May
12 , 2011
"Alice's
Room"
Former Co-Workers, Family Work to Honor Basque
by Carolyn Lucas-Zenk, West Hawaii Today
Alice
Basque worked in the state hospital system for 34 years. The Kona
Community Hospital operating room nurse was known for her constant
smile, cavernous hugs, spirituality and warmth.
When Basque retired on Dec. 31, 2009, the 55-year-old Napoopoo
resident talked passionately about running the Kona Marathon,
as well as traveling to Haiti to help treat earthquake victims.
But those plans ended suddenly and unexpectedly.
She suffered a stroke and died Jan. 27, 2010. Months later, her
family and friends continue her wishes and goodwill. West Hawaii
surgeon and wound care specialist Ali Bairos dedicated his medical
mission in late February 2010 to Haiti to Basque. Her husband,
Walter, and other family members completed the June 2010 Kona
Marathon in her honor.
Now, former co-workers, friends and family are on track to raising
$25,000 to renovate a patient care room at Kona Community Hospital
as a tribute to her. Nearly $8,000 is needed to make Alice's Room
a reality, said Joan Montgomery Kelbaugh, a friend who worked
with Basque at Kona Community Hospital. The group is holding its
second yard sale from 7 to 11 a.m. April 30 on Nawahie Street
in Kailua-Kona to raise the remaining funds.
All proceeds and donations will go toward the effort, which is
a part of the Kona Hospital Foundation's Adopt-A-Room Project.
Those interested in donating items or volunteering during the
yard sale should email jmkelbaugh@hawaii.rr.com.
Kona Hospital Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
dedicated to transforming the Kona Community Hospital experience
by creating more inviting, family functional, livable, modern
rooms for patients. It wants to renovate 37 patient care rooms,
estimated to cost about $25,000 each. To date, two have been completed,
said trustee Judi Nakamaru.
Most rooms were constructed about 30 years ago and are far overdue
for physical and technological renovations. Upgrades to each room
include installing a headwall which will provide medical staff
with improved placement of suction, oxygen and power outlets,
as well as a better bed bumper, according to the foundation.
The facility will be adding new three-position recliners, televisions,
countertops, mirrors, window shades, closet doors and flooring.
Bathrooms inside the rooms will undergo a major makeover to comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The foundation was able to secure half of the $25,000 from a generous
donor for Alice's Room, Nakamaru said. The first yard sale and
donations generated about $4,000, Kelbaugh said.
While driving to work, Kelbaugh came up with the idea to do Alice's
Room. It seemed like a perfect tribute, especially considering
her career history and the impact she made. Basque's sudden death
"stunned" many hospital employees.
"I first met Alice in Hilo in 1994. She was a friend, a calm
person, dedicated to her patients, very spiritual and a genuine
person," Kelbaugh said. "She really helped me when my
husband passed away. I enjoyed our conversations. I just wanted
to do something special for her and her family."
Walter Basque is "very grateful" for what his wife did
in life, including supporting the Big Island's medical system,
its staff and the community.
"Alice always did the best she could, was one of those people
who would help anyone anytime, never saw any bad in the world,
and was known for her smile, hugs, wearing flowers in her hair
and friendship," he said. "She projected this warmth,
comfort and loving spirit that touched the hearts of many. Through
Alice's Room, her personality will carry on and patients will
feel the warmth."
To donate to Alice's Room or for more information about the Adopt-A-Room
Project, call the Kona Hospital Foundation at 808-322-4587.
February
7, 2011 - Kealakekua, Island of Hawaii
Luck of the Draw - Kona Hospital Foundation Selected
Pepsi
and Foodland’s Give Aloha Sweepstakes Claims Kona Hospital Foundation
as Recipient
The Kona Hospital
Foundation has won a $500 cash prize through the Pepsi and Foodland’s
Give Aloha Sweepstakes. The Give Aloha program began 12 years
ago, and this is its first year collaborating with Pepsi to provide
this drawing.
"The Kona Hospital
Foundation's mission is to provide the best health care possible
through the Kona Community Hospital," commented Jim Higgins,
Chairman of the Kona Hospital Foundation. "It is amazing
how even one person's actions can make a difference. Thank you
to Robert Marciel and this wonderful program for providing us
with this gift. Every penny counts and this gift illustrates the
incredible support that comes from our community."
During September of
last year, Foodland customers were encouraged to visit the Pepsi
display in any of the 32 Foodland stores statewide. In doing so,
the entry form asked for the name of their favorite Hawaii non-profit
organization. A total of 20 entry forms were drawn when the program
concluded, and the Kona Hospital Foundation was selected.
The Foundation is one
of 20 recipients to receive this reward, and is one of eight organizations
from the Big Island. The others include AdvoCats, Friends of the
Children Justice Center, Hawaii Food Basket, Hawaii Island United
Way, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Hui Pono Holoholona, and Keaau Youth
Business Center.
Foodland
customer, Robert Marciel of Hilo named the Kona Hospital Foundation
as the organization he would like to have the monies go to. Through
this endeavor, 20 Hawaii non-profit organizations will receive
$500 each, totaling $10,000.
July
8, 2010 - From Kona Community Hospital CEO Earl Greenia to all
employees-
"I
learned today that KCH received a Silver Award from the American
Heart Association for achieving at least one year of 85% or higher
adherence on all Get With the Guidelines Heart Failure Performance
Achievement indicators for 2011. We will be listed on various
venues that the American Heart Association promotes, including
scientific sessions attended by thousands of physicians and health
care workers, AHA's official website highlighting Get With the
Guidelines award winning hospitals, and 2011's US News and World
Report magazine in which AHA lists their silver and gold award
recipients.
This
is fine recognition of our hard work and perseverence!"
Earl
Greenia, FACHE
Regiional
Chief Executive Officer
Hawaii Health Systems Corp/ West Hawaii Region
May
2010
KCH’s
Radiation Oncology Clinic Celebrates Five Years
May 10, 2010 - Kealakekua, Island of Hawaii – Kona Community Hospital
celebrates the five year anniversary of the Radiation Oncology
Clinic (ROC). The first patient treatment took place on May 5,
2005. The ROC is currently treating approximately 15 patients
a day, 3000 patients per year and has consistently increased the
number of patient treatments on an annual basis since its opening.
The services offered at the ROC are a great benefit for the West
Hawaii community especially for those who are in need of cancer
care services. Instead of having to travel to Hilo or fly to Honolulu
for treatments that usually last less than 15 minutes long, patients
can be treated at the ROC and go back to their daily lives in
a matter of minutes. The convenience and benefits of having a
clinic in West Hawaii are outstanding.
“The Radiation Oncology Clinic at Kona Community Hospital is something
we should all be proud of as members of the community,“ commented
Radiation Oncologist, James Lambeth, M.D. “From people to premises,
professionalism impressively blends with friendly and courteous
service and state-of-the-art equipment.”
Judy Shibly’s father was treated at the ROC and said, “The radiation
oncology center at Kona Community Hospital is nothing short of
a wonderful and welcome miracle for all the folks of West Hawaii
needing treatment. My dad, Nick Morgan, received over 40 treatments.
At that time, he was almost 89 years old and was able to drive
himself every morning for treatment since the center was so near.
He was home in half an hour to receive much needed rest and work
in his garden, which brings him so much happiness!”
The anniversary observation will jump-start Kona Community Hospital’s
recognition of National Hospital Week scheduled for May 9-15.
Along with this event and other employee appreciation festivities,
interested community members and/or groups are welcome to tour
the hospital facility. Tours will be held on a reservation basis.
To reserve a time, call 322-6960.
The development of the Radiation Oncology Clinic was supported
when the Kona Hospital Foundation accepted the challenge to raise
$1.5 million to allow the HHSC Board to authorize an additional
$2.5 million to fund the 4 million dollar project. The Kona Hospital
Foundation’s mission is to accept gifts and solicit donations
for new medical technology, expanded services and enhanced facilities
for KCH. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated over
five million dollars towards numerous projects that have improved
the hospital. Major endeavors include the Radiation Oncology Clinic,
Imaging Center, Nuclear Medicine Suite, and Outpatient Chemotherapy
Building. Many other projects to date include the emergency department
renovation, emergency helicopter landing area, repair and painting
of the facility, enhanced directional signage for visitors, medical
equipment and education for hospital professionals.
March
2010
Kathryn
Harter, Chief Nurse Executive at Kona Community Hospital, shows
off the new portable ultrasound machine donated to the Emergency
Department. The SonoSite M-Turbo Ultrasound machine was chosen
for its cutting edge technology, diverse clinical applications
and variety of healthcare settings. The medical staff is thrilled
to have such a vital piece of new equipment available for their
use in the ER.
Aloha
Kona Hospital Foundation Supporters!
A
special year for the KHF has passed…our 25th Silver Anniversary!
And
what a year it was with such fun events as our Hoku Concert and
our Golf and Gala Event at Hokuli’a. Our focus in ’09 was the
“Adopt-A-Room” project and we’re pleased to report that it was
an overwhelming success! We hope you’ll make it a date to view
our model room with its target completion date in May 2010. We’ll
be sure to keep you posted.
This
project is expected to be completed over a three year time period
as we can only work with empty rooms, not easy when you’re dealing
with a hospital! As you can imagine, the logistics are staggering,
but the Kona Community Hospital is awesome in scheduling this
great project. And there is still time to donate or even “purchase
a room”. For more information just click
here.
On
a side note, as many of you are aware, Kona, and especially South
Kona, is currently dealing with a terrible out-of-control fire
on Mauna Loa. No houses are in danger, so putting the fire out
is not a priority of an already busy fire department. However,
the air quality has taken a toll and the Emergency Department
has been overflowing with patients in respiratory distress. All
this to say, last year, the KHF’S project was the Emergency Department
and we’re happy to report that they are much better equipped to
handle this critical situation.
Another
item to put on your calendar is our Hoku Concert for 2010 scheduled
for May 1. “I Love Paris” is the theme and this year’s artist
is Paula Rasmussen. Paula brings to us her incredible talent as
an opera singer and has starred in such productions as Carmen
for the New York City Opera, as well as singing the opening year
at the new Disney Hall in Los Angeles. http://www.dispeker.com/page/rasmussen.html
Please
continue to check our website for exciting changes. We will be
featuring different departments in the hospital as well as introducing
you to some of the Kona Community Hospital’s incredible staff.
Thank
you so much for your continued support of the Kona Hospital Foundation.
It is our desire to continue to make this hospital, YOUR hospital,
and the best it can be!
Aloha
and best wishes for a happy and safe 2010!
The
Kona Hospital Foundation Board of Trustee
