Becoming 1 Beacon
More and more every day, departments from across Beacon Health System are working together to provide high-quality, coordinated care,
to enhance access to medical care and to improve our financial strength.
“We have a lot we can learn from each other for the betterment of our health system and the health of the community. I encourage you to email, call or more importantly, visit, your counterpart at the other hospital,” says Phil. “Elkhart General and Memorial Hospital are one. Let’s help each other and continue to grow as one system.”
The proof of Beacon growing as one system is remarkable. Below are a list of recent accomplishments that were made possible through
collaboration between Elkhart General and Memorial.
1. Medical-Surgical Commodity-Related Product Distribution
This evidence-based strategic team has representatives from all Beacon entities. Their job was to retune Beacon’s supply chain. They reached
out to their counterparts in the system to ensure a clear view of the current state, considered all of the information, spoke freely and shared decision-making responsibility that led to a $1 million dollar positive impact on the 2015 budgets.
- Team Lead: Greg Piper
- James Andert
- Jeannie Bowlin
- Jeff Costello
- Angela DeMeester
- Pam Goddard
- Mike Gordon
- Cindy Hayes
- Karra Heggen
- William Hunt
- Ray Kiendl
- Kim Kinyon
- Vic Lawson
- Hank Locsmondy
- Greg Losasso
- Tim McGovern
- Jayne Mitton
- Derek Taylor
- Bev Teegarden
2. Beacon Pharmacy Collaboration
The Pharmacy Department Directors at Memorial and Elkhart General created the Beacon Pharmacy Governance Council so they can share the best practices to move the system forward and collaborate to achieve standardization. This team got to know each other and established trust and respect to pave the way for positive organizational decision-making. So far, they have generated a $500,000 positive impact and improved processes for increased safety.
- Team Leads: Susan Hawes and Mark Herriman
- Jeanne Anderson
- Maria Behr
- Sherry Berkley
- Darra Cover
- Traci Flickinger
- James Galasso
- Kaitlyn Priniski
- Ken Senn
- Al Smith
- Rachel Watts
3. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Collaboration
The Cerner EMR is shared across Beacon so electronic documentation needs to accommodate all Beacon entities. Our medical information officers from Memorial and Elkhart General worked to understand the historical differences in the two hospitals then moved us toward establishment of standard order content and alignment of disease management order sets. Team members met their peers throughout the system, spent time in each other’s space and quickly learned their way around the important issues. Over the last few months, they have also begun to integrate the Beacon Medical Group ambulatory EMR with the hospital EMR.
- Team Leads: Ken Elek, M.D. and Tom Mellin, M.D.
- Steve Huffman
- CJ Wachs
- Trisha Fiene
- Beth Phend
- Helen King
- Connie Ferrier
- Shannon Black
- Shona Mikula
- Jan Ringer
- Pam Maxwell
- Sheryl Schrameyer
- Dr. Eshowsky
- Dr. Wibbens
- Dr. Lankowicz
4. Health Coverage Enrollment Center (Navigator Project)
This team started by putting the needs of the community first, then worked to establish well-orchestrated internal processes and provide multiple community outreach posts for St. Joseph, Elkhart and LaPorte counties. Their approach was to be candid with one another,
focus on providing the best service and stay persistent to work out kinks in the process as they moved forward.
- Team Lead: Patty Gremaux
- Martha Alvarez
- Bridget Anderson
- Itzel Avila (CANI)
- Kathy Berzai
- Virginia Castro
- Amanda Chappell (CANI)
- Carolyn Coleman
- Anne Conley
- Jacqueline DeBoard
- Edgar Diaz
- Laurie Dubois
- Jackie Grusak
- Olivia Hernandez
- Michelle Huizar
- Elaine Karaszewski
- Courtney Kipker
- Jennifer Jacobs
- Amy Luther
- Irene Maffetone
- Diana Montiel
- Julie Phillips
- Erin Stergios
- Kara Strang
- Sue Taylor
- Nakisha Thompson-McGee
- Carla Wysong
Community Partners include:
- Suzanne McMillion, HCFS
- Miranda Bueno, Indiana Health Center
- Clarence Walker, Indiana Health Center
- Krystal Anderson, Heart City Health Center
- Jose Alvarez, Heart City Health Center
- Clara Davis, HealthLinc
- Lauren Lamb, HealthLinc
- Shirley Lee, Cassopolis Healthy Families Center
- Guy Fisher, Goodwill
- Clare Krabil, Center for Healing and Hope
