McLeod Children’s Hospital is one of 170 children’s hospitals in North America that comprise the ‘Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ (CMNH), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping children by raising funds and awareness for its members.  Each year, these non-profit hospitals treat more than 17 million children afflicted with disease, injuries and birth defects of every kind by providing the finest in medical care, life-saving research and preventative education.

At McLeod in 2010, more than 22,700 children received much needed care from McLeod Children’s Hospital either as an inpatient, outpatient or rehabilitation patient.

This year marks the 24th annual McLeod ‘Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Broadcast’, which celebrates the successes of year round fund-raising and friend-raising for children receiving care as part of the McLeod Children’s Hospital.  These victories are made possible by families who give love and hope, McLeod physicians, nurses and ancillary staff who provide excellent care and treatment, and donors at every level who make charity care and vital equipment purchases possible.

WBTW News 13 will broadcast live from the McLeod Children’s Hospital Child Life Activity Center on Saturday, June 4, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. We are grateful for WBTW’s support of this important effort for children.  The broadcast serves to recognize the support of local groups and organizations as well as 75 national corporate sponsors who work year round for the children served at McLeod Children’s Hospital. One hundred percent of the money raised during the broadcast also remains at the McLeod Children’s Hospital to treat children in this region.

Four McLeod Children have also been selected to represent the amazing spirit of many that is so evident in the children who overcome physical and emotional challenges — at times greater than many adults ever face. This year the children representing many include:

Two-year-old twin girls Sophia and Isabella Topalian of Florence. While nearly 150,000 sets of twins are born each year, less than one percent of them are monoamniotic twins, like the Topalian girls. Monoamniotic twins share one amniotic sack. This situation places the babies at high risk for their umbilical cords to become entangled which could result in cord compression and possible demise. Sophia and Isabella’s mother, Kim Topalian, spent 53 days in the Antepartum Unit at McLeod so that physicians could monitor her pregnancy. Born at just 32 weeks, the twins spent almost two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) under the supervision of McLeod Neonatologists, including Dr. Steve Bridges.

Five-year-old Ainsley Jordan of Myrtle Beach. Less than one year ago during a routine doctor’s visit, Ainsley’s elevated blood sugar levels resulted in her pediatrician immediately sending Ainsley and her family to the McLeod Children’s Hospital for hospitalization. Ainsley was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes by Pediatric Endocrinologist Dr. Pamela Clark of McLeod Pediatric Subspecialists. Dr. Clark instantly developed a relationship with Ainsley and her parents, Christina and Steve Jordan, to help the entire family cope with this condition Ainsley will have during her life. Today, Ainsley and her parents are able to manage her disease on a daily basis through blood sugar checks, insulin shots, and a balanced diet.

Ten-year-old Triston “Kane” Davis of Cheraw. On a Monday morning back in February, Kane woke up covered in a rash of blisters from head to toe similar to third degree burns. His pediatrician diagnosed him with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, likely the result of an allergic reaction he was experiencing to a sulfa antibiotic he had been prescribed four days earlier for an infection. Kane’s doctor instructed his mother, Mandy, to take Kane to the McLeod Children’s Hospital immediately. Upon admission, a team of physicians including Dr. Ramesh Bharadwaj, Dr. Judith Ugale, Dr. Carl Chelen and Dr. Isam Zakhour confirmed Kane’s diagnosis. He was admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) where he spent the next few weeks receiving more acute care to decrease the duration of his severe, painful symptoms.

These children represent so many other young people and families who are treated at the McLeod Children’s Hospital every year. Each child and their family needed the special care and comfort found only in a hospital just for them. Thanks to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, McLeod Children’s Hospital, and the generous support of the community and McLeod Health employees, these youngsters have beat the odds.

Thanks for all you do in helping to make these challenges into victories.

Rob

Donations to McLeod Children’s Hospital can be made during the CMNH Celebration Broadcast on WBTW News 13 by calling 777-GIVE (4483) or toll free at 1-866-668-4862 or by visiting the McLeod Foundation website at www.mcleodfoundation.org and clicking on the CMNH icon for an online submission.

To Our McLeod Team,

Everyday, McLeod Health employees interact with patients, physicians and each other.  Our vision is to be ‘the Choice for Medical Excellence.’ For us that means that in the eyes of patients, physicians and our team, we will strive for being the Choice for Medical Excellence.  We want to measure the vision so that our goals will reflect an effort to improve the effectiveness of this vision. We want to measure the attitude and perception of our people’s work for McLeod Health because it will have a direct effect on the quality of care we provide.

In order to have a better understanding of our team’s job satisfaction and the issues that are important, McLeod Health is conducting an Employee Opinion Survey, focusing on our staff perceptions of service, quality, internal support and communication, among other topics.

For this year’s Employee Opinion Survey, we continue to contract with independent, outside firm Professional Research Consultants (PRC).  This firm works solely with hospitals and health care systems and specializes in opinion research and development plans.  They are involved in patient and employee research for hundreds of hospitals across the nation. This process allows us the opportunity to compare ourselves and previous satisfaction results by tracking historical responses to the questions.  As well, we can measure our effectiveness with other hospitals across the nation in order to direct our improvement efforts this year.  Responses to this Internet-based questionnaire are totally confidential, convenient and easy and should require only ten to 15 minutes to complete.

The single most important asset of McLeod Health is our people.  As a member of McLeod Health, you make a unique and highly valued contribution to the overall success of our organization. Listening to what you have to say and anticipating your needs is a very important part of achieving our success. We want your opinions.  We want to be the Choice for Medical Excellence in your eyes, hands and hearts of service.

Thanks,
Rob

On Wednesday evening, “A Washington Update: The American Medical Association Perspective” was hosted by McLeod Health for physicians and their spouses. Additionally, members of the McLeod Health Board of Trustees and Administration and the Florence County Medical Society were among the 120 attendees at this special opportunity to get insight on the national health care environment.

The keynote address was delivered by Cecil B. Wilson, M.D., President of the American Medical Association (AMA).

Dr. Cecil Wilson, President of the American Medical Association, offered insight on the national health care environment.

An internist from Winter Park, Florida, Dr. Wilson became the 165th President of the American Medical Association in June of 2010. He has been a member of the AMA Board of Trustees since 2002, serving as Chair from 2006 to 2007. He has also been a member of the AMA House of Delegates since 1992, and was previously elected to two terms as a member of the AMA Council on Constitution and Bylaws, of which he also served as Vice Chair.

McLeod Chief Medical Officer Dr. Coy Irvin has served on AMA committees and was instrumental in bringing the topical overviews to McLeod Health.

As a continuing medical education program, the objectives of the evening included identifying ways that physicians can better position themselves for market and discuss regulatory changes that have not yet taken place.

During his remarks, Dr. Wilson encouraged the attendees to educate themselves on the proposed changes in healthcare and to use the AMA website as a resource. AMA is currently lobbying to correct issues from their perspective with the Affordable Care Act.

“It is important that we work together and have one voice to make these changes the best they can be for physicians and patients,” said Dr. Wilson.

Dr. Wilson underscored the role of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). An ACO refers to a group of providers and suppliers of services (hospitals, physicians, and others involved in patient care) with a goal of delivering seamless, high quality care for Medicare beneficiaries. He added that the AMA believes there are six criteria essential to the success of Accountable Care Organizations:
1. They must be physician led.
2. Participation by physicians and patients should be voluntary.
3. This can not be a one size fits all approach.
4. Physicians in small rural practices need to receive financial and technical assistance.
5. Existing anti-trust laws must be reformed.
6. We must utilize quality measures that are physician driven.

Dr. Wilson added that on the AMA website there is a how to manual for physicians to navigate a post reform world. He also provided the physicians with a resource on the Affordable Care Act to share with their patients (www.healthcareandyou.org) which is updated regularly and written in concise, easy to understand language.

Rich Deem, Senior Vice President of Advocacy for the American Medical Association, also addressed those in attendance with a Report on the Budget. He noted that “we are not going to solve it all or balance the budget on the backs of providers. We must bring patients into the conversation and provide incentives to them in the areas of preventive care.”

We are always pleased to share and receive information that provides us with more ideas on how to improve the quality and coordination of care for the patients we serve.

Thanks,
Rob

McLeod Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Timothy D. Hess as Senior Vice President of Human Resources & Training for the organization, effective upon Mrs. Jeannette Glenn’s retirement on April 29, 2011. 

In speaking with Jeannette about Tim’s appointment, she said, “I am very excited and pleased that Tim will be appointed as my successor.  He is an outstanding and knowledgeable professional.  Tim exudes creativity, a sense of humor, openness to change, respect for others and, most of all, has a huge servant’s heart.  I can leave my McLeod family feeling very confident that they are in the best of hands with Tim at the helm.”

As a Senior Vice President, Tim will be a member of the Leadership Council at McLeod Health.  In this capacity, he will lead the creation of the strategic management plan for Human Resources.  He has outstanding skills and experience in the functions of Human Resources, with more than two decades of service in this specialty, an essential connection to the culture of McLeod Health and a passion for the people who serve our patients and their families. 

Tim joined the McLeod family in March of 1992 as the Manager of Compensation and Benefits.  He was promoted to Director of Compensation and Benefits in June of 1994. He carried out this role in an outstanding manner helping to make very positive differences for McLeod Health until his departure in June 2002, to accept a position with Saint Thomas Health Services in Nashville, Tennessee. Tim gained further experience and expertise in management and operations, serving as the Director of Compensation and Benefits and was later promoted to Vice President of Human Resources Operations.

Tim returned to McLeod Health in February of 2006, as Associate Vice President of Human Resources.  His responsibilities included the management of compensation and benefits for McLeod Health employees, the Human Resources Information Systems and providing leadership to the Recruiting Team.

Tim received a BSBA in Industrial Relations from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina.  He is a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP) through World at Work, a Certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR) through the Society of Human Resources Management, and he has served as Facilitator for the McLeod Financial Peace University.  He continues to advocate for programs to support work-life balance and wellness for our staff and medical professionals through new programs and services in Human Resources.

Tim lives in Florence with his wife, Georgia, and their son, Carney, age eight.

Please join me in congratulating Tim on this promotion.

Thanks,
Rob

This past Thursday evening, McLeod Health hosted a unique event to celebrate the work of our McLeod Human Motion Specialists program and the exciting growth ahead. McLeod Human Motion Specialists brings together the medical specialists and practitioners who treat muscular and skeletal issues resulting from injury, illness or aging.

We were pleased to have a special guest and speaker join us in the celebration, Eric Heiden, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and a United States Olympic gold medalist. His engaging presentation reflected on key people in his life who moved him to higher pursuits and were an inspiration, as well as  his past experiences as a “champion.”  He highlighted his passion for modeling “fit” behavior and underscored the need for our culture to embrace the need to fight the growing crisis of obesity and overweight by focusing on physical activity and nutrition. “The negative results of a sedentary population is all around each of us,” he told the crowd.    

Olympic Gold Medalist Eric Heiden, M.D., at left, served on a panel discussion during the McLeod Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Conference. Other panelists seen with Dr. Heiden included Dr. Pat Denton with Pee Dee Orthpaedics and Dr. Brian Blair with McLeod Orthopaedics.

Dr. Eric Heiden is a true American sports icon. He has earned more medals in a single Olympics than any previous Olympic athlete and has set 15 world records in his speed skating career. At the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Winter Games, he won the Gold in all five speed skating events and set four Olympic records and one world record.

After retiring from speed skating, Dr. Heiden began a second career in cycling. He won a United States Cycling Championship and competed with the 7-11 team in the 1986 Tour de France.

By 1991, Dr. Heiden had earned his medical degree from Stanford University and was ready to begin his third career as an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. In 2006, Dr. Heiden and his wife, Dr. Karen Heiden, relocated to Park City, Utah, and after working extensively with The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH), established their own orthopedic practice. Dr. Heiden is also the Co-founder of the University of California Davis Sports Performance Program, and the author of “Faster, Better, Stronger.”

“I am proud of the collective work being done here at McLeod, the work to be proactive and committed to both prevention and treatment processes,” said Dr. Heiden.

One of the goals of McLeod Human Motion Specialists is to offer a seamless delivery of care to all orthopedic and spine patients. Through the consolidation of adult therapy, patients will soon have complete and convenient access to all of their therapeutic needs in one location.

The adult outpatient therapy services of physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, work recovery, sports medicine and the Occupational Therapy Hand Center will be housed together in one location on the McLeod Wellness Campus, adjacent to the McLeod Health and Fitness, scheduled to open in June.We look forward to being able to provide convenient access and to continue our outstanding care to the patients we serve.

We were appreciative of  Dr. Heiden’s visit to our community and McLeod and his participation both in our Thursday night reception and our day long annual Orthopedic Conference on Friday. There were more than 150 attendees, and 34 physicians from 13 counties at the educational program. Dr. Heiden’s address at both events was extremely meaningful and very well received by all.

Thanks to all who attended these special programs and to all who made the events possible.

Thanks
Rob

This month has provided us with a chance to honor our McLeod Health professionals who have been recognized for their exceptional professional service and skills. I had the chance to see Dr. Ed Behling receive the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Physician of the Year Award at the McLeod Regional Medical Center Medical Staff March meeting.

Edward Behling, M.D., of Medical Plaza Family Medicine has been awarded the annual South Carolina Physician Award for Outstanding Service by the state DHEC.

“Dr. Behling has partnered with DHEC since early in his medical career when he began seeing patients referred to him by the health department,” said DHEC Commissioner Earl Hunter. “More recently, his practice was the first in the area to work with us to increase the region’s level of pandemic flu preparedness.

According to Hunter, Medical Plaza Family Medicine was an early provider of the H1N1 vaccine and treated many patients during the response.

“Dr. Behling’s interest in public health and his influence on his staff and colleagues regarding its importance is evident in how quickly his practice responds to public health issues like disease outbreaks,” Hunter said. “During a recent outbreak of whooping cough that involved several Florence schools, he handled a large number of the cases. And throughout that response, his ongoing communication with DHEC and the community helped to lessen the impact and spread of this disease.”

Hunter said the criteria for the award include length of service, personal qualities, and accomplishments or activities that are consistent with outstanding service by a physician.

Dr. Behling is a board certified family medicine physician, and cares for patients at Medical Plaza Family Medicine, a McLeod Physician Associates practice. He received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and completed a family medicine residency at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

I would also like to note that Anita Logan of the McLeod Diabetes Center was recognized as the Certified Diabetes Educator of the Year by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Anita was presented with the DHEC Award on Saturday, March 12 at the 9th Annual Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Stroke Winter Symposium in Myrtle Beach.

The award recognizes a certified diabetes educator who has made a special contribution to diabetes education through dedication and innovation in the daily practice of patient care. Anita is a registered dietician and CDE at McLeod Diabetes center where she has worked since its opening in 1999.

“Anita is a valued employee and truly deserves recognition for her dedication and commitment to improving the health of the diabetes population in the Pee Dee Region of our State,” says Marilyn Henderson, Coordinator of the McLeod Diabetes Center. “She is a true diabetes champion and her clients often tell us how much they enjoy their visits with her.” 

The McLeod Diabetes Center has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Initiative of South Carolina for meeting national and state standards of diabetes education. It is also the only accredited center in the Pee Dee Region recognized by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. The Diabetes Center offers an extensive range of patient services including outpatient diabetes self-management education, individual and group education classes, free support groups, and coordination with Women’s Health Services. The staff includes three Certified Diabetes Educators and one who is Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management.

Another tribute to excellence in the health care profession was extended to Chireen Hyler, a McLeod nurse and educator.

Chireen was recently awarded the Outstanding Educator of the Year honor by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC), during the SC AHEC Annual Meeting.

“It is with great pride and gratitude that Chireen Hyler is awarded this honor to recognize her efforts in providing quality education to our state,” said Dr. David R. Garr, Executive Director of SC AHEC.

Chireen serves as a crew chief for the McLeod HeartReach Critical Care Transport Team. She concurrently serves as a faculty member for the Nursing Program at Francis Marion University and as a Continuing Education Instructor for Pee Dee AHEC and the three other regional AHEC Centers throughout the state. Chireen has educated thousands of students in some manner during her 25-year nursing career.

She was nominated by the Pee Dee AHEC staff who received several letters of support from throughout the Pee Dee Region. These letters stemmed from a myriad of healthcare professionals who have been impacted by Hyler’s educational endeavors.

Chris Davis,  Emergency Services Nurse Manager with Williamsburg Regional Hospital, stated in his letter, “Chireen is one of the best nurses, educators, and role models available. She has become my friend, my confidant, my ‘go-to’ person and my mentor.”

Ann Flynn, a registered nurse with Conway Hospital, added, “Chireen is very knowledgeable and can always share with her audience real situations that they can apply in their everyday practice. She uses creative ways to help her students remember the order of assessments, medications, etc. This is demonstrated by the competency achieved by students following her classes not just in results of a post-test, but in their daily practices.”

We want to thank these three medical professional for the daily work they do on behalf of patients, families and staff. It is an honor for them to be recognized by these organizations for their outstanding service to others. They are models of professional excellence

Thanks
Rob

The end of this week will mark a bittersweet milestone for one of our faithful and discerning physician leaders, as well as for our organization.

Dr. Charles M. Jordan retires from his service to McLeod Health on March 31, 2011. He leaves a legacy of  physician engagement, wisdom and a tireless work ethic. He is a champion for children and challenges and has advocated for healthy lifestyles in his more than three decades of medical leadership to both McLeod and the community.

A graduate of the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Jordan completed a residency at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia. Moving to Florence with his family in 1977, Dr. Jordan built a career in pediatrics and management, guided by his compassion for others.

Dr. Jordan, in one of his numerous appearances in the McLeod Magazine over the years, related this in a story that reflects his tenderness in the treatment of patients. 

    “I think the main thing I try to be is a friend to the children I see. If I am their friend, they know they can be open with me and trust me with their care.” 
     A humorous story Dr. Jordan remembers concerns a little boy he set up to go to Charleston for a growth hormone evaluation and treatment. As they were getting ready to leave, the child turned to his mother and said, “Don’t you think we ought to go out and buy some new clothes” fearing his growth would take place immediately. “This story is typical of a child’s innocence, but aside from the humor, seeing families through a crisis is a major part of what we do.”
     His best prescription for children? “Love them.”
     McLeod Magazine 1990

Dr. Jordan, the husband of the late Susan Hope Jordan, is the father of two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren. In addition to his devotion to his family, he provided pediatric care to children in Florence for 28 years, as a beloved partner in the practice of Florence Pediatrics. During his career at McLeod, Dr. Jordan was instrumental in developing the McLeod Children’s Hospital as well as the McLeod Health & Fitness Center, recruiting skilled physicians to the region and providing critical insights both clinically and operationally.

As a leader, Dr. Jordan has served as Medical Director of the McLeod Children’s Hospital from 1988 to 1996, Chief of Staff for McLeod Regional Medical Center from 1989 to 1991, and Medical Director of the McLeod Health & Fitness Center from 1996 to 1998. In addition, Dr. Jordan served as Senior Vice President of McLeod Physician Associates (MPA) from 1998 to 2009 as well as Medical Director of MPA from 2009 to the present.

We have all been enriched by the opportunity to work with Dr. Jordan and will continue to seek his counsel if the needs arise as our Medical programs grow to meet the needs of our community and the patients we serve. His vision for improving the health of our community will continue to guide us well into the future.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jordan for his many years of service. We extend our gratitude and best wishes to him in his retirement.

Thanks,

Rob

Please find the attached letter from Medicaid notifying McLeod and other health care providers that payments for medical services will be cut by 3 percent.  We must find ways to reduce our costs by 3 percent.

This is the link to the S.C. Medicaid Bulletin sent to providers:

http://www.dhhs.state.sc.us/Internet/pdf/MedicaidRatesBulletin20114.pdf

Many of the ideas you submitted last year in Annual Training have helped to reduce costs as our local and national economy experiences a recession.  Now we need to find additional ways to reduce our costs by 3 percent.  It is a difficult task as we grow and make plans for the future. Sometimes ‘the rules’ change due to other circumstances.

We will set-up teams at each hospital – McLeod Regional Medical Center, McLeod Dillon, McLeod Darlington – and McLeod Physicians Associates to develop plans for reducing our cost.

McLeod employees who have ideas may submit them through the Bright Idea icon on the McLeod Compass web home page under the Service Excellence icon or click here for the link, http://www.mrmc.mcleodhealth.org/BrightIdea.aspx. Simply type in your thoughts and they will be processed appropriately. 

Let’s work together to reduce the cost of care for patients.

Thanks,
Rob

On Friday we received a call from a local news organization with questions about an article  which appeared in The State  Newspaper. (The link and news story appears below).  They wanted our thoughts about the article, the proposed Medicaid cuts to all health care providers and how it would affect jobs in our region. Many people do not understand who is covered by Medicaid. For more information, see the blog from December 20, 2010, for the YouTube clip on the “Faces of Medicaid.”

This was our response as we communicate to others about ongoing issues and proposed changes to Medicaid provider payments. While this is a moving, ever changing issue, below is our view to date:

A substantial cut in reimbursements will affect services and the positions which support those services.

At McLeod, we have continued to provide and grow essential services to care for patients in our region with a commitment to quality and operational efficiency. These treatments and programs address significant disease processes prevalent in our state’s population – - including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and premature births.  Some of these critical patient care services are located only at McLeod for the people living in the Northeastern region of South Carolina.

The financial shortfalls anticipated with Medicaid reductions, due to the state’s fiscal budget, will effect the delivery of  health care services.  We believe this will ultimately result in the elimination of programs, community outreach funding and possibly even jobs.  Hospitals are already paid below actual cost by Medicaid for patient care services.  The proposed cut to providers, in the 10 to 15% range, will negatively impact the availability and local access to needed services in our community.  As one of the largest employers in Florence County, the potential reduction in jobs and programs will have an impact on the local economy as well, both long term and short term, during these already challenging times.

We will continue to work with the Medicaid Program to do our part.  However, we do not believe that it is wise to include physicians in these cuts.  This would further complicate problems of access to care for patients.  This would be especially true in rural parts of the state, where there is an even greater shortage of physicians.  Hospitals have also offered to increase their contribution to the state’s general fund to offset shortages.  This additional contribution for Medicaid would allow the state to receive a three to one match, benefiting patients and reducing the state’s financial obligation.

Rob Colones
President and CEO
McLeod Health

http://www.thestate.com/2011/02/25/1711351/senate-oks-cutting-hospital-doctor.html

To our McLeod Family,

It is with the greatest appreciation that I recognize the nearly 45 years of service to McLeod Health by Jeannette Glenn.

McLeod Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Education and Training, Jeannette has announced that she will be retiring on April 29, seeking the enviable opportunity to spend more time with children, grandchildren and continuing her work with her church, community volunteer work and outreach with youth.

Mrs. Glenn began her career with McLeod in 1966 as a staff nurse working in the Surgical Unit, Critical Care Unit, and the Emergency Room as a charge nurse. She has since worked in many other capacities such as head nurse, surgical clinical coordinator, director of staff development, and Associate Vice President and Vice President of Training and Education.

In her current role, Glenn leads the recruiting and retention efforts for McLeod Health, the largest employer in Florence County. As a Senior Vice President, Glenn has served as a member of the Leadership Council at McLeod Health and helped lead the creation of the strategic management plan for the Human Resources division.

Glenn’s educational background includes a diploma in nursing from Kate Bitting Reynolds Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Winston-Salem, NC; a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina in Columbia; a master’s degree in nursing administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston; post-graduate studies at Francis Marion University, and management studies at Harvard University Graduate School of Business.

She was most recently honored with the 2010 Award for Professional Excellence in Human Resources Management by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the State Council of the Society for Human Resource Management. She was also named the 2009-2010 Executive of the Year by the Florence chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals as well as a graduate of the Riley Diversity Leaders Initiative of the Riley Institute at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Glenn has received numerous awards for her community affiliations. These include the Pee Dee Council of Girl Scouts of America, the Elizabeth Pettigrew Durant Children’s Center, the United Way of Florence County, the South Carolina Hospital Association Society, Pee Dee AHEC, Alpha Xi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, Health Facilities Federal Credit Union, the Florence Career and Technology Education Advisory Committee, Florence Education and Business Alliance, and many more.

Her professional memberships include the American Nurses Association, South Carolina Hospital Association Society of Health Educators, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the Society of Human Resources Management.

Glenn is also a member of Florence Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Florence chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction. In addition, she is a member of Trinity Baptist Church, where she serves as Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

Please join me in extending our heartfelt appreciation to Jeannette for her tireless leadership and commitment to McLeod Health. We will miss her, but wish her well in this next special time of life’s journey.

Thanks,

Rob Colones