December Book Fair

Open enrollment is currently underway!

To enroll/cancel or make a change, you must call the Kindred Enrollment Call Center at
1-800-289-5710 during the following days/times:

Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – to 5 p.m., EST
Closed Thanksgiving Day
Friday, November 29th 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., EST

The last day to call and make changes is Friday, December 6th!

Remember to qualify for the discounted Healthy Reward Insurance Rates you must participate in the Wellness Program.
The first step is to complete your Well Being Assessment (WBA) on line at www.healthystepswellness.com

You  must complete this by December 12th to qualify for the discounted rates or you will be subject to the basic rates (see below).

Happy Thanksgiving

Every day, thousands of patients come to us with the hope of recovery and wellness from illness and injury – and thanks to you – many return to their families with the ability to live full, happy and active lives.

We know that illness and injury happen regardless of day or night, weekday or holiday. This Thanksgiving, we join the hundreds of thousands of patients and residents and their families who are thankful for what you do and your dedication, commitment and caring.

In appreciation of this season of reflection, we want to express our deep gratitude and respect for your service. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.

Our most humble thanks to each and every one of you.

Warmest regards,

Paul and Ben

Paul J. Diaz

Chief Executive Officer

Benjamin A. Breier

President & Chief Operating Officer

2013 PTO Cash Out

We are very excited to announce that this year's PTO Cash-Out is at 75%! (Please see attached form for more details)
Employees will be able to make their cash-out elections through December 4th.   You can either print out the attached form or see your Facility Administrative Assistant or Nurse Supervisor for the form. Payment will be added to a regularly scheduled paycheck no later than December 24th, depending on when your form is returned.
A couple of things to keep in mind when making your elections:
- Must leave a minimum available PTO balance of 40 hours
- After cash out election is made, the hours are "locked" for cash out and unavailable for use
- May not cash out any PTO that was donated but unused from a prior emergency
Should you have any additional questions, please contact me or Human Resources.

Shelley Frassetto, Payroll Benefit Coordinator/Finance
Kindred Hospital Arizona - Phoenix/Northwest
602-280-7246 Direct
602-280-7336 Fax

Tobacco Free Reminder

Dear Staff,

Thank you for all of your assistance in making Kindred Hospitals Phoenix and Northwest Phoenix a Tobacco – Free Workplace.  It was a major change for some of our staff, visitors and even some of our patients.  Kindred is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for our employees and others who enter our company premises and recognize that tobacco and tobacco smoke pose a significant health threat to anyone exposed to them.

Unfortunately it has been noted that some employees are not following the policy.

Reminder:

• There is no designated smoking area on company premises for employees, patients or visitors.
• Non-exempt employees may not leave hospital premises while they are clocked into the time-clock system (on duty) such as when they are taking a 10-15 minute rest break.
• All non-exempt employees wishing to use tobacco may only do so by clocking out of the time-clock system (off duty) such as when they are taking meal breaks.
• All employees (exempt or non-exempt) must leave the facility premises to use tobacco products.
• Employees who continue to violate this policy will be subject to the progressive discipline policy as stated in the Employee Handbook.

Please feel free to call me for any questions regarding this policy.

Heidi Miller, Market CEO

Vendor Fair: Northwest

TURKEY BOWL 2013

NORTHWEST

PHOENIX

Kindred Angel 2013

KINDRED ANGEL

As another year comes to an end and the Holiday

Season is upon us, We all know that some of our

co-workers need our help.  This year we will

continue on with the tradition of The Kindred Angel Program. 

Those that may be facing financial challenges this Holiday season can complete the Recipient form and place in the drop box located in Administration. Forms must be completed by Mon. Dec. 9th.

Ways to Contribute:

Jeans Day Fridays will continue.  Please see Kristy Beres, AA to make a donation of $5 to wear Jeans on Friday.

Candy Gram sales will start the first week in

December and all funds will go towards the Kindred Angel.

Those that wish to donate any dollar amount to the Kindred Angel Program please see Kristy Beres, AA or the Nursing Supervisor. Donations must be

received by Mon. Dec. 9th.

The recipients of the Kindred Angel Program will be notified on Fri. Dec. 13th.  

Good Luck Celebration for Michael Arellano

Completed Education Needs Assessment Evals Raffle

I am pleased to announce the winner of the pair of movie tickets for Kindred Phoenix for completing and turning in the Education Needs Assessment Evaluations on time (before October 31, 2013). 

The winners are: (drum roll please…)

Phoenix: Vicenta Jimenez!!  Congratulations Vicenta and thank you!

Northwest: Sylvia Ellis!!  Congratulations Sylvia and thank you!

You can pick up your tickets from your A.A.

Thank you to all the staff for completing this invaluable assessment tool for the education planning of 2014! If you have not yet completed the mandatory education assessment evaluations and turned them in, please do so at your earliest convenience – all employee feedback is key to successfully planning our Education Calendar for 2014.  

Patricia Burrill, RN, BSN, MSN (in progress)

Education Manager - Phoenix Market

Philippines Typhoon Relief

In the aftermath of the devastating and historic typhoon that hit the Philippines late last week, many of us are asking what we can do to help. Not only are the events there a terrible tragedy, but also we have many employees who have been personally affected.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our teammates who have family or friends in the Philippines. And as every member of our Kindred family has dedicated themselves to the health and well being of others, a tragedy of this magnitude impacts all of us.

A natural disaster of this nature will require not only government agencies stepping in to provide assistance, but private donations will be essential to aid in the recovery in the Philippines.

Seeing this as an opportunity for Kindred to help, we have pledged to make a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross specifically designated for relief efforts. In addition, Kindred will match all Red Cross donations made by Kindred employees dollar for dollar up to an additional $50,000, for a total contribution by Kindred of $75,000. The Kindred matching form, which outlines what donations will qualify for the match, is attached.

We also understand that some of our teammates have family and friends directly affected by this tragedy, and we want to take this opportunity to remind you that immediate family members needing assistance are eligible for HOPE funds. As a reminder, The HOPE Fund was established to provide monetary assistance to Kindred employees experiencing financial hardship due to a catastrophic life event.

Please feel free to contact Karen Lozado at (502) 596-6876 (Red Cross) or Wendy Swisher at (502) 596-7871 (HOPE) for additional information on the Red Cross matching funds or access to HOPE funds.

The Philippines are still in the very early stages of what will be a long and difficult recovery process. Please keep those who have been affected by the earthquake in your thoughts and prayers.

Best Regards,

Stephen R. Cunanan
Chief People Officer
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
680 S. Fourth St.
Louisville, Ky. 40202
502-596-6525


HOW TO DONATE:
Please make your check payable to the American Red Cross and mark it with Philippines Typhoon in the memo of your check.  Mail to the following address: American Red Cross, 510 East Chestnut Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

Complete the matching funds request form and supply a copy of your donation check to Karen Lozado (KH-6) 680 S. 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202.

We suggest that you pool all employee donations at each location and send one envelope with all the contribution checks and one matching gift form for the total amount that employees at that location contribute.

Employee Forums: November

Thursday November 21^st     

 7am & 2pm

Northwest Phoenix Dining Room

Phoenix Cafeteria

Have Discussions…

Ask Questions…

Voice Your Concerns…

Make Suggestions…

 

All Employees Are Welcome

And Encouraged to Attend

2014-2015 Medical Staff Elections

New Computer Workstation Education Room Reveal

 New Computer Workstations in Phoenix Education Room

Under the careful eye and determination of Wilma Kettner, CFO, four new computer stations are now set up in the Education Room for staff!  Shelves will be installed in short order to hold all those invaluable reference books related to clinical care -  Drug reference, nursing textbooks, etc.

Now you can get off the floor to complete your LMS Modules, take a look at all the great things available on Knect.com, look up clinical information on Lippincott, etc. and so much more!  So come on in, the door is open and you are more than welcome here!

Patricia Burrill, RN, BSN, MSN (in progress)

Education Manager – Phoenix Market

602-280-7231

2014 ACLS Schedule

Stair Climb Event: Update

Dear Kindred Phoenix and Northwest,

The stair climb event is about three weeks away and I am excited to introduce our Kindred Climbers team for 2013:

•  Jordan Basco – Chief Clinical Officer & Team Captain
• Ethan Basco – Captain’s assistant
• Sandeep Randhawa – District Director of Human Resources (returning climber from 2012)
• Heather Zane – Northwest ICU RN and Relief Supervisor (returning climber from 2012)
• Carmelita Washabaugh – Northwest Night Supervisor (new climber)
• Davina Doster – Patient Account Rep (new climber)

Thank you for joining our team and thank you to staff that generously donated to this great cause on behalf of our Kindred team. It is never too late to sign up to join the KindredClimbers team or to make a donation. Our team is committed to this event because….

Your Dollars Are Needed

The steps we take to raise money translate directly into educational programs, research and advocacy efforts that further our mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Here’s how your support helps.

Seven million children have asthma and it is the leading disease of children.

We provide programs to help kids and their caregivers manage their asthma.

Pollution and secondhand smoke lead to lung disease. 

We fight for laws that improve air quality, both indoors and out.

Research is about hope. Lung disease is not decreasing as quickly as other major diseases.

We support research to find cures.

  

Jordan Basco, RN
Chief Clinical Officer

Kindred Phoenix Market

(602)280-7394

Event Information

Fight for Air Climbs are the American Lung Association’s most unique fundraisers. Climbs take place in prominent skyscrapers, stadiums or arenas and involve walking, running or racing up hundreds of steps. Sometimes called a "vertical road race", teams and individual participants can use the event as a fitness target, as a race, or as a great way to be active and meet new friends.  

We know a lot about lung disease, but there is so much we don't know. Your participation will raise the funds necessary to provide lifesaving education, research and advocacy so we can beat lung disease and soon find a cure.

Event Physical Address

Renaissance Square, Downtown Phoenix

2 North Central Avenue

Phoenix, AZ 85004

View Map

PRACTICE CLIMB DATE(S) & TIME(S)

The 2013 Fight For Air Climb takes place on Sunday, November 17, 2013. 

Check in begins at 8 a.m.

EVENT DAY SCHEDULE

8 AM - CHECK IN
9 AM - CLIMB BEGINS
1 PM - CLIMB ENDS

2013-2014 BLS Schedule

Safety Clock Celebration: NW

Congratulations Kindred-Northwest Phoenix Staff for reaching a milestone

30 + days of employee injury-free workdays! Please join us for a Pie and Cider. Pies and Cider will be served from at 2pm in dining room Tue Nov. 5^th. For night shift, Pie and Cider will be available at 12am.

Please help us reach another 30 days (or more) injury-free by keeping a safe and happy work environment!

Thank You!

SAFETY NEVER HURTS!

Open Enrollment 2014: Meeting Schedule

PHOENIX

NORTHWEST