Merger Update

CMHP

Well, we're a full 6 weeks into the merger of our Microbiology departments for Community and Mercy hospitals and so far, it's been a rather surprisingly smooth transition. Although we are far from doing things in the same manner on all levels, we have found areas in which to streamline some processes and to incorporate the best of both worlds into our day to day workload.

We've discovered that our personalities mesh quite well. That's a big bonus. And, I think that the Mercy crew is eager to adopt some of our ways of doing Microbiology. More than one person has commented on how much volume we can have in one of the sections and then, boom, it's done, cleaned up, and we're on to something else. I will admit, we've got one heck of a good system established.

They also like some of our rapid identification systems. Who wouldn't when you can get a reliable ID in 4 hours versus three days on a system that is less than adequate and needs to be repeated more often than not?

Yeah, my colleagues from the west side campus seem pleased with the changes and the east side crew is handling the disruption and maintaining pleasant dispositions. Nice to see.

One thing is for certain. It's strange being a beta site for a departmental merger...
Dawn

Springfield part 2/ The Marketplace

The Springfield Marketplace

This lovely old building is now home to a museum as well as a wonderful coffee shop and traveler's information center. Situated directly across from the downtown Marriott Courtyard, it could well be considered a cornerstone landmark for the history of the town.

Unfortunately, Springfield, like so many other midwestern towns, has not been overly aggressive in retaining and maintaining older, historic buildings. For years, the town fathers fell in with so many other cities that bought into the notion or urban renewal where new is better. Thankfully, historic preservation were able to convince them that parts of our local heritage should and could be salvaged and utilized in a productive manner.

Springfield is far from being the booming city it was at the turn of the last century. We were a Mecca for industrial production and the wealth of the town is clearly visible in some of the historic homes along High, Fountain, and Limestone Streets. When I started studying our region, I was shocked to discover all of the wonderful inventions and products that came from Springfield that were heavily utilized during most of the last century. The farming industry alone benefited from hundreds of products engineered and manufactured here. Truly amazing when you look at the dynamic of this small Midwestern footprint.

Oh well. Time marches onward. I'm just glad we've found a way to start holding on to our rich heritage before it totally slipped from our grasp.
Dawn

A Tough Topic

The Topic: Suicide

Take a look at the beautiful woman holding this baby. The picture on the right is that same child two years later, the younger of two well loved grandchildren. A third would grace the woman's life before she died, far too young, and by her own hand.

The woman is my grandmother. The child is me. This picture was taken during a time of sheer innocence and a time that seems like lifetimes ago. I believe the picture with Grandma was taken in 1957. She died in 1970. Why do I bring this up now? Because it was this past week, some 36 years ago, when life ceased to be worth living for this wonderful lady. What I wouldn't give to have been able to see the handwriting on the wall, but my clairvoyant abilities were far to undeveloped at that point in my life. What a pity.

It has taken me years to stop being angry at my Grandma. I always felt she had robbed herself of such rich experiences that would occur in the next 5 years. Only in the past five years or so have I come to understand the depth of pain she felt after my Grandfather's death some 14 months prior. As an adult, I can clearly see the depression that encompassed her life and can recall the prior attempts, the cries for help, even in the short span of my life with her. I can stop being mad at her. Now I am merely sad.

Why did I choose to deal with this subject tonight? Most assuredly it stems from having known two people who died during the course of the past two weeks. One, from a long bout with cancer, the other from multi-system failure likely due to cancer from earlier this summer. Both fought desperately to live. Today, I learned of a third death, a woman I had worked with for years at my hospital. Another cancer that was battled for years. These people fought. I feel that my grandmother just gave up. Right or wrong, it's how I've felt.

Like my grandmother, I have suffered with clinical depression for nearly a decade now, but unlike her, I am medicated during stages of this hereditary syndrome and refuse to allow myself to get anywhere near the state she exhibited. Both of my children have also recognized the symptoms early on and have sought medical intervention.

I still feel the pain of my grandmother's death because I feel she cheated herself and us, her children and grandchildren. I resent that my mother had to be the one to find her, knowing in her heart that her mother was dead when she walked into my grandparents' home. I wish she could have had one quarter of the strength my mother, her daughter, possesses. And, I won't even discuss the thoughts that come when I contemplate the theology with which I was raised in regards to those who commit suicide. I can't make myself believe those images.

So, tonight, I allow myself to sit here, write, cry, and try to again reclaim the beautiful images of a beautiful woman as I purge the demons that entered my life on September 30, 1970.
Dawn

Rest in peace Grandma.
Laura B. Currey (June 6,1909-Sept. 30,1970)

Traveling II

Philadelphia, PA

Home away from home as those who know me would say. It may be known as the City of Brother Love, but I have a daughter there and a best friend that I've adopted as an older sister.

I've traveled to Philly recently. Mid- September for my daughter's graduation from The Art Institute of Philadelphia. I got to share the city with my husband for the first time since I've started traveling to the east coast. Great time despite rainy weather. Although it did clear off and get sunny on graduation day.

I don't quite know what the draw is to this city other than the emotional ties I have to those living there. Yet, it is, as my friend Bobbi keeps reminding me, a small town. Despite the size of this metropolis, I think it's the fact that Center City, where I spend the greatest bulk of my time, is actually a two mile by two mile square and you can walk anywhere with ease. Plus, it's steeped in history. Add to that some fine restaurants and museums and you've got the making of a nice vacation holiday. And, if you like to walk, like I do, then there are some lovely parks, great murals, and spectacular fountains.

I think the thing that captivates me about Philly is the diversity and the vast array of things to see and do. I'm certainly never bored when I visit.

Yes, as I've said, I love to travel and this is most assuredly one of my favorite locales. I'll be there again in under two weeks, but alas, not to visit. Just an airport layover this time. But hey, I hook up with the 'big sister' to head up to Canada for a girls' weekend.

On the road again...can't wait to get on the road again...(or in the air again...)
Dawn