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in patients of all ages,” Kimberlee said.
Within just two weeks of applying the new treatment
methods, the Beckman-trained therapists noticed rapid
patient improvements—even breakthroughs. One 2-year-
old girl, who has a genetic disorder that affects muscle
tone, went from eating solely through a feeding tube to
chewing and swallowing desired foods such as crackers,
ice cream and chocolate.
“The Beckman treatment approach made all the differ-
ence for her,” said Linsey Willoughby, speech pathologist.
“The therapy allowed her to finally eat with her family and
to share in the joy of eating and socializing with her loved
ones.”
Clinicians also use their Beckman training to teach
parents in the NICU how to interact with their infants in
ways that will help them learn to eat. Wassink said the
Beckman technique has provided a new way for parents to
bond and care for their infants in the often stressful NICU
environment.
“We are so grateful for the kind donors who, through
their donations to the Kootenai Health Foundation, have
given therapy staff hands on-tools to teach patients to
help themselves and to provide families with the power
to make a difference in their loved one’s recovery,”
Kimberlee said.
S C H O L A R S H I P S F O R N U R S I N G E D U C A T I O N
By the year 2020, 80 percent of Kootenai Health nurses
will hold a bachelor’s degree. It’s a strategic goal that will
improve patient outcomes. Kootenai Health Foundation,
through scholarships funded by donor gifts, is helping the
hospital achieve it.
“We believe it’s important that nurses continue their
education,” said Jan Moseley, director of Professional
Nursing Practice at Kootenai Health. “There is a fair
amount of research that shows when hospitals have a
greater percentage of bachelor-prepared nurses, patient
outcomes are better.”
However, for some nurses, returning to school may not
seem like an option. “Most of our nurses have family
commitments, and going back to school is a financial
challenge for them,” Jan said. “We
want to remove any barriers to our
nurses returning to school. Any kind of
scholarship is very helpful.”
Every year, with the support of donors
Jack and Helen Yuditsky, among others,
the Kootenai Health Foundation awards
“clinical excellence” scholarships
to help Kootenai Health nurses and
other clinical staff pursue higher levels
of education and clinically specific
certifications.
Elizabeth Smith, registered nurse, received a $1,400
scholarship in 2016 to help her complete a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing at Lewis and Clark State College. She
said the support relieved some of the stress of returning
to school while being a full-time working mother of three
children.
“This scholarship meant so much to my family and
me,” she said. “It alleviated a great deal of financial
concern for me, and it allowed me to focus on finishing
my degree on time. If I had not received the scholarship,
it would have taken me at least an extra year to get my
degree.”
The Foundation awarded a total of $7,500 to seven
Kootenai staff members. Jan said that in addition to help-
ing the hospital meet its goal of more bachelor-prepared
nurses, the scholarship program will help more Kootenai
nurses pursue doctorate degrees for advanced practice.
G I V E B A C K
If you want to help sup-
port training and education opportunities at
Kootenai Health, contact the Kootenai Health
Foundation at
(208) 625-4438
or visit
KH.org/foundation.
Elizabeth Smith,
R.N., received
a $1,400
scholarship
through the
Kootenai Health
Foundation to
help her complete
a Bachelor
of Science in
Nursing at Lewis
and Clark State
College.
KH . ORG
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