ds n e - firelands

Medical centers across the country are continuously working to expand services, advance technology and bring better outcomes to patients. So, how do institutions like Firelands Regional Medical Center pay for all of the updates that make our community healthier and stronger? Some people might think that revenue from patient visits provides all the resources to invest in new technology and infrastructure. The surprising answer: Donations have now taken a significant role in most health systems’ ability to reinvest in facilities and technology that improve the health of the communities we serve.

The idea that medical centers generate a steady return of profits that far exceed the outlay of cash required to run them is often not true. With healthcare reform, the Affordable Care Act and cuts to insurance reimbursements institutions like Firelands Regional Medical Center rely even more on philanthropy to fund projects and equipment that improve patient care.

In this evolving health care environment, the generosity of donors is essential to update patient care areas and invest in technology to provide our patients with outstanding outcomes and experiences. Gifts of all kinds play an important role in bringing you and your family the best patient care experience each and every time. Equally important are the numerous annual donations given to programs to help patients receive the highest quality care possible in every area of the medical center.

Firelands Regional Medical Center has been fortunate to be the recipient of so much of our community’s collective generosity. As we look to the future and navigate the uncertain landscape of healthcare reform, our partnership with each of our donors will be an essential part of our future as an independent regional medical center. Our goal is to bring you the best patient experience possible, through compassionate and skilled caregivers, a healing environment and outstanding outcomes to help you achieve your optimum health.

I am proud to call our donors part of the Firelands Regional Medical Center team that strives to make our community healthier and stronger every day. Each team member, whether they are an employee, volunteer, physician, or donor, plays an integral role in the health of our friends, neighbors and loved ones.

Your generosity means so much to the people you help and means that Firelands Regional Medical Center can sustain the highest level of care and compassion for years to come.

2 | The Foundation For Firelands

Sincerely,

Dea

r Fri

ends

“When I think about the past year at Firelands Regional Medical Center,I immediately think of the numerous ways in which our staff and physicians have been able to enhance the health and welfare of our community. Yet, the true catalysts of all this good are our donors.”

Martin E. TurskyPresident and Chief Executive OfficerFirelands Regional Health System

Annual Report | 3

2014 Leadership

2014 Firelands Regional Medical Center

Board of DirectorsJ. William Springer, Chair

John O. Bacon, Vice Chair

Martin E. Tursky, President & CEO

Leon J. Wieber, Treasurer

Carol Steuk, Secretary

Robert M. Moore, Assistant Secretary

George L. Mylander, Chair Emeritus

Daniel J. Moncher, Executive Vice President, Finance

Thomas J. AylwardShelly ChesbroLisa CrescimanoVicenta Gaspar-Yoo, M.D.Gerald GuerraRoger M. GundlachJohn M. HotyFredric H. Itzkowitz, D.O.Bryan L. KasperTheodore A. KastorDaniel KellerRichard R. Keller, M.D.Steve Lichtcsien Carlos Lowell, D.O.M. Lee McDermond, Jr.W. Patrick McGuinn, M.D.Duffield E. Milkie

James O. MillerAllen R. NicklesKarl L. Oberer, D.O.Douglas D. PharesJames E. Preston, D.O.Paula J. RengelThomas M. RouthEugene Sanders, Ph.DWendy SchmiedlJames V. Stouffer, Jr.David A. VoightJohn H. Waldock, Jr.Elaine J. WaterfieldJames O. WibleCarl E. WillCarol A. WolfeKam Wong, M.D.

Martin E. Tursky,

President and Chief Executive Officer

Daniel J. Moncher,

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Michael J. Canfield,

Vice President, Operations and Chief Information Officer

Connie R. Lamb,

Vice President, Marketing and Public Relations

Patricia S. Martin,

Vice President, Quality and Patient Satisfaction

Robert M. Moore,

Vice President, Legal and General Counsel

Marsha O. Mruk,

Vice President, Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services

Beverly J. Schrickel,

Vice President, Clinical Operations

and Chief Nursing Officer

James A. Sennish,

Vice President, Human Resources

Janis Shriver,

Vice President, Firelands Physician Group

Jane Arnold,

Assistant Vice President, Revenue Cycle Management

Dru Meredith,

Assistant Vice President, Operations

Thomas Wolf, Chair

Thomas Routh, Vice Chair

J. William Springer, Vice Chair/Development

Ruth Parker, Secretary

Martin Tursky, President & CEO

Robert Moore, Assistant Secretary

Daniel Moncher, Treasurer

2014 The Foundation for Firelands

Board of Directors

Kenneth ConwayAnthony “Tony” Guerra*Lee C. JewettRobert J. Kromer, D.O.Jean MillerGeorge L. MylanderBarbara NielsenRuth ParkerS. Baird Pfahl, M.D.Robert Pifer

* Mr. Guerra passed away in June, 2013. Mr. Scheid passed away in April, 2014. Their dedication to Firelands Regional Medical Center and the health of our community is greatly appreciated.

Dean J. Reichenbach, M.D.William Scheid*Gary SchimmelLeroy SizemoreCharles StanleyMelvyn J. StaufferJ. Samuel StippJohn Waldock, Sr.Thomas Wolf

Directors Emeriti

John O. BaconJohn Frankel

Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo, MDRoger M. Gundlach

Mary Jane HillLee Jewett

Bryan KasperSteve LichtcsienCharles RaingerPaula J. Rengel

Melvyn J. StaufferJames V. Stouffer, Jr.

James O. Wible


Renovations Bring

New Lifeto Region

“Hello.” This simple word is used millions of times a day in thousands of different languages. But, no interaction is as special as the very first time you use that word with your child. That is why Firelands Regional Medical Center wants to partner, with you, our community members in a project to establish the Center for Women and Newborns: the place where families in our region first say “hello” to their children.

When it comes to delivering excellent care to our patients, Firelands Regional Medical Center always strives to be the best. Over the past decade, facilities improvements have aligned the care given with an inviting, comforting, modern environment. Nearly every unit has undergone changes to make patients feel more at ease and to help healthcare professionals deliver care more efficiently.

The current Obstetrics Unit however, is old, inefficient, outdated and too small to meet the needs of expectant mothers and their supportive families who play a more active role today in the birth of a new family member. The last renovations to the Labor and Delivery Unit were made in 1984 and to the Postpartum area in 2001. It is time to make needed changes. The current Obstetrics Unit has now begun renovations into the new Center for Women and Newborns that will provide expectant mothers, families and recovering women with an area that better meets their needs as patients while incorporating the environment of the space into the overall aesthetics of the hospital. The 20,470 square foot renovation will bring natural light into the unit, provide larger rooms and a warm, welcoming environment to ensure an outstanding patient and family experience every time.

“We need to be able to deliver patient care in a patient-friendly environment. This has become increasingly more difficult given that the design of the Obstetrics Unit is outdated. Families will continue to choose Firelands Regional Medical Center because of our fine reputation,” says Dr. Richard Visci, medical director of Firelands Regional Medical Center obstetrics and gynecology. “They choose us because of the personal care and our extraordinary outcomes. A new and updated Center for Women and Newborns will finally reflect the high-quality care we deliver in an atmosphere that provides maximum patient comfort and safety.”

Women who live in our region have a choice in meeting their healthcare needs. They deserve state-of-the-art facilities that will support their needs to recover and heal, all while keeping their families nearby.

“We need to be able todeliver patient care in

a patient-friendly environment.” Dr. Richard Visci, medical director of

Firelands Regional Medical Center

obstetrics and gynecology

Would you like to be a part of the place where families first say “hello” to their children?

Firelands Regional Medical Center is the lead investor in this project. Our community’s continuing partnership with Firelands is vital in providing facilities and technology that will enhance the healing environment and improve the patient experience. There are many opportunities for community members to join us in investing in this incredible project that will make a difference in the lives of women and babies. For information on how to make a gift, please contact the Foundation for Firelands at 419-557-7151.

Annual Report | 5

Benefits of these Renovations:

The unit will feature enhanced security for patient peace of mind. A reception desk will be located just inside the unit to provide family assistance.

Walls will be removed to create a better utilization of floor space to meet patient needs.

Each room will be large enough to accommodate families wanting to participate in and celebrate the arrival of their new baby. Natural light will brighten each room, many of which now lack windows.

Two triage rooms will be created for mothers who require a non-stress test or a short stay either before or after delivery.

Hydrotherapy, the use of water for pain relief during labor, will now be offered.

The renovated rooms will include large, private bathrooms with easy and safe access to a roomy shower. Each one will feature beautiful new tiling. Sufficient shelving will easily accommodate a mother’s personal care items.

Newly-installed technology will give mothers the ability to control lighting levels. All rooms will have phones, new televisions, Internet access, and charging workstations for computers and tablets.

Postpartum suites in the Women’s Services Area will include the amenities listed above and important equipment for in-room examinations and infant bathing.

Women recovering from hysterectomies, mastectomies and other gynecological surgeries will experience the personalized, high-touch nursing care they need in quiet, comfortable rooms located near the nurses’ station.


Donations from generous individuals and physicians helped to create the beautiful healing environment in the Firelands Regional Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Center. Donations funded artwork, sculptures and water features that provide patients with a calming, healing environment. Donations are used daily for patient activities to improve eye-hand coordination and encourage socialization in a fun manner amongst patients and families.

One StepCloser to Home

In early 2014, Firelands Regional

Medical Center moved its inpatient

rehabilitation facility from

South Campus to the fifth floor

of the East Tower at Firelands

Regional Medical Center. This

move helps patients be closer

to their physicians, emergency

medical teams, testing and

laboratory services. The new space

also offers a state-of-the-art

therapeutic setting that focuses on

independence and getting patients

back to their best health as soon

as possible.

Front load washer and dryer, refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, even curbside service to make it easier to get in and out of the car...you might think this describes a resort, but these are the therapeutic amenities that help patients at the Firelands Regional Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Center get better and return home.

As the clock turned to 2014, the staff at Firelands Regional Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Center was moving current patients from facilities at Firelands South Campus to their new “home” on the fifth floor of the main campus East Tower at Firelands Regional Medical Center. The space is beautiful, but the beauty of it lies in its functionality: details purposefully included in the unit to offer patients therapeutic benefits from socialization and dining, to household chores and daily living functions. The new unit has all the comforts of home, designed to help patients relearn how to do laundry, load and unload a dishwasher, open and close windows, transfer in and out of a car, navigate sidewalks and curbs, even dine with friends and family.

Area Director of Case Management and Inpatient Rehabilitation Shennell Hinton says these tasks are important to patients in the unit because mastering each gets them one step closer to going home.

“We have a constant focus on independence and on getting people ready to go home,” she says. “We incorporate family into the activities we do with patients and we have seen great results.”

Yet, perhaps the most important difference the staff finds in moving from Firelands South Campus to Firelands Main Campus is that they can more quickly utilize other essential resources for their patients.

“In the event of a medical emergency, we no longer have to wait for an ambulance to bring a patient to the main campus,” Hinton says. “We have more accessibility to emergency management teams and to our patients’ physicians now that we are all under one roof. Response time is quicker and our patients and their families are not inconvenienced with being transferred from one facility to another.”

For more information on the Firelands Regional Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, visit firelands.com/rehab.

Annual Report | 7

Grizzly Bear on the Outside,Teddy Bear on the Inside,

Brightens Patients’ DaysUsually, when people see a 100-lb Rottweiler, a smile is not their first reaction. But to hundreds of patients at Firelands Regional Medical Center, a smile is exactly what “Ike” brings to them on a regular basis. Ike and his owner, Steve Christman, come to the medical center several times each month to visit patients and to bring good cheer to everyone. Steve and Ike aren’t the only human-canine volunteer duo, but they are unique for a lot of reasons. Yes, Ike is a seven-year-old Rottweiler, a breed not usually associated with warm, cuddly sentiments. Ike is also different because he is a cancer survivor, a fact that patients find both interesting and empowering.

Perhaps the most striking fact about the volunteer pair is that Steve is also a Firelands Regional Medical Center employee who comes in on his days off to brighten patients’ days. He works full-time in housekeeping, polishing the floors on the third floor, fourth floor, Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and in the Inpatient Psychiatric Center.

One day, when Steve was cleaning the floors in patient areas, he decided he wanted to help the people he saw every day.

“I must look like an understanding person, because people everywhere like to talk to me, even if they don’t know me,” he says. “People are often anxious when they are in the hospital. I thought bringing Ike in might remind them of their own pets and might help them to relax, even if it’s just for a few minutes.”

Steve and Ike are naturals at getting patients to relax. When they arrive at the medical center on Steve’s days off, they can’t get down the hallway without someone stopping to pet Ike. Often, Ike will lie down in the middle of the hallway or in the room, as if to say, “This place is great!”.

Typically, Steve and Ike make the rounds on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Inpatient Rehabilitation Center, 3 Tower and occasionally visit other areas, if time permits.

“People just light up when they see the dog,” he says. “It has made me feel so good that I’ve just recently started bringing my lab mix, Callahan, in to visit as well.”

For Steve, coming into his workplace on his days off isn’t a burden, especially because he is helping others.

“This is a small way I can make a difference for people,” he says. “I truly enjoy doing it, and I think the dogs like it a lot, too.”

Steve Christman, an environmental services employee, poses with his dogs, Ike and Callahan, whom he brings to Firelands Regional Medical Center on his days off to spread cheer to the patients. Steve and the dogs can be found in many areas of the medical center bringing comfort and a smile to all.

“People just light up when they see the dog,this is a small way I can make

a difference for people.”Steve Christman, Firelands Regional Medical Center employee


The Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation Helps to

Fight Concussions Head-On

Joining Dr. Parnell and Dr. DenBesten in the Firelands Sports Injury Concussion Clinic are Dr. Steven Benedict, a neurology consultant;Bill Gosser, Firelands lead athletic trainer; Matt Hamlin, PT, ATC, CWCE, physical therapist and certified athletic trainer; and Jordan Bowers, athletic trainer to give anyone with head trauma the best care possible.

For more information on the free, upcoming Firelands Sports Injury Concussion Clinic ImPACT® baseline screenings funded by the Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation, visit firelands.com or call 419-55-SPORT.

2014 Sandusky High School alumna Bailey Smith utilized a

baseline screening and follow-up testing from Firelands Sports Injury

Concussion Clinic after two concussions left her sidelined from soccer

and softball her sophomore and junior years. Bailey’s care team used

the testing results to determine her readiness to return

to play after both injuries and got her back to playing (and smiling)

with her teammates.

Annual Report | 9

As a two-sport athlete for the majority of her life, 2014 Sandusky High School alumna Bailey Smith never thought her career as a softball and soccer player would include two concussions in just two years. Yet, for the college-bound athlete both soccer and softball posed two equally challenging health risks that involved intensive treatment programs through Firelands Sports Injury Concussion Clinic.

Prior to the start of the school year, Bailey and her teammates underwent computer testing to establish individualized cognitive baselines. If an athlete suffers a head injury, the cognitive test is re-administered to assist medical professionals to assess the athlete’s symptoms, compare the results to the baseline information, and provide objective data for clinicians, athletic trainers and coaches to make the difficult return-to-play decision.

So when Bailey collided with another player in a softball game two years ago and hit her head on the ground, Firelands Lead Athletic Trainer Bill Gosser knew right where to start. After a physical exam, Gosser and his coworkers, physicians and staff, used Bailey’s baseline to determine the severity of her injury.

“If we hadn’t had that computer test, I wouldn’t have necessarily known how bad her injury was,” Gosser says. “The sensitivity of this test really helped our team determine Bailey’s

ability to return to her sport and ultimately helped us do what was best for her.”

Firelands Sports Injury Concussion Clinic is under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Parnell. The Clinic features the area’s only Neuropsychologist, Dr. Nick DenBesten. “Computerized testing is a good way to quickly screen and assess the potential cognitive impact of concussion. The results help identify any red flags and assist with making the decision whether or not more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is warranted. This is especially the case in individuals with underlying learning disabilities (known or unknown), psychiatric history (depression, anxiety, etc.), or those with complicated, prolonged recovery. Symptoms are expected to fully recover with time. Our job is to monitor this recovery so that the athlete does not return to play while symptomatic, as this increases the risk of more significant injury,” comments Dr. DenBesten.

With concussions and head trauma on the rise in young athletes across the country, The Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation has generously agreed to fund the important ImPACT® baseline concussion screening for local high schools throughout the area, ensuring that each student athlete has the resources to treat concussions in a timely and thorough manner.

“The Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation was established to give to programs that would help the young, the old and everyone in between,” says Marcia Goff, trustee of the Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation. “We are happy to support these screenings

and to be able to expand this service to area students. The Foundation supports a lot of good things in Sandusky and this is one example of how we can make a big impact on the lives of children in our community.”

“Bailey didn’t want to sit out for either of her injuries, in softball or in soccer,” Gosser remembers. “Dr. DenBesten advised her to follow a customized rehabilitation program and to give her body time to heal. Eventually, her testing showed that her cognitive skills went back to normal.”

Bailey was glad she listened to the experts. “I think having that baseline really helped me to get better quicker. I needed more treatment and having those tests showed that.”


New Weapons in the Fight Against Cancer University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center treats the whole patient, not just their cancer. The staff at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center approaches cancer care as so much more than just a diagnosis of cancer. Each nurse, physician and staff member treats patients holistically, with the best cancer treatment protocols available, focusing not only on treating the disease but also on the mental, physical and emotional well-being of the patient.

“Research shows that taking care of the whole patient increases patient outcomes,” says Kim Schreiner, director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center. “We really take that to heart. We offer nutrition counseling with a dietician. We offer support groups to patients and families. We offer stress-relieving therapies and help with navigating the financial burden of cancer.”

“University Hospitals provides us with a lot of really important resources,” says Dr. Vinay Gudena, medical oncologist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center. “We have access to a vast array of specialists and to research and clinical trials that really are at the cutting edge of cancer care.”

One of the newest ways of treating cancer, customizing treatment using an individual patient’s genetic map, is now being used on qualifying patients at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

“We are excited to be able to isolate a patient’s genetic information to help tailor treatment to them and to make it more effective at treating their cancer,” says Dr. Gudena. “We know that for some patients this method as well as taking a holistic approach to treating a patient from diagnosis to health really makes a difference.”

The staff at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center is STAR (Survivorship Training and Rehabilitation) Program® Certified to offer cancer rehabilitation to its patients to help patients recover from cancer and get back to living their lives. This includes physical therapy, mental health counseling, occupational therapy, family support groups and a variety of other evidence-based methods.

“We are all in this together,” says Kim. “As a community, we rejoice at our patients’ victories and we want to make sure each patient is taken care of, even when they leave our care. That is why giving each patient the tools to overcome cancer and get back to their ‘normal’ is so important to us. We are a family.”

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center is the only STAR Program® Certified facility

in the area. Rather than using a “problem-oriented” approach and tackling each health

issue as it arises, the full spectrum of post-cancer care is addressed by each patient’s

healthcare “team”, including oncology and rehabilitation specialists. When evaluating

a patient, in addition to focusing on his or her health conditions and symptoms, diet,

sleep issues, existing pain, endurance, strength, exercise habits and emotional outlook

are all taken into consideration and individually addressed in their treatment plan. All

of these factors have an important effect on physical healing.

The healthcare “team” creates a personalized rehabilitation plan, with the goals

of increasing strength and energy, alleviating pain, improving physical functioning,

achieving emotional balance and boosting the immune system. Each team member

provides his or her expert medical guidance, training, encouragement and support, for

the duration of the program.

Annual Report | 11

A Dream Come TrueWhen a person is diagnosed with cancer, they often find themselves wading through a sea of information, appointments and tests. Sometimes, this can mean traveling to and from several facilities for tests and physician visits. At University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center, cancer patients and their families do not have to worry about being bounced from one facility to another.

In May, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center added a Phillips PET/CT Scan to help the physicians and staff treat cancer patients using state-of-the-art protocols right here under one roof. In the past, Firelands has had access to a mobile unit two days a week. Now, the nuclear medicine technologists have a machine in-house, shortening patient wait times and improving patient satisfaction. Firelands Regional Medical Center employs the area’s only PET/CT certified technologists, giving patients peace of mind that their testing will be done both correctly and efficiently.

For treating cancer, radiation is one of the most common and effective methods of reducing the size of tumors and eradicating cancer cells from the body. Radiation also requires physicians to accurately and methodically plan a course of treatment so they can minimize the number of healthy cells damaged and increase treatment success. The Phillips PET/CT Scan allows radiation oncologists to use a single image to locate, plan, isolate and treat a variety of cancers in patients.

“For patients at Firelands, the PET/CT Scan does diagnostic staging of cancer and can be utilized for treatment planning, which translates into better precision, less side effects from treatment and better outcomes,” says Dr. Mersiha Hadziahmetovic, radiation oncologist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

Firelands’ new PET/CT Scan is also the area’s only “large bore” machine, meaning a greater percentage of the population can receive testing in this larger, more accommodating unit.

“Patients at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center benefit from the convenience of having all their testing, treatment and follow-up in one location and the physicians conduct their treatment plans with the confidence that comes from the best technology available,” says Dr. Vinay Gudena, medical oncologist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

“It is every radiation oncologist’s dream to have PET scan,” Dr. Hadziahmetovic says. “This is a huge benefit to our patients and will ultimately result in much higher patient satisfaction and better outcomes without leaving this community.”


Serving Patients

Around The WorldIt’s been 24 years since Dr. Amy Reese was commissioned as an officer in the Navy, prior to attending medical school and becoming an oncologist. In those 24 years she’s experienced a lot of the same things we all do: graduated, held jobs, married, had children and volunteered in her community. Yet, Dr. Reese has also experienced things many of us have not: She has experienced the power of treating and healing people in a warzone halfway across the world.

Commander Reese or Dr. Reese, as she is known by her coworkers in Sandusky, is a medical oncologist at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center. In November 2013, she deployed for an eight-month tour of duty to Afghanistan, taking her commitment for the health and welfare of her patients to an international level.

Her position as a Commander in the United States Navy and her duty to her country and fellow service members compelled her to continue her service in the Naval Reserves after she spent 15 years in active duty. This has required balancing her professional and personal lives with her duty to the Navy.

“She decided to stay in the Navy and to go into the reserves because of commitment,” says her husband, JJ. “When Amy went into the military, she said she wanted to retire in the Navy. She is staying in because she feels like that is the right thing to do. When she decides to do something, she remains wholeheartedly committed to her decision- whether that be treating a cancer patient or fighting for our country.”

Though the details of Commander Reese’s deployment must remain vague for security purposes, she is a physician, providing supportive care for wounded military personnel in and around the area of Afghanistan where she is stationed.

Annual Report | 13

Her husband concurs that whether she is treating a cancer patient or a wounded service member, serving as Dr. Reese or Commander Reese, her job is still the same.

“She’s still a physician. She gives the same level of care to patients in Afghanistan as she does to patients here. It doesn’t matter who they are. If there is a challenge in front of her, she is going to do her best and help her patients, whether in Ohio or in Afghanistan,” he says with a proud smile.

On the family front, JJ is charged with keeping in order the busy lives of their two boys, Wesley, 15, and Andrew, 8, who miss their mom but know she is doing great work half a world away.

“They know that mom is a sailor. This is her second time away like this (her first was in Kuwait), but that doesn’t really make it any easier,” JJ says. “We are lucky to have support from people at Firelands, from our church and from friends to cope with her absence.”

Friends, patients, coworkers and her family have sent Commander Reese care packages and have assembled

holiday treats for her sons, making her time away just a little bit easier.

Technology helps the Reeses stay connected, too. JJ and Amy text nearly every day and often talk on the phone. The boys video call their mom at least once a week, making the distance seem less daunting.

“I know this deployment is difficult for my family,” she says. “But it’s really about helping other people and about fulfilling my duty to my country. I feel lucky to have the community support I do and to be able to help so many of my fellow service members from throughout the world. I will be ready to come home in the fall, but I am thankful that I get to make a difference in the lives of so many people here.”

“I know I am doing great things for people here.They are in the middle of war. They

are scared and hurt and they really

need medical care.”Dr. Amy Reese, Medical Oncologist

Commander Reese says every day is different. Though her role in her deployment differs from her role as an oncologist at home, she still utilizes many of the same skills she has honed for the past several years.

“I’ve stayed in the Navy because I’ve built a lot of relationships and I find it both challenging and rewarding,” Commander Reese says. “I know I am doing great things for people here. They are in the middle of war. They are scared and hurt and they really need medical care. What I try to do is to get them back to where they need to be and to make them better than they were when they got here. In that way, it’s not that much different from the oncology care I provide to patients at home.”

In addition to giving her time to her country

and volunteering in the community, Dr. Reese

and her husband J.J. are Charter Members of

The Foundation for Firelands Legacy Society.

The Foundation for Firelands established the

Legacy Society to recognize donors who have

cumulatively given or plan to give $15,000

or more in support of the patients served

by Firelands Regional Medical Center. The

Foundation created this prestigious society

to honor those philanthropists who remain

committed to the health and wellness of our

community residents.


S.P.O.T. On for Kids!

Pediatric Therapy patient Gianna North strengthens

her leg muscles while “playing” in the “Spider Cage” at

Firelands Regional Medical Center with her therapist,

Amber Hamlin, PT. Gianna, who was diagnosed with

cerebral palsy at birth, has been receiving physical therapy

at Firelands Regional Medical Center for three years. She can

now take several steps on her own and can enjoy playing on

playground equipment and at school, according to

her mother.

Annual Report | 15

When you walk in the Spider Cage room at Firelands Regional Medical Center’s Pediatric Therapy department, it’s easy to mistake the bungee cords and harnesses for a child’s play area, especially when you see the exercises the children do with their therapists. It might look like it’s all fun and games, but in reality, the Universal Exercise Unit or Spider Cage is an intensive therapy that sets Firelands Pediatric Therapy program apart from any others in the area.

Just ask Kerri Duffy. Her daughter, Gianna, is a happy, playful eight-year-old girl, born with cerebral palsy. From age one to six, Gianna received therapy at another local pediatric therapy department, but her progress plateaued after five years.

“I knew she was capable of doing more,” her mother says. “I looked for a place with a spider cage that was close enough to home so that we could keep her on a schedule.”

Kerri learned that Firelands Regional Medical Center has two spider cages to treat children, both of which were donations from the Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Kerri enrolled Gianna in the program where she underwent four sessions per week for four weeks, the most intensive therapy available for kids.

Lisa Horchler, director of speech-language pathology and pediatric services at Firelands Regional Medical Center, says research

shows that this therapy works more efficiently for patients than the traditional method of administering a therapy routine once a week for a year.

For Kerri and Gianna, the therapy sessions in the spider cage have made all the difference in the world.

“For us, Firelands has literally been life-changing. Gianna is doing things I never thought she would do,” Kerri says. “Not only does Gianna lift her feet when she walks instead of dragging them, but she can take 10 to 12 steps on her own and can even climb stairs. Her confidence has soared, and she is now able to communicate better and interact with other children.”

Lisa and the pediatric therapists at Firelands Regional Medical Center take great pride in the accomplishments of their patients, and have moved into a newly-renovated space at Firelands South Campus just for kids.

The Children’s S.P.O.T. (Speech, Physical and Occupational Therapy) has expanded the department to 12 treatment rooms, adding private consultation rooms to educate families away from public spaces, a full kitchen to help children with feeding and other daily activities, a pediatric-sized sensory gym complete with a track for biking, running, and skipping, a ball pit and slide, zip lines and other play-based equipment needed for therapy sessions.

The spider cages at Firelands also have new homes in the Children’s S.P.O.T., continuing the intensive therapy programs without interruption for patients and therapists.

“This new space really helps us to have continuity in our sessions and is tailored to the unique needs of the children we see,” Lisa says. “We are so excited to have the ability to enhance our services and to help all children and families in our community. Without the generosity of the Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary and other community members, this program wouldn’t be seeing the success it is today. We are so grateful for the support we’ve received and for the impact we’ve been able to make in the lives of so many children.”

“For us, Firelands has literally been life-changing.Gianna is doing things I never thought she would do.”Kerri Duffy


Outreach Provides Tools to Manage

Your Health

In 2004, when Firelands Regional Medical Center Community Outreach Department began, it had one simple mission - to improve the health of our community. Since then, tens of thousands of people have relied on this department for just that. Numerous events and outreach programs have given patients access to affordable, timely and essential health screenings, education, information and so much more. For Director Mary Bauer this scope of outreach is a source of pride and also represents a challenge to her department to reach more people each year.

Demographically, the screenings and programs see all age and income ranges and serve not only those who are uninsured and underinsured, but also those who have insurance, and find the cost, convenience and usefulness of the programs appealing. The programs are provided to the community at a reduced rate because of the generosity of donors to The Foundation for Firelands.

“When the department began, we did a few big screenings here at the medical center each year and had as many as 550 people attend one screening,” Bauer says. “In 2011, we continued conducting the screenings here at Firelands Main Campus and also added off-site physician offices. People seem to really like that they can get blood work and testing done in their own community. This has also meant that more people in our service areas of Clyde and Vermilion participate and get the testing and care they need.”

In 2013 alone, approximately 12,000 people participated in the health screenings conducted by Firelands Regional Medical Center Community Outreach.

And the screening and lab work is not the end of the line for these patients. If an abnormality is found on a routine test, staff will follow up with a phone call and the results are sent

to both the participant and to their family physician to ensure patients are taking the appropriate next steps after these results. The department helps patients through counseling and education on nutrition, disease management and even helps coordinate referrals to specialists based on test results. Last year alone, 65 patients received free breast cancer screenings and 25 percent were referred for further testing following an abnormal finding. Physicians also performed 47 oral, head and neck cancer screenings in 2013, with 13 percent needing further testing.

Firelands Community Outreach hosts programming that reaches nearly 5,000 individuals per year featuring physicians, nurses, researchers and other medical professionals to educate the community about health-related topics like skin cancer, diabetes, bone density and aging, nutrition, and spinal health, to name a few.

“I tell people that The Foundation for Firelands and the Firelands Community Outreach Department really are a safety net for people,” Bauer says. “Funding from The Foundation for Firelands allows us to offer screenings and education we could not do otherwise and we are able to help patients identify significant health issues at an early age. In turn, many people are screened that otherwise wouldn’t be. We are so appreciative that donors care enough about others to potentially save the lives of so many people.”

“People seem to really like that they can get blood work and testing done in their own community. This has also meant that more people participate and get the testing and care they need.”Mary Bauer, Firelands Regional Medical Center Community Outreach Department Director

“We think that community outreach is a phenomenal opportunity for patients to obtain screenings for laboratory

and vascular studies at a very affordable cost.”Dr. Brett Kuns and Dr. Bryan Kuns, Firelands Physician Group, family medicine

Annual Report | 17

Help When You Need It MostWhen you come to Firelands Regional Medical Center, paying for your care is usually the last thing on your mind. When you see the staff and physicians, your focus should be on getting well. Firelands Regional Medical Center Financial Counseling department exists solely to help people worry less about paying their hospital bills and focus more on their health.

“We have an entire department dedicated to helping people pay their bills,” says Susan Hosang, manager of credit and collections. “No one should have to go without healthcare, no matter what their financial means.”

Susan and her team of five counselors have a variety of options for people who are uninsured, underinsured or whose financial situation makes it difficult to pay hospital bills in full.

Patients are encouraged to stop in or call one of the financial counselors to find out if they might qualify for assistance through the federal government (HCAP) or through Firelands in-house financial assistance program (HFA). The medical center also offers Care Loans, a five-year interest free loan through Citizens Bank. The team of financial counselors can also set up a payment plan to help patients pay down their account balances in a timely fashion.

“We really encourage people to be their own health advocate, even if they lack the funds to pay for their care,” Susan says. “Ninety percent of people who come to see us are eligible for some type of assistance.”

With recent changes in health insurance and healthcare reform, financial counseling has seen an increase in the number of uninsured patients looking for assistance.

“Unfortunately, you don’t think about health insurance until you need it,” says Susan. “That’s where we come in. Sometimes, we are able to help people fill out paperwork for Medicaid, other times we find they are qualified for HCAP or HFA assistance. Don’t be fearful of not being able to pay for treatment; we are here to help.”

Financial Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. Walk-ins welcome. Call 419-557-7879 to speak to a financial counselor.

What do you need to bring with you to your Financial Counseling session?

Pay stubs for work completed three months prior to your date of service

Social Security Award Letter

W-2 (only if above are unavailable)

Photo ID (to be processed for the Care Loan)

For those needing mammograms or services associated with the treatment of cancer, patients can qualify for free care through Financial Counseling, thanks to the generosity of donors in our community.

The Firelands Financial Counseling team poses near their offices at Firelands Regional Medical Center. This group focuses on helping patients navigate their hospital bills by qualifying patients for medical center assistance programs, setting up payment plans and qualifying them for healthcare loans.


An Anchor of

Hope and HealingWhen Annette Munafo talks, it is with such exuberance that her whole upper body is in constant motion...perhaps, that’s why her earrings are one of the first things you notice as they shake back and forth. A native of Sandusky, Annette is a sailor, a pastime her youngest son has also taken up in his adolescence. So, not surprisingly, those earrings shaking back and forth are anchors.

“Hope,” she says. “My son told me the anchor is a symbol of hope. So, I wear these every day now that I have breast cancer.”

It was the middle of sailing season on July 7, 2013 when Annette knew something wasn’t right. She had broken out in hives on her chest, arms, stomach and neck and she didn’t know what to do, so she came to Firelands Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. Annette thought she had acquired an infection under her left breast from going in and out of the water while sailing.

But, the physicians quickly realized this was much more than just an infection. The Emergency Department sent her to University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center, where Dr. Amy Reese found a large palpable mass on the left breast. Luckily, Dr. Reese told Annette that her cancer was only in her left breast; it had not spread.

When Annette first began her 20 weeks of chemotherapy, she still had a job and insurance. Early in 2014, she ran out of medical leave. She then lost her job and her health insurance because the physical limitations of battling cancer prohibited her from performing her job. The single mother of four didn’t know where to turn. She met with Angie McGrady, patient navigator at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

“Angie is so wonderful and so helpful,” Annette says. “Everything here is just great. I’ve been in other facilities and I can’t explain how nice it is to have comprehensive care in one location.”

In early summer, Annette began radiation therapy at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center and hopes to continue sailing with her youngest son.

“I am so appreciative of everything so many people have done for me,” she says. “Firelands has made this journey so much easier on me and my family. I have hope because of other people caring about me and that is my anchor.”

Angie set Annette up with several organizations, including The Foundation for Firelands. Donors to the Mammogram and Breast Cancer Fund have helped Annette get through the last several months of doctors’ appointments, treatments and daily living without a job and health insurance. Donations to The Foundation for Firelands have purchased prescription medication during Annette’s chemotherapy, medication for chemotherapy side effects, physician-prescribed massage, wound care medications, blankets and hats donated by the students at Firelands Montessori Academy and other groups, fuel cards and grocery assistance. Annette even participated in a patient support group partially funded by donations to The Foundation for Firelands.

“I could’ve lost everything I’ve worked so hard for through the years, including my home,” Annette says, tearfully. “But because of the generosity of others, I’ve received the support I need to get better.”

Annual Report | 19

Peace of Mindto Focus on Getting Well

John Armantrout woke up one September morning in 2013 knowing that something wasn’t right. He’d been feeling that way most of the year. When he finally went to his doctor, his blood work suggested he needed more testing...a colonoscopy revealed that John had colon cancer.

“That first week after diagnosis, I didn’t really know what to do,” John says. “My employer didn’t offer health insurance anymore, so I knew the bills were going to be very expensive.”

So, John called a few hospitals in the Toledo area, where he worked as a paralegal, to see what they could do to treat him. After a week, only two hospitals even returned his calls and none offered assistance. On a friend’s suggestion he called Cancer Services of Erie County who referred him to Angie McGrady, patient navigator at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

“I told Angie I had no insurance, but that I had always paid my bills in the past,” John says. “I was concerned that if I didn’t pay, I’d

be sent to collections. Angie assured me that wouldn’t happen. She told me I would be treated for my cancer and I shouldn’t worry about the bills.”

John filled out every form Angie asked him to and after he stopped working in November, he became eligible for Medicaid and applied for Social Security Disability. He also qualified for HCAP, a federal financial assistance program that provides charity care from Firelands Regional Medical Center to income-eligible patients. From November until the end of May, John used a small IRA from a previous employer to pay for all his living expenses and has relied on the generosity of donors to The Foundation for Firelands for out-of-pocket costs related to his cancer treatment.

“Donors to The Foundation for Firelands have helped me with the prescriptions I need and have helped with other expenses related to my treatment.”

For John, this generosity has meant that he can focus on fighting his colon cancer, instead of worrying about how he will pay for his care and the quality of treatment he is receiving.

“At first, I was afraid I would just be a charity case at any medical center I went to and that maybe I wouldn’t receive the best treatment possible,” John says. “But I have never felt like that here. From my first visit, I knew I was getting the best cancer care I could get and my lack of insurance didn’t matter because of kind people giving to The Foundation for Firelands and because of other medical center assistance programs. Thank you for giving me the peace of mind to focus on getting well.”

John Armantrout (middle), poses with two of his caretakers, Beth Grieves, RN, OCN (left) and Lindsay Damschroder, MSN, RN, NP-C (right). John, whose employer recently stopped offering health insurance coverage, looked to The Foundation for Firelands for financial assistance when he was diagnosed with colon cancer in the fall of 2013.

“I really don’t know what I would do without this financial assistance.” John Armantrout


Firelands RegionalMedical Center

Heart CenterWins Gold!For Firelands Regional Medical Center Heart Center, all that glitters is really gold when it comes to their most recent award from the American Heart Association Mission: Lifeline. Firelands Heart Center has a long history of meeting the important standards in heart attack care, and is now being recognized for meeting and exceeding the American Heart Association’s metrics for heart attack outcomes.

“The Gold Award from Mission: Lifeline demonstrates Firelands’ commitment to heart care by recognizing how quickly we intervene in heart attack situations,” says Tina Ammanniti, area director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Services. “This award demonstrates how we have been able to work with Emergency Medical Services personnel, the Firelands Emergency Department and our Heart Center team to bring excellent outcomes to patients.”

Ammanniti says there are specific criteria the medical center must meet to achieve this award. One such important category

that gives Firelands the distinction of receiving the “Receiving Center Plus Award” is the time between when the heart attack patient first arrives at Firelands to opening the blocked artery causing the heart attack. The American College of Cardiology guideline suggests a 90-minute window of time from the moment the patient arrives at the hospital to the opening of the blocked artery. Firelands averages less than 35 minutes, saving more of the heart muscle and providing better patient outcomes from their heart attack. The “Plus” part of this award denotes that we are meeting the goal even when heart attack patients are transferred to us from another facility. “This recognition really extends beyond Firelands to our first responders and the collaboration we have as a community,” Ammanniti says. “We have worked hard to bring our patients the best possible heart care and we will continue to do so in the future.”

The American College of Cardiology guideline suggests a 90-minute window of time from the moment the patient arrives at the hospital to the opening of

the blocked artery. Firelands averages less than 35 minutes, saving more of the heart muscle and providing better patient outcomes from their heart attack.

Annual Report | 21

Morgan AaronJulie AlexanderMichele AlexanderHeather AmezquitaTrudie AndersonPrince AyereJoyce BaaskeBetsy BaerenklauGary BaerenklauFran BakerJames BalduffSherryl BalduffJudy BaronMarilyn BeckmanBetty BehlmerJeff BelmontGiovanni BendettaNancy BickleyMichael BiltzTyler BirkholzRuth BrandleMichael BrennanPat Bricker-CookCharles BriehlMary Ann BriehlPatricia BruggemanJanis BurkeEarlene ButlerMae ButlerLois CampKatlyn CanadaJulia CasserlyAnn CassidyPatricia CassidyMargaret CheethamKathie ChlepciakChrista ChumleyIngrid CoiffardMorgan CraigJim CremeanMarjorie CremeanJanet CroomMarcy CrowAnn DanielArmelle DeRisoColette DeRisoNoelle DeRisoDennis DeitenbeckChristy Dickman

Jacob DickmanCindy DonahueJames DrummAngela DubbertCrystal DuncanKay EashPauline EdensJerry EhrhardtPatricia EllingtonBonnie FaberJacob FeichtTrudie FergusonHolly FinkenbineKathy FitzPatti FitzMeredith FoggHarriett FoosMary Ann FoxJanet FreehlingJohn GarlockJohn Garlock, Sr.Peg GarvinArlene GilbertJack GirardChris GoodmanAgnes GosserDorothy GowdyMarlaya GrantKaylee GraybillDonna GreulichMaddison GriffinElizabeth GrowelNancy GruverSandy GubaSue HarmonRol HartPam Hartung-KellemKasey HatmakerMarilyn HedbergVirginia HerholdBeverly HillisKayla HintonHelen HollJoanne HoseyJudith HoskinWilliam HoskinGwen HufnagleMattie IrbyRonda JacksichGladys Janssen

Walt JohnsonAlexys JonesEllen JonesNathan KafityHelen KeilmanGrace KellerSharon KendallDonna KiefferSophie KnauerJane KochLorie KoehlMonica KoelschKristina KovalikShirley LangdonScott LauberDoreen LeberJoy LeiserPhilip LenosHeather LentzSharon LentzPeggy LenyoBrianana Lewis-GiffawEmily LipstrawBetty LivingstonLinda LombardAnn LoseyThomas LovittMimi LubergerMary Ann LublowPat MandrikRosemary ManteyShirley MapusMeranda MathisRenetta MatsoBev MatthewsKate McBrideLaura McBrideJim McClainApril McCormackMichael McDanielMary McDonaldSean McGrawJean MillerBud MitchellCecilia Moffett-HeschCasandra MomentConnie MontgomeryDeborah MontgomeryLouise MoonDawn MooreEmma MooreVera MooreJoyce MulaneyBetty MunafoAndrea MyersAllison NagelKayla NelsonMarina NeumanVirginia NeumanOlivia NewellKeith NewtonLouise NewtonPriscilla NguyenSabrina NguyenDarlene NicklesJohn O’BrienBrittney O’HaraMorgan OdellCharles Odums

David OmlorSusan OmlorIrene OppJason OppMabel OpperThomas OrihelJennifer PaizJuleah PalmisonGail ParaskevopoulosSuzanne ParkerMary PiersonBeth PittsJohn PlanthaberCindy PlueKayla PorterMardell PorterMary PottsJean PuckrinGrant RanchoffErica ReberVicki ReberRachel ReedDolores RitzenthalerEmily RobertsHayley RollMickey RoseGinny RosebrookClark RossDorothy RufferBrenda SafersteinNicolette SalasSara SamstagMarty SawickiDarcy SchildSherry SchusterMarcia SchuttJean SeeholzerDarcene SelbyRuth Ann ShaverMegan SimsHelen SkeltonHeather SmithMarianne SmithVicki SmithLinda SoletBud SonickCarolyn SpaydJoAnn SporeNelson StattRuth Steele

Gary SteinerVirginia SteinerPaul StengelPhyllis StengelJune StephensonSandy StierhoffCarolyn StoughBrenda StrackJanet StradtmanVarun SubashchandranSarah SullivanPayton SwainAnnette TamburrinoAnna TanakaRiki TanakaAlex ThompsonDeanna ThompsonHedy ToddShoLonje TownerCathy TowningKristin TroeschEllen TroikeRebecca TroutSharon Turini-KentBernita TurnerMary TurskyDonna Van AukenSusan VanBargNancy VivianoTeresa WaggonerRosemary WallandJoan WalterTerri WashburnCecelia WeaverNancy WeeksHope WeisbachRuth WestMary Lou WhiteValerie WhittakerGinny Wicker-PiddockJill WilhelmJanice WilliamsGloria WinkelAbby WisemanFlo YoungRaymond YoungAn ZhangAllison ZiehmKatie Zimmer

VolunteersVolunteers at Firelands Regional Medical Center

work side-by-side with employees every day in

more than 40 different departments to ensure

our patients are receiving the best care possible.

The more than 260 volunteers who give of their

time and talents do everything from transporting

patients within the medical center, to stocking

medical supplies, to staffing the Firelands Regional

Medical Center Auxiliary Gift Shops, to delivering

mail to various departments. Our dedicated

volunteers provide invaluable service to patients and

have been an essential part of Firelands Regional

Medical Center for decades. We hope you will join

us in extending our most sincere appreciation to

these kind individuals listed below.


In 2013, the Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary continued its tradition of giving back to provide more services and more efficient delivery of care to our patients. The Firelands Auxiliary stands as an exemplary organization dedicated to helping Firelands Regional Medical Center make our community healthier and stronger. Last year, the Firelands Auxiliary donated more than $80,000 to purchase a variety of equipment throughout the medical center.

Our community members can be proud that each time they shop in the Firelands Regional Medical Center Gift

Giving Back to

Care for Our CommunityShops, participate in a special sale or join the Firelands Auxiliary, they are helping to potentially save the life of someone they know. Collectively, Firelands Auxilians are always looking for new ways to help Firelands Regional Medical Center and to enhance the patient experience.

If you or someone you know are interested in joining this extraordinary group of men and women listed on the next page, please contact Auxiliary Liaison Jamie Geretz at 419-557-5471 or visit firelands.com/auxiliary.

The Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary operates three gift

shops and conducts special sales throughout the year to raise funds

to purchase equipment and to meet other needs within Firelands

Regional Medical Center. Special sales include jewelry sales, shoe sales,

electronics sales, Honey Baked Ham sales, chocolate and fudge sales

and book sales. For more information on upcoming events hosted by

Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary visit firelands.com.

Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary received The Foundation

for Firelands Legacy Society Diamond Award. The Firelands Regional

Medical Center Auxiliary became a Charter Member of the Legacy

Society in 2013 at the highest level for cumulative giving in support

of patient care at Firelands Regional Medical Center. To date the

Auxiliary’s generous gifts total more than $1 million...and counting.

Annual Report | 23

Holly AmidonTina AmmannitiLinda ArmstrongJane ArnoldJoyce BaaskeSherryl BalduffJoyce BarnesMary BauerArlyn BenschNancy BickleyRuth BrandleMaura BraunMary Ann BriehlMary Ann BrownJanis BurkeMae ButlerLianep CarrionAnn CassidySandy CattanoMargaret CheethamIngrid CoiffardAnn DanielAmy DavlinDarlene DeckerChristine DickmanLou DickmanKay EashBonita FaberMary FenkerJanet FletcherMary Ann FoxPeg GarvinMary GebelleJamie GeretzMitzi GradDonna GreulichFaye GroscostElizabeth GrowelDeb GundlachMarilyn HansenBeth HartzMarilyn HedbergVirginia HerholdRose HoelzerHelen HollLeona HolzmillerJoanne HoseyBill Hoskin

Judith HoskinJohn M. HotyMattie IrbyKaren JamesAnne JohnstoneNancy KellerSari KelleyRoberta KesslerDonna KiefferSara-Lu KoselConnie LambStephanie LawerenceGerry LehrerSharon LentzPeggy LenyoBetty LivingstonKathy LoparoMary Ann LublowChristine MackDorothy MalinovskySharon MaloneKaren MannShirley MapusBeverly MatthewsBarbara MayerApril McCormackAnne McGookeyNancy McKeenNancy McPeekJean MillerDan MoncherConnie MontgomeryLouise MoonVera MooreRobert MooreBetty MunafoGeorge MylanderConnie NapperPam NesgodaVirginia NeumanDiane NicklesBarbara NielsenGail ParaskevopoulosRuth ParkerGinny PiddockMary PiersonBeth PittsMary Potts

Holly PriceLinda ReichenbachLinda RicciDolores RitzenthalerVirginia RosebrookNancy RossRuth RuthsatzBrenda SafersteinSara SamstagMarty SawickiPeggy SchererMarcia SchuttJim SennishJackie SharpPat SizemoreVicki SmithRosaria SortinoJo Ann SporeAlice SpringerRuth SteeleSandra StierhoffSusan StockdaleLois SzabrakAnnette TamburrinoHedy ToddKristin TroeschSharon Turini-KentMary TurskyMartin TurskyHolly ValkoKaren VargasNancy VivianoRosemary WallandJoan WalterElaine WaterfieldCecelia WeaverLois WeilandJulie WenzingerBarbara WenzingerRuth WestMary Ellen WieberHelen WilliamsGloria WinkelMary Jane YoungEvelyn Zeller

In 2013, The Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary funded the following important items to better serve patients at Firelands Regional Medical Center:

Four Automated External Defibrillators for Bellevue, Upper Sandusky, Willard and Port Clinton Counseling & Recovery Services

Equipment and Software for Speech Therapy

Parent Kits for Happiest Baby on the Block classes

Security Access System for Sandusky Counseling & Recovery Services

Portable ultrasound machine for Cardiology Unit

Lab-dual headed microscope for Pathology

Lab-refrigerated centrifuge Universal Exercise Unit “Spider Cage”

and Equipment for Pediatric Therapy


Barbara AgrawalDexter AlexanderAll American SystemsMr. and Mrs. Neil AllenBill and Katie AllendorfButch AllendorfAllure Salon and SpaDr. Moutaz AlmawaldiHolly AmbroseAmerican Colors, Inc. Tina AmmannitiMike ArmourLinda ArmstrongJane and Chris ArnoldAultman Health FoundationAndrea and Cesare Avallone Marilyn and Tom AylwardPatricia and Dr. Michael BabiuchAudrey BahnEllen BakerBank of America Merrill-LynchKaren BarnumMary and Dan BauerLyon BaumlerSandie BealAmy BeattyKathy BeckLinda BeckerBrenda BelcherDiane and David BeldenAnne and Rodney BeldenBelle SoireeGiovanni BendettaMarlene and Andrew BenkoArlyn BenschThe Honorable Robert BentonJoni and Dr. James BerryJulia BeverickRobert Beverly and familyPat and Giovanni BignoliDebbie BinghamAnn BinghamAlisa BishopTheresa and Michael BlakelyDr. Kari Ketvertis and Dr. Michael BlankJason BlantonBob EvansMartha BoddeAmanda BodiSusan BoehlerJoyce and Tom BohlanderKim BoldenAmy BolingSandra BonawitMimma BondererEric BookerCarol BoraskiPatricia BordnerKaren BorkAmy and Bob BourneKim BowieDeborah BoyerDebe BradyAli BradyGary BrainardPhyllis and Joe BranskyMaura and Dr. Dale Braun

Our 2013

Generous BenefactorsJon BrauschAngela BricknerBridge Homecare PartnersTiffany BringBrohl & Appell Inc. Nancy BrownMagdalene and Bill BrownPamela and Michael BrumbaughDanielle BuathierBuckeye CableSystemJoyce and Jim BudererDebbie and Brian BuettnerBuffalo Wild WingsAnna BundrenMary Ellen BurnsPaula and Dr. Scott CampbellCancer Services, Girls Night Out Debra and Mike CanfieldCatawba Island ClubCedar PointRana ChabanMargaret CheethamShelly and Chip ChesbroCinemark Stadium TheatreGinny and Russ CiphersCitizens BankTM

Karen ClaarJacquie and David ClarkHolly ClaymanBarb ClemonsCleveland IndiansMary CmarSusan Coe Cold Stone CreameryDeborah ColsonCommunity Hospitalists, LLCShari and Gerald CoronaCoronet JewelryDiana CorwinWendy CovenderDavid CrawfordJayme and Bill CriscioneDarlene and Jason CrooksDottie and Fred CrowAlex CrueyPaula and Herbert CrumCrush Winebar Cindy and Terry CullenSue CunninghamConnie DaggKaren and Randall DasherPhyllis DaveyDawson Insurance, Inc. Marlene and Mike DeCaroDarlene DeckerNichole DehnBrenda DelamatreKim DellisantiCindy DeLucaColette and Dr. Anthony DeRisoBob DeryPatricia and Alvin DidionJennifer DietrichKristi DilleryWendy DolykCynthia DonahueThe Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn FoundationJoseph DoyonAmy and Kevin Durbin

Donna DurbinSusan DurbinMike EatonEats N’ TreatsMary and Neal EbertMary L. and Alfred EnggasserEnvironmental Water EngineeringER Docs, Inc. Shelly EverettPaul Everett and Laurie Willis Allison EvertJeffrey EwersElizabeth EytchisonBarbara and Jack FalfasKristy FallenkampJudi FarmerCarey FergusonDonna FerrellFindley Davies, Inc. Jackie FingerGail FinnFirelands Regional Medical Center Administration TeamFirelands Regional Medical Center AuxiliaryFirelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary Gift ShopsFirelands Regional Medical Center Infusion Center TeamFirelands Regional Medical Center Plant Operations TeamFirelands Regional Medical Center Nursing Administration TeamFirelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing Faculty and StaffFirelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center TeamFirelands Regional Medical Center Surgical Services TeamFitzgerald Automotive GroupKeith FlemingJanet FletcherCliff FoltzMarcia FordhamGreg FoscoDawson FosterFoster Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc. Brian FoxPaul Fox & Sons Excavating LTD Susan FrankNanette and John FrankelFraternal Order of Eagles Ladies’ Auxiliary Lake Erie Auxiliary No. 2875 Fresch Electric, Inc. The Frost-Parker FoundationHelen FryeLaura FuhrRennie FunniKendra and Jacob GaileyChristine GallowayScott GardnerNancy GarrisPablo GasparLisa and Tom GeisheimerJamie and Jason GeretzGhostly Manor Thrill CenterMelissa and Jason GibboneyGlen GinesiJesse Gingrich

Dottie GirardNancy GishMarcia GoffJoan GorantJeff GoretzkiAgnes GosserBill GosserGrassland Road/Amscan Inc. Robin GrathwolBarbara GravengaardDr. David GraysonValerie GrazianoGreat Wolf LodgeKeith GreenMarg GreenGary Greunke, D.D.S.Beth and Don GrievesKelly and Tom GriffingGriffing Flying Service, Inc. Sylvia Griggs Maria GrimmNeila GrimmWally Grinnell, Sr. Dr. Vinay GudenaShannon and Jerry GuerraDeborah and Roger GundlachGundlach Sheet MetalWorks, Inc. Dennis HaarAmber HaasNorma HaerBob HagstromJuanita HallJudith and John HalterDenise HammillDorothy and Earl HammondSandy HansenLucille and Carl HansonPatricia HarchuckHarley Ellis DevereauxHarmony in Health Ltd.Nancy and Robert HartungBeth HartzPatricia HayesDr. John HelmkampCarolyn HeltonSally HenningJeffrey HepnerJulie HerrigDr. Timothy HerronThe Joseph and Olive Hert TrustLou HibbardJulie HillSharon HilleDominique HiltonAdrienne HinesShenell HintonAnn HipplerMarilyn and Loren HochAnna HoehneSusan HoelzerChas HoffmanJean HoffmanDeanna HofstatterEllen HohlerHelen HollPam HolzaepfelHome Brew OhioJo and Leonard HomyakLisa HorchlerThe Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio

Annual Report | 25

Sherry and John HotyLois HummelTerence HunadyJeffrey and Mary HunekeConnie and Dr. Fredric ItzkowitzKarry JacksonKaren JamesJanotta & Herner, Inc.Gladys JanssenAnna JasperJB Roofing CompanyGayle JeffreyLee and Sandra JewettJimmy John’sSusan JohnsonBill JohnsonJohnson PhotographyTamara JonesShelly JordanMarcia JoslynKathy and Tom KaitKalahari ResortMelissa KapleSusan KarblerMary Beth KaserBryan KasperKasper Auto GroupHoward KatzDee Dee KecklerMichaele and Dr. Richard KellerLaura and Dan KellerConnie KendrickVirginia and John KentJanet KerepesiMary and Slater KesslerKeybank National AssociationKharma Boutique, Salon & SpaKevin KiefferLiz KileJodi KincaidLaura King Valerie King Judy KinzelKiwanis Club of SanduskyConnie and Phil KlauszLuella KnightBelinda KnollDeborah and Joseph KokaiChris KolarNorthwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the CureDennis KopcoSuzanne KosturaMarsha and Peter Kowalski Katherine KromerDr. Robert J. KromerLori KunsIda KusserJessica KusserMary LacyLake Erie Crushers Lake Erie Towing / TowBoat USLake Front PublicationsLake Shore Graphic Industries, Inc.Lakeside ChautauquaConnie and Mark LambRuthanne LandisThomas LaRoseElizabeth and Robert LarsonPaula LazaronyCatherine LeberJulianne LeeStaci LehmkuhlErika LeitgebJeanette and John LenczykHannah LendrumRichard LentzJohnnie LeonhardtLaurie LepleyTracy Lewis

Sharon and Steve LichtcsienElaine LichtcsienDorothy and Edward LippGloria LloydLongHorn SteakhouseKathy and Ed LoparoSusan and Dr. Carlos LowellJane and Dean LucalTracy LucasDiana LundyRobert LutzTheodore LuxKula LynchMolly and Tom MackChristine and David MackKay MackeyMad River Harley-DavidsonDenny MaerkischTricia and Bryan MahoneyMary MajoyMaking Waves Hair and Nail StudioKatherine MaloneyRashelle ManleyLeona MannLiz MarinikMark AdvertisingMatt MarsAnn MarsPatty and Dennis MartinChris MatejasicBeth and Bob MathewsJamie and Rob MatthewsMathews Ford Sandusky Matilda’s Home & CabanaDorothy and Roland MatterMary MatthiasRubye MayCathy MayleTim MaylesSue and Jim McBrideJoan and Ted McCannLinda McCartyAnne and Lee McDermond Karen McGeeAnn McGookeyAnne and Jim McGookeyHolly McGoryElaine and Dr. W. Patrick McGuinnWavelene and Ralph McRitchieRuth MeadeMedical Mutual of OhioJody MeislerJaynee MeislerJeff MelsonTahnee and Dru MeredithMerrill LynchJosh MesenburgRick MesenburgKathleen MeyersCindy MigliettiRene MihalicSarah MillerKaren and Eugene MillerPhyllis MillerJen MillerMartha and Jim MillerMarian MillottVeronica MilnarkLaura MincheffSherry and Ron MischlerLisa and Dr. Brad MitchelCarolyn MoesJo and John MoffittBeth MolDr. Judy and Bill MonaghanTina MonarchDan MoncherMonsoon Lagoon WaterparkAllen MontelauroMatthew Montowski

For the Springer family, Firelands Regional Medical Center is more than just their medical center; it is a cause that has been central to their philanthropy for generations. In the early 1900’s, Bill Springer’s grandmother, Ida Senn, served on the Good Samaritan Hospital Board of Trustees. Mrs. Senn was a pioneer as a female trustee in her day, acting on behalf of Grace Episcopal Church who had a financial interest in this early medical facility. Bill’s father, Jack, subsequently served on the same board.

Since then, the Springer family has gone through two more generations of medical center leadership. Bill’s father, Jack, served on the board of Good Samaritan Hospital in the 1950’s. Upon graduation from college and after working for a few years in another state, Bill moved back to Sandusky and joined the board at the request of then board chair Paul Phieffer. Bill Springer who rotates terms as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Firelands Regional Medical Center board, and his company, Industrial Nut Corporation, have remained steadfast in their commitment to Firelands Regional Medical Center.

For Bill and Industrial Nut Corporation, this commitment isn’t just altruistic; it also benefits the employees and the company.

“Having a successful, robust medical center is critical to our community,” Bill says. “It improves the quality of life for everyone and gives employers like Industrial Nut Corporation access to great healthcare through a great Emergency Department, trauma care, corporate health, general surgery and more.”

Industrial Nut Corporation, a fastener manufacturing company in Sandusky, has long supported capital improvement projects and annual campaigns at Firelands Regional Medical Center. Besides this financial support and Bill’s involvement as board leadership, Industrial Nut has utilized Firelands Corporate Health services to initiate a wellness plan within their company.

“We took the five pillars of health concept that Firelands uses to test employees for wellness and implemented it at our plant,” Bill says. “We offer wellness incentives for employees whose medical testing falls within healthy levels. This has made our workforce strive for better health. We believe this is important not only for our employees, but for the overall health of our community. We are fortunate as a community of our size to have such a wonderful and comprehensive medical facility in Firelands Regional Medical Center.”

We give because...


Louise MoonRebecca MooreKathy and Rob MooreConnie MoorePenny MorganLindsay MorganSteve MorrisGeraldine and Richard MoserPaul Motry Memorial FundMountaineer Casino Racetrack & ResortRachel MrazMarsha and Dr. Chris MrukMT Business TechnologiesMudbrook Golf CenterMarisa MunafoMichael MurphyJohn MuscettaLinda and William MuthigBryan MyersGeorge L. Mylander The Mylander FoundationShawn NapkaBarbara NeikirkJohn NejedlyNemacolin Woodlands ResortKim NemethErin NesbitDustin Nessnews-2-you®

Agnes NickleDiane and Allen NicklesDeb NiehmBarbara NielsenAl NollerNOMS CosMedic Solutions & SpaNOMS FoundationNorth Coast Surgical Associates, Inc. North Ohio Heart / Ohio Medical GroupNorwalk Custodial Services, Inc. Nuhfer Surveying, LLCO.E. Meyer CompanyOglesby Construction, Inc.Tina O’HaraJulia OlahOlive Garden Italian RestaurantThe Olive SceneRene OltmanMaureen O’MalleyJulie and Ed OpferDorothy OsbornOtis Elevator CompanySue OursCathy OwensHeidi and Dennis PainterPanera BreadDr. Ken ParschauerSteve ParsonsCindy and Tom PattersonPayne Nickles & CompanyAlberta and Carl PensieroPat PepitonePerkins High School Cheerleaders and Football TeamDeb PerrinRhonda Peters-CunninghamEllen PetersonDr. Baird PfahlSheila PfannerMargaret and Doug PharesNancy PlesnarskiVictoria and David Pletcher, Jr. Barbara PlymesserMr. and Mrs. Ronald PocockJenine and Richard PorterIvy PorterPositrolMichele and George PoulosPoulos + Schmid Design Group, Inc.

Jack PribanicHolly PriceJeanne PrintyProMedicaNan ProutDave and Kay ProyDave Proy AgencyPurrfect Paws Grooming Boutique Trudy and Thomas PusateriPut-In-Bay Boat Line CompanyRob QuinnR. J. Beck Protective Systems, Inc. Rain Water ParkCarolyn and Chuck RaingerDr. Lou Ralofsky and Dr. Michele RalofskyDonald RauschRe/Max Quality RealtyKim RedfernDr. Amy and J.J. Reese Linda and Dr. Dean ReichenbachPaula and David RengelRFC Contracting Inc.Linda RicciBrenda RiceChris RichardsonRosemary RiedyDana RiemannDolores RitzenthalerValerie RitzenthalerNancy RiveraAmy RoachKathleen RobertsJoanna and Rick RoccoRock & Roll ExpressAmy RockwellCathy and Dave RogersRita RohlfLaurie RossAnthony RossiConstance RotsingerRoger RowbottomJeanette RuffingBarbara and Charles RugglesJune RuppMarcia and John RussKaren RussellJean and Thomas Russin Sylvia and Kenneth RuthsatzDenao RuttinoMartha RyanDr. Marty RyuBonnie SaleskiSalon 53 Hair & NailsKim SalwanMary SamstagSandusky/Erie County Community Foundation - Firelands Regional Medical Center Compassion FundSandusky/Erie County Community Foundation - Dr. Kyung H. Kim Family Legacy FundSandusky Orthopedics and RheumatologySandusky RegisterTony SchalkWilliam ScheidTracey ScherHeidi and Dr. Harris SchildCarolyn and Gary SchimmelNanette SchirgCeleste and Dr. Vincent SchlichtStacy and Greg SchmidWendy and Dr. Mark SchmiedlNancy SchneiderRebecca SchnittkerKristalyn SchoenH. A. SchonhardtKim SchreinerBev and Jim Schrickel

From the moment Shelly Chesbro first donned the red and white candy-striper uniform in her early teens as a volunteer at Providence Hospital, she learned first-hand the meaning of giving back. Now, as a local business owner at Mark Advertising and a Firelands Regional Medical Center board member, Shelly works hard to “pay it forward,” as she says. Shelly credits her parents with instilling a sense of gratitude in her and says she feels giving back is truly the right thing to do.

“I was so proud of that uniform,” she said. “It meant I was helping others. I feel like I have so many blessings in my life and I would feel guilty if I didn’t pay it forward. I got involved at Firelands because it seems to me that so many people here feel the same way I do about helping others.”

Her first introduction to giving back was when her dad told her about volunteering at Providence Hospital while she was in junior high. At first, she didn’t know what to expect, but she quickly found out she loved interacting with patients and felt that her job was an important one to everyone she met.

“I have always aligned myself with people who believe in giving back” she says. “Even as a teen, I knew it was an important part of being a community member.”

Shelly has served on the Fashion Week, Sandusky Style committee since its inception in 2009 and has attended other Medical Center fundraising events in the past. She recently became a member of the Firelands Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and has become active in numerous board committees. She says she does this not only because she wants to “pay it forward,” but also because she believes in the mission of Firelands Regional Medical Center and its value in our community.

“Sustaining independent, quality healthcare in our community is important on so many levels,” she says. “As a locally-governed health system, Firelands hires and retains the most qualified, talented physicians and care team members who live in the community and raise their families here. Firelands Regional Medical Center is the jewel in the crown that is this area. I joined the board because I know the services Firelands provides are vital to our region and that a strong medical center means a strong community for all of us.”

We give because...

Annual Report | 27

Sue and Charles SchusterDeneen SchwochowPatricia and Larry SeboltSEIGreta SelveySemper CrossFit Dr. F. Jon SenkowskyJody and Jim SennishMichele ShadeLori SharpeDr. Karen Sheehan and Mr. Brian CockrellSherwin WilliamsDonald ShockJanis and John ShriverSiemens Industry, Inc. Heather SieselSimplex GrinnellLiz SkrinakTammy SlauterbeckDana SmallDonna SmallwoodEthel Lois SmithGreg SmithJudy SmithHayley SmithPatricia SmithMichele SmithSnow TrailsSonic®

Rosaria and James SortinoSpa Kalahari SanduskyLinda and David SpeerMelissa SpenceLaura and Jim SpicerLisa and Pete SpieldennerJim SprengLinda and Mark SprengerAlice and Bill SpringerJessica and David SpringerKim and Jim SpringerAmy and John SpringerStephen SpringerSue and Craig StahlAmy StammMarian and Charles StanleyDanielle StanleyRose StanleyConnie StarkCynthia and Terry StarkeyThe Sandusky State TheatreMary and Mel StaufferDr. Lata StefanoCharlie SteffaniThe Sam S. Stein and Rose Stein FoundationCarol SteukLisa StevensBecki and John StockHeather and Jim StoufferMelodie StrengJody and Alan StricklingRobin StursaSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services AdministrationJoanne SuhrSusan and Dr. Gregory SurfieldKeith SweigertLois SzabrakT.G.I. Friday’sTan Pro USABruce and Laura Taylor and FamilyPam ThatcherThe Chef’s Garden®

The Commons of ProvidenceThe Wine Room Lori and Tom TheisenKelsey ThielSara ThompsonDeb Timm

Toft Dairy, Inc. Wayne TowsleeTri-Motor Heritage FoundationTromi CorporationDaiga and Donald TrotterDr. Patrick TupaBarbara TurnerMary and Martin TurskyCynthia and Bill TurtonJason TusingTusing Builders and Roofing ServiceTwisted SistersUniversity Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center TeamMargaret Koenig-UrbanSteve UrhausenVacationLand Federal Credit UnionAnn and Albert ValkoJennifer Van CurenMonica VanceDr. Steven VelasquezCheryl VickersMike VickeryThe Village PumpKareen VoightDavid Voight Jr. Barbara Vonthron John WadeJeffrey WagnerJill and Jack WaldockJulie WalkerSimone and Peter WalkerShelly WarnementTrish WarrElaine and Charles WaterfieldPeter WeimerWestbrook Country Club Golf ShopAlysha WhitacreNorma and Jim WibleWickens, Herzer, Panza, Cook & Batista Co. Mary Ellen and Leon WieberDeborah and Philip WierzbaDawn WikelShannon WikelWilkes Plumbing and HeatingVeronica WilliamsKathy WilsonJo Ann and Daryl WingJoan WingMary and Tom WolfBilly WolfCarol and Art WolfeDarlene and Craig WoodJohn WoodsKelli Woods-JordanShannon WoodwardGerald WrightDawn WrightAngela WyattHolly YetterDr. Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo and Dr. Bo YooKaren YoungJoette and James ZarembaLauren and John ZarvisZenyatta Jewelry Judy and Stewart ZerkleLarry ZimmerMaribeth and Dr. Bill ZuckerMary ZukBrad Zura

We give because...

In 2011, a group of employees at VacationLand Federal Credit Union saw a need in our community and did something to fulfill that need. Some of their fellow employees and families had been hit with cancer diagnoses. They knew they had to help, but what they didn’t know was that their actions would still be helping people three years later.

At their urging, VacationLand established the Pink Card, a credit card whose purchases give back a percentage to The Foundation for Firelands Mammogram and Breast Cancer Fund. At the end of 2013, this program gave nearly $3,000 to The Foundation for Firelands.

During the past three years, VacationLand Federal Credit Union has donated to support programs that enhance the health and well-being of everyone in our community. VacationLand Federal Credit Union has sponsored events like The “Caddyshack” Open, That 70’s Party, Hearts in Flight and the Mayan Toga Party. Proceeds of these events helped patients across service lines and diagnoses.

“We do our best to give back to the community as much as we can,” says VacationLand Federal Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Bryan Myers. “As a member-owned organization, it’s important that we give back, because we serve the same people Firelands serves.”

That’s why you’ll see VacationLand Federal Credit Union’s Marketing Director Heather Gilchrist at The Foundation for Firelands’ fundraising events and at other community events.

“VacationLand Federal Credit Union was founded by our members to help people,” Heather says. “So we try to help people in need by supporting organizations that work within the community, like Firelands Regional Medical Center.”

Dale Acker by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Ellen M. Amstutz by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Airica Mae Benko by Andrew and Marlene Benko

Charles I. Bower, Sr. by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Jessie R. Caldwell by Wallace J. Grinnell, Sr.

Mary Helen Corley by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Mike Cowdrey by Mary and Dan Bauer

Mervin L. Crayton by Jo and Leonard Homyak

Robert Daniel by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Rod Feyedelem by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Ron Fox by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Mary Lou Gallagher by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Baldomero Gallegos by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Donal Goff by Marcia Goff

Elmer Grahl by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Marion G. Gray by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Patricia Grinnell by Patricia J. Harchuck Wally Grinnell Sr.

Anthony S. Guerra by Kevin and Amy Durbin David and Paula Rengel Alice and Bill Springer Carol Steuk

Betty M. Hallock by Alice and Bill Springer University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center Cancer Center Staff and Firelands Infusion Center Staff Jeanne Printy Jeannette Ruffing Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kait Karen Barnum Lois Hummel Anthony R. Rossi

Eric Paul Huber by Heidi and Dr. Harris Schild The Honorable Robert T. Benton II Dr. S. Baird Pfahl

Paul E. Koch by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Michael Kresser by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Audra Laraway by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Dr. Clinton Frederick Lavender by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Peter Lopez by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

John Lyster by Administration and Board of Directors of Firelands Regional Medical Center

James C. Mann by Leona Mann

Joanne Miller by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Carol Miller by Julie Hill

Kenneth L. Moll by Alice and Bill Springer

James E. Moore by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Vinita Morton by Administration and Board of Directors of Firelands Regional Medical Center

Franklin North by Alice and Bill Springer

Phyllis “Fifi” Pfahl by Alice and Bill Springer

George Plymesser by Barbara Plymesser

Brad E. Pocock by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kokai Joan Wing Mr. and Mrs. Terry Cullen Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Taylor and Family Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Pocock Mr. and Mrs. Daryl Wing Positrol

Frank K. Ratta by Barbara A. Nielsen

Dr. Sreenivasa A. Reddy by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Staff Gayle and Rick Jeffrey Sandusky Orthopedics & Rheumatology

Elizabeth Riems by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Leona A. Riley by Firelands Regional Medical Center Auxiliary

Paul Sackett by Alice and Bill Springer

Gerald Sartor by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Jonathan K. Schaeffer by Daniel Moncher University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center Staff Firelands Regional Medical Center Development Department

Dr. Eugene Schmiedl by Alice and Bill Springer

Gary L. Schuster by Paula and Herbert Crum Daniel Moncher John Nejedly George and Michele Poulos Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Schuster Donald Rausch Jeffrey Hepner F. Jon Senkowsky, M.D., P.A. Arlington Vein Spa Steve Urhausen All-American Systems Inc. Russell and Christine Gibboney Daniel and Laura Keller William and Magdalene Brown Ronald and Sherry Mischler Alice and Bill Springer Industrial Nut Corporation Family

Rollin Schwanger by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Jane A. Shenigo by Firelands Regional Medical Center Board of Directors and Administration

Mr. Daniel Shepherd by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan

Effie Shiff by Alice and Bill Springer

Em Sloma by Nancy Plesnarski

Dr. Harold Snedden by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Dr. Harold Snedden by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Bill Monaghan Roland and Dorothy Matter and Family

Thomas Steinemann by Dr. Judy Monaghan and Mr. Bill Monaghan

Bradley T. Storer by Alice and Bill Springer Karen James

Robert L. Strayer by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Mike Tann by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Alice Timple by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Andres I. Vargas, M.D. by Valarie and Stephen Ritzenthaler Administration and Board of Directors of Firelands Regional Medical Center

Brenda Violette by Carol Steuk Daniel Moncher Barbara Vonthron and Brad Gerke Christine and David Mack Sandra Hansen Alice and Bill Springer The Blank Family

Peter Walderzak by Randall and Karen Dasher

Elizabeth A. “Bettiann” Weeks by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht

Karleen Wieber by Alice and Bill Springer

Mark Wilson by Faculty and Staff of Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing

Jack Woodruff by Dr. and Mrs. E. Vincent Schlicht


Memorials

David E. AthaBrian M. BiechelerMary L. GallagherGeorge L. GilbertElmer C. GrahlAnthony S. GuerraRobert C. HlavinGeorge HoehneElizabeth Waldock JonesGeraldine R. KidwellMichael KresserMarion E. MichelChristopher M. MillerFrank NorthRev. Elmer C. NovakHilda Ohlemacher

Bill M. OpieJames E. PascoeBrad E. PocockJames D. PorterMiriam Slatter PyCarolyn Patricia Sizemore RussellJonathan K. SchaefferJudith Alexander SchultzJane A. ShenigoThomas W. SteinemannBrenda C. VioletteDr. Jeffrey K. WagnerElizabeth A. WeeksKarleen L. WieberJames W. Wozniak

George L. Mylander made gifts in memory of:

Mylander Memorials

Annual Report | 29

TributesAll Firelands Regional Medical Center Physicians by Bill and Alice Springer David and Christine Mack

Dr. Brian Baxter by Barbara Nielsen

Dr. Martin Beerman by Louise Moon George L. Mylander Mel and Mary Stauffer

Dr. Andrew Bejarano by Gloria Lloyd

Dr. James Berry by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Paul Beidenbach by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Gregory Bishop by Sally Henning

Dr. Dale Braun by Theodore Lux Helen B. Frye

Dr. Paul Bruner by Rennie Funni Giovanni Bendetta

Dr. William Bruner by Molly and Tom Mack

Dr. Kamal Chaban by Daiga and Donald Trotta

Dr. Jeffrey Christoff by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Gregory Cook by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Michael Cunningham by Donna Ferrell Phyllis Davey Mr. and Mrs. David Pletcher

Dr. David De Groh by Marlene and Mike DeCaro

Dr. Anthony DeRiso by Donald Rausch

Dr. Marc Dolce by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. George Engeler by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Michael Felter by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Firelands Regional Medical Center Corporate Health Staff by Dr. David J. Grayson

Firelands Regional Medical Center Orthopedic Surgery Staff by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hartung

Dr. Thomas E. Fleming by Mel and Mary Stauffer

Dr. James Gallagher by Phyllis Miller Rosemary Riedy Julia Olah

Dr. Susan Gallagher by Rosemary Riedy Mary Matthias

Dr. Jeffrey Garman by Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Miller Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo by Louise Moon

Dr. David Girvin by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Loparo

Dr. Vinay Gudena by Louise Moon

Dr. Daniel Herring by Robert Lutz

Dr. Timothy Herron by Kenneth and Sylvia Ruthsatz

Dr. Robert Hill by Nan Prout Jane and Dean Lucal Darlene Decker

Dr. Fredric Itzkowitz by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team Pablo Gaspar Louise Moon Carol Steuk

Dr. Shailesh Gupta by Helen B. Frye

Dr. Robert Hill by Mel and Mary Stauffer

Dr. Steven Jackson by Mr. and Mrs. Neil Allen Louise Moon

Dr. Alfred Kafity by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Richard Keller by Margaret Cheetham

Dr. Gwang Kim by Rubye May Kareen Voight

Dr. Robert Kloos by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Gary Kresge by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Eugene Kubitz by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Vimal Kumar by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team George L. Mylander

Dr. Brett Kuns by Norma Haer

Dr. Paul Laffay by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Jonathan Leake by Agnes Nickle Barbara Turner

Dr. Martin Lesnak by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. John Liebenthal by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Carlos Lowell by George L. Mylander

Dr. Eric Mast by Connie Kendrick Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Russin

Dr. W. Patrick McGuinn by Marlene and Mike DeCaro John and Virginia Kent Louise Moon George L. Mylander

Birthday Tribute to Dr. Judy Monaghan by Earl and Dorothy Hammond

Dr. Benjamin Murcek by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team Luella Knight

Dr. Michael Murray by John “Jack” Pribanic

George Mylander by Susan Karbler

Dr. Siva Nair by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

D. Karl Oberer by Marlene and Mike DeCaro George L. Mylander

Dr. Thomas Olexa by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. John Parschauer by George L. Mylander

Birthday Tribute to Dr. Baird Pfahl by The Foundation for Firelands Team

Dr. Amy Reese by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Blakely Lyon Baumler

Dr. Robert Rice by Mel and Mary Stauffer Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dan Rupp by Edward and Dorothy Lipp

William Scheid by Mr. and Mrs. Roger Gundlach

Dr. W. Scott Sheldon by John and Virginia Kent Marlene and Mike DeCaro Mel and Mary Stauffer

Dr. Steven Shine by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Bruce Smith by Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Huneke

Dr. Donald Smith by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

The Springer and Baker Families by Ellen Baker

Bill and Alice Springer by Dr. Robert J. Kromer

Dr. Gregory Surfield by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team Louise Moon

Dr. Albert Vargas by Cynthia and Terry Starkey Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Robert Vaschak by Mr. and Mrs. John Russ Mr. and Mrs. Larry Seabolt

Dr. Patrick Waters by Marlene and Mike DeCaro Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Leon and Mary Ellen Wieber by Deb and Roger Gundlach

Dr. Thomas Williamson by Mr. and Mrs. Gary Brainard Dottie and Fred Crow Agnes Nickle Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ruggles Mary and Martin Tursky Larry Zimmer

Dr. Kam Wong by Firelands Regional Medical Center Surgery Center Team

Dr. Bo Yoo by Louise Moon

Dr. Don Young by Marlene and Mike DeCaro Karen Young

Two years ago, Tammy Jones wanted to make a tribute to her late mother, Juanita Jones. Tammy’s path in life had been shaped at every turn by the encouragement she received from her mom, so she passed on that encouragement to others by establishing the Juanita Jones Scholarship for the Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing.

Like many young adults, when Tammy Jones was a new high school graduate, her career path was unclear. She had grown up in Sandusky, where her parents were automotive industry workers. Yet, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. She left the area for two years and moved to Florida, but her family and the lure of a high paying auto factory job brought her back to Ohio. Tammy had children and made a nice living working in the factory, but she longed for a different career. Her mother reminded her she had once talked about becoming a nurse and that reminder turned into years of hard work for Tammy and years of encouragement and support from Juanita.

“My mom would take care of my kids when I was in school,” Tammy says. “She knew I couldn’t do it alone, so she made sure I had everything I needed to succeed as a nurse.”

Tammy completed the Fast Track LPN program at the former Providence Hospital School of Nursing, and then completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Bowling Green State University and at The University of Toledo.

Now, Tammy is the Assistant Director of Firelands Regional Medical Center Home Health. She credits her success to the unconditional support she received from her mother and is proud to help others embarking on the same career path.

“I would like to continue to encourage and support future nurses, like my mom supported me. It is a great career,” says Tammy.

Since the scholarship began in 2012, three students have received financial assistance from Tammy’s gift.

2013 recipients, Junior Mariah Paul and Senior Jessica McCormick, both saw the scholarship as a way to further their educational goals and to more easily achieve their degrees.

We give because...

Both, like Tammy, are single mothers - balancing school, work and family life. They both say their class schedule is rigorous and without support from their families and from the Juanita Jones Scholarship, they wouldn’t be able to complete the program.

“This scholarship takes a weight off my shoulders,” says Mariah. “I can’t explain how much it means to me. I plan to continue my education by getting a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing and eventually, a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Every bit of support now will help me to achieve my goals.”

Jessica echoes these sentiments, “I have great support from my family. Receiving this money is like receiving support from someone who I didn’t even know was there to give it. I’m hoping to get a job at Firelands and this money has meant that I can focus on my studies and better prepare myself to be the best nurse I can be.”

The Juanita Jones Scholarship is open to any current nursing student at Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing. Interested students can apply for the scholarship at the school’s office. For more information, call 419-557-7111.

“This scholarship takesa weight off my shoulders,I can’t explain how much it means to me.”

At the anniversary of her mother’s death, Tammy Jones, Assistant Director of Firelands Home Health, established the Juanita Jones scholarship to help future nurses pay for nursing school. Tammy attributes her professional success as a nurse and administrator to the support she received from her compassionate mother, pictured here.

Mariah Paul


Annual Report | 31

2013 Financial Statement

Our Income

Revenue from 44,556 patient days of service provided to 9,379 patients ....................................................................................... $198,370,651

Revenue from supporting services and care rendered for Ambulatory, Emergency Department, Home Health, other Outpatient and Physician Services ............................................................. $319,450,700

Total revenue from these services ............................................. $517,821,351

Less

Hospital Contractual adjustments to third party payors .......................... ($279,312,145)

Cost of care underwritten for persons without the ability to pay for their hospital services and bad debt.................................................... ($23,434,762)

Net revenue from patient services ............................................$215,074,444

Plus

Other operating revenue ..............................................................$18,011,071

Equals

Total Operating Revenue .......................................................... $233,085,515

Our Expenses

Salaries, wages and employee benefits ..................................................... $118,355,330

Supplies, purchased services and general expenses .................................... $83,885,117

State of Ohio imposed Franchise Fee ............................................................. $2,392,407

Depreciation ................................................................................................. $14,399,445

Interest expense ............................................................................................. $4,703,703

Total Operating Expenses ....................................................... $223,736,002

Our Results

Amount Available to Reinvest to Transform Healthcare in our Region .....$9,349,513

The Income Statement for Firelands Regional Health System, going back to 2005, has the following combined proceeds from operations:

2005 $6,081,927

2006 $7,646,947

2007 $7,096,810

2008 ($4,630,288)

2009 ($3,760,590)

2010 ($1,724,396)

2011 $4,029,464

2012 $11,551,098

2013 $9,349,513

Firelands Regional Health System typically invests more than $7 Million each year in capital expenditures across all of its corporations. This excludes specific strategic investments and facilities improvements like the new Inpatient Rehabilitation Center and the Center for Women and Newborns, both of which address community needs. Reviewing the above numbers, especially those years where we experienced a loss, it becomes clear why a partnership with the community is essential to maintaining our quality standards and meeting the expectations of our patients.

As an independent nonprofit hospital system, Firelands Regional Medical Center is a vanishing breed. Many community hospitals are getting consolidated into much larger systems, primarily because of lack of financial performance. Going forward, the Affordable Care Act will have an even greater impact on all health systems, especially independent community hospitals. If we, as a community, value the independence and ability to make decisions regarding the healthcare system in our community, support from the community towards the healthcare system will be essential.

Our goal at Firelands Regional Health System is to improve the lives of our patients as we adapt to the changes required by the Affordable Care Act. By continuously managing and being good stewards of our resources, we hope to not have to make the drastic cuts of the larger systems surrounding us. But, we cannot do it alone – those systems have significant philanthropic support, and we will need our community’s support as well. We hope you consider your donation an investment in the future with a high rate of return – a healthy community, both physically and economically.

This financial statement reflects the 2013 operating resultsfor Firelands Regional Health System

The Importance of Community Support

1111 Hayes AvenueSandusky, Ohio 44870

419-557-7150Email us at [email protected]

FoundationForFirelands.com

ds n e - firelands

Documents