On Tuesday, Adyn, age 13, and Adysn, age 10, Schachtel walked in the ICU waiting room and saw the brightly painted Kids Corner full of books, toys and games for the first time.

“Seeing our vision for a kid-friendly waiting area become a reality is more than we could have imagined,” said Adyn.

Last summer Adyn and Adysn spent a week in the ICU waiting room after their dad had a stroke. Waiting rooms aren’t much fun, even under the best of circumstances. The siblings spent the week thinking of ways to make the ICU waiting room more kid-friendly.

Once their dad was home recuperating, Adyn and Adysn went to work. Instilled with their school’s mission to turn challenges into positive experiences they worked with their parents to set up an online charity and quickly raised $3,000 from family and friends.

Adyn and Adysn presented the donation to the Medical City McKinney Volunteer Auxiliary last fall, along with a room design. Their vision included – bookshelves filled with books and toys, an iPad loaded with kids’ games and a television for kid-friendly programming.

“Our ICU waiting area was geared toward adults, so having Adyn and Adysn present ideas to help make the area more comfortable from a kid’s perspective was refreshing,” said Ernest C. Lynch, III, CEO of Medical City McKinney.

“We knew we needed to help find a solution and Medical City McKinney accepted our idea with open arms,” said Adyn Schachtel.

After several months of construction and gathering supplies the Volunteer Auxiliary presented the Kids Corner to the Schachtel family. The gift will be used by young family members of patients for many years to come.

“We were inspired to create a Kids Corner because when my dad was in the hospital there really wasn’t much for us to do – there wasn’t anything to play with and there weren’t any kid shows on the TV,” said Adysn Schachtel. “Now there tons of games, books, a television and an iPad with games just for kids.”

When Eden Mina began her nursing career 27 years ago, she had no clue it would become a family affair at Medical City Healthcare. Today four family members have followed in her footsteps and share the noble profession of nursing: husband, Danilo; son, Keith; sister, Evangeline Quilantang; and sister-in-law, Russiele Mina.

Growing up in the Philippines, Eden remembers tagging along with her father to the hospital where he worked as a surgeon.

“I think I knew even then I’d devote myself to caring for others,” she says. “Obviously, my four siblings had the same idea since they are all nurses today too—two in the United Kingdom, one in the Philippines and two of us in Texas!”

Following One’s Heart. In 2004, after serving as a nurse for 14 years in the Philippines, Eden and her family migrated to Texas where she began working in surgery/OR at Medical City Dallas Hospital.

“Several years later, I transferred to Medical City McKinney since it is a shorter commute,” she says. “It’s been so enjoyable! I look forward to work every single day. That’s because nursing is my passion and I couldn’t ask for more.”

“I’d been working as a civil engineer in Manila since 1985, but after watching my wife, I began to realize how humbling and rewarding a nursing career could be,” Danilo says. “Following nursing school, I worked at Medical City Dallas in neurology before moving to Medical City McKinney’s progressive care unit (PCU). As much as I’d enjoyed building bridges and other structures, I have been amazed at how fulfilling it is to be a nurse and to have the opportunity to provide comfort to patients.”

The Minas’ son, Keith, also “got it” and followed the career path set forth by his parents. As a nurse in the PCU at Medical City Dallas Hospital, he too marvels at the fulfillment he receives on the job. “Like my parents, I am happy in what I do. To me, there is nothing as fulfilling as being able to help patients and relieve them of any pain and discomfort they may be experiencing,” he says.

The Joy of Helping Others. The sheer joy of helping others is also a driving force with Eden’s sister, Evangeline, and sister-in-law, Russiele, who are also nurses at Medical City McKinney. For all five of these family members, words often repeated when describing their careers include “joy” and “passion.”

 “We are all so grateful to be working for this wonderful healthcare system,” Eden says.“ Quite simply, we are blessed to be a happy family who share the joy and passion of helping others.”

For more information about a nursing career with Medical City McKinney, please visit www.medicalcitymckinney.com.

Come on, now. You don’t spend much time thinking about your bile duct, do you? That’s because when you feel good and your body seems to be humming along as it should, its inner workings don’t enter the radar screen. Yet, if something goes awry—like an obstruction in your bile duct—it makes its presence known and can feel a bit like a punch in the gut.

Guttural Response

Bile duct (or biliary obstruction) occurs when a stone becomes too large and gets lodged in the bile duct. Your bile ducts carry bile (a dark-green or yellowish-brown fluid secreted by the liver that helps digestion)from the liver and gallbladder through the pancreas to the duodenum (a part of the small intestine).

“When a patient experiences bile duct obstruction, it can be both agonizing and dangerous—and can also lead to serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. Up until recently, the surgery for this condition required large incisions and was technically very difficult since the bile duct is located deep within the abdomen,” says Manmeet Padda, M.D., gastroenterologist on staff at Medical City McKinney. “But, here’s the good news: Fortunately—for the scores of patients affected by this condition—Medical City McKinney offers an effective and minimally-invasive treatment for the removal of biliary stones.”

Introducing SpyGlass® Direct Visualization System

The SpyGlass Direct Visualization System is an intuitive platform that enables simple, single-operator, direct visualization examination of the bile ducts for detection and treatment of large stones throughout the pancreatico-biliary system.

The SpyGlass Direct Visualization probe is a fiber optic device designed to optimize light delivery to the anatomy and to acquire and transmit endoscopic images back to the camera.

“Essentially, this remarkable new instrument is a game-changer for patients with this condition. By performing site-specific examinations of the bile duct lining, this new technology enables us to remove large stones, as well as those that could not be reached with former procedures,” Dr. Padda says. “What’s more, this new modality promises to be an invaluable tool in the early detection and treatment of liver and bile duct disease and/or obstructions.”

 Outpatient Procedure—Outstanding Results

And, the good news continues. SpyGlass is not only highly effective, it is also a minimally-invasive procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis.

The procedure involves absolutely no incisions, since we enter the body through a natural orifice (the mouth). It is a very safe and effective procedure. Typically, patients go home the same day and the recovery time is very minimal. Before they know it, patients feel great with newly restored appetites and energy levels,” Dr. Padda says.

About Medical City McKinney

Medical City McKinney  is a 260-bed, acute care hospital that offers comprehensive services including a Level III trauma center, cardiovascular, neurological services, general surgery, orthopedics, women’s services, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and psychiatric services. MCM is a primary stroke center and achieved the Joint Commission’s prestigious Top Performer recognition for sustaining excellence in heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, stroke and perinatal care. Medical City ER Stonebridge, located at Custer and Hwy 380, is Medical City McKinney’s provider-based emergency room.  Medical City McKinney is part of Medical City Healthcare.  For more information: www.medicalcitymckinney.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Recognition puts hospital in the top 10 percent in nation for patient safety

Medical City McKinney has received the 2017 Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades, the leading online resource for information about physicians and hospitals. The award recognizes hospitals for their excellent performance in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during their hospital stay.

“The Patient Safety Excellence Award is a validation of the effort we put toward preventing hospital acquired conditions during a patient’s hospital stay,” said Ernest C. Lynch, III, Medical City McKinney CEO. “We are honored to receive this prestigious award.”

Medical City of McKinney was one of 460 hospitals across the nation to achieve this recognition. This distinction places an elite group of hospital recipients within the top 10 percent of all hospitals evaluated for their superior performance in safeguarding patients from serious, potentially preventable complications during their hospital stays.

Patient Safety Excellence Award recipients were determined by evaluating the occurrence of observed incidents and expected performance for 13 Patient Safety Indicators as defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Medical City McKinney is a 260-bed, acute care hospital that offers comprehensive services including a Level III trauma center, cardiovascular, neurological services, general surgery, orthopedics, women’s services, a Level III neonatal intensive care unit and psychiatric services. Medical City McKinney is a primary stroke center, a stroke rehabilitation center and achieved the Joint Commission’s prestigious Top Performer recognition for sustaining excellence in heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, stroke and perinatal care. Medical City ER Stonebridge, located at Custer and Hwy 380, is Medical City McKinney’s off-campus emergency room. Medical City McKinney is part of Medical City Healthcare. For more information: www.medicalcitymckinney.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

McKinney, Texas – Medical City McKinney is pleased to announce five nurses have received recognition as one of DFW’s “The Great 100 Nurses” including Ann Dutze, Emergency Services Clinical Supervisor; Gary Huey, Texas Two Step Coordinator; Mark Lisonbee; Manager of Med/Surg; Mike Mixson, Manager of Trauma Services; and Cassidi Roberts, Chief Nursing Officer.

“The Great 100 Nurses” recognizes RNs for excellence in the art and science of nursing. Nurses were nominated by peers and selected because they are role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers and significant contributors of the nursing profession. Honorees come from all practice areas in nursing, including acute care, sub-acute care, school nursing, nurse leaders, academics and more.

“Medical City McKinney has many outstanding nurses, and I am proud to see five of our nurse leaders selected for this prestigious honor. The Great 100 Nurses recognizes each of them for their individual contributions to the nursing field,” said Ernest C. Lynch, III, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer of Medical City McKinney.

Ann Dutze

Since joining Medical City McKinney in 2006, Dutze, a veteran nurse of 30 years, has held several emergency department positions including staff nurse, charge nurse and clinical supervisor.

Her team approach and her willingness to always go above and beyond contributes to the high standard of care in the emergency room. 

“I am humbled by the responsibility that has been placed in my hands to care for a patient,” said Dutze. “I am proud to be a mentor to other nurses, help them grow their skills and to see them shine in the spotlight.”

Gary Huey

Huey joined Medical City Healthcare in 2004 as a PCU-Telemetry nurse and transitioned in 2011 to the Medical City Healthcare Texas Two Step Nursing Pathway program, an on-campus two-year program designed to allow current employees earn an associate’s degree in nursing through Collin College. More than 70 employees have graduated from this program. He is now pursuing a doctorate degree in education.

“I am proud to serve as a role model and educator for the future of nursing for HCA and the community,” Huey said. “The privilege to change the lives of those who live in our community, and work in our hospital is the greatest gift an educator can receive.”

Mark Lisonbee

Lisonbee’s nursing career has been focused on growing and developing new Medical-Surgical nurses. He joined the Medical City McKinney team in 2010 on the orthopedic unit, and was promoted to Medical-Surgical clinical supervisor in 2011 and Medical-Surgical Manager in 2015.

He leads others by providing meaningful coaching and mentoring to increase the capabilities of individuals and teams to accomplish organizational goals, drive employee engagement, increase patient satisfaction and optimize quality outcomes.

“I strive to help other nurses build their confidence and knowledge in this profession,” said Lisonbee. “I don’t take credit for their success, but rejoice in watching their skills and confidence grow.”

Mike Mixson

Mixson leads Medical City McKinney’s stroke and trauma programs, and spends countless hours educating nurses, physicians, and EMS providers on protocols and quality measures. He also educates local high school students on effects of drinking and driving through the Shattered Dreams program. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in nursing, focusing on trauma, emergency services and hospital administration.

Outside of work, Mike serves as a volunteer firefighter, participates in medical mission trips and serves as an Anna Chamber of  Commerce board member.

“As a fourth generation nurse, being selected as a DFW Great 100 Nurse is a tremendous honor that I am truly grateful,” Mixson said.

Cassidi Roberts

Roberts is Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) and has been with  Medical City McKinney for more than 10 years.

She strongly believes her job is to mentor staff and to encourage them to complete advanced nursing degrees. She also promotes the “Walk In My Shoes” shadow program, to encourage staff to explore the hospital and learn what it is like to work in different departments, in different roles.

“The heart of a nurse expands gracefully through the number of meaningful encounters with their patients and families, and you find gratification in the thought that you made someone feel better or that you had a hand in extending a life,” Roberts said.

Medical City McKinney is a 260-bed, acute care hospital that offers comprehensive services including a Level III trauma center, cardiovascular, neurological services, general surgery, orthopedics, women’s services, a Level III neonatal intensive care unit and psychiatric services. Medical City McKinney is a primary stroke center, a stroke rehabilitation center and achieved the Joint Commission’s prestigious Top Performer recognition for sustaining excellence in heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, stroke and perinatal care. Medical City ER Stonebridge, located at Custer and Hwy 380, is Medical City McKinney’s off-campus emergency room. Medical City McKinney is part of Medical City Healthcare. For more information: www.medicalcitymckinney.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.