News
KIRBY MEDICAL CENTER IS A PINK RIBBON FACILITY!
It is vitally important for women to talk with their doctor about their breast health and understand the best practices for detecting breast cancer in its earliest stage. All women can get breast cancer, even those with no family history of the disease and early detection can save lives.
If you are a woman 40 and over, it is recommended that you have an annual screening mammogram, as well as an annual clinical breast exam.
Kirby Medical Center is pleased to offer Digital Mammography in our new Women's Imaging Suite.
Digitial Mammography is one of the most recent advances in x-ray mammography used to examine breasts and aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases. Instead of a low-dose x-ray system, with digital mammography the breast image is captured using a special electronic x-ray detector, which converts the image into a digital picture. With digital mammography, the magnification, orientation, brightness, and contrast of the image may be altered after the exam is completed to help the radiologist more clearly see certain areas.
Early detection is key. If would like to schedule a mammogram or if you have questions, please call (217) 762-1810.
SAVE TIME! KMG NEW PATIENT REGISTRATION FORMS AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD
First time at KMG? For your convenience you may download and complete your new patient registration forms from the Kirby Medical Group page found on our website prior to your appointment. Most insurance plans are accepted, please bring your insurance card with you. Illinois Health Connect patients require a referral if we are not your “medical home.”
KIRBY MAKES PAYING BILLS ONLINE OR MAKING A GIFT EASY - READ HOW
Paying a hospital bill or making a donation is now as convenient as a few mouse clicks. Kirby Hospital is now offering online bill pay so hospital patrons can submit payments quickly and easily. Donations to help continue Kirby Hospital’s tradition of caring is also as easy as a trip to the website.
To submit a payment online, visit KirbyHealth.org and click on the Patients/Visitors tab on the left hand side. Then select Make a Payment. Make sure to have your account number and date of visit available while paying your bill online. Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards are all accepted. Receipts can be mailed via the United States Post Office.
To make a gift, visit KirbyHealth.org and click on the Giving tab on the left hand side. Then select Make a Gift and fill out the donation form. Donators have the option to make the donation in memory or honor of a loved one and also designate the funds to certain programs or areas of the hospital.
All online transactions are secure and safe, and are just one more way Kirby is meeting all your healthcare needs close to home.
KIRBY EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT AWARDED SIXTH CONSECUTIVE PRESS GANEY SUMMIT AWARD FOR PATIENT SATISFACTION
Some things never change and for people seeking emergency care in Piatt County, that is indeed a great thing. The Kirby Emergency Department has earned its sixth consecutive Press Ganey Summit Award, a top honor for Emergency Departments across the nation. Press Ganey is a national firm working with thousands of healthcare organizations to measure and improve their quality of care. The Summit Award is the organization’s most esteemed designation and also the most difficult to achieve. To be eligible, each winning facility must achieve and maintain a consistent ranking in the 95th percentile or above for customer satisfaction.
That same tradition of caring continues at Kirby Medical Center, the new home for healthcare in Piatt County. The team of emergency-trained physician assistants, board-certified emergency medicine physicians, highly-qualified nurses and first responders are dedicated to providing that same high level of care in the new, modernized and expanded emergency department at KMC.
CONSIDER GIVING BLOOD - A GIFT FOR SOMEONE IN NEED AND SO EASY TO DO!
Mark your calendar with the dates for the Kirby Auxiliary blood drives held at Kirby Medical Center. The first blood drive of the new year was held on Jan. 3, 2012.
The Kirby Auxiliary has been hosting American Red Cross blood drives every eight weeks since 1981. The blood drives at KMC will be held in the education rooms, which are adjacent to the Apple a Day Café. Anyone needing directions or assistance can ask a helpful guest services member located right inside the front entrance.
Additional Blood Drive Dates for 2012 include:
Feb. 28 April 24 June 19 Aug. 21 Oct. 16 Dec. 18Walk-ins are always welcome!
If you need transportation to Kirby Medical to donate blood (or for blood pressure screenings), you may want to consider calling Piattran (Piatt County Public Transportation) at 762-7821. Seniors over the age of 60 residing in Piatt County can ride for free if they register with Piattran for the Illinois Area Agency on Aging Grant. Other residents of Piatt County can ride for a reasonable fare.
WELCOME CARLE-MONTICELLO TO THE KIRBY MEDICAL CENTER CAMPUS!
The Carle-Monticello branch is relocating to their new clinic adjacent to Kirby Medical Center and will be open for business on Monday, December 19. “We are very excited to have the Carle physicians and staff next door to us and look forward to serving them and their patients”, said Steve Tenhouse, CEO of Kirby Medical Center. “In their new location here on Medical Center Drive, we are able to work even closer with them which further enhances the excellent patient care that both Kirby and Carle have been delivering together for many years.”
To access the new Carle-Monticello offices, visitors will turn into the healthcare campus parking lot and proceed to the building located on the far right of the main entrance of Kirby Medical Center. Access to the Medical Center from the Carle-Monticello building is also available through a covered walkway connecting the two buildings. Carle patients seeking hospital outpatient services can access the hospital directly through the hospital front door.
Welcome Carle-Monticello!
START YOUR DAY WITH A TRIP TO APPLE A DAY CAFE'S NEW WAFFLE BAR
Nothing says a scrumptious breakfast like a piping hot waffle complete with all the toppings. You won’t have to go far to satisfy your waffle craving as Kirby Medical Center’s Apple A Day Café is now offering a do-it-yourself waffle bar.
Visitors, guests and employees can create a fresh waffle with our easy-to-use waffle iron. Then choose the toppings you desire: fruit, syrup, butter, whipped cream or any combination you choose! Then enjoy your delicious breakfast in our beautiful setting, both indoor and outdoor.
The Apple A Day Café is open to the public and located at the end of the promenade in the new Kirby Medical Center, 1000 Medical Center Drive.
The Apple A Day Café also offers daily lunch specials as well as grab n’ go daily specials to visitors and employees in a calm and picturesque setting. The Café is open Monday through Friday: 6:30 am - 9:30 am (breakfast); 9:30 am – 10:30 am (Grab ‘n Go items only); 11:00 am - 1:30 pm (lunch); 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm (Grab ‘n Go items only). Grab ‘n Go items include pre-prepared cold sandwiches, salads, and more.
APPLY NOW FOR THE KIRBY AUXILIARY THOMAS DIXON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP!
Piatt County students hoping to pursue a degree in the healthcare field or who have already started their educational journey toward a healthcare career are eligible to apply for the 2012 Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarship from Kirby Auxiliary. The Kirby Auxiliary provides up to 12 individual $1,000 Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarships each year to Piatt County students pursuing a higher education in a medical field. The scholarship money is to be applied toward tuition, books or room and board.
Any student currently enrolled in or accepted into a certificate or degree-conferring healthcare sequence is eligible to apply. Schools attended must be accredited or recognized as a legitimate institution, but does not need to be located in Illinois. The recipient must be a full-time student and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.6 on a 5 point scale or 2.6 on a 4 point scale. More rules and regulations, along with a list of the needed supporting documentation, can be found here.
The scholarship application is available for download here, or can be picked up at the Kirby Medical Center welcome desk after February 1. The application and supporting documentation must be returned to the Kirby Medical Center welcome desk by April 2, 2012, or mailed to The Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarship Committee c/o Kirby Medical Center, 1000 Medical Center Drive, Monticello, IL 61856, and postmarked no later than April 2nd. The Auxiliary scholarship program first began in 1974 and has afforded hundreds of young people an opportunity to follow their dreams. For more information, please contact Pam Kommer at 762-1503.
WAYNE MATHEWS AND LISA REPKO TWO OF THE FIRST PA'S IN THE COUNTRY TO EARN CERTIFICATE OF ADDED QUALIFICATIONS
Kirby Medical Center’s very own Emergency Department Physician Assistants (PA) Wayne Mathews and Lisa Repko have become two of the first certified PAs across the country to earn a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ). They are two of only six emergency medicine PAs in Illinois to earn this certification. The certificate recognizes their vast experience and expertise in emergency medicine and is issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the only certifying organization for physician assistants in the United States.
Both Mathews and Repko received the certification after meeting the requirements and passing the organization’s rigorous exam. The requirements include: two years of continuous emergency medicine practice, basic PA certification, over 70 percent of education in approved emergency medicine courses and verification by an emergency medicine physician that the candidate can perform such procedures as suturing, airway management and more. Once awarded, a CAQ is valid for six years.
The CAQ program is optional; however, Mathews expects that such a certification will be required in future years to advance practitioners to a higher level of care. Currently, ten percent of PAs work in emergency medicine, and there is a significant shortage of board-certified emergency medicine physicians despite the fact that ED visits have nearly doubled in the past five years.
Personally, Mathews, a PA since 1981 and a Kirby employee since 1994, felt the CAQ was important to earn because he is in a position of leadership at Kirby. “I really believe that I needed to have the highest level of excellence in order to lead our other advanced practice providers including our PAs, nurses and EMS personnel. I am really thankful that Kirby’s leadership team was in support of me pursuing the opportunity and that I’ve been able to gain so much experience and professional growth here,” said Mathews.
Added Repko, a two-year employee at Kirby, “I have been practicing emergency medicine for many years, and I felt this certification would allow for even better care for my patients. Also, to get recognition that I have specialized in emergency medicine gives me more credibility with patients. I would like to thank all of the Kirby family as well as other mentors that helped me to get to this point in my career.”
This is the inaugural year for the CAQ program. NCCPA instituted the program after five years of discussion with various specialty organizations, like the American College of Emergency Physicians, in order to create a certification exam for those PAs who elect Emergency Medicine as their specialty.
Events
- FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
The Kirby Auxiliary hosts a FREE Blood Pressure screening every Tuesday and Thursday in the Main Lobby at Kirby Medical Center from 9am until 11am.
It's fast, easy and the best part...it is FREE. While you are here, why not stop by the Gift Shop where you'll always find new and exciting things in store.
If you are in need of transportation to Kirby Medical to donate blood (or for blood pressure screenings), you may want to consider calling Piatt County Public Transportation at 762-7821. Seniors over the age of 60 residing in Piatt County can ride for free if they register with Piattran for the Illinois Area Agency on Aging Grant. Other residents of Piatt County can ride for a reasonable fare.
- NEW 5K AND 10K TRAINING PROGRAM - OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY!
If you have a desire to walk a 5K, to start running, become a better runner, or if you are interested in meeting fellow runners to help motivate and support your ongoing training, join our 10-week training program designed for everyone from beginning walkers to experienced runners!
Announcing the Kirby Derby 5K and 10K Training Program sponsored by Body n’Sole
Program Details
• Every Thursday at 5pm from March 8th - May 10th training walks/runs at Monticello Middle School
• Monthly educational seminars featuring knowledgeable experts from Body n’ Sole with chances to win great prizes!
• Grand prize drawing at final training session
• FREE and open to the community
Download the program flyer HERE
For questions, call 217-762-1509 or email kderby@kirbyhealth.org
Show off your hard work and dedicated training!
Register HERE for the Kirby Derby 5K and 10K run/walk on May 12, 2012
- BECOME A HEARTSAVER BY LEARNING CPR! REGISTER NOW FOR THIS FREE CLASS!
February is National Heart Month ~ Become a Heartsaver by participating in a CPR class!
Monday Feb. 27th at Kirby Medical Center
6:30pm-8:30pm
To celebrate Heart Month, Kirby Medical Center is offering a FREE Heartsaver CPR course. Individuals will become certified in Heartsaver CPR / AED. The program is open to the community, but this course is not intended for Healthcare professionals. Class size is limited so please register by emailing Crystal Alexander at calexander@kirbyhealth.org or by calling 762-1801.
- FREE YOUR BEST LIFE LECTURE TO FOCUS ON COMMON SHOULDER PROBLEMS - FEBRUARY 22ND AT 5:30!
It’s estimated that over 7 million people see a doctor for shoulder pain each year, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In one study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 1.5 million people seek care in an emergency room for shoulder injuries.
Shoulder injury, aches and pains are as common in men as they are in women. Athletes, including swimmers, golfers, baseball and tennis players, are at a higher risk for developing shoulder problems. Those whose jobs require heavy overhead lifting or repetitive motion, such as painting walls or hanging curtains, even gardeners, are also at increased risk of developing shoulder problems.
For those living with shoulder pain, Kirby Medical Center is hosting a FREE Your Best Life Health Lecture focused on how to recognize serious shoulder injuries and what you can do to keep the most moveable and vulnerable joint in the body healthy. “Stop Shrugging Off Shoulder Pain” will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 5:30pm in the Kirby Medical Center Education Room located near the Apple a Day Café.
The special guest speaker for the program is Physician Assistant Zac Sowa, a member of the team of orthopaedic specialists at Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Specialists of Central Illinois in Decatur. Mr. Sowa will talk about the signs and symptoms of such shoulder injuries and conditions as sprains, strains, dislocations, separations, tendinitis, bursitis, torn rotator cuffs, frozen shoulder, fractures and arthritis.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, many shoulder problems are caused by the breakdown of soft tissues in the shoulder. Using the shoulder too much can cause the soft tissue to break down faster as people get older, and performing manual labor or participating in sports, may cause persistent shoulder problems. Shoulder pain may be felt in one small spot, in a larger area or down the arm.
Reservations for the Kirby Medical Center Free Your Best Life programs are not required, however, are recommended. To make a reservation, contact Kirby Medical Group at 217-762-6241
- KIRBY TO PROVIDE CPR TRAINING AT BABYSITTING CLINIC ON APRIL 5TH
Kirby Ambulance Service & the Monticello Recreations Department are teaming up to provide young adults who wish to begin babysitting with valuable knowledge & skills. On April 5th the MRD is holding a Babysitting Clinic from 6pm-8pm - Kirby will provide CPR training from 6pm-7pm. This training is open to all those wishing to attend the April 5th clinic and to all participants who have completed a clinic in the past. Participants will receive a certificate of completion for the CPR training - to register please call 762-2583.
Sat, May 12, 2012 - REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2012 KIRBY DERBY - EARLY BIRD PRICING!
Please save the date - Saturday, May 12 - for the 2012 Kirby Derby and start training now! Kirby Medical Center presents a 5K & 10K Run, 5K Recreational Walk & Kids’ Race (for 10 & under). The race starts and ends at Forest Preserve Park and runs through scenic State Street and downtown Monticello. Registration NOW OPEN. For more information about the race and to take advantage of an early bird discount for registering now, click here.
New this year is a community wide 5K and 10K Training program for everyone from beginning walkers to experienced runners. More information about the training program is available here.
Be a part of one of Piatt County's newest and great traditions. The Kirby Derby is a great way to spend a healthy day with family, friends and community!
