To celebrate moving to a new location, Morrison Community Hospital held an Open House featuring its attractive, spacious, new Family Care Clinic. On Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., approximately 300 visitors toured the clinic; expanded outpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Department; Café restaurant; Emergency Room. MCH Foundation member Don Beswick noted “a very large crowd,” and member Betty Steinert said, “It has been packed until 1:00!”
Located now on the first floor, the Family Care Clinic has served patients since Thursday, May 5, 2016. This area previously was occupied by Four Seasons Living Center, which opened in 1974 and closed January 2015. After that occurred, discussion began for using the vacant space as an expanded clinic, said CEO Pam Pfister. There are “over 10,000 square feet to meet the needs of our patients, allowing improved access to laboratory and radiology services.” This was a prime reason to transfer the clinic upstairs. Transitioning “took three weeks [and ] went extremely well. A lot of equipment and supplies were on site.”
Steinert, right, agreed. She is shown with Foundation members Mark Schuler, left, and Paul Beswick. “There was overcrowding in the clinic waiting room. We didn’t have enough doctors for the community to [access.]” She added, “Most remodeling,” including the glass tile work at the entrance, “was done in-house by hospital staff.” She added, “We want to do a lot more!”
Patients enter the hospital at the east entrance, 303 N. Jackson Street, Morrison, IL, parking in the main lot. They proceed through the doors and walk down the hallway. The entrance to the Family Care Clinic is to the left. Entering from the north door—by the Emergency Room–provides a direct path to the clinic.
Walk-ins are welcome or appointments can be made with clinic providers–Dr. Risha Raven, Dr. Nicky Eustace, and Dr. George Georgiev or Certified Nurse Practitioner Cindy Johnson–by calling 815-772-5511.
Because the clinic staff and number of rooms have expanded, new patients are welcome. The enhanced clinic will continue being open 361 days per year, seven days per week, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. After school/after work and weekend appointments fit the schedule of many patients. Offering a late closing hour of 8:00 p.m. allows for more daily treatments. One doctor will be available each evening.
Pfister noted Exam Rooms increased from six to 12. Nurses Lori Mashure and Diane Walter explained that translates to assisting more patients in a timely manner. Each room is much larger than the former clinic spaces. The number one reason patients came to the former clinic was treatment of rashes. Other needs addressed here are school/work physicals; treating poison ivy; removing foreign bodies from the eye; pap tests; medication refills; general check-ups; skin conditions; weight-loss consultation; colds and other sickness.
This Acute Room is designed to handle a plethora of acute or immediate care procedures. Patients can be treated here for a multitude of miseries: lacerations; dog bites; fish hook removal; cleaning of burns; temporary casts; sutures, glue, or staples to close wounds; incision and drainage of infected boils; wart and mole removal, including some punch biopsies; removal of eye debris; cutting off rings; treating infected or mashed toenails; splints and crutches.
A benefit of having the clinic on the main floor is that patients no longer need to take the elevator to the Laboratory or Radiology Department.
The new location is strategically located next to the Café. Patients, caregivers, and visitors can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner, as can the general public. The restaurant is open seven days a week, from 5:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Café also caters full meals, desserts, specialty salads, and trays. Prices are quite reasonable. There are four breakfast items that each cost $0.85. Dine in or carry out your food. The phone contact is 815-772-5519.
The Dietary Department wisely prepared “a lot!” of food for the event. There were breakfast pizza pieces; chicken salad or ham and cheese wraps; shrimp; fruit, vegetables, a variety of sweets; three beverages, including orange-flavored water.
Sitting left-to-right are volunteer Karen Ritchie from the Infection Prevention Department; Dietary Assistant Mekie Green, who celebrates 30 years at MCH in October; Dietary Director Dody Ogburn, who started work in 2004; Dietary Aide Sally Ward, who has been employed one year.
“I have an amazing team!” stated Ogburn. She acknowleged Cook Denise Kuehl; Dietary Aide Brennah Zuidema; Quality Director Adrienne Erickson.
Pfister reported, “We have [had] lots of comments on today’s food in the cafeteria. There is a good Senior population” [that visits.] In the winter if regular eaters do not come in, “we monitor that,” she said.
The Rehabiltation Department is directed by Dr. Peter Becerra. Pfister noted he has a special technique to correct vertigo. Services include Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Massage therapy. Contact the department at 815-772-5548.
Local artisans added to the decor in the clinic. Wall photos depict Morrison landmarks photographed by local artist Steve Siefken of Park Street Pictures. They were framed by Wayne Hook. The Family Care Clinic wall sign was crafted by John Martin. Siefken’s work can be purchased by calling 815-564-8973. He will make copies of the photos on the walls.
Clinic Manager Heather Johnson‘s office is shown below, followed by those of Dr. Georgiev and one for Acute Doctors on staff during the evening.
Licensed Practical Nurses Lori Moshure, left, and Diane Walter–and five others–await you at the new registration desk in the MCH Family Care Clinic. Four admitting staff will help make you visit efficient.
