In an Emergency Department, the setting can be very stressful. Having a staff member that is able to provide care and compassion to patients under the hardest of times is valuable. Because of her performance and dedication, Barb Russell has been named the Community Health Center of Branch County July Employee of the Month.

Barb is a Unit Coordinator in the Emergency Department. She was hired in August 1997. Some of her duties include answering the phone, placing patients, and placing physician orders. According to her nominator, “Barb is a very conscientious employee and takes great pride in her job. In a busy ER, under the most stressful conditions, Barb keeps everything (and many times everyone) under control. She always knows what needs to be done to keep the ER running smoothly and gets it done in a very efficient manner. I have seen her simultaneously arrange for two helicopter transfers of critically ill patients, going to two different hospitals by two different transport services, without breaking a sweat!

Barb is also very caring and compassionate when dealing with patients or their families. She also cares about her co-workers and if you are lucky enough to receive one of her quilts, you also know how very talented she is. She is active in Relay for Life and she recently volunteered to embroider on blankets that are given to sexual assault patients seen in the ER. She in not only a true asset to CHC but is also a caring and compassionate individual. I believe that she deserves to be Employee of the Month.”

Barb graduated high school from Blissfield, MI. Barb is married to Gregg. They have two children, Aundrea who is attending college at Baker and is a unit coordinator at CHC; and Matthew, who is working on his Masters in Business. Barb enjoys quilting and spending time with her two grandchildren.

CHC’s Emergency Department is a Level Two trauma center that sees more than 24,000 patients a year. The department has telemedicine capabilities to link withBorgessMedicalCenterto consult on cases. There is an excellent history of working closely with both Borgess andBronsonMethodistHospitalon cases requiring services CHC does not provide. CHC’s Emergency Department has won the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the ER.

Emergency Physicians Medical Group (EPMG) is contracted with CHC to provide ER physicians for the department. EPMG is committed to improving wait times and customer satisfaction. Physicians work hand-in-hand with staff on these issues and on quality improvement initiatives. EPMG’s medical director and emergency physicians work cooperatively with hospital administration, nursing, and the medical staff to create a cohesive patient orientated team delivering excellent care.

Here are some tips to help make the visit to the Emergency Room a better experience:

• Provide as much information as possible
• Ask a friend or loved one to go
• Ask questions continually
• Ask for a copy of important tests or results
• Do not leave the ER until everything is understood about what happened

The Community Health Center of Branch County is a non-profit acute care hospital providing access to safe, comprehensive, high quality healthcare services and accredited by The Joint Commission. For more information about CHC, please call the CHC Marketing Department at 517-279-5008 or visit the CHC website at www.chcbc.com or health website at myhealth.chcbc.com.