MHS Pep Club Raises $1,400 For Paint Piatt Pink

The Monticello High School Pep Club, led by Tristin Duffy, raised $1,400 for Kirby Medical Center’s Paint Piatt Pink campaign during the month of October. The MHS Pep Club has teamed up with Kirby for the past three years for Paint Piatt Pink, a community-wide breast cancer awareness and education program. Each year the club designates one of the high school football games in October as a “Pink Out” game. Football parents purchase pink socks for the players, and some players choose to wear other pink items to show their support. During the game, Pep Club members sell raffle tickets for a Paint Piatt Pink basket put together by Kirby Medical Center; all money raised from this raffle also goes toward Paint Piatt Pink. Duffy, with the help of the MHS cheerleaders, presented the $1,400 check to representatives from Kirby Medical Center before the start of the “Pink Out” game.

The Pep Club conducts shirt sales for one week prior to the “Pink Out” game. 100% of the funds raised from these shirt sales go directly to the Paint Piatt Pink fund. This year the Pep Club received close to 200 shirt orders.

Also this year, the MHS Student Council, led by Student Council sponsor Annie Camacho, sponsored a "Hats On Day” fundraiser. Students at MHS paid $1 to wear a hat to school for Breast Cancer Awareness. 50 students participated in “Hats On Day” raising an additional $50. Both the MHS Student Council and Rotary Interact matched the funds raised and contributed to the Pep Club's Paint Piatt Pink fundraiser.  

In the end, funds raised from Paint Piatt Pink totaled over $12,000!!! This amount includes the Monticello High School Pep Club donation, sponsorship donations, Pearls & More Breast Cancer Awareness jewelry purchases, and the Pink Paint Party with Canvas & Corks donation. It also includes Glow Run registrations, t-shirt orders, and Flamingo Flocking orders.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Paint Piatt Pink festivities next year, sponsoring a fundraiser, or donating to the Kirby Medical Center’s Women’s Imaging Department, please contact Heidi Apperson (happerson@kirbyhealth.org) at Kirby Medical Center, 217-762-1513. For more information about Paint Piatt Pink or Kirby Medical Center, visit KirbyHealth.org.

Thomas Dixon Memorial Scholarship Success Stories

Kirby Auxiliary Annual Luncheon

Kirby Medical Center’s Auxiliary held its annual luncheon July 13th, 2015 at the First Christian Church. More than 80 members and guests attended, including family members of newly elected board members and Thomas D. Dixon Memorial Scholarship recipients.

Each year the Auxiliary donates a portion of the profits from gift shop sales and other fundraising activities to Kirby Medical Center. Auxiliary treasurer, Bev Erickson, presented a $16,000 check to Kirby CEO Steve Tenhouse during the meeting. This year’s contribution will support the purchase of the new ambulance, or the replacement of the services Response Vehicle. “These units allow us to continue to meet critical needs within our community. The Auxiliary’s financial support not only helps us make this important purchase, but also strengthens the opportunity for future growth of educational and medical services that our ambulance staff can provide to Piatt County,” said Tenhouse.

Connie Brown of Monticello was named Auxilian of the Year for her hard work, dedication, and “Scholarship work for the Kirby Medical Center Auxiliary." Brown is a life member of Kirby Auxiliary. In working with the Auxiliary, she organized the scholarship applications and volunteers in the Gift Shop.

The 2015-2016 Kirby Auxiliary officers include:
President: Pam Tenhouse of Monticello
VP: Michele Hillard of Monticello
Secretary: Pat Rhoades of Monticello
Treasurer: Bev Erickson of Monticello
Director of Volunteers: Paula Heath of Monticello
Directors: Barb Carroll, Monticello, Mary Herbold, Monticello, and Jan Redman, Monticello.
Annually the Kirby Auxiliary provides the Thomas D. Dixon Memorial Scholarships to area students that have an interest in pursuing a career in a medical field. This year the Auxiliary presented scholarships totaling $32,000 for the 2015-16 academic year.

Continuing Recipients Include:

1. Saylor Bower:  Saylor has completed his first year at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana studying to become a biomedical engineer.  He is the son of Scott and Sally Bower.
2. Chloe Nayonis:  Chloe is now a junior at Indiana University – Purdue University in Indianapolis.  She plans on a career as a registered nurse.  Chloe is the daughter of Tracey Nayonis and James Nayonis.
3. Carter Ness:  Carter is now a sophomore continuing at Harding University in Arkansas.  He plans to be a physical therapist specializing in athletic training.  Carter is the son of Kyle and Lynn Ness.
4. Elizabeth Nisly-Nagele:  Elizabeth will be a 3rd year student at Millikin University in Decatur on her way to earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing.  She plans to be a Certified Nurse Midwife or to use her nursing skills in the ministry field.  Elizabeth is the daughter of Ken and Sheryl Nisly-Nagele.
5. Katelyn Rogers:  Katelyn is a junior at Millikin University.  She continues to pursue a degree in nursing to become a CRNA (Nurse Anesthetist).  Katelyn is the daughter of Kyle and Kelly Rogers.
6. Emily Wells:  Emily is now in her third year of college at the University of Illinois.  She is majoring in Community Health Planning and Administration.  She wants to work in public health, long term care or worksite wellness.  She is the daughter of Suzanne Wells.
7. Matthew Brewer:  Returning to the list of Kirby scholars, Matthew is now in his second year of medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine to become a physician.  Matthew is using his final year of eligibility.

First Time Recipients:

1. Alyssa Brewer:  Alyssa is in her second year of the RN program at Parkland College.  She is majoring in nursing.  She is the daughter of Michael and Cheryl Brewer of DeLand.
2. Blake Doane:  Blake just completed his first year in the Doctorate Program at Concordia College in St. Paul, MN.  He is studying to be a physical therapist.  He is the son of Victoria Doane (Monticello) and Scott Doane (Decatur).
3. Alyssa Hendrix:  Alyssa will be in her third year at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.  She is studying to be a family physician.  She is the daughter of John and Lisa Hendrix of Bement.
4. Anna Hendrix:  Anna is working on her medical degree at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.  She is planning to be a pediatrician.  She is the daughter of John and Lisa Hendrix of Bement.
5. Molly Lawler:  Molly just graduated from Cerro Gordo High School and will be a freshman at Illinois State University.  She aspires to be a nurse anesthetist.  Molly is the daughter of Jay and Genea Lawler of Oakley.
6. Carolyn Rigsby:  Carolyn already is a registered nurse but is returning to school to become a nurse anesthetist.  She is in the doctorate program at Millikin University.  Carolyn is married to Christopher Rigsby, and they live in Monticello.
7. Emily Smith:  Emily will finish her bachelor’s degree at the University of Indianapolis in 2016.  She plans to continue her studies to become a physical therapist by completing her doctorate in 2018.  Emily is the daughter of Kelly and Jennifer Smith, Monticello. 
8. Lisa Stanek:  Lisa has her first degree in psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University but now is finishing the RN program at Parkland in December of 2015.  She plans to continue on to become a Family Nurse Practitioner.  She is married to Tim Stanek, and they live in Monticello.

In addition to their fundraising efforts, Auxiliary members recorded 6,000 volunteer hours in the past year. Auxiliary members staff free blood pressure screenings every Tuesday morning, volunteer their time for blood drives which are held every eight weeks, and make over 125 telephone calls each month to CareLink clients to verify that their emergency call equipment is working properly. Auxiliary members also operate the Auxiliary Gift Shop, and serve as greeters at Kirby Medical Center’s Welcome Desk.

If you are interested in learning more about the Auxiliary or want to become a member, please stop by the Kirby Medical Center Gift Shop or talk to an Auxiliary member for information.

Thomas D. Dixon Memorial Scholarship Recipients

Kirby's Diabetes Self-Management Education Program Becomes A Medicare Certified Program Through AADE-Accreditation

Kirby Medical Center’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program becomes a Medicare Certified program through AADE-Accreditation

Monticello, IL — Kirby Medical Center’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program was recently named an accredited diabetes education program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE), a National Accredited Organization (NAO), certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This will allow the people with Diabetes in and around Piatt County increased access to high quality diabetes education services.

Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. The program is comprehensive and taught by diabetes educators who have extensive training.

Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Educator Sara Wade, stated, “We are very excited to provide this program for our community. This program is part of our commitment to the community and provides education and training to manage diabetes.” Chief Clinical Officer, Jennifer Moss said, “People in our community who have diabetes no longer need to travel out of town to receive education and training that helps them manage their condition. We hope that easier access will lead to a greater impact on our community.”

“AADE’s accreditation assures that an accredited program meets the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support.  Programs who meet this criteria are considered high quality and have been shown to improve the health status of the individuals who embrace the education and help to modify sometimes unhealthy behaviors, or simply provide the education that the person with diabetes has not previously received” said Leslie E. Kolb, RN, BSN, MBA, Accreditation Director for the Diabetes Education Accreditation Program.  “Kirby’s Diabetes Self-Management Education Program is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up our accreditation in 2009.”


If you would like more information about diabetic education classes contact Sara Wade at 217-762-1904.

Paint Piatt Pink 2015 - A Great Success!

Thank you to all the Paint Piatt Pink sponsors, volunteers and participants! Paint Piatt Pink 2015 was a great success with several fun events throughout the month. The "I Don't Sweat, I GLOW" Fun Run, Walk, and Zumba was held on October 8th on Kirby's brand new Wellness Trail. The night began with a Kids' Zumba Party, followed by a Breast Cancer Awareness Survivor Parade. Immediately following the parade, the Fun Run and Walk began on the Wellness Trail, and the fun-filled evening concluded with a Zumba dance party hosted by Curves in the Kirby Medical Center Healing Garden.   

Official Wear PINK Day was held on October 9^th, and we had excellent participation with the staff here at Kirby as well as with our partners and sponsors. Other Paint Piatt Pink events included two Pink Paint Parties, with Canvas & Corks (interest for this event was so high that one just wasn’t enough!), the Flamingo Flocking fundraiser, the Pearls & More Jewelry fundraiser, the Paint Piatt Pink t-shirt fundraiser, and the Pink Out Football Game. All funds raised from these events go towards women’s health programs and advancing technology focused on the early detection of breast cancer.

Some Paint Piatt Pink Highlights:

• Funds raised totaled over $12,000!!!
• 80 Glow Run/Zumba Party participants
• Some truly impressive paintings from the Pink Paint Parties
• Piatt County turned very pink on official Wear PINK Day

2016 will mark the eighth year of Paint Piatt Pink, so there will be plenty more opportunities to participate in the events and/or become a Paint Piatt Pink partner next year. If you want to learn more, check out the Kirby Medical Center FB Page and website.

If you are interested in becoming a Paint Piatt Pink sponsor or partner in 2016, please contact Heidi Apperson (happerson@kirbyhealth.org OR 217-762-1513).

Click here for photos from Paint Piatt Pink.

Click here for photos from the Glow Run/Zumba Party.