Happiness Moment: For his happiness moment, J. T. Stimler talked about basing his lifestyle on the Rotary Four-Way Test, and what a difference that can make.  He feels that particularly when dealing with people during stressful times it is important to show that you are really present with them.  One way to do that is by making eye contact, even though wearing a mask.  This is one way to show how much we value each other.  

 

J.T. Then introduced Dr. Rob McGregor, the Chief Medical Officer of Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron, and Tony Gutowski, the Director of Government Relations at the hospital.  They spoke about the problems and benefits of the pandemic for their hospital and the healthcare community in general.

 

Dr. McGregor, who has been president of the Rotary Club of Akron, talked about how the Four-Way Test blended with the promises Children's Hospital made at its founding in 1890.  They still stand today:  1.  Treat all children as if they were your own.  2.  Treat others as you would like to be treated, and 3.  never turn a child away.    CHMC is one of 60 remaining independent children's hospitals in the country.  During the year before the pandemic they saw 105,000 children in their emergency rooms, 500,000 in primary care, 30,000 in urgent care and more than 600,000 in school health clinics.

 

Mr. Gutowski explained that the hospital experienced losses during the pandemic.  Inpatient stays were down by 17%.  Patient care revenues were down by 7%. Inpatient revenues were down by 4% and outpatient revenue by 11%.  Some federal dollars were targeted to hospitals, but there was a struggle to actually receive those funds (eventually funds were received!).  Although CHMC of Akron was not as affected by the pandemic as the adult hospitals, they had prepared a floor for overflow from the adult hospitals for adults up to age 30.

 

The effect on healthcare workers has been tremendous.  In a study by the Kaiser Foundation, it is predicted that a significant number of healthcare workers may leave the field of medicine.  There is a high risk of burn-out and also of suicide as workers have tried to cope, but have seen more death, struggles and frustration than they can handle.  Healthcare administrators are trying to address this problem in individual settings. Using CHMC as an example, Dr. McGregor talked about what they are doing for their staff.  Help includes both relationships with the mental health community and exposure to things like meditation that staff members can learn on their own.  

 

One of the benefits of the pandemic may be the acceptance and usefulness of telehealth.  At one point, April 2020, the hospital participated in 13,319 telehealth visits.  Both the families and the medical community agree that there are times a phone equipped with a camera can shortcut the need for a face-to-face appointment or help with decisions best handle health issues.  For the first quarter of this year, there have been over 20,000 telehealth visits.

 

The hospital's strategic growth has been to bring the services to the community.  One of the newest locations for offices and rehabilitation will be in Stow at the corner of Fishcreek and Graham.  Unfortunately this office will displace Corner Cup Coffeehouse, a business that now must seek a new location by the first of July.  Rotarians working with CHMC will try to assist with this transition.  The owner, a former Rotarian, has been very generous to the club and the community.  The outcome of this will hopefully be a prime example of Rotary ... the community and the hospital working together for success.

 

We thank our speakers for their informative presentation!