional eight hours of course work to receive advanced certification, which provides education, innovation, and accountability in health care governance.
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