Illinois nurses file class action lawsuit against Ascension over wage … – Healthcare Dive

Dive Brief:

The class action lawsuit, citing the NYT report, alleges that Ascensions improper cost-cutting measures, including cutting its nursing staff by 23% over the past five years, led to complex nurse payment structures as the health system attempted to incentivize nurses to work longer hours to make up for the staff shortages.

The lawsuit alleges that as a result the defendant nurses, all former and current employees at Joliet, Illinois-based Ascension Saint Joseph, experienced regular and repeated compensation errors, which Ascension did not contest but still failed to pay.

The undercompensation is systemic and may have impacted dozens, perhaps hundreds, of hospital employees,according to the lawsuit.

Ascension failed to compensate oneof the lawsuits defendants, former interventional radiology nurse Desiree Lehr, over $2,000 in incentive shift pay, in addition to another $762.50 that was discovered during the course of the lawsuit investigation, according to the suit.

Another defendant, a current psychiatric nurse at Ascension, has still failed to receive her contractually obligated raise intended to go into effect July 11, 2022, according to the suit.

In a statement to Healthcare Dive, a spokesperson for Ascension said that the system recently became aware of the litigation and was looking into the issues raised.

We pride ourselves on paying every associate a fair wage, the spokesperson said.

The federal lawsuit is the latest spotlight on the nations hospitals, especially nonprofits, as systems reckon with dismal financial outlooks heading into this year.

In September, the NYT reported another investigation, which found that one of the nations largest healthcare systems, Providence Health, routinely pressured patients into paying their medical bills even if they were eligible for financial assistance.

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Illinois nurses file class action lawsuit against Ascension over wage ... - Healthcare Dive

Ascension makes headlines: 5 reasons why – Becker’s Hospital Review

St. Louis-based Ascension is the fourth-largest health system in the United States, operating 139 hospitals across 17 states from New York to Texas.

Recently, the nonprofit healthcare giant has been making headlines. Here are five reasons why:

1.Split president and CEO roles: On Feb. 1, Ascension split its president and CEO roles in a rare redistribution of responsibilities. Previous president and CEO Joseph Impicciche remained in the CEO role while Eduardo Conrado former executive vice president and chief strategy and innovation officer became president.

2.Strong finances: Ascension has an "AA+ rating" and stable outlook with Fitch. Several factors contribute to its high marks, including a strong financial profile assessment and significant market presence in key areas.

3.Wage theft accusations: Nurses from Ascension St. Joseph-Joliet (Ill.) filed a class-action lawsuit against the health system Feb. 22, alleging wage theft. The nurses say the health system has increased executive pay while attempting to cut labor costs, leading to staffing problems.

Additionally, the lawsuit says the health system fails to pay workers the correct amounts, and complaints are not resolved in a timely manner because the payroll department is in St. Louis. Ascension denies these claims, telling Becker's, "We pride ourselves on paying every associate a fair wage."

4. Senator probing investment practices: Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin is probing Ascension, alleging it operates on private interests despite its nonprofit, tax-exempt status. She claims Ascension Capital, the health system's "strategic investment initiative," lost more than $750 million in the most recent financial quarter, which is around $200 million more than Ascension put toward charity care in the same time span. On Feb. 13, Ms. Baldwin demanded a written response to eight questions regarding the health system's investment activities.

Ascension told Becker's it is proud of its mission to "provide care for the most vulnerable," and that it will cooperate with Ms. Baldwin's requests.

5. Service cuts: Services have been cut from multiple Ascension hospitals recently, with birth-related services taking the biggest hit. Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee ended labor and delivery services at the end of December, causing healthcare workers to protest at the beginning of January. Ascension Providence Hospital-Southfield (Mich.) ended midwife services at the end of February, though obstetric physicians will still deliver infants. And Ascension St. Vincent's Riverside in Jacksonville, Fla., will end maternity services March 19, affecting 68 jobs. In Wisconsin and Florida, the cuts were attributed to declining patient volumes.

Additionally, the health system shared plans to partially or fully end services at 11 clinics across Indiana because of COVID-19's "significant operational toll."

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Ascension makes headlines: 5 reasons why - Becker's Hospital Review

Cleveland Clinic, Ascension, Kaiser among 42 health systems … – Becker’s Hospital Review

Forty-two hospitals and health systems have signed on to a new $50 million innovation initiative from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which was created by the ACA in 2010.

The Health Systems Implementation Initiative aims to share research and best practices for evidence-based clinical innovation. The projects are led by a variety of C-suite leaders, including chief medical information officers and chief innovation officers.

The organizations are:

AdventHealth (Altamonte Springs, Fla.)

Advocate Aurora Health (Milwaukee)

Ascension (St. Louis)

Atrium Health (Charlotte, N.C.)

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Cincinnati Hospital Children's Medical Center

Cleveland Clinic

CommonSpirit Health (Chicago)

Corewell Health (Grand Rapids and Southfield, Mich.)

Duke University Health System (Durham, N.C.)

Geisinger (Danville, Pa.)

Harris Health System (Bellaire, Texas)

HonorHealth (Scottsdale, Ariz.)

Inova Health System (Falls Church, Va.)

Intermountain Health (Salt Lake City)

Iowa City (Iowa) VA Medical Center

Jefferson Health (Philadelphia)

Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Pasadena)

MedStar Health (Columbia, Md.)

Mercy (Chesterfield, Mo.)

Montefiore Health System (New York City)

Northwell Health (New Hyde Park, N.Y.)

Northwestern Memorial HealthCare (Chicago)

OSF HealthCare (Peoria, Ill.)

Phoenix Children's Hospital

Queen's Medical Center (Honolulu)

Saint Luke's Health System (Kansas City, Mo.)

San Francisco Health Network

Stanford Medicine (Palo Alto, Calif.)

Temple University Health System (Philadelphia)

University of Chicago Medicine

University of Missouri Health Care (Columbia)

University of Nebraska Medical Center (Omaha)

University Hospitals (Cleveland)

UCSF Health (San Francisco)

University of Florida Health System

UPMC (Pittsburgh)

UW Health (Madison, Wis.)

Valleywise Health (Phoenix)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, Tenn.)

WellSpan Health (York, Pa.)

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Ascension Seton breaks ground on new women’s health tower in … – KVUE.com

The hospital system said the womens health tower is part of major investment and growth for Central Texas.

AUSTIN, Texas Ascension Seton held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning for its new, state-of-the-art womens health tower.

The new building will expand access to Ascension Seton's women's health services with advanced clinical services for womens health, increased patient capacity, academic programs and subspecialty expertise. It will also create "additional space where physicians can provide an exceptional patient experience, achieve world class outcomes, and train the caregivers of tomorrow," according to a release from Ascension Seton.

Morgan Moorhead, a mother who gave birth to twins in Ascension Seton's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), spoke at the groundbreaking about the importance to this new facility.

"With this new center for the community, it can help even more women, even more families that maybe wouldn't have access. And just to know that it's here, I think is going to be wonderful for women and their families," Moorhead said.

Among the features the new tower will include are capacity for approximately 7,500 deliveries, private NICU rooms, C-section suites, areas for minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, expanded antepartum space and a dedicated OB-GYN emergency department.

"I think it's huge for women to have a tower that's all their own. And it's obviously for families as well, but to have that kind of safe space community for women is such a big deal," Moorhead said.

The 325,000-square-foot tower will be located on the south side of the Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin campus, located at 1201 W. 38th Street.

Ascension Seton said the name of the new womens tower will be announced at a later date.

Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown.

KVUE on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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Ascension Genesys Hospital nurses picket over working conditions – WJRT

The union said that it was an informational picket and not a work stoppage, the efforts were made in hopes that leaders at the hospital would listen to their conditions.

GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - Teamsters union nurses at Ascension Genesys Hospital took to the picket line Friday to protest what they are calling bad working conditions.

The union said it was only a informational picket and not a work stoppage. They hope that leaders at the Grand Blanc Township hospital would listen to their concerns.

Dan Glass, president of Teamsters Local 332, said the hospital is short staffed with some technical units down 200 to 300 employees for the past four to five years.

"They're not respected on, they won't reward these guys for all the work they've done," he said. "They've worked through the pandemic. They were called heroes that they're treating them like zeros right now."

The union says the hospital is not posting jobs correctly, leaving the Emergency Department understaffed and adding to the strain and burnout to employees there.

The nurses' contract expires in May 2024. Union leaders say the demonstration on Friday was scheduled to build momentum for those future negotiations.

Ascension Genesys Hospital released the following statement Friday about the picket:

"We respect the right of unions to hold an informational assembly outside our facility. As with any event of this kind, the safety and security of our patients, visitors, associates, physicians and picketers is our first priority. As we are not currently negotiating any collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters, there is no risk of a work stoppage.

As we continue to focus efforts on recruitment and staffing, we are disappointed Teamsters Local 332 leadership did not accept proposals we presented several weeks ago that would have made their bargaining unit members eligible for generous sign-on and referral bonuses utilized elsewhere in Ascension Michigan. We hope to continue working with union leadership on solutions to the staffing challenges that are impacting all health systems across the country."

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Ascension Genesys Hospital nurses picket over working conditions - WJRT

Ascension, ETSU a cappella ensemble, winning national attention – East Tennessee State University

JOHNSON CITY Ascension, a contemporary a cappella ensemble that is part of East Tennessee State Universitys Department of Music, is advancing through an international competition.

The group won second place in the quarterfinals of the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella. In so doing, Ascension beat out some of the top groups in the nation that have traditionally swept those categories.

Ascension is absolutely thrilled to be advancing and competing in the south semifinals of ICCA, said Thomas Richardson, director and graduate of the ETSU Department of Music. Being able to move forward to this next level of competition and perform against prestigious groups from all over the South is such a privilege.

In addition, ETSU student Adam Hybarger won Outstanding Soloist. Ascension is scheduled to compete in the semifinals on March 11 in Durham, N.C. If successful, the ensemble will advance to the national competition in New York later this spring.

We hope to show that the quality of music ETSU produces is right up there with the best of the best, Richardson said.

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Ascension, ETSU a cappella ensemble, winning national attention - East Tennessee State University

Ascension Parish Fire District 1 firefighters participate in hazmat drill – The Advocate

Firefighters from Ascension Parish Fire District 1 and members of the Veolia Chemical facility emergency response team participated in a tabletop hazmat drill at the facility in Darrow, said Chief Officer James E. LeBlanc.

These types of training scenarios give our responders a hands-on learning experience as close to real life as possible, LeBlanc said in a statement. Many lessons were learned, along with building a better relationship with our industry partners and assets available to us when needed.

As part of the exercise, fire district members learned about the chemicals manufactured, stored and shipped at the facility, and what equipment would be needed to respond to the area, LeBlanc said.

The tabletop exercises are intended to provide an opportunity for local volunteer fire departments to test their ability to respond to hazardous materials incidents, LeBlanc said.

The exercises provide the opportunity to identify the response and coordination issues that could arise during a variety of hazardous materials scenarios and make the decisions to resolve those issues, LeBlanc said.

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Ascension Parish Fire District 1 firefighters participate in hazmat drill - The Advocate

Ascension Parish holds public meeting about location of new animal … – WBRZ

ASCENSION - Officials with the Ascension Parish Government are holding a public meeting to inform residents about a plan that's been in the works since 2018.

The proposed location is along N. Burnside Ave, within a block of another rescue shelter.

Weve looked at over 20 properties for the animal shelter and unfortunately none of them have worked out to date," said Ruth Phillips, Chief of Staff for the Ascension Parish Government.

It's been an uphill battle for the parish to build a new shelter. Funding for the shelter was secured in 2018 through an approved millage, but lot pricing and resident pushback has presented a challenge.

We had heard through the council that there were some residents that had issues with the proximity to their neighborhood where the animal shelter would be located," Phillips said.

Phillips hopes Tuesday's meeting will provide clarity to concerned residents, that the shelter will not negatively impact their neighborhood.

"This facility is 90% indoors and that the dogs will be indoors when theres no staff present, we will control how many are out at a time.

The only shelter in the parish, Cara's House, is constantly overwhelmed with the number of animals surrendered on a daily basis. With the parish population growing, a new shelter could ease the burden.

The proposed shelter could cost up to $10 million to build. The meeting and presentation will take place at the Ascension Parish Governmental Complex at 6 p.m. Tuesday in rooms 109 and 110.

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Ascension Parish holds public meeting about location of new animal ... - WBRZ

Baton Rouge man arrested in Ascension horse theft; one adult, two … – WBRZ

PRAIRIEVILLE - Deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriff's Office have identified a Baton Rouge man allegedly connected to the theft of three horses from Ascension Parish.

The sheriff's office said Treyvon Covingston, 24, turned himself in Friday after he allegedly stole three horses from their home in Prairieville on Feb. 25.

One of the horses had to be euthanized due to injuries it sustained after it was tortured and abused. Another horse is still being treated at the LSU Vet School.

The horses' owners are heartbroken from the ordeal. Bette Ragusa says when her stolen horses were located, they were dehydrated and possibly left without food for days.

Its beyond humanity," said Ragusa. We spend so much time with them. We know what they felt. We know the terror, the pain

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Covingston will be booked with five counts of simple burglary, three counts of theft of livestock, attempted theft of livestock, felony theft over $25,000, felony damage to property between $1,000 and $50,000, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, criminal trespassing and animal cruelty.

Deputies say two juveniles were also arrested in connection with the thefts. A third juvenile has been identified, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information about the thefts that could help detectives is encouraged to call the APSO anonymously at (225) 621-4636 or Crime Stoppers at (225) 344-7867.

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Baton Rouge man arrested in Ascension horse theft; one adult, two ... - WBRZ

Ascension Parish teams stay alive in state basketball playoffs – The Advocate

Ascension Parish boys basketball teams are making a mark at the state playoffs.

Here's an update:

Nonselect District 1

No. 16 East Ascension 58, No. 17 Airline 55

Next: The Spartans play top-seeded New Iberia

No. 11 St. Amant 86, No. 22 South Lafourche 43

Next: The Gators travel to play six-seeded Sulphur

No. 8 NorthShore 50, No. 25 Dutchtown 36

NonselectDistrict 3

No. 12 Donaldsonville 63, No. 21 Westlake 53

Next: at The Tigers travel to face No. 5 Rayville

Select District 4

No. 11 Ascension Catholic 65, No. 22 Sacred Heart 53

Next: The Bulldogs face No. 6 Central Catholic

No. 13 Ascension Christian 64, No. 20 Catholic of Pointe Coupee 47

Next: The Lions travel to take on No. 4 St. Martins

Westside Coordinator Jerry Butler and Ascension Parish Councilmen Alvin Thomas recently announced the line-up for the Donaldsonville Pelicans All Star Basketball Teams. The teams are competing in warm-up tournaments as they prepare for district, regional and nationals. The league played its regular season games at Lowery Middle and the newly renovated Lemann Center in Donaldsonville.

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Ascension Parish teams stay alive in state basketball playoffs - The Advocate

What’s going on in Ascension Parish? March 2023 spring and … – Weekly Citizen

Relay for Life planned for Gonzales

The Ascension Parish Relay for Life will be March 18 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the River Parish Community College campus.

RPCC is located at 925 West Edenborne Pkwy., Gonzales.

The Louisiana Sportsman Show and Festival will be at the REV Center at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales March 17-19.

The remaining eighth grade informational night for the Early College Option has been set for March 20 at 6 p.m. at River Parishes Community College.

It will be in Room 140 at RPCC, which is located at 925 W. Edenborne Pkwy., Gonzales, LA.

The Easter Eggstravaganza will be March 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Colonial Stables, 38297 Cornerview, Gonzales.

The event will feature an Easter egg hunt, food trucks, shopping, a kids' zone, and photos with the Easter Bunny.

The 56th annual Gonzales Jambalaya Festival will be held during the traditional time, Memorial Day weekend.

The festivities will be May 26-28.

Dancing For a Cause, a fundraising event for The Arc of East Ascension, is in its 14th year.

WAFB-TV's Elizabeth Vowell and Greg Meriwether return as masters of ceremonies.

Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. at the REV Center at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales. The event starts at 7 p.m.

Do you have an item you would like to have listed on the Ascension Parish events calendar? Email our staff with information on your event.

Gonzales Weekly Citizen and Donaldsonville Chief, part of the USA Today Network of Louisiana, cover Ascension Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area. Follow atfacebook.com/WeeklyCitizenandfacebook.com/DonaldsonvilleChief.

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What's going on in Ascension Parish? March 2023 spring and ... - Weekly Citizen

Authors to host book signing Saturday at Ascension Parish Library in … – Weekly Citizen

Staff Report| Gonzales Weekly Citizen

Join husband and wife authors Drs. Samuel and Sarah Hyde at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Ascension Parish Library in Galvez for a book signing on their historical fiction, Rebel Bayou.

Set in the Florida Parishes in Louisiana during the mid-1800s, Sarah says the book is designed to entertain and educate. The story extends from the Florida Parishes through Mobile and even into Pensacola. History buffs across the entire Gulf South will find it compelling and thought-provoking.

Dr. Samuel Hyde is the Director of the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. He is also a history professor and holds the Leon Ford Endowed Chair in Regional Studies at Southeastern Louisiana University. He has written nine books (including non-fiction and historical fiction about Southeast Louisiana). In addition, he has also been a screenwriter of five docudrama films.

Dr. Sarah Hyde is a history professor at River Parishes Community College. She authored Schooling in the Antebellum South: The Rise of Public and Private Education in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Registration is required. Call (225) 622-3339 to attend.

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Authors to host book signing Saturday at Ascension Parish Library in ... - Weekly Citizen

Large tract in Geismar eyed for business park – The Advocate

New Roads developer L.J. Grezaffi is opening a new, 437-acre phase of his Ascension Commerce Center west of Gonzales and is eying clients with distribution and warehousing operations.

The existing first phase of the industrial park is located north of La. 30 in the Geismar area west of Gonzales and was developed by Grezaffi's business, LJG Land Company.

Ascension Commerce Center II will be built on land farther north of La. 30 and west of West Robert Wilson Road and connect with Ascension Commerce Center I, Grezaffi said.

Grezaffisaid he finished selling all the lots in Ascension Commerce Center I at the end of 2022 and still had people calling for sites.

"I recognized the need at that time and decided to develop Ascension Commerce Center II on the best land in Ascension Parish," he said in a statement.

Located between Interstate 10 and La. 73, the existing business park and its next phase, which together will be more than 1,000 acres, are in a section of La. 30 that has developed with small and medium-sized business.

Many rely in some way on the Mississippi River region's chemical corridor.

In the news release, Grezaffi added the second phase of his business park will offer the first buyer a 269-acre site inside the park and will concentrate on larger tracts of 10 acres or more. Some smaller sites between one to 10 acres will also be available, however.

Grezaffi said the property is the last large tract in the La. 30 and La. 73 area that is not owned by petrochemical plants. Grezaffihad tried unsuccessfully to develop homes on the property, a onetime cow pasture known locally asBuzzard Roost.

On Dec. 22, Grezaffi's LJG Land Company bought the property for $11.8 million from SLC, a company held by Ascension developer Grady Melancon, according to parish land records.

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BREC begins summer camp registration | Ascension | theadvocate … – The Advocate

BREC opens online summer camp registration for East Baton Rouge Parish residentsat 9 a.m., Saturday, March 4.

Registration forout-of-parish residents opensTuesday, March 14, during regular facility hours of operation.

Parents or guardians may register in person at the facility of their choice or online at webtrac.brec.org for all locations from a computer, tablet or smartphone using Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card. All summer camp sessions can be reserved online by East Baton Rouge Parish residents with a 50% payment of total session fees. Summer camp balances are due by April 28.

Beginning April 29, full payments of summer camp sessions are required at the time of registration.

BREC recommends that parents or guardians make a login request on Webtrac at least two days prior to registration if they have never used online registration to set up a household. In order to complete successful online registration, parents or guardians who have registered online before should know their user ID and password ahead of time. If registrants are not sure if they have an account, they can send an email to info@register.brec.org.

East Baton Rouge Parish residents can apply for scholarship opportunities online with a 50% pre-payment of total session fees and by filling out the scholarship request form available during registration. BREC may provide scholarship assistance of 50% of the total fee due to those families who qualify by providing documentation of filed 2022 Federal Tax form 1040 or current SNAP benefits. Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis until funds are no longer available.

People or businesses that would like to donate funds to help send a kid to camp can contact the BREC Foundation at info@brecfoundation.org.

For information, a complete list of all BREC summer camps, or to apply for a summer job, visit brec.org/summercamp.

Recreation

Community Recreation summer camps are held at various locations throughout the parish for children ages 3-4 and 5-10. BREC developed eight weeks that will concentrate on adding fun and variety to the summer with expert guests/instructors, field trips, crafts and activities that support that weeks specialty.

New to camp this year, the community recreation camps will offer Camp BREC Bus Stops at several parks around the parish allowing parents/guardians to drop their children off at select locations close to their home or work. Children will then be transported from the drop-off location to the camp location that they are registered at and back to the stop at the end of the day.

Community Recreation will offer Camp Red Stick for ages 11-14. Camp Red Stick is about exploring, swimming, gaming, learning life skills and connecting with community.

Specialty camps

Athletic summer camps will be offered, as will special interest summer camps at the Baton Rouge Zoo, Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Farr Park Equestrian Center, Highland Road Park Observatory, Independence Park Theatre, Magnolia Mound, Perkins Road Extreme Sports Park, BREC Art Camp at Milton J. Womack Park and Zachary Community Park, Outdoor Adventure Camp at Greenwood Community Park and BRECs Nature Explorers Conservation Camp at Palomino Drive Park.

Counselor in Training

BREC will also offer Counselor in Training programs through special interest camps at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center, Nature Explorers Conservation Camp and BREC Art Camp.

Swamp Counselors in Training sessions will continue with new opportunities for CITs to gain skills needed to work as counselors at Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. Topics focus on camper management techniques, leadership training and activity development, as well as job seeking skills.

Conservation Camps will offer a week-long Counselors in Training program to learn about becoming a natural resource professional while getting job training and experience.

At BREC Art, Counselors in Training will participate in a four-day workshop focusing on how to engage school aged children, rules and etiquette of group settings, teaching tips, creativity for all ages and art.

Summer jobs

For those too old to be a CIT, apply for a summer job at brec.org/careers.

Inclusive camps

BREC offers Camp Sunshine, an exclusive summer camp designed for campers with intellectual and developmental disabilities who can function within a staff ratio of 1:5. Each themed week will offer recreational games and activities, arts and crafts, field trips, water activities, and inclusive activities with other BREC summer camps to socialize and interact with their peers.

All BREC summer camps are inclusive, but Camp Sunshine is for campers who require a smaller group setting with trained staff of this expertise. All campers with a diagnosed disability must undergo an assessment with a BREC Adaptive staff member. The assessment must be completed prior to starting camp. Assessments are essential for our campers to have a successful experience at camp. Assessments are required prior to registration for all Sunshine Camps. Assessments will be held in person at Nairn Drive Park from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays through May 10 and on Wednesdays from March 6 to May 10. Assessments will be made by appointment only after May 10 assessments. To set up an assessment or for questions, email brecadaptive@brec.org.

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BREC begins summer camp registration | Ascension | theadvocate ... - The Advocate

Kalamazoos Borgess hospital cut its midwife staff. Now its reconsidering. – MLive.com

Ashley Daniels has worked in labor and delivery for Ascension Borgess hospital in Kalamazoo for more than a decade.

The Kalamazoo nurse was born in that hospital. Its where she delivered her four children. But the way its staffed now, she wouldnt recommend her loved ones go into labor there.

In August, Borgess took steps to cut its nurse midwife staff from seven full-time caregivers down to three. But the move, which was explained to staff as a financial COVID-19 recovery effort, resulted in all but one midwife leaving, Daniels explained.

This used to be a unit I encouraged my friends and family to deliver at, and now I cant say that, she said. Midwifery care is the gold standard. That is a term thats used all over the place because you get that bedside, emotional and physical support that physicians arent trained to give.

The decisions being made are completely opposite of what benefits the community and our birthing mothers.

Six months later, the health system may be reversing its decision. Daniels said she and her colleagues were told last week the hospital would be looking to bring its midwife staff back up to six personnel.

Hospital representatives didnt return messages from MLive seeking comment. There is, however, an online job posting by Ascension to hire at least one certified nurse midwife in Kalamazoo.

Jessica English is an advanced certified birth doula and owner of Birth Kalamazoo, a doula and childbirth education agency. She heard about Borgess re-expanding its midwifery staff from a hospital nurse, and called it a great move.

Weve been vocal about what a loss this is, English said regarding the previous cuts. There is really robust research that shows having a nurse midwife improves outcomes. Thats the No. 1 reason why people want midwives.

Its better for the community if we can get Borgess back in the swing of offering midwives to their patients.

Theres a misconception by some that midwives simply assist in homebirths. While thats within their skillset, its only a fraction of the job.

In hospital settings, midwives are registered nurses who have additional training to specialize in womens reproductive health, from adolescence through menopause, including pregnancy, labor and childbirth. They do everything a doctor can do leading up to and during childbirth, except for surgery when complications necessitate it. Then, midwives turn to partner physicians.

There are also certified professional midwives, who are licensed and trained in community-based births. They typically work in homes or birth centers rather than hospital settings, but offer similar individualized care focused on patients ideal birthing scenario.

One thing that sets us apart (from labor and delivery physicians) is the way we match client goals with the type of care they want instead of telling them the way well do things, said Emily Dove-Medows, president of the Michigan chapter of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Its a more bi-directional model of care.

A 2018 study published in the Journal of Midwifery & Womens Health found that among women with low-risk pregnancies, midwifery care was associated with substantially fewer preterm births and labor interventions with no increased odds of neonatal deaths or intensive care admissions.

Months after Borgess cut back on its midwifery services, another Ascension hospital across the state announced cuts of its own. Providence Southfield Hospital said its midwives would no longer staff its birthing center as of March 1.

Dove-Medows, who previously worked at the Southfield birthing center, said the reduction leaves a huge gap in midwifery access in Metro Detroit. Hospital-based midwife practices can accept a wider range of insurance types, while private practices may be more limited in payer types.

Were at a point in our health care system where people want more access to information, support and choices in their care, Dove-Medows said. Having that option of having a midwife participate in your pregnancy care is really important to have.

But the reductions dont appear to be part of a larger Michigan trend. Most of the states large health systems have maintained or grown their programs.

At Michigan Medicine, Joanne Bailey, director of Nurse Midwifery Services, said shes watched the program expand over the last 20 years, from about eight full-time nurse midwives to about 30 full-time positions.

In Southeast Michigan, Henry Ford Health staffs 12 midwives each at its main campus in Detroit and its West Bloomfield hospital. They typically divide time between seeing patients in clinic and at the hospital, explained Homa Wemah, the systems lead midwife.

Corewell Health East, formerly known as Beaumont Health, employs 12 midwives at its Family Birth Center, and system leadership said they are actively working to expand access to (certified nurse midwife) care for patients who are seeking the CNM experience.

Theyre also looking to open a pair of off-campus clinics for hospital-employed nurse midwives to provide prenatal care. Dr. Kurt Wharton, an obstetrician, gynecologist and chief of the systems womens clinical care programs, said this is a top priority for our team as demand for (certified nurse midwife) service increases.

Corewell Health West, previously known as Spectrum Health, has 30 midwives, most of whom work out of Butterworth hospital or South Pavilion medical center in greater Grand Rapids. The system is looking to onboard two more midwives in Ludington.

If you look at the long arc or the last 20 years of my career, there are certainly way more midwife positions and practices than there were 20 years ago, Bailey said. In general, its increasing and there are in general more opportunities for people to receive midwife care.

When English, the Kalamazoo-area doula, heard about the midwife staff cuts at Borgess last fall, she wrote a blog post on her business website explaining why it was a mistake.

This is a frustrating, troubling change for our community, and it will limit midwifery options for area families, setting us back in decades of progress in Southwest Michigan, she wrote.

She said doulas act as consumer advocates, including making referrals to medical practices based on what their clients are looking for in their pregnancy journey. In recent months, its been difficult to refer patients to Borgess knowing their chances of seeing the hospitals lone midwife would be low.

While the health system has reportedly reversed direction regarding its midwife staff, it could take months to get new team members back in the fold. At least some of the midwives they cut in the fall have taken midwife jobs elsewhere.

Amanda Ezekiel, a midwife who left Borgess and now has a new position outside Ascension, said she probably wont ever work for them again after what happened.

She hopes the hospital is adding positions. It would mean a lot for Borgess to acknowledge it made a mistake, to show its commitment to patient outcomes and satisfaction, and to the midwives like her who thought theyd be in that job forever, she said.

In the meantime, the one staff midwife has been forced to spend most of her time since August in clinic visits rather than delivery rooms, according to Daniels. Thats put more deliveries on the shoulders of remaining physicians.

Seeing the level of care and how it drastically changed, has been infuriating for us nurses, Daniels said. It takes a long time to hire and credential before providers can practice. Itll probably be about a year before we go back to anything close to what we used to be.

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Kalamazoos Borgess hospital cut its midwife staff. Now its reconsidering. - MLive.com

RPCC to host Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society – The Advocate

The annual Relay for Life fundraiser is moving to a new location for its March 18 event.

River Parishes Community College is hosting the next American Cancer Society event from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Gonzales campus.

We are very excited to partner with RPCC and are looking forward to providing an awesome event experience for our supporters. Wed like to thank Republic Finance for sponsoring Relay and helping to make this an awesome event," a new release from the college stated.

In 2022, ACS invested over $1.5 million to cancer research in Louisiana alone. This research can help to improve cancer screening guidelines and treatment processes.

"Events like Relay for Life in Ascension Parish are what make these efforts possible thanks to our very supportive community, said ACS Senior Development Manager, Katie Babin.

Some things to look forward to at this years fundraiser are food, inflatables and other activities for the kids. The band Press 1 for English will perform from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., and fireworks will close out the event.

Also at the event, RPCCs recruitment department will be in attendance to discuss programs, scholarships and more as well as give tours of the new Process Equipment Training Plant.

We are honored to partner with an organization such as the American Cancer Society on this event. Our missions are aligned as we are changing lives. The Relay is a time to celebrate survivors and we are lucky that RPCC gets a chance to participate in this and show what our college offers our community. We hope you come out and celebrate, said RPCC Chancellor Quintin Taylor.

ACS works with the local health systems to provide transportation and lodging assistance to cancer patients. Their mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients.

The relay includes cancer survivors, community members, and more who help support that mission by walking laps around RPCCs campus or just by taking part in other relay activities.

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RPCC to host Relay for Life with the American Cancer Society - The Advocate

Bike Night returns to Austin’s Circuit of the Americas in March – CultureMap Austin

If youve ever wanted to get your wheels on the Circuit of the Americas track, nows your chance. After a highly successful 2022 season that saw more than 11,000 in attendance, Ascension Setons Bike Night at COTA is returning in March with a new service for riders.

Ascension is introducing bike rentals for the first time on designated nights for its 2023 events. Riders of any age or experience level are welcome to take a lap around the track and enjoy one of the many post-ride tailgate activities at the track picnic area. Refreshments and food options will be available at the pavilion in the paddock.

For a more competitive approach, riders can download Ascension Setons partner app Stratva to track their progress on track and earn the chance to win prizes, such as Valero fuel cards. Riders will also have the opportunity to get a view of the track from the 251-foot Observation Deck or participate in any of the upcoming theme nights.

Adam Bauman, Vice President of orthopedics and sports performance at Ascension Texas, shared in a release that he looks forward to seeing attendees for their 2023 season.

"Ascension Seton is a proud partner of the Circuit of the Americas, and cycling the COTA track for Bike Night season is such a unique Austin experience for cyclists," he said.

Dates for the 2023 Ascension Seton Bike Night at COTA season include:

10-date season passes ($89) and registration for adults ($10 online or $12 on-site) and children 11 and under ($5) are available at circuitoftheamericas.com.

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Bike Night returns to Austin's Circuit of the Americas in March - CultureMap Austin

New Iberia, Breaux Bridge advance to quarterfinals – KATC News

Second Round (Games involving Acadiana Area teams only; Click each Division for full brackets)

Division I (Non-Select)16. East Ascension 351. New Iberia 36

10. Southside 497. Barbe 50

Division II (Non-Select)

16. Abbeville 541. Wosmon 82

12. Plaquemine 525. St. Martinville 46

13. Opelousas 414. Bossier 60

19. Beau Chene 443. Carroll 62

11. Loranger 466. Breaux Bridge 55

Division III (Non-Select)

24. Red River 648. Ville Platte 67

13. Caldwell Parish 47

Division IV (Non-Select)

24. Oak Grove 268. Elton 44

13. Ferriday 624. North Central 85

19. Jonesboro-Hodge3. Franklin

15. Lake Arthur 332. White Castle 54

Division V (Non-Select)

12. Stanley5. Lacassine 72

Division I (Select)

15. Edna Karr 432. St. Thomas More 51

Division II (Select)

13. Northside 4. Vandebilt Catholic

10. St. Michael the Archangel 557. Lafayette Christian 46

15. David Thibodaux 422. Peabody 76

Division III (Select)

10. Catholic - New Iberia 287. St. Charles 25

Division IV (Select)

12. Opelousas Catholic 565. Hamilton Christian 81

11. Ascension Catholic6. Central Catholic 59

10. Vermilion Catholic 387. Southern Lab 70

Division V (Select) {Quarterfinals}

5. Claiborne Christian4. JS Clark

7. Episcopal School of Acadiana2. Family Christian

First Round (Games involving Acadiana Area teams only; Click each Division for full brackets

Division I (Non-Select)1. New Iberia (Bye)

23. Destrehan 5210. Southside 81

Division II (Non-Select)

17. South Beauregard 7316. Abbeville 76

24. Rayne 519. Franklin Parish 56

28. DeRidder 455. St. Martinville 87

21. Crowley 4112. Plaquemine 65

20. A.J. Ellender 5113. Opelousas 55

19. Beau Chene 6714. Northwest 62

27. North Vermilion 326. Breaux Bridge 54

26. Erath 327. Brusly 80

23. Iota 4710. LaGrange 68

Division III (Non-Select)

25. St. James 638. Ville Platte 83

20. Loreauville 4113. Caldwell Parish 61

4. Patterson (Bye)

19. Mamou 5914. Rosepine 63

18. West St. Mary 4915. Amite 62

Division IV (Non-Select)

24. Oak Grove 639. Welsh 61

25. Mangham 408. Elton 48

4. North Central (Bye)

3. Franklin (Bye)

27. Jeanerette 336. Lakeview 71

18. Northeast 6215. Lake Arthur 78

Division V (Non-Select)

28. Monterey 495. Lacassine 73

Division I (Select)

24. Carencro 669. St. Augustine 73

23. Lafayette 3510. St. Paul's 51

2. St. Thomas More (Bye)

Division II (Select)

20. Booker T. Washington (Shreveport) 5813. Northside 61

22. Teurlings 5611. John F. Kennedy 72

7. Lafayette Christian (Bye)

18. De La Salle 4715. David Thibodaux 61

Division III (Select)

20. Notre Dame 2913. Ascension Episcopal 43

23. Thomas Jefferson 4010. Catholic - New Iberia 51

Division IV (Select)

17. Westminster Christian 50

21. Ouachita Christian 6612. Opelousas Catholic 82

22. Sacred Heart 5311. Ascension Catholic 65

6. Central Catholic (Bye)

23. Magnolia School of Excellence 4210. Vermilion Catholic 71

Division V (Select)

11. Cristo Rey (Baton Rouge) 284. JS Clark 66

10. Northside Christian 457. Episcopal School of Acadiana 51

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New Iberia, Breaux Bridge advance to quarterfinals - KATC News

Coffee Guide: 9 coffee shops in Lewisville and Coppell – Community Impact Newspaper

Coffee fans looking for a caffeine fix can choose from several options available in Lewisville and Coppell. This noncomprehensive list includes shops that offer more than drip coffee.

1. 151 Coffee

A. 720 W. Main St., Lewisville

B. 131 S. Denton Tap Road, Coppell

682-325-2124

http://www.151coffee.com

Founded in 2017, this Dallas-Fort Worth-based coffee chain has eight locations in North Texas.

Popular drinks: banana bread latte, West Coast latte with caramel drizzle

Hours: 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily

2. Ascension Coffee

3121 Olympus Blvd., Coppell

972-863-3000

http://www.ascension.coffee

This location is one of six Ascension Coffee shops in North Texas.

Popular drinks: horchata latte, lavender latte

Popular foods: chicken manchego pane aria sandwich, the original avocado toast

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

3. Coral Reef Coffee Company

310 E. Round Grove Road, Ste. 300, Lewisville

214-513-9287

https://coralreefcoffeeco.com

This shop offers a rotating monthly menu of locally brewed coffee, teas and pastries.

Popular drinks: cinnamon bun latte (seasonal), white chocolate macadamia latte

Popular foods: cream cheese danish, lemon blueberry cake

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

4. George: Coffee + Provisions

462 Houston St., Coppell

469-464-3107

http://www.georgecoffeeandprovisions.com

This farmhouse-style shop located in Old Town Coppell offers house-roasted coffees.

Popular drinks: honey and vanilla latte

Popular foods: cinnamon cream scone, pumpkin muffin

Hours: Mon.-Sat. 7 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Sun.

5. The Human Bean

1001 W. Round Grove Road, Lewisville

469-630-0223

http://www.thehumanbean.com

The Lewisville location is one of two in North Texas.

Popular drinks: Mexiblanco latte (secret menu), Granita espresso

Popular foods: spicy jalapeno biscuit, almond croissants

Hours: 5:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

6. Liberation Coffee Co.

651 N. Denton Tap Road, Ste. 200, Coppell

972-427-1991

http://www.liberationcoffeecompany.com

This family-owned coffee shop offers locally roasted coffee.

Popular drinks: honey cinnamon latte, The Liberator, matcha latte

Popular foods: Belgian street waffles, chocolate chip cookies, bagel breakfast

Hours: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

7. The Perc Coffeehouse

115 W. Main St., Lewisville

214-222-1404

http://www.perccoffeehouse.com

The Perc Coffeehouse is located in the heart of Old Town Lewisville. Popular drinks: vanilla latte, lavender latte

Popular foods: ham and cheese croissant

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

8. Scooters Coffee

1225 SH 121, Lewisville

214-222-1266

http://www.scooterscoffee.com

This drive-thru shop is for coffee lovers on the go. Smoothies and pastries are also available.

Popular drinks: creme brulee latte, Caramelicious cold brew

Popular foods: red velvet cake bites

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m.,

Sat. 6 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 6 a.m.-7 p.m.

9. Fellowship Coffee and Tea

833 S. Denton Tap Road, Coppell

214-724-2752

http://www.fellowshipcoffeetea.com

The family-owned and -operated coffee shop opened Jan. 16.

Popular drinks: flavored latte, cappuccino, hot caramel macchiato

Popular foods: cinnamon scones, muffins

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-3 p.m.,

Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., closed Sun.

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Coffee Guide: 9 coffee shops in Lewisville and Coppell - Community Impact Newspaper

DREAMS IN PERIL Offer Live Ascension On Midwest Tour Starting In May With PIG WEED – bravewords.com

Dreams In Peril are hitting the American Midwest with Pig Weed - seven states over nine dates each one promising a night filled with thunderous breakdowns, relatable lyrics, and contagious energy.

Dreams In Peril are preparing for the release of the band's sophomore album, Ascending, and will be bringing some new songs to the road as well as featuring the band's new lineup, introducing new members Dakota Otte on vocals and Lucas Munoz on the second guitar.

They describe their music and what fans can expect: All of our music is based on personal issues and the hope to overcome your own personal demons. That being said, our upcoming new music covers ascending to new heights, rather than being in a career or in life in general. The new singles also cover topics like cancer and struggling with mental health. Musically, we are dynamic, from utilizing reverb to epic change-ups in tempos and timing signatures.

Dreams In Perils music not only keeps the listener on their toes with the instrumentation, but they also channel a momentous amount of energy and passion into their live performance that will have the audience upfront and center the entire time.

No strangers to the stage, Dreams In Peril has played with big names such as Born of Osiris, Origin, and Between The Buried and Me. Fans will be greeted by decisive energy and passion that ushers in real themes of anger, sadness, life struggles and ultimately overcoming them all.

With a couple of new singles ready to go in the coming months, they are excited to get back on stage doing what they love. They are recommended listening for fans of The Acacia Strain, Veil Of Maya, and Oceano.

Tour dates:

May27 - The Graffiti Room - Bedford Park, IL28 - Maple Grove Tavern - Maple Heights, OH29 - Westside Bowl - Youngstown, OH30 - Sovereign - Brooklyn, NY31 - The Stoney Badger Tavern - Lynchburg, VA

June1 - The Recreation Center - Fredericksburgh, VA2 - Black Circle Brewing - Indianapolis, IN3 - Vivo - Overland Park - Kansas City, MO4 - Kendalls Bar - Oklahoma City, OK

(Photo - Casey Steinmiller, Steinmiller Productions)

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DREAMS IN PERIL Offer Live Ascension On Midwest Tour Starting In May With PIG WEED - bravewords.com