EXCITEMENT “EGGS”TRAVAGANZA… Beckham Collins, 3, of Watervliet snatches up some eggs at the annual Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt held at Hays Park in Watervliet. He is the son of Hartley & Theresa Collins. (TCR photo by Annette Christie)

Cynthia LaGrow awarded recertification in economic development designation

 Cynthia LaGrow, owner of LaGrow Consulting has been awarded re-certification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) effective April 1, 2017. LaGrow first achieved the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation in 2002. CEcD recertification, required every three years, was awarded to LaGrow who met demanding requirements for continuing education and service to the profession. With 26 years of economic development experience, LaGrow has assisted companies like Eagle Technologies, Lane Automotive, Schwintek, Postle Aluminum, Newell Rubbermaid and many more invest in Michigan and create jobs. LaGrow is a graduate of Coloma High School, received an associate’s degree from Lake Michigan College and received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Western Michigan University. She and husband David own Maximum Mold in Benton Harbor and Max 2 in Coloma.

The designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is a highly recognized national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to professional growth. LaGrow first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing her knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development.

As highly skilled economic development practitioners, LaGrow and over 1,000 other CEcDs work with public officials, business leaders and community members to create and retain high-quality jobs, establish vibrancy, and improve quality of life for the people they serve.

The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization serving economic developers. With more than 4,500 members, IEDC is the largest organization of its kind. Economic developers promote economic well-being and quality of life for their communities, by creating, retaining and expanding jobs that facilitate growth, enhance wealth and provide a stable tax base. From public to private, rural to urban and local to international, IEDC’s members are engaged in the full range of economic development experience. Given the breadth of economic development work, our members are employed in a wide variety of settings including local, state, provincial, and federal governments, public-private partnerships, chambers of commerce, universities and a variety of other institutions. When we succeed, our members create high-quality jobs, develop vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life in their regions. Learn more about IEDC: www.iedconline.org.

EASTER EGG HUNT HAUL… Edward Valentine, 3, of Watervliet checks out what is inside of his stash of Easter eggs at the Lions Club annual hunt in Watervliet’s Hays Park. He is the son of Aaron & Re-becca Valentine. (TCR photo by Annette Christie)

Lakeland Health earns national recertification for electronic health record

 In honor of its successful use of health IT to improve patient care while reducing costs, Lakeland Health has received Stage 7 revalidation on the HIMSS Analytics Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM)(tm) for its three hospitals and 15 of its 34 ambulatory clinics. In 2013, Lakeland became the first healthcare organization in the State of Michigan, as well as in the region, to be certified at Stage 7 in less than three years from the time the electronic health record (EHR) was first implemented. To date, only two other health systems in Michigan and seven in Indiana are certified at Stage 7.

“Lakeland Health’s journey to Stage 7 revalidation introduced several new analytic models to better serve the population of Southwest Michigan,” said Philip Bradley, regional director North America, Healthcare Advisory Services, HIMSS Analytics. “Most notably are their protocols on Radiation Safety, Morphine Milligram Equivalent and OB protocols. All delivering improved care and safety to their community.”

HIMSS Analytics uses eight stages (0-7) to measure a hospital’s implementation and utilization of information technology applications. The final stage, Stage 7, represents an advanced patient record environment where paper charts are no longer used. The validation process to confirm a hospital has reached Stage 7 includes a site visit by an executive from HIMSS Analytics and former or current chief information officers to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the Stage 7 environments.

“In the last three years since our original certification, health IT continues to help improve patient care in several ways, from the creation of a radiation safety program to limit patient’s radiation exposure, four new and innovative technologies focused on reducing the risk of maternal hemorrhaging, and the discovery of opportunities within our system to decrease narcotic prescription rates,” commented Robin Sarkar, PhD, Chief Information Officer, Lakeland Health. “Keeping the patient at the center of all that we do and active collaboration between the clinical and IT teams was the key to achieving the level of performance at HIMSS Stage 7 levels.”

Lakeland Health was recognized at the 2017 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition on February 19 to 23 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. For more information on the HIMSS Analytics Stage 7 designation, visit www.himssanalytics.org/stage7.

BASKET IN HAND… Just 20 months old, Spencer Smithley did a good job of picking up the whole “Easter egg hunt” concept at Hays Park on Saturday morning. He is the son of Briann Steinke and Brier Smithley. (TCR photo by Annette Chris-tie)

Good Grief: Bereavement sharing and education program

 Good Grief is a free program that covers topics such as how to cope with loss, guilt, and regret; why you feel the way you do; and finding a sense of peace. Each seven-week session meets for one and a half hours of meaningful information and sharing. For more information, and to find out about other ongoing bereavement programs, call Caring Circle at (269) 429-7100.

The current series begins on Tuesday, May 2 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. and meets each Tuesday through June 13 at Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Lane in St. Joseph.

Lakeland Health Choir welcomes new director

 Healing Harmonies, the Lakeland Health Choir, recently welcomed a new director, Alyson Wendzel.

Wendzel is a former Miss Watervliet for Blossomtime and a 2011 graduate of Watervliet High School. She graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 Music Education, and a focus in choral studies. She was a member of the Western Michigan University Chorale, the lead soprano in the vocal jazz group, Gold Company, and plays the French horn. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to work with adults, and think music is a great way to enhance healing in patients,” said Wendzel.

Healing Harmonies was established in 2016 in an effort to continue to create a healing environment for patients, family members, visitors, and Lakeland team members.

“The choir emerged out of a ‘challenge’ to think and behave ‘transformatively’ and to think and do things differently as part of a larger organizational change process,” said Lynn Todman, PhD, Executive Director Population Health, Community Health and Wellness.

Healing Harmonies practices every other Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Merlin and Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center, located at 4392 Cleveland Avenue in Stevensville. Practices are open to the public. If you are interested in having Healing Harmonies perform at your business or organization, email mgallert@lakelandhealth.org or call (269) 983-8267.