Newsworthy

Dear Community Partners,

Here are today’s updates:

• Shaun Steeby, M.D., Honored as Ingram’s Top Doctor
• Warm and Thankful Celebration Launches Holiday Season
• December Healthcare Recognitions and Observances

Shaun Steeby, M.D., Honored as Ingram’s Top Doctor

Congratulations to Shaun Steeby, M.D., on being named one of Ingram’s 2024 Top Doctors. Dr. Steeby, Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon, was honored for her leadership, knowledge, skill and collaborative spirit. Dr. Steeby is featured in the latest issue of Ingram’s Magazine.

Here is an excerpt from the article about how Dr. Steeby explains what she does as an orthopedic trauma surgeon: “Trauma surgery is sort of like putting a puzzle back together. You have to be quick and efficient while also seeing the big picture. But through all the chaos, there’s this calm that happens to a lot of other health care workers who work in trauma. You start to break the situation down into a systematic process. Everyone knows their role and is working toward the same goal of helping the patient recover.”

Dr. Steeby joined Stormont Vail in 2015. She earned a degree in molecular biology  and minored in chemistry and physics from the University of Denver, then received her M.D. from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Missouri.

At Stormont Vail, she directs a team that cares for patients who have experienced accident trauma and sports injury. As an orthopedist, she’s something of a rarity: fewer than 10 percent of those in her line of work are women. “I worked hard for a very long time to have a seat at the table, and I am ever so grateful for the opportunity to represent women, surgeons, and orthopedics. It is an honor,” she says. In turn, she tries to encourage young women to pursue careers in medicine – surgeons in particular.

Dr. Steeby is a board-certified member of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and is an AO Trauma North America Fellow. Her record in both academia and health care settings has included research, posters, presentations, and various scientific courses in orthopedic surgery.

We are proud of you Dr. Steeby for this honor, and grateful for all you do for our patients and families and team. Congratulations!

Warm and Thankful Celebration Launches Holiday Season

On November 26, the Stormont Vail Health Cultural Ambassadors hosted another successful Warm and Thankful Celebration at our Topeka Hospital. Attendees enjoyed a sing-along led by Building Blocks Childcare students, special appearances from our Paw Squad, cookies, and cocoa, and the first look at our hospital lights display! The event united team members, patients, and the community by collecting healthy food and monetary donations, which the Cultural Ambassadors presented to the Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM).

The evening concluded with the ceremonious lumination of our holiday lights display. This year, Francesca “Panchi” Garcia had the honor of flipping the switch. Panchi, a pediatric patient, spent over two weeks in our pediatric unit due to severe and complicated appendicitis. Initially nervous, she bonded with our team through fun activities and now considers them friends. Panchi, a happy eight-year-old who loves Tae Kwon Do, cheerleading, and other sports, looks forward to the day she can volunteer to help other kids in the hospital.

Thank you to everyone who participated! Together, we’re making a difference this holiday season and have much to be thankful for! Enjoy a video that shares the magic of the evening.

December Healthcare Recognitions and Observances

December is a month that highlights several important health observances, encouraging awareness and action for better well-being. The month also brings attention to mental health and seasonal wellness, reminding us to prioritize self-care and community support during this busy time of year.

Month observances:

• Give the Gift of Sight Month
• Global Health Engagement Month
• Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month (SAD)
• World AIDS Month
• Safe Toys and Celebrations Month

Day and week observances:

• World AIDS Day (Dec. 1)
• Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week (Dec. 1-7)
• National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 1-7)
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Dec. 3)
• National Influenza Vaccination Week (Dec. 6-12)
• SHAKE AND FREEZE DAY® (Shorts Day) – Parkinson’s Awareness Day (Dec. 21)
• New Year’s Eve – Quit Smoking Resolutions (Dec. 31)

This monthly list comes from staff submissions as well as the Calendar of Health Observances and Recognition Days by the Society for Health Care Strategy & Market Development (SHSMD), a professional membership group of the American Hospital Association.

Although we can’t post every health-related observance each day, we can celebrate and express our appreciation for everyone in the organization who tirelessly supports our patients’ and community’s health, with or without an ‘official’ recognition. Your commitment is truly commendable, and we are grateful for your efforts!

We together,
Dr. Kenagy