LR HIN THIS EDITION

1

Austin n Round Rock n Georgetown Nov/Dec 2016

Austin n Round Rock n Georgetown

Longtime health-care administrator Matt Maxfield officially joined the executive leader-ship team at Little River Healthcare on Oct. 31. Max-field brings with him nearly three decades of health-

care leadership experience and is looking forward to assisting LRH with its future growth.

“Matt is joining Little River to help me and the rest of the executive leadership as we continue to work with each of you to expand our health-care presence across Texas and Oklahoma,” said Jeff Madison, founder and CEO of LRH.

“Many of you know Matt in his most recent capacity as the CEO of Seton Hospital-Harker Heights, where he successfully led the plan-ning, development and construction of a new state-of-the-art hospital servicing the residents of Killeen/Harker Heights as well as the greater Bell County area.”

Prior to joining Seton, Maxfield served as CEO of Brownwood Regional Medical Center. In addition, he has served as associate executive director of operations for Scott & White Hospi-tal and Clinic, CEO of Coryell Memorial Hospital in Gatesville, and CEO of Burleson Memorial Hospital in Caldwell. Maxfield is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Texas Hospital Association, and is a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Noted Healthcare Administrator Joins Little River’s Executive Team

continued on pg. 8

Page 2LRH receives special plaque

Business office employee works to empower teen girls

Page 3 Quality Assurance Update: Flu Season, HIPAA, Translating

Little River cycling shirts for sale

Page 4 Quality Assurance Update: Cover Your Cough

Page 5Human Resources Update: Observed Holidays

Page 6News from Across the River

Interactive map shows all LRH locations

Page 7News from Across the River

One of Little River Healthcare’s employees is at the forefront of a startup organiza-tion that aims to help bring out the best in teen girls through em-powerment and motivation.

Celina Chavana, a legal assistant with LRH, moonlights as the operations and admin-istration contact for G.E.M.S. United, an Austin-based organization founded on core values designed to help junior high and high school girls dream and grow into all they are created to be. Those core values include sisterhood, leadership, academics, beauty, integrity, personal growth and development, and philanthropy.

G.E.M.S.—which stands for Girls Empowered Motivated Strong—has been in startup mode since early 2015.

Currently, G.E.M.S. functions as an after-school program with themes, guest speakers and activities based on the organiza-tion’s core values. The pilot program launched at Cele Middle School in Round Rock, and Chavana said the organization is looking to expand to high schools in Bastrop and Cedar Creek, as well as a couple of other elementary and middle schools in the Austin area next spring.

For more information on volunteering for G.E.M.S. United, visit Chavana or the G.E.M.S. website at thegems.org.

Business Office Employee Working to Empower Teen Girls

2 Little River Healthcare n Nov/Dec 2016

LRH Receives Special Plaque at Veterans Day eventLittle River Healthcare recently joined the Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce as a Chairman’s Circle Member. On Nov. 9, the Chamber held a special program at its monthly luncheon honoring veterans.

At the luncheon, LRH was presented with a plaque that Dr. Leila Williams of River Place Family Medicine accepted on the company’s behalf. As a former U.S. Navy officer with over 20 years of service, Dr. Williams was the perfect person to represent LRH at this special Veteran’s Day event.

Also during the event, Texas State Rep. Tony Dale, along with his wife, Mary Dale, discussed how their previous military service prepared them for their corporate careers, as well as what the advantages are for companies hiring veterans.

Timberlands Healthcare Acquires, Renames Houston County Medical Center Timberlands Healthcare is proud to announce the official acquisition and subsequent name and logo change of Houston County Medical Center, the primary hospital of Crockett, Texas. As of Oct. 1, HCMC operates under the name of Timberlands Hospital.

To complement the hospital’s new name, its new logo is of two timber trees. The colors of those trees match the colors of Timberlands Healthcare’s parent company’s colors: dark blue and light green.

Most of the hospital’s approximately 250 employees and 17 providers are now employees of Timberlands Healthcare. Timberlands Hospital is a 49-bed hospital that primarily serves Houston County and its surrounding communities. Services there include a 24-hour emergency department and inpatient and outpatient services such as surgery and diagnostics. Since Little River Healthcare began manag-

ing the hospital in April 2016, it has added interventional cardiologist Dr. Philip Myatt, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Cliff O’Meara, and Ob/Gyn Dr. Daniel Dawson.

Timberlands Hospital is located at 1100 E. Loop 304 in Crockett, Texas. Visit TimberlandsHealthcare.com for more information.

Beloved Pediatrician Retires from KDC after Decades of Service

One of King’s Daughters Clinic’s most revered pediatricians, Dr. Richard Olufs, retired in Novem-ber after decades of practicing medicine. Dr. Olufs, fondly called Doctor “O” by many in the community, spent more than 40 years working as a physician. He began his career at King’s Daughters Clinic in July 1990.

In a letter to his patients, Dr. Olufs said: “As many of you know, I have slowed down my practice over the last two years and have been very close to retirement. I am now at 71 years of age and have spent 40 of those years in a profession which I loved every minute and which I will always cherish the rest of my life. … I was so happy and fortunate to have had the opportunity to help and be a part of your child’s early life.”

In the letter, Dr. Olufs also stated that he, along with his wife Peggy, came to a firm decision for retirement to be immedi-ate due to “a couple of recent health issues that have come up and are being addressed.”

Dr. Rebecca Riser, another pediatrician at KDC and one of Dr. Olufs’ colleagues, said his love of children was apparent daily in his interactions with his patients.

“He is well respected in Central Texas as one of its superb pediatricians,” she said. “I have had the pleasure and privi

continued on pg. 8

3Austin n Round Rock n Georgetown

QUALIT Y ASSURANCE

It’s Flu Season!Flu season is upon us! Did you know that as a Little River Healthcare employee you can get the influenza vaccine for free? Ask your supervisor or your area employee health nurse about your flu vaccine today.

HIPAA ReminderPlease make sure you are following the Little River Healthcare Policy for Cell Phone and Camera Use.

Do not take selfies or other pictures while at work and post them to social media. Patient privacy is not an option for us to disrespect. Unintentional breaches occur when we do not follow

our policy and disciplinary action will follow. Our patients depend on us to keep their information secure.

All patients who have had their personal health information breached must be notified in writing by Little River Health-care. Breaches must also be reported to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). This is the law. Protect our patients and protect our company!

Translating for Patients

Patient care is our top priority, so communication is vital. We must take reasonable steps to ensure patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) have meaningful access and an equal opportunity to participate in our services. Lan-guage assistance services are available through competent bilingual staff and telephonic interpretation devices. Check with your clinic manager for available bilingual staff or use Language Line for qualified interpreter services. The number is 1-888-808-9008 PIN #84773436.

Don’t Forget to get your Little River Cycling Gear

Little River Healthcare recently partnered with Kotis Designs to create unique cycling jerseys and performance tees. Visit kotisdesign.com/littleriverhealthcare to view design options and purchase online. The store will be open until Dec. 20, 2016 and all purchases will ship out after that time. In order for Kotis to fulfill our orders, we have to meet a minimum of six orders per design. If we do not make that minimum, the orders will not go into production, and you will be refunded in full. For questions or concerns, please contact Hannah Lapin at hlapin@lrhealthcare.com.

This store setup is not owned or operated by LRH. We receive no sales commission or payment for these shirts. We just love Little River and wanted to spread the love.

4 Little River Healthcare n Nov/Dec 2016

QUALIT Y ASSURANCE

Stop the spread of germs that can make you and others sick!

You may be asked to put on a facemask to protect others.

If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands.

Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

CS208322

With flu and allergy season underway, it’s always good to remember the following:

5Austin n Round Rock n Georgetown

HUMAN RESOURCESHUMAN RESOURCES

With the holiday season quickly approaching, we always encounter some confusion regarding which holidays are recognized by Little River and which ones are not. Let’s take a moment to clarify.

Little River Healthcare recognizes six major holidays every year. On these six days, all LRH clinics and administrative of-fices are closed while the hospitals operate with a skeleton crew.

If any of the above holidays fall on Saturday, Little River observes it on Friday. If a holiday falls on Sunday, Little River observes it on Monday.

Some clinics may be closed on additional days. The decision to close a location will be based on physician coverage and patient needs. The directors for each location will inform their staff of any additional days that the location will be closed as each holiday approaches.

Welcome our New Hires in the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown AreaClaudia Silva Georgetown Ortho Non RHC Clinic Services

Tracy Stafford Georgetown Ortho Non RHC Clinic Services

LaTanya Brown Integrated Medical Solutions Non RHC Clinic Services

Jose Ortiz River Place Pain Management Non RHC Clinic Services

Anjelica Deanda Texas Family Physicians Non RHC Clinic Services

Charity Davis Texas Family Physicians Non RHC Clinic Services

Jodi Christie Texas Family Physicians Non RHC Clinic Services

Observed Holidays

GeorgetownOrthopedics.com512-863-45631904 Railroad St, Georgetown, TX 78626

GEORGETOWN ORTHOPEDICS

We Specialize in:• Orthopedic Surgery• Sports Medicine• Physical Therapy• Injury Treatment• Chronic Ailment Treatment

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE RIVER

6 Little River Healthcare n Nov/Dec 2016

The New Interactive Little River Location MapFind Little River doctors or clinics near you using the new interactive map found at LRHealthcare.com/Locations

Dr. Mattson Granted Hospice Medical Director Certified Credential

Dr. Elizabeth Mattson, who works as a family practitioner at King’s Daughters Clinic in Temple, was recently granted the Hospice Medical Director Certified credential by the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board (HMDCB).

“In addition to my work as an FP at KDC, I have been working with Temple hospice company

Kindred Hospice caring for patients with terminal medical conditions for almost 10 years,” she said. “I chose to seek certification as a hospice medical director in order to vali-date my knowledge base in providing hospice or end-of-life medical care as well as the administrative duties required for a hospice medical director.”

Hospice practice includes patient care, medication manage-ment, performance improvement, engagement in interdisci-plinary group activities and more. Professional certification affirms a knowledge and experience base for hospice physi-cians to display commitment to their careers, dedication to patient and family care, and the sustainability of the hospice organization and industry. HMDC designation is granted for six years and is renewed through continued validation of knowledge and re-assessment.

As a result of her experience working with hospice patients and other medical professionals who make up the hospice team, Dr. Mattson said she feels she has more to offer her own patients at KDC who are facing end-of-life decisions for themselves or a family member.

“Most of a physician’s medical training focuses on treating diseases aggressively to prolong life,” she said. “Sometimes the disease reaches a stage where aggressive care is not the best option and may do more harm than good. Hospice care focuses on comfort care and relief of symptoms for patients

with terminal conditions at end of life as well as spiritual and psychosocial support for the patient and caregivers or family.”

“It definitely requires a different type of thinking medically to provide good hospice and palliative care to help the pa-tient have the best quality of life for the time they have left, and stop trying so hard to just give them more time without regard to the quality,” Dr. Mattson added.

The HMDCB serves as an independent, not-for-profit certifying body to administer a certification program for hospice medical directors and other physicians who provide hospice care for patients. The mission of HMDCB is to relieve suffering and improve quality of life by promoting the excellence and professional competency of hospice medical directors.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mattson at KDC, visit KDClinic.com.

CTPL’s Dr. Smith Bridges Work with Community Service at Local United Way

One of LRH’s most recent acquisitions, Central Texas Pathology Laboratory (CTPL) in Waco, is home to Dr. Daniel Smith, a pathologist and board member of the area’s local Unit-ed Way chapter.

Dr. Smith has been a part of United Way in Waco for three years, and is eligible to be on the board for up to six. His chair,

which was originally the CTPL seat, will be changed to be called the Little River Healthcare seat. He sits on the board along with the Waco mayor, the CMO of Hillcrest Hospital, HEB, and local schools districts and public organizations.

Dr. Smith Bridges Work - cont’ on pg. 8

7Austin n Round Rock n Georgetown

NEWS FROM ACROSS THE RIVER

Each year on Nov. 17, communities across the United States celebrate National Rural Health Day as a way to recognize amazing accomplishments achieved by community health-care organizations. And this year, one of Little River’s own, Rockdale Hospital, is one of those entities receiving state-wide and national recognition.

In conjunction with National Rural Health Day, the Texas State Office of Rural Health, the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health and iVantage Health Analytics have identified hospitals that have excelled in performance and patient care. Rockdale Hospital was recognized by these organizations for both excellence in quality and excellence in patient satisfaction.

“Patient satisfaction scores for hospitals are now available for the general public to review online, allowing patients

to rate our hospital against other hospitals when making a choice of where to receive services,” said Troy Zinn, adminis-trator at Rockdale Hospital. “Our hospital being recognized by the state demonstrates to patients looking for hospital services that this is a facility that takes exceptional care of our patients.”

Zinn added that this recognition highlights LRH’s company values, which are compassion, commitment, patient satis-faction and open communications.

“This recognition is truly a team win,” he said. “Every depart-ment in the hospital touches the lives of the patients and demonstrates the team’s hard work and belief in our com-pany values. I am extremely proud and appreciative of every member of our team at the Rockdale Hospital.”

Rockdale Hospital Receives Prestigious Recognition

Each summer, the local newspaper in Groesbeck, The Groesbeck Journal, compiles the area’s “best of best” and publishes it in a special edition. This year, Dr. Jeffrey Rettig of LRH Rettig Family Healthcare was voted Best Doctor.

Dr. Rettig said this is the second year in a row his clinic has won

the Best Doctor award. “We’ve been here 28 years and just the fact that we’re recognized is a big deal,” he said. “We

like to think we’re doing a good job and it’s nice to know a number of people think we are and know we have their best interest at heart.”

Rettig added that he’s happy to be a part of LRH—the clinic joined the LRH family in mid-2016—and he’s looking for-ward to a long relationship.

Rettig Family Health Care is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a one-hour closure from noon to 1 p.m. daily for lunch. The clinic is located at 204 W. Trinity St. in Groesbeck. To make an appointment, call (254) 729-3740 or visit RettigHealth.com.

Dr. Rettig wins Best Doctor award in newspaper’s annual ‘Best of Best’ program

8 Little River Healthcare n Nov/Dec 2016

Noted Administrator - cont’ from pg. 1

Pediatrician Retires - cont’ from pg. 1

Dr. Smith Bridges Work - cont’ from pg. 6

We now have a new phone number for the Little River IT help desk.

If you are in the Little River network, dial extension 2555.

If you are outside the network, dial 254-298-2555.

The local United Way chap-ter takes in donations largely through company campaigns and doles that money out to organizations that come to United Way to apply for funding. Currently, United Way in Waco funds 18 different agencies.

Dr. Smith said besides the merits of giving back to the local community, his position on the board will also help to introduce Little River to more people. “A lot of these large companies in the area haven’t heard of Little River and that it’s bringing healthcare to the area, so it’s a nice way of introducing yourself.”

“I’ve always done some type of community service, whether it’s soup kitchen work or some other type of volunteer work, like sports camps for inner city kids,” he added. “I like the idea of giving back. I’ve been blessed with more than my fair share in life and it’s a good way to give back.”

For more information on United Way in Waco or to get involved, visit unitedwaywaco.org.

“I got my calling for healthcare leadership and the service as-pect of it from my mother,” Maxfield said. “She was a professor of nursing at the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor in Belton. That really led me down the path to healthcare. I just always knew it was the career path I wanted for myself.”

Maxfield said he’s very impressed with the growth LRH has experienced over the last five years, and he looks forward to being a part of the strategy that leadership has put together to facilitate that growth.

“We’re in a time where healthcare is in such flux, and it’s pret-ty awesome that Little River has been so successful,” he said. “My background working in rural hospitals, urban hospitals and for-profit hospitals has allowed me to see all different aspects of the industry. All of those things have prepared me for a role like this.”

Maxfield’s initial goals at LRH are to spend time with different department leaders to get to know what their challenges and growth opportunities are, and what he can do to support them. He also plans to add to the experience that LRH’s leadership team already has.

“I’d like to help develop standardization across the compa-ny,” Maxfield said. “For example, on the supply chain side, what can we do to leverage our growth and size? There are many other things we can do better to coordinate across the system. I’m a big believer in surrounding myself with good people and doing the right thing. I look forward to working collaboratively with employees and physicians.”

“I have had the personal pleasure of working with Matt over the last four years,” Madison added. “He has proven himself to me and many on our medical staff to be a man of high moral and professional standing. Through his leadership style and personality, he has earned my respect as well as the respect of many physicians in Little River’s medical group. Our organization is blessed to be in the position to attract such a quality individual.”

Maxfield, who was born and raised in Temple, earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University and received his MBA from the University of Dallas. He and his wife, Liz, have two children, Bret and Macie. When he’s not working, Maxfield spends as much time as possible bay fishing on the Texas Coast.

lege of working with him the last nine years and cherish this time I had to work beside him. Dr. Olufs was always there to help if I was stumped by a patient or had any other practice concerns and just needed advice. His dedication to the chil-dren of Central Texas will always be remembered and he will always be loved by his KDC family.”

Kay Hubbard, executive assistant at KDC, echoed similar sentiments about Dr. Olufs. “His patients love him,” she said. “There’s much wailing and gnashing of teeth that he’s retired. His patients are in mourning because he’s an amaz-ing doctor.”

Angie Padilla, clinic supervisor at KDC, added that many of his patients would stick with him through adulthood (pedi-atricians are able to see patients up until age 20) because he was such a trusted and beloved doctor.

“Usually most patients when they get older don’t want to go see a pediatrician, but he was so well loved that they didn’t want to go to someone else,” she said. “He was always here in the morning before everybody and here in the evening after everybody, and he never took a vacation. He was very dedicated.”

Patients who used to see Dr. Olufs are invited to visit one of KDC’s other capable and caring pediatricians in Temple. “I truly trust and am impressed by the pediatric abilities of my pediatric department colleagues with whom I have worked very closely,” Dr. Olufs said in his letter.

To schedule an appointment with a pediatrician at KDC, call (254) 298-2400 or visit lrhealthcare.com/kdc/pediatrics.