DECEMBER 2024
This holiday season, we are grateful for YOU!
“The true meaning of Christmas lies in the joy of giving, for it is through our blessings that we find happiness.”
— Benjamin Franklin
The holidays are a time for faith, family, friends and fun. It’s also a perfect time for giving thanks for all that we’ve been able to do this year. Because of your support and generosity, we have impacted more than 100,000 lives, from bringing care to people experiencing homelessness, to helping new moms and babies, to making college more affordable for nursing students, and bringing compassion and comfort to precious individuals at the end of life. We are grateful to serve in this way and consistently amazed and inspired by those who support us in our mission. Thank you so very much.
Have a blessed holiday season and best wishes for an amazing new year!
Take action to stay healthy this winter
Dr. Bryan Ghiloni, newly named president of Mount Carmel Health Partners, has some tips and tactics to maintain your health during the cold winter months.
“Find ways to continuing exercising through the winter,” Ghiloni says. “Moderate exercise – anything that gets your heart rate up for 20 minutes or so – three days a week is helpful.” Keeping up on vaccinations is important, too. “Check with your doctor to make sure you’re up-to-date on flu, COVID and, depending on your age, RSV, shingles and pneumonia vaccines,” he adds.
“The first of the year is a great time to schedule your annual wellness visit,” advises Ghiloni. “In my practice, we’re going to spend time talking about screening, disease prevention, weight, blood pressure control and other ways to maintain and improve your physical health. Mental health, too, is important. With less daylight, be very intentional about getting outside and participating in opportunities to socialize with other people.”
“And my last bit of advice is if you are sick, stay home. It’s not a good idea, either for you or others around you, to be around a lot of other people when you’re not feeling well. For most people, a cough, runny nose or achiness will all go away. If you have significant other health problems, like heart, lung, immune system issues, or your symptom just won’t seem to go away, then you may want to check in with your primary care physician,” he concludes.
In addition to his promotion to president of Mount Carmel Health partners, Dr. Ghiloni also serves as Vice President, Population Health for Trinity Health. With nearly 20 years of service to Mount Carmel, Dr. Ghiloni was most recently Medical Director, Mount Carmel Health Partners and Medical Director, Mount Carmel Medical Group. In these roles, his leadership has been instrumental in the clinical, operational, and financial performance of both entities.
Mount Carmel Health Partners is a clinically-integrated network of more than 3,000 primary care, specialty physicians and advanced practice providers.
Mount Carmel St. Ann’s
Foundation unveils new Gratitude Walls
Through a project led by Board of Trustees member Katie Ballay, CEO of K Ballay Consulting LLC, the Foundation created and installed new Gratitude Walls at Mount Carmel East, Mount Carmel Grove City and Mount Carmel St. Ann’s hospitals to honor donors and share the vision and values that define care at Mount Carmel.
Input from throughout the health system and from Foundation leaders was gathered and incorporated into these new displays. The walls feature four concepts – inspiration, compassion, hope, healing – that are hallmarks of the care that patients and their loved ones can expect from Mount Carmel.
“We’re honored to be able to create and share these displays with everyone who visits these care sites, especially those who generously contribute to make what we do possible,” said Deanna Stewart, president, Mount Carmel Foundation.
Cristo Rey student workers get real-world work experience at Mount Carmel
The Mount Carmel Foundation has partnered with Cristo Rey Columbus High School since it opened its doors in 2013 to provide opportunities for high school students to learn about health care careers and have real-life work experiences in the health system.
Currently, 20 student workers are deployed at Mount Carmel across a wide variety of functions, including food and nutrition, supply chain, administrative support for hospital presidents, Mount Carmel College of Nursing library and at the von Zychlin Healthy Living Center.
Cynthia, a senior at the high school, is working under the supervision of Dee Dee Sirc, Sr. Executive Assistant at Mount Carmel East. “Cynthia always has a smile and it’s been fun to see her learn and grow. She’s really come out of her shell during her time here,” says Sirc. “She’s interested in becoming a NICU physician and has had opportunities to shadow professionals in that area of the hospital. We try to make sure to give exposure and experience to each student in their area of interest.”
Cynthia, who in November was named Student of the Month at Cristo Rey Columbus, works five days each month at Mount Carmel East for the entire school year, roughly Labor Day to Memorial Day. Once her student work experience is completed, she’ll give a presentation about what she’s learned to the senior leaders at the hospital. “It’s a huge help to have a student worker here one day a week,” says Sirc, “especially someone like Cynthia, who learns quickly, takes initiative and has a great disposition.”
“We have a wonderful partnership, and it is evidenced by the relationships that are built between our supervisors and students,” says Kristin Mutchler, chief operating officer, Cristo Rey Columbus High School. Many times, supervisors attend sporting events, school concerts, performances, or other events. Students are frequently nominated by their supervisors for Student Employee of the Month. We also have Mount Carmel representation on our school board and committees. It is truly a deep partnership.”
To date, Mount Carmel has hosted 200 Cristo Rey student workers. Some students elect to return to their jobs over several years.