DAVENPORT, Iowa -- January 18, 2013 -- Genesis Health System President and CEO Doug Cropper has announced the promotion of Wayne Diewald to GHS Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. The health system COO is a new leadership position announced by Mr. Cropper last month that will report directly to him. Mr. Diewald had been President of GMC Davenport and a Genesis Health System Senior Vice President.

In making the announcement, Mr. Cropper explained the organizational need for "expert and focused" leadership dedicated to achieving performance excellence across the health system.

"This re-structuring will promote greater system integration and consistency in quality clinical care and customer service," said Cropper. "And, it will result in a more agile organization that is better able to respond to the shifting demands of a changing health care environment."

Mr. Cropper went on to express great confidence in the ability of Mr. Diewald to help accelerate Genesis’ progress on the Journey to Excellence.

“He brings both business savvy and a deep commitment to our mission of 'compassionate, quality health services to all those in need' to this assignment. I know Wayne will help guide us wisely forward," said Cropper.

Mr. Cropper also noted the growing demand for a greater share of his attention to more long-range strategic issues and away from operations as a contributing reason for the creation of the new COO position.

"With system operations now in the capable hands of Wayne, I will focus on our goals for population health and strategic growth as well as our vision of national leadership in quality and safety,” Cropper said.

Divisions reporting to the new COO will include: Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Genesis Medical Center, Illini; all critical access hospitals; Outpatient Services; Genesis Health Group; Genesis Home Health & Hospice; and, all Genesis
Nursing Homes.

Earlier this week, Genesis Health System Senior Vice President Flo Spyrow announced Curt Coleman has been named administrator for Genesis Medical Center, DeWitt, on a permanent basis, effective immediately. He had served as
interim administrator for GMC DeWitt since July 1. Coleman also will continue to serve as Genesis administrator of Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa as he has since July 1, 2011, when Genesis began providing management services to the facility.

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PEORIA, Ill. (Jan. 16, 2013) — Like the emergency room of a hospital, the American Red Cross must be prepared to respond to patient emergencies with blood products 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. Through the dedication of blood donors, the Red Cross can be prepared day in and day out, no matter The need is when or where blood is needed.

Readily available blood helps save the lives of people like David Zien, who was on his way home on his motorcycle when the SUV in front of him lost control during a lane change and flipped onto its side, sending Zien nearly 350 feet. He was transported by helicopter to a hospital, where he received 32 pints of blood. Today, Zien says he attributes much of his survival to the generosity of blood donors.

All blood types are currently needed. For more information and to make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Carroll County
Feb. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 2100 Chicago Ave. in Savanna, Ill.

Henry County
Feb. 11 from 2:30-6 p.m. at Hooppole Community Center, 1404 Washington St. in Hooppole, Ill.
Feb. 13 from 1:15-5:15 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.

Whiteside County
Feb. 2 from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. at CGH Medical Center, 100 E. LeFevre Road in Sterling, Ill.
Feb. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fulton High School, 1207 12th St. in Fulton, Ill.
Feb. 6 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
Feb. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico CUSD No. 3, 79 Grove St. in Prophetstown, Ill.
Feb. 12 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sterling High School, 1608 Fourth Ave. in Sterling, Ill.

Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an
appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms
of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental
consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be
eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also
have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters;
supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides
international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red
Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the
American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join
our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.™

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Reminds Public It’s Not Too Late to Get a Flu Shot

CHICAGO – January 14, 2013. With Illinois and the nation facing a severe flu season and hospitals treating a surge of patients, Governor Pat Quinn and public health officials today urged the public to obtain a vaccination shot, the best protection against the seasonal flu.

“We are facing a very serious flu season both in Illinois and across the country,” Governor Quinn said. “We want everyone to take precautions to protect themselves and their families, friends and co-workers. We know that more than 60 percent of the public fails to take the important step of getting a flu shot. If you have not had a flu shot this season, now’s the time.”

The Governor also reminded Illinois residents that hygiene is also essential to fighting the flu. By washing your hands frequently and covering up when you cough, you can help protect yourself and those around you. And, when you do catch the flu, stay home and let it run its course.

Illinois is one of 24 states that are now reporting higher than normal flu activity this season. The number of flu-related intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalizations so far this year is 368, with 27 flu-related ICU deaths.  The majority of hospitalizations and deaths are of people in their 50s and older. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) expects to see an increase in the number of hospitalizations and deaths as more health care providers report cases from previous weeks as well as current cases.

Public health officials note that the flu season imposes a financial cost each year across the nation. CDC projects the total economic burden of each flu season to be $87.1 billion – which includes direct medical costs of $10.4 billion and lost income due to illness or death estimated at $16.3 billion each year. While hospitalization costs are important contributors, lost productivity from missed work days and lost lives comprise the bulk of the economic burden of influenza.

“We are definitely experiencing a severe flu season,” said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “However, we have seen severe flu seasons before. IDPH and health care professionals around the state are doing everything in our power to raise awareness and reduce the number of people who become ill.

The strain of flu that is predominately circulating in Illinois and the country has historically been a more severe strain causing more hospitalizations and deaths.

Common symptoms of flu include sore throat, high fever, cough, body aches and fatigue. The IDPH recommends contacting a health professional before going to an emergency department if you are experiencing flu symptoms. The majority of people suffering from the flu simply need to stay home, rest, use over-the-counter remedies as needed and let the flu run its course. Several hospital emergency departments have recently had to refer patients with such symptoms to other hospitals as they were at capacity. Typically, only people with severe respiratory illness who have trouble breathing need to visit a hospital emergency department.

For those who still need to obtain a flu shot, you can visit www.idph.state.il.us and enter your zip code in the Flu Vaccine Finder. Although flu vaccine is still widely available, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that some doctors’ offices and pharmacies are facing shortages. Be sure to call ahead before going to get a vaccination.  Currently manufacturers project producing 135 million doses of flu vaccine this season. At this time, the CDC is indicating there are no known issues with the production of antivirals, such as Tamiflu. However, some areas across the country may experience a shortage because of high demand and pharmacies reordering at the same time.

The vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. The flu season normally runs through March and sometimes later. The estimated effectiveness of the vaccine is 62 percent. If you have been vaccinated, but still get the flu, the vaccine can reduce the amount of time you’re sick and the severity of symptoms. By getting vaccinated, you can also help protect infants, the elderly and those with chronic diseases who are at greatest risk for complications due to the flu.

For more information about the seasonal flu shot, visit www.idph.state.il.us/flu/, www.flu.gov, or www.walgreens.com/flu.

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