Mother and daughter lose 225 pounds through weight loss surgery

May 24, 2012

Mother and daughter Kathy Rufener and Wendi Wood have both had their lives transformed by a special surgery that aids weight loss.

Kathy Rufener and Wendi Wood

Combined, they have lost more than 225 pounds.

Both women had a special gastric banding surgery to help them lose weight. Today, they each have a Lap-Band on their stomachs. The band reduces the capacity of each of their stomachs and helps them get full faster and stay full longer.

While Rufener struggled with weight her entire life, Wood was thin as a child and teen but later gained weight when she had children.

Over time, both women felt the effects of obesity. They had less energy, had a harder time moving around and Kathy was put on medications to help control weight-related illnesses.

Seeking to make a change, four years ago Wood and Rufener attended a Weight Loss Surgery seminar together at Boone Hospital Center.

Rufener watched as her daughter decided to have the surgery and began shedding weight. Wood’s body and health completely changed as she lost 175 pounds.

Seeing her daughter’s success eventually convinced Rufener and her husband that it was time for her to have the surgery as well.

Rufener took advantage of a special limited time offer at Boone Hospital to have the gastric band placed for just $9,500. Financing options are also available.

To date, she’s already lost more than 50 pounds and is nearing her personal goal.

“I feel so much lighter,” Rufener said. “Now I can’t imagine walking around with those 50 pounds on me.”

The weight loss has also helped her reduce and eliminate some of her medications.

For Rufener and Wood, their weight loss success has been a great bonding experience.

“If it wasn’t for her getting involved in the first place I probably would have never done it,” said Rufener.

Leave a Comment » | Boone Weight Loss Surgery, Celebrations | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

Dan Rothery named among “100 Leaders of Great Hospitals”

May 18, 2012

Boone Hospital Center President Dan Rothery was recently named among the 100 Leaders of Great Hospitals.

The list, created by Becker’s Hospital Review, notes that Rothery has been president of Boone Hospital since 2006.

His previous experience includes serving as CEO of The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, and in a variety of executive leadership roles in acute-care and rehabilitation healthcare environments, including the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, St. Louis-based SSM Health Care and St. Louis-based St. John’s Mercy Medical Center.

Earlier in his career, Rothery was an air traffic controller.

Congrats Dan! We are proud to have you as our president!

Leave a Comment » | Celebrations | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

Kids on Track’s Kickoff Success!

May 17, 2012

On Thursday, May 10, Boone Hospital Center and WELLAWARE launched the Kids on Track program. Over 500 kids registered and ran.

Each runner was given a packet with a water bottle and a marathon map. After each mile, runners can color in a piece of the track. When runners reach five mile markers, they can take their map to local businesses for prizes. HyVee, M.C. Sports, Shakespeare’s Pizza, B&B Bagel, ARC, Dairy Queen, Subway, Empire Roller Rink and Jimmy John’s Gourmet Subs are participating sponsors.

The event kicked off with two laps around the lake at Stephens Lake Park, marking the first 1.2 miles. In August, all of the marathon runners will be invited back to the park to finish off their final mile and receive a t-shirt.

The program is free to all participants and intended to encourage regular, healthy activity for kids during the summer months.

“When the kids took off running, it was emotional to see so many kids and parents walking and running together.  It gave many of the staff helping goosebumps,” said Jeff Zimmermann, health promotions manager. 

You can check out photos from the event on our Facebook album!

Leave a Comment » | WELLAWARE | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by smwhitney

Kids on Track to launch alongside Boone Hospital’s annual 5K

May 9, 2012

Boone Hospital Center is about to launch an innovative program to help Columbia kids get healthy this summer. Kids on Track encourages children 14 and under to run or walk 26.2 miles, a full marathon, during the summer.

Promoted through local schools, 200 students have already registered to participate in Kids on Track. The kick off event is Thursday, May 10, at the Gordon Shelter at Stephen Lake Park. Registration is 6 p.m. and a 1.2 mile run/walk will begin at 7 p.m.

Many local businesses are sponsoring Kids on Track, offering incentives and prizes to kids as they reach checkpoints on their way to 26.2 miles.

“The best way to promote healthy lifestyles in our community is to start young,” said Jeff Zimmermann, health promotions manager. “We are excited to bring this program to mid-Missouri and it’s been great to see so many of our youth register. This will be a exciting summer of improving health in Columbia.”

Kids on Track launches alongside Boone Hospital’s annual Lee Pfefer Memorial 5K. About 140 people have preregistered to race this year. The 5K is also at Stephens Lake Park tomorrow and begins at 6 p.m. Walk up registration is $25.

Leave a Comment » | Health information, WELLAWARE | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

Nursing Floor Named for Chief Nursing Officer Dr. Mary Beck

May 8, 2012

On Monday, April 30, 2012, the third floor of Galena Hall on the MU campus was named the Mary Beck House in honor of Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Mary Beck, DNP, RN, NE-BC.

The floor is home to a nursing Freshman Interest Group and a health care Learning Community. It is located next to the nursing school where Dr. Beck has been so influential.

“This was such an unexpected honor and I am truly humbled by this recognition from the students. However, this recognition is a reflection of the opportunities I have had in my career, especially during my 20 years at Boone Hospital Center,” said Dr. Beck.

During the presentation, Dr. Beck gave advice and mentioned highlights of her career as a nursing professional. She took questions from the students who currently live on the floor and shared a few fun stores.

“Working with dedicated healthcare professionals that are creative and committed to excellence has been a privilege,” shared Dr. Beck.

Some of the third floor Galena residents posing with Dr. Mary Beck.

3 Comments | Celebrations, Nursing | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by smwhitney

“Our care at Boone Hospital Center was outstanding on all levels”

May 7, 2012

By Janet R. Lee

Janet, of Columbia, shared this story via the myBooneHealth.com online submission form. Click here to share your story.

I have had cause to visit BHC’s ER and each experience has met all of my expectations.

I serve as a staff member at Woodhaven Learning Center and one of the individuals I serve has frequent occasions to follow our protocol to receive help at BHC’s ER.

Tonight, May 6, 2012, was yet another one of those occasions. We were met with great care and attention.

Dr. Jill Murphey was exemplary in her professionalism and exhibited as an advocate in meeting our needs to provide the best of services for the individual requiring assistance.

The Social worker/RN, Kim Oliver was equally kind and expressed appropriate concern. The many nurses and other staff members this evening were also kind. Thank you to Heather, Alicia, Chris and all others who I may have not mentioned!

I thank each and every staff member who greeted us, provided care, answered questions, guided us through our experience and were gentle, caring, and knowledgeable.

Although I would have rather not had this experience, it is with great confidence to report our care at Boone Hospital Center was outstanding on all levels.

Leave a Comment » | Emergency Department, Intensive Care Unit | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

First time parents praise the care at the Boone Family Birthplace

April 30, 2012

By Wesley Winter

Wesley, of Columbia, shared this story via the myBooneHealth.com online submission form. Click here to share your story.

My wife Michele and I are first time parents, Andrew Michael was born Wednesday, April 25.

We decided on Boone Hospital because the hospital has a reputation for taking excellent care of both mothers and babies during and after pregnancy.

In addition, my mother Wanda Winter worked in the laboratory for 20 or so years and I grew to love Boone Hospital Center during her work here.

Dr. Jones and Dr. Grant took excellent care of my wife and the nurses have been so attentive to our needs.

Leave a Comment » | Boone Family Birthplace, Patient stories | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

Honoring our laboratory professionals

April 24, 2012

The Boone Hospital laboratory team — pathologists, pathologists’ assistants, and medical laboratory professionals — plays a vital role in patient care in that they provide timely and accurate results.

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 22–28, 2012, honors and recognizes the contributions of laboratory professionals as part of the patient care team.

To all of our lab professionals, thank you for all that you do!

Leave a Comment » | Celebrations, Clinical Laboratory | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Jacob Luecke

Three Generations of Boone Babies

April 18, 2012

On April 17, 2012, Lauren Karr gave birth to Kennedy August, a third generation Boone Baby. Karr and her husband Geoff, who live in Columbia, were excited to welcome their first child.

Lauren, Kennedy and Geoff Karr

Karr and her mother, Vicki Blackwell Whitney both were born at Boone Hospital Center. The family has been impressed with the care and facilities so far.

“Since we’re first time parents, everyone has done a great job of answering questions in a way that doesn’t make me feel like an idiot,” said Karr. “The nurses are so understanding. They are great cheerleaders.”

Leave a Comment » | Boone Family Birthplace, Patient stories | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by smwhitney

Inspired By Care, Nurse Joins Boone Family

April 16, 2012

By Shannon Whitney

Emily Roberts was a nurse for four years at her previous job, but when she delivered her twin daughters at 29 weeks, her perspective changed.

Roberts’ twins spent nine weeks in the Boone Hospital Center Intensive Care Nursery (ICN) and the care impacted her family in more way than one.

“The physicians were really good. The nurses were all really knowledgeable,” recalls Roberts. “We felt like we got really good care when our girls were born here.”

For a short time, her twins were sent to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for special care.

“Dr. O’Connor, one of the neonatologists, really fought for the girls to come back here when we didn’t need to be in St. Louis, so we could be close to home. I thought that was going above and beyond,” said Roberts.

The Roberts enjoyed all of the space the unit provided for their family to bond during the tough time. The recliners were perfect for holding her daughters. During her stay at Boone with her daughters and husband, Roberts talked to the nurses. She learned about their experience and was impressed by the staff.

“The biggest part was seeing a place where you could tell people like to work here,” said Roberts. “People had worked here for a long time and there’s always a reason for people to stay.”

When Roberts’ maternity leave ended, she realized she wasn’t excited to go back to work. Instead, she applied at Boone Hospital and got a job in the ICN.

“It was a pretty easy transition because we had gotten to know a lot of the nurses when we were here with the girls as patients,” explained Roberts. “It’s nice to be able to update them on how the girls are doing.”

Since December, Roberts has been taking care of Boone Babies, in addition to her own. She has a family picture taken in Boone’s ICN on the back of her badge to show parents that she understands their struggle.

“I can talk to the parents now who are in the ICN and tell to them about our experience. I have a different perspective than most of the nurses in the unit because I’ve been there,” said Roberts.

Roberts is happy that her daughters are healthy, and she is satisfied with her new job at Boone Hospital. She says the change was the right thing to do and she’s excited to learn new things everyday at work.

Leave a Comment » | Boone Family Birthplace, Employee Testimonials, Intensive Care Nursery, Nursing, Patient stories | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by smwhitney

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