Theis newsletter covers highlights from December 2024. We wrapped up the calendar year with a holiday party and presenters on Transitional Care from Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital, and meeting the Youth Exchange Program candidate along with the host family for an inbound student. The next edition will cover the Youth Exchange Program update as we welcome in a new year and new adventures for The Ely Rotary Club.
Board Meeting Update - Tom Moore
December Board Meeting Highlights:
Youth Exchange Program - Tracy Thibodeaux, the Youth Exchange student who will travel next school year, and the host family for the inbound student visited with Rotary members on 12/18. We met Tracy and Christine Kolinski and Carl Skustad who have agreed to host the incoming student when Tracy Thibodeaux travels abroad. John Townsend the guidance counselor at the high school joined then at the meeting. Thanks again to Susan for her work bring the opportunity together. More in the next newsletter regarding their visit.
Susan Polege also attended the Ely for Ely workshop in November. The group is sponsoring a new initiative that brings different volunteer organizations together to collaborate and/or share best practices on community efforts. Four or five other Rotarians also attended representing other organizations. Rotary had good representation for this event. Thank you everyone.
Rotary Foundation campaign: As of the 12/11 meeting $2175 has been donated this year a little ahead of where we were last year. We have one new Paul Harris Fellow, Kathy Udovich, congratulations. Thank you to Ward Nelson for sponsoring the campaign for our club.
Volunteer opportunities: Help at the Ely Food Shelf which will be ongoing for the club and Dark Sky Festival. (Held 1/10 & 1/11)
The water project for the Dominican Republic is still under review by Rotary International. Stay tuned.
Mayor Heidi Omerza is holding a State of the City address in January. (Held on January 9).
Working with Lisa Ledel and members on directory photos.
Ely Winter Festival requested a donation that was approved for $500.
Jeff Sundell made the holiday party arrangements held at Insula on December 5th. We had a great turnout of 21 members and their guests. Gifts were exchanged through the White Elephant game. Fellowship and tasty food was enjoyed by all. Thank you Jeff, it was a fun and memorable evening. Angela, thank you for taking photos. There are many more uploaded to club photos in the bulletin area.
Jodi Martin, Todd Heiman, Brandon Martin (Jodi's son)
Angela Campbell
Lindsay Przybylski
Announcements
Cathy Coombe was the lucky winner of this assortment of delightful snowman holiday decor with lights, beverages, and cookies donated by Terri Olson. Members donated $5/chance to win with proceeds of $100 going to the Ely Food Shelf. Thank you Terri!
50/50 drawing - The pot was up to $325. Kurt won the chance to draw a card but did not win. The pot carries to the next meeting.
EBCH Transitional Care - Greg Jonas & Linda O'Neill DeRemee
Our speakers at the 12/11 meeting were Nursing Services Team Leader, Greg Jonas and EBCH Social Worker, Linda O’Neill DeRemee
Linda and Greg were tasked with developing a transitional care program for the Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital and our community.
Transitional care or short term rehabilitation is offered by rural hospitals to help people receive care closer to home and get back home sooner when recovering from hospitalization. (Medicare refers to this care as a swing bed.)
Referred patients are screened on a case by case basis. Services provided are occupational or physical therapy, IV infusions, wound care, skilled nursing, etc. Typical stays are 7 - 10 days. The team works with the referring hospital and reviews insurance coverage for the patients.
The program helps to open up beds in bigger hospitals. It lowers recovery time and allows family to visit more conveniently. Nurse to patient ratio is low to meet patient needs.
The program helps the hospital by keeping staffing stable and nurses employed. This keeps quality healthcare within the community.
The team tries to make it as easy as possible for patients. Typically there are 3-5 beds available depending on the time of year. Care is in the hospital.
Examples of care might be someone recovering from a broken hip, stroke, or antibiotic care.
Transitional care differs from nursing home care in the evaluation of recovery and being able to recover back to baseline. If the care will be longer than 7 -10 or 20 days a nursing home may be a better option. This is evaluated by the referring hospital and team for what is best for the patient.
The team has increased swing bed days from 141 to over 400 days in 2024 through:
Developing the transitional care program
Doing surveys for continuous improvement
Marketing (coming to Rotary)
Working with case managers to get the word out that the care is available here
Providing education to staff by partnering with the Mayo Clinic with a one year learning program.
Members shared success stories of family members who used the swing bed option. They were happy to be able to be close to home and received excellent care.
Linda and Greg ask the community to spread the word for the program as an option for short term care that benefits the patient, the hospital and our community. Patients and families can request to be considered for care here as discharge is considered.
Thank you to Greg and Linda for an informative presentation for care options in our community. Thanks to them for leading the program and educating the community.
For more information contact Ely Bloomenson Hospital at 328 W. Conan St, Ely, MN or call 218-365-3271.
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