Uncategorized – Here for Life

The best for healthy Latino youth

October 9, 2017

As it is National Hispanic Heritage Month there is no better time than now to celebrate the amazing Aqui Para Ti (APT) program at the Whittier Clinic.

Serving Latino youth ages 10-24, the program is now 15 years old and a shining example of HCMC’s commitment to our Minnesota Latino population, receiving awards and recognition from many sources and agencies. The clinic provides medical care, coaching, health education and referrals for Latino youth and their families. Created and lead by Dr. Maria Veronica Svetaz, the program has served over 1,500 youth and their families in Minnesota. (more…)

Donors inspired by Clinic & Specialty Center naming opportunities

September 18, 2017

The construction of HCMC’s Clinic & Specialty Center has opened a new door for donor recognition opportunities at a scale previously unavailable. The Hennepin Health Foundation is actively promoting naming rights for spaces within the new Center scheduled to open in March 2018. Grateful patients, corporate partners, current staff, and alumni are connecting their generosity to this new philanthropic occasion. Naming rights begin at $5,000 for honor plates outside exam rooms to million dollar gifts for inclusion in major clinic and center identities. Each gift agreement is unique to the donor’s interest with designations supporting the future endeavors of Hennepin Healthcare Systems.

The Hennepin Health Foundation is pleased to announce the following gifts accepted as of September 15, 2017.

Delta Dental Oral Health Center at HCMC – Recognizes a multi-million donation from Delta Dental Foundation of Minnesota with signage outside the dental clinic on the fourth floor.

Rockswold Family Traumatic Brain Injury Center: TBI Outpatient Program – Celebrates Dr. Gaylan Rockswold’s legacy in the field of neurosurgery and TBI research with a million plus donation recognized with signage outside the TBI Outpatient Program on the third floor.

Wanzek Family Breast Care Center – Recognizes a major donation by a grateful patient family and located on the main level as a part of the Cancer Center.

Thomas Stillman, MD Education and Community Center – Family members donated to celebrate the career of M. Thomas Stillman, a long-serving physician and strong advocate for medical education at HCMC.

Jantze Haley Infusion Area – A grateful patient donation recognized as part of the Cancer Center.

Richard Zera, MD Team Center – Celebrates Chief of Surgical Oncology with an honor plate on the Team Center in the Cancer Center.

Cecil J. Watson, MD Conference Room – Family members pay tribute with an honor plate on the Conference Room of the Medicine Clinic.

The Hennepin Health Foundation is honored to connect with those who understand the tremendous asset of HCMC and the unparalleled service the organization provides our community. Naming opportunities offer a chance to leave a legacy and a stamp of approval of our notable mission. Contact the Hennepin Health Foundation at 612-873-6090 or jesse.hicks@hcmed.org for more information.

New Clinic & Specialty Center video tour with Dr. David Hilden

September 8, 2017

Construction on the HCMC Clinic & Specialty Center is moving along at a rapid pace, and we’re on track to open March 26, 2018. The new six-story facility will bring together outpatient clinics and ancillary services that are currently located across nine buildings on our downtown campus. By locating all of these services in one facility, we’ll provide patients an experience that streamlines their care and offers enhanced collaboration by our clinical team to deliver the best medical care possible.

To provide a preview of the new building and an early look inside, we’ve enlisted the help of Dr. David Hilden to conduct a series of walking tours featuring many of the new clinics and services that will be offered in the Clinic & Specialty Center. The first video features an overview of the building, the central lobby area and the Orthopedic Clinic.

Look for future videos featuring different clinical areas and unique aspects of the building and more information by visiting our Clinic & Specialty Center website.

10 years later: 35W Bridge Collapse

August 1, 2017

Heroes come in all forms. While we remember the rescue efforts of the first responders and caregivers after the 35W Bridge went down, our thoughts are with those who didn’t make it — and the patients we cared for whose lives were changed forever.

As a Level I Trauma Center we routinely conduct exercises to prepare us for the worst. On August 1, 2007 we definitely experienced what this can look like. A bridge that safely carried millions across the mighty Mississippi lost its strength that day, but the event strengthened perseverance and resolve in its aftermath and brought us closer as a community.

We’re here for life.

(Photo: Emergency physicians John Hick, Joe Clinton, Doug Brunette and Bill Heegaard were on duty the night of August 1, 2007.)

Redesigning the patient experience

June 9, 2017

Preparing to move to the new Clinic and Specialty Center next April is much more than packing boxes and moving the equipment to a new location. In reality, it represents a tremendous opportunity to rethink clinic flow, standardize the process and determine what it will take to deliver the best experience for our patients and the most efficient model for providers.

That’s why our orthopedic team started participating as a Model Cell, and evaluating every aspect of their operation almost two years in advance of their anticipated move. They are piloting tests of change to enhance our services, and the improvements will be imbedded in every clinical area that is moving to the new building. (more…)

When you’re not ready for hospice: the IMPACT care model

May 15, 2017

IMPACT is a Medicare model utilized at Hospice of the Twin Cities that provides support and care coordination for terminally-ill patients who live at home, have Medicare Parts A & B eligibility, and who continue to treat their CHF, COPD, HIV or cancer diagnosis.

IMPACT patients are not yet ready for hospice and continue to get treatment for their illness. The model provides hospice-like support through telephonic case management along with social work, home health, and spiritual care services, adding to a patient’s plan of care and treatment. Oftentimes, stigma alone prevents patients from choosing hospice, and if such services are offered as patients treat their disease, their quality of life can improve significantly. Ultimately, they are likely to experience the benefits of hospice – seeing it as enhancing and not ending life – and will opt for hospice when ready. (more…)

Get your spots checked

April 21, 2017

Join us on May 1st for our annual Melanoma Monday event to receive free spot checks for unusual or suspicious spots or moles on your skin.

Melanoma, one of the least common forms of skin cancer, can be deadly. It can occur anywhere on the skin. Although the exact cause is not clear, the risk of developing it is increased with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight or tanning lamps and beds. Limiting exposure reduces the risk. Cases of melanoma have been increasing over the years, especially in younger women. (more…)