Choosing a Hospice Care Provider
Life is a journey, and when your loved one enters the last stages of that journey due to a serious illness, it’s comforting to know the same local healthcare system caring for your loved one will also be there to help you and your family when you need it the most.
When and how to choose hospice
When it’s not possible to cure a serious illness or a loved one doesn’t want to undergo further treatment, it’s wise to consider hospice care. So, how do you choose a hospice provider? How can you find information about hospice services? We want to help you understand the hospice options in our community and how to choose one that will best meet the needs of your loved one and your family.
For example, is your hospice provider a for-profit or a non-profit organization? What kind of hospice services does the provider offer, such as in the home, in the hospital, at an outside facility that specializes only in hospice care, or in assisted living or nursing facilities?
Does your insurance cover hospice?
If not, or you don’t have insurance, how expensive would hospice care be for your loved one?
We have a list of questions you may want to ask when considering a hospice provider. We also have a list of all area hospice providers. Go to genesishcs.org/hospice to find information that can help you make these important decisions before your loved one enters the last stage of life.
What does Genesis Hospice offer patients and families? Genesis Hospice is the area’s only charitable, non-profit organization offering a full continuum of hospice care.
We are with patients in their homes or at the Morrison House, the only designated inpatient hospice in our area. We also provide care to patients if they need to be in Genesis Hospital or in assisted living or nursing facilities. Genesis Hospice is rated a 5 Star organization — the highest that can be achieved — by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid.
Our team of professionals work together to manage symptoms so that patients’ days are spent with dignity and quality, surrounded by loved ones. Hospice care is also patient- and family-centered, with the patient and the family making the decisions.
As Genesis Hospice is a non-profit organization, no one receives a bill for care, regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
To learn more about Genesis Hospice, go to genesishcs.org/hospice.
We want to help you understand the hospice options in our community and how to choose one that will best meet the needs of your loved one and your family.
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The Path to a Top 100 Hospital
Fortune Magazine and Merative, a data, analytics and technology partner for the healthcare industry, included Genesis HealthCare System in its prestigious Top 100 Hospitals list for 2022. Here’s a look at one of the Genesis HealthCare System initiatives that helped Genesis earn this recognition.
Heath Herron, R.N., who has worked for Genesis for more than 15 years in various patient-facing roles and participates in the Patient Safety Committee, said, “We set a goal to provide the best patient care and to continually get better.”
One of the ways that Genesis is continually achieving excellence is that the health system has created a culture where anyone on the Genesis team can suggest improvements. Bedside nurses, technicians, doctors and everyone else can suggest improvements at any time. After a suggestion is made, the Patient Safety Committee reviews the ideas and establishes teams to implement solutions that result in better, safer patient care.
The Patient Safety Committee is typically analyzing five to six improvement opportunities at any time.
One example of these efforts involves blood thinner medicines, which lots of patients use to lower the risk of harmful blood clots. These medicines require physicians, nurses and pharmacists to analyze many factors to make sure these medicines are safely given. The team identified an opportunity to standardize how these medicines are ordered and used powerful data tools to add automated safety checks.
The result is an increase in safety for patients on these life-saving medicines. Genesis is one of the first health systems in the country with this capability, and it is all because of the power of Genesis teams.
Genesis Chief Nursing Officer Shon Bender, R.N., and Genesis Chief Medical Officer Scott Wegner, M.D., spearhead the team that reviews suggestions. “However, they don’t make final decisions,” Herron said. “They bring solutions to a larger team for a vote. It’s a powerful thing when frontline staff sees changes within a week. It makes them feel good to make a difference beyond their normal responsibilities.”
“We have great people with great suggestions,” said Dr. Wegner. “It’s become part of our culture for everyone to speak up. Improvement is an ongoing process.”
The direct lines of communication Herron referred to go beyond Genesis. Genesis also shares challenges and successes with other hospitals. “Who gets the credit is not important. Only that we can provide the best care,” said Dr. Wegner. “We’re going to keep getting better. If we are recognized with awards, well, that is okay too.”
Using independent public data and proprietary analytics, the Top 100 Hospitals study recognizes hospitals that have clearly demonstrated top performance in care, efficiency and community value.
Here’s a look at one of the Genesis HealthCare System initiatives that helped Genesis earn this recognition.
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Spotlight on Kethelyne Beauvais, M.D.
Genesis Primary Care
Kethelyne Beauvais, M.D., joined Genesis Primary Care in August 2022, specializing in family medicine. As a teen, Dr. Beauvais says she liked to study biology. Outside of school, she participated in many service activities. She says it didn’t take long for her to realize that becoming a doctor would allow her to pursue both passions.
In college, she volunteered at a free clinic. She worked with a family medicine physician and observed how he served. “It made an impact,” Dr. Beauvais said. “It was about helping and healing the community, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
Dr. Beauvais also believes education is an important part of healthcare. When asked to give some advice about staying healthy, she offered several tips.
“Don’t underestimate the power of washing your hands — it seems like a little thing. With so many viruses around, it’s important,” she advised. “If you have kids, have them wash their hands when they come home from school and teach them to wash before they eat.”
She also encourages everyone to become familiar with the three-digit number “988.” Dialing the number routes callers to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7.
Any more words of wisdom? “The phrase ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ is good advice,” Dr. Beauvais said. “Even if you feel great, it’s important to check in with your primary healthcare provider. If you catch things early, it can make a big difference.”
Dr. Beauvais is accepting new patients at Genesis Primary Care, 401 Lincoln Park Drive, Suite A, New Lexington. Her office phone number is 740-342-5107.
Doctor of Medicine: Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
Residency: Family Medicine, Brown University, Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Board-certified: The American Academy of Family Medicine
Dr. Beauvais also believes education is an important part of healthcare. When asked to give some advice about staying healthy, she offered several tips.
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Spotlight on Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D.
Cardiac Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., recently joined the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group, serving as Medical Director. In this role, he oversees cardiothoracic services at the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute and will lead the clinical team in cardiac surgery.
As a surgeon, he will perform a full range of traditional and minimally invasive heart procedures, such as aortic surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting, TAVR, TEVAR, MitraClip and open valve repair and replacement.
Dr. Ellison said that the intricacy, nuance and technical skill required to perform operations with outcomes that are seen immediately is what drew him to cardiology. “There is non-stop variety, and the field is developing so rapidly that it requires constant study — both of which I enjoy.”
Growing up, Dr. Ellison witnessed frequent medical care given to his three siblings, all of whom have special needs. His brother has cerebral palsy and needed to undergo many orthopedic surgeries, which opened Dr. Ellison’s eyes to the medical profession. From the age of 12, he knew he wanted to become a doctor.
Dr. Ellison was awarded a prestigious scholarship from the Gates Cambridge Trust through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With the scholarship, he focused on international medical relief while earning his MBA from the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.
Outside of work, Dr. Ellison’s favorite activity is to spend time with his family. He and his wife have two girls, ages 5 and 9, and two boys, ages 11 and 13.
Dr. Ellison is accepting new patients by physician referral. His office is in the Genesis Heart & Vascular Institute, 955 Bethesda Drive, First Floor, Zanesville. The office phone number is 740-454-0804.
Doctor of Medicine: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
General Surgery Residency: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Fellowships: Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
Ph.D.: Health Economics and Policy, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
Board-certified: American Board of Surgery, American Board of Thoracic Surgery
Cardiothoracic Surgeon Trevor Ellison, M.D., Ph.D., recently joined the Genesis Heart & Vascular Group, serving as Medical Director.
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A letter from our President and CEO | LiveWell Winter 2023
Thank You is Not Enough
Over the last couple of chaotic years, you trusted Genesis to find solutions to unprecedented problems. You trusted us with your health.
During that time, our doctors, nurses, techs, support service members and everyone else on our team stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility of not letting you down. They worked as long as was needed. Their ingenuity delivered creative ways to provide care and obtain resources.
Our team did this because they know what matters most is keeping you and your loved ones healthy.
Even though they did not seek recognition, being named a Top 100 Hospital in 2022 by Fortune Magazine/Merative is an honor they deserve.
And they could not have achieved it without your faith and support.
I cannot adequately thank our community or team members. As part of our attempt to show appreciation, we recently started airing a TV commercial and web videos highlighting our team and patients. The people are what make Genesis possible.
Watch for the commercials on TV and online or visit genesishcs.org/Top100. Please know that we are eternally grateful for your trust and support.
Bringing physicians to you
As part of our mission, we continue to bring the best doctors to our community. On the following pages, you’ll learn how their skill sets can help you achieve optimal health.
Things that matter
A walk around the neighborhood. A retirement dream home. In this publication, you will learn about two community members continuing to do what they love because of the lifesaving care they received.
Bringing care to more communities
By the time the next LiveWell issue is released, the Genesis Coshocton Medical Center will have opened. Join us for a Family Fun Day to tour our newest medical center, enjoy children’s activities and more.
In good health,
Matthew J. Perry
President & CEO
Thank You is Not Enough
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New Wound Care Product Keeps Lifelong Friends Going Strong
In August of 2021, Mary Mitchell was referred to the Genesis Wound Care Center for help with a wound that would not heal. “I had skin cancer removed from my ankle a while back,” Mary said. “Afterward, the wound would drip. I didn’t think it was ever going to end.”
No one wants to wait for a wound to heal, but in Mary’s situation, a lengthy process is not unusual. Like many patients with the same condition, Mary endured many attempts to fix the problem, including skin grafts. Her daughter had to change the dressings up to four times a day.
Progress was slow and, in the long run, unsuccessful. “A few times, it was coming along,” Mary said. “I saw a little bit of skin slowly starting to cover the wound, but then it would stall.”
Then Samuel W. Zerkle, D.O., a Board-certified Emergency Medicine and Wound Management physician at Genesis HealthCare System’s Wound Care Center, proposed a new approach.
A new product
Dr. Zerkle suggested a new product that was getting excellent results at the Wound Center. “It’s similar to the skin graft substitutes we currently use, but this graft is made from the patient’s blood using an ActiGraft kit,” he said. “Current skin substitutes are bioengineered with living cells from an outside source. A blood clot made from the patient’s blood optimizes the body's healing process.”
Mary said everyone saw the difference in healing once ActiGraft was in use. “Dr. Zerkle said he saw it the first week. I saw it a little bit the second week, and by the third week, I could feel the difference.”
Mary said that she’s always been the type of person who believes, “If you can’t change it, don’t worry about it.” That became harder to do as her wound grew. She took comfort in knowing that Dr. Zerkle and the staff at the Wound Center seemed as concerned as she was. “I know Dr. Zerkle was talking to doctors around the country about ActiGraft.”
Mary said they all kept working toward a solution—the doctors, nurses and everyone that worked in the office. “They treated me like family, and it’s done wonders for me.”
A friendly referral
Every Friday, Mary goes to a salon for her hair appointment. After 50 years, her beautician, Janet Cox, is a dear friend whom Mary was happy to refer to the Wound Care Center. “Janet had been having some health problems, including a wound on her knee,” Mary said. “She also worked with Dr. Zerkle, loved the staff, and is going strong.”
When Mary came to Genesis Wound Care Center for an unhealed wound, Dr. Zerkle suggested using an ActiGraft kit. Once ActiGraft was in use, Mary's wound healed.
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Genesis Perry County Medical Center
Genesis Perry County Medical Center
Caring for you in Perry County
Treating patients and saving lives locally in Perry County
Genesis HealthCare System is committed to providing improved access to innovative healthcare and patient support services for the residents of Perry County. The Genesis Perry County Medical Center includes a 7,500 square foot Emergency Department and 10,500 square foot center for outpatient services including therapies and advanced imaging.
Genesis Perry County Medical Center
Call: 740-743-3800
301 Dr. Mike Clouse Drive, Suite 2
Somerset, OH 43783
Exceptional because minutes matter
In 2024, the Genesis Perry County Medical Center Emergency Department (ED) had an average wait time of less than 6 minutes from the time a patient enters our ED until they are seen by one of our medical providers for treatment.
Why do we work so hard? Because in cases of trauma, heart attack or stroke, every minute matters. The first hour after the onset of symptoms or injury is called “The Golden Hour” because it’s recognized that the sooner trauma, stroke or heart attack patients reach expert care – particularly if they arrive within 60 minutes of the onset of symptoms or injury – the better their chance of survival. Every minute matters.
Get directions to the Perry County ED
Our full-service ED is in Somerset, just 12 minutes from 75% of the county’s population.
Emergency Department services and staff
The Emergency Department located at the Genesis Perry County Medical Center has skilled staff and advanced technology that will provide excellent care for you and your family.
Emergency services
We offer 24/7 emergency care for the following:
- Complex Medical Conditions
- Heart Attack
- Serious Injuries
- Stroke
Certified physicians and staff
Our facility is staffed 24/7 with trained specialists:
- Board-Certified Emergency Medicine Physicians
- Specially-Trained Registered Nurses
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Multi-skilled Tech
Outpatient services
In addition to the Emergency Department, the Genesis Perry County Medical Center includes outpatient services that include ultrasound from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and outpatient infusions.
EKG Holter/Event Monitoring
Please call (740) 743-3800 for questions regarding our event monitoring services.
Imaging
- CT Scanning
- Echocardiogram
- MRI As an outpatient
- Pulmonary Function Test
- Xray
Laboratory
Please call (740) 743-3800 for questions regarding our laboratory hours and services.
Rehab therapies
The Genesis Perry County Medical Center offers adult and pediatric rehab therapies for patients in Perry County:
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Concussion Management
Physician Specialists
Several physicians see patients in their offices in the Genesis Perry County Medical Center on select days. Below is a list of the physician specialists.
Cardiology
Gynecology & Obesity Medicine
Do you use MyChart?
Services
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Community Ambulance now hiring
Abstract
Community Ambulance, an affiliate of Genesis HealthCare System, is now hiring EMS team members.