Genesis HealthCare System celebrates 25 years of caring

It began as two healthcare organizations merged into one, then two hospital buildings merged into one, but the singular purpose within Genesis HealthCare System remains the same: Helping each person achieve optimal health and well-being by providing compassionate, exceptional and affordable healthcare services.

“At Genesis, we help our community obtain optimal health,” said Sharon Parker, Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Genesis. “However, providing treatment is not enough. Over the last 25 years, I’ve been blessed to work with amazing colleagues to evolve our services. My focus is to provide care the way I’d want to be treated if I or a family member were the patient. Every team member at Genesis supports that concept.”

Sharon began her medical career as a patient care technician in Zanesville while attending nursing school nearly 43 years ago. She has played a key role in advancing Genesis services, first as director of the Cancer Care Center and now as COO for all Genesis services. Over the years, she has experienced the care at Genesis through various procedures for herself, her husband and their children.

“I helped start the cancer services program and we designed it with our patients’ perspectives in mind. Patients and families wanted all medical providers working together for the best possible outcomes for each unique individual. We spent a lot of time conducting research and then worked with an architect who could make the vision come to life,” said Sharon.

Genesis Cancer Care Center: Close-to-home care for the entire cancer journey

With cancer diagnoses increasing in the United States, having state-of-the-art cancer care close to home is essential. That’s why, in 2015, Genesis opened a dedicated Cancer Care Center to provide personalized, comprehensive expertise and treatment.

“By bringing in additional physicians, we developed a strong multidisciplinary team that offers cancer patients a convenient, close-to-home place to receive coordinated care. Patients could potentially have imaging, lab work, palliative care, medical oncology and radiation oncology visits all in one day here, saving them valuable time and energy,” Sharon said.

The patient-centered, nationally accredited center also includes nurse navigators, an in-house pharmacy and certified surgeons. Beyond treatment, we also addressed the psychological elements of care. The new center includes private chemotherapy pods that are a calming oasis with floor-to-ceiling views of our nature trail that wildlife often visits.

Having all cancer care services available in one center provides convenience for patients and increases communication between cancer care team members. “Our patients rave about the coordination of care, and our physicians appreciate the quick access to their colleagues. It’s routine for our physicians to have conversations about treatment plans so they’re all on the same page. The closeness ensures each patient receives an evidence-based plan of care personalized for their situation,” Sharon said.

A dedicated place for heart health and healing: The Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute

Modeled after the same comprehensive structure as the Genesis Cancer Care Center, Genesis developed a dedicated heart and vascular center. The Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute opened in 2015 and sits opposite the Genesis Cancer Care Center on the Genesis Hospital campus.

The Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute includes the Congestive Heart Failure Clinic, Vein Center, Anticoagulation Clinic, cardiac rehabilitation gym, cardiac catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab and nutrition services.

“Whether patients need open-heart surgery, cardiac rehabilitation or nutrition counseling, they can get it all here. Plus, patients enjoy that hometown feeling at Genesis and the fact that top-quality healthcare that’s close to home costs less than larger facilities that are farther away,” Sharon said.

The Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute became the first fully accredited chest pain center in Southeastern Ohio in 2009. Known for advanced care, the institute’s fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians perform groundbreaking roboticassisted and minimally invasive treatments. By using innovative technology and techniques, patients benefit from smaller incisions, less risks and quicker healing.

Quality and compassion

With its Cancer Care Center and the Heart & Vascular Institute devoted to the best treatment options, it’s no wonder Genesis’ outcomes and patient experience scores rank among the highest in the state and nation.In addition to providing excellent results, Genesis focuses onproviding an excellent healing environment.

“Having dedicated buildings where all physicians and services are available in a close-knit space ensures compassionate, wrap-around care. So, when a patient is diagnosed with a health challenge, we can wrap our arms around them and take care of everything – coordination, communication and quality treatment. They don’t have to worry about anything,” Sharon said.

For the past 25 years, Genesis has served residents in Muskingum, Morgan, Perry, Coshocton, Noble and Guernsey counties with that mission in mind.