Newton Independent

Skiff Trustees to discuss potential sale of Sports Rehab building Monday following Friday's auction

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees will meet in a closed session at 10:30 a.m. Monday to discuss the sale of its Sports Rehab and Physical Therapy building set to be auctioned on Friday.

Earlier this month, Sage Auctions began advertising for the sale set for 2 p.m. Friday.

The building has sat empty since Skiff relocated its Sports Rehab services back to the hospital facility in the summer of 2010. Efforts to sell the building since that time have been unsuccessful.

The clinic was opened in March 2007 after Skiff purchased the former Hansen Directory Building at 1730 1st Ave. E.

Skiff has placed a deed restriction on the property which will not allow the property to be used for physical therapy in the future.

Following the closed session, the Skiff Trustees will return to open session to either accept, counter or reject the high bid received for the building. It's current assessed value is $300,090.

Local advertisers make baby calendars possible

Dan Livengood of Newton Manufacturing recently presented a check for $512 to Brenda Smith, director of Skiff Home Care. The proceeds came from advertising sales for the Jasper County Empowerment Baby Calendar. Others pictured, left to right, are Larry Ambrosen of the Medicine Shoppe, Jeff Maki of Clemon-Maki Insurance, Skiff CNO Katie Heldt and Dana Grams of Kindercare. Advertisers also participating in the program though not pictured are Tricia Maher of US Bank, Jason Lauterbach of Lauterbach Buick-Pontiac-GMC, Dr. Steve Rabedeaux of The Dental Practice, Jason Crocker of Hy-Vee and Scott Creech of Domino's Pizza.

Newton Independent

With support from Empowerment of Jasper County and the sponsorship of area businesses, Skiff Home Care and Newton Manufacturing were able to provide the parents of every newborn in Jasper County who participate in the program with a personalized calendar.

The calendar features the baby's photo, health information and space to record significant milestones in the baby's development.

Skiff Home Care nurses deliver the calendars during their visits to new parents through the Empowerment Program. For more information on the calendar program or Empowerment of Jasper County, contact Skiff Home Care at 641-792-5086 or Ginny Bidwell, Jasper County Empowerment Program coordinator at 641-521-8856.

Inaugural Skiff Gala a huge success

"Sugar," from Entertainment to Go brought out the inner disco kings in volunteer dancers Dr. Min Pak of the Newton Clinic, Mark Allen of Edward Jones, Frank Buckley of the YMCA, John Lee of of John Lee Photography, partially hidden behind "Sugar," and Nahtan Unsworth of the Newton Parks and Recreation Department during the Skiff Gala: Night on the Town event.

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center now has more than $32,000 to toward the purchase of surgical equipment at the Newton hospital thanks to the success of Skiff Gala: Night on the Town held late last month at DMACC.

The event was a joint effort between the Skiff Foundation and the Skiff Auxiliary. Funds were brought in through business sponsorships, ticket sales, a live auction and a dessert auction. More than 250 people from the hospital and around the community enjoyed a sit-down dinner catered by The Cinder House and the professional entertainment.

"We felt that Newton could use a big, fun, elegant affair for people to get excited about," said Foundation Director Bruce Hoffmeier, who helped organize the event with Skiff Community and Events Coordinator Leisa Zylstra and Skiff Gala committee members Dave Goos, Rita Baker, Terri Hayden, Pam Comer, Connie Annis, Dianne Ruggle and Jeff King.

Hoffmeier and Zylstra said as they began to seek out area businesses as table sponsors, they received a quick and enthusiastic response.

"We had so many local organizations wanting to take part that before we knew it every table had been filled," Zylstra said. "We're so grateful for the amount of support and interest we received from the community."

The Skiff Gala is planned as an annual event with a new theme and entertainment each year.

Skiff trustees to hold public hearing on sale of Sports Rehab building

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. Monday on the Newton hospital's plan to sell its former Sports Rehab building at auction later this month.

Earlier this week, Sage Auctions began advertising for the sale set for 2 p.m. Friday, May 17.

The building has sat empty since Skiff relocated its Sports Rehab services back to the hospital facility in the summer of 2010. Efforts to sell the building since that time have been unsuccessful.

The clinic was opened in March 2007 after Skiff purchased the former Hansen Directory Building at 1730 1st Ave. E.

Skiff has placed a deed restriction on the property which will not allow the property to be used for physical therapy in the future.

 

Skiff to auction former Sports Rehab building

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center will auction off its former Sports Rehab and Physical Therapy building on First Avenue East in Newton next month.

The Skiff board agreed to hire Sage Auctions to sell the 7,800 square foot structure that sits on nearly one acre of land at an auction set for 2 p.m. Friday, May 17.

The building has sat empty since Skiff relocated its Sports Rehab services back to the hospital facility in the summer of 2010. Efforts to sell the building since that time have been unsuccessful.

"With the very slowly recovering commercial real estate market, we decided using an auction company might be a good way to move the building along in the hopes that we can help improve the economy of Newton by getting another empty building off the market and into use," said Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long.

Details on the auction, including bidding forms and requirements, can be found here. Skiff has placed a deed restriction on the property which will not allow the property to be used for physical therapy in the future.

 

Skiff to accept donations for All-Iowa Wheels for the World

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center is partnering with All-Iowa Wheels for the World to conduct a mobility device collection drive later this week.

Donations of manual wheelchairs, foldable walkers, aluminum crutches and canes, and parts related to those items will be accepted in the Skiff lobby from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The devices will be restored to like-new condition in regional correctional facilities and then delivered to people with disabilities in developing countries throughout the world who have no other way of obtaining mobility devices.

For more information on All-Iowa Wheels for the World, visit their web sitehere.

Skiff trustees to act on sale of former Sports Rehab building

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees will meet at 9 a.m. Friday in the hospital's board room for its regular monthly meeting where members will discuss the sale of its former sports rehabilitation and physical therapy clinic on First Avenue East.

Details of the proposed sale have not been released.

Skiff closed its First Avenue clinic building in the summer of 2010 and moved services to the lower level of the Ross Medical Arts Building. The clinic was opened in March 2007 after Skiff purchased the former Hansen Directory Building at 1730 1st Ave. E.

The clinic was closed in 2010 to take advantage of the available space in the Ross building as well as to provide efficiencies and cost savings for the hospital.

Skiff Auxiliary surpasses $1 million fundraising milestone

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary announced that it has surpassed the $1 million fundraising milestone since its inception in the fall of 1951.

"It is a great accomplishment for our organization to reach this fundraising milestone," said Connie Annis, Auxiliary president. "We are very thankful for the dedicated Auxiliary members who assist the organization with our fundraising efforts and make our events so successful, which ultimately benefit the hospital and the citizens of Jasper County."

Since its inception, the Auxiliary has been a major contributor of funds and services to the hospital, from sewing, making bandages and making daily rounds to rooms with service carts, to organizing fundraisers that funded major pieces of equipment at the hospital and provided scholarships for students pursuing healthcare careers.

Although the services the organization has provided have evolved over the course of the past 62 years, it is still a major supporter of the Newton hospital.

It has contributed $714,774 that has been used to purchase a variety of equipment and supplies for the hospital. In the past few years, the Auxiliary has purchased a pharmacy bedside scanner, TVs for inpatient rooms, new audiology software/hardware and a blanket warmer.

The organization also coordinates the many volunteers who work at the hospital each day greeting visitors and patients at the ambassador desk, delivering mail, flowers, books and magazines to patients and operating the hospital gift shop.

"The Auxiliary plays a very important role at Skiff," said Steve Long, CEO. "They help ensure the best care is close to home by providing volunteers who donate more than 7,000 hours of service each year to the hospital and by purchasing equipment and supplies we may not otherwise have been able to purchase."

The Auxiliary also offers annual scholarships to Jasper County students who are studying to become medical professionals. The organization began offering scholarships in 1957 and to date has provided $284,339 in scholarships to students in several different medical fields. This year, 11 scholarships totaling $11,000 were awarded to students.

The Auxiliary is governed by a 15 person board and currently has 142 paid members. Individuals are welcome to join the organization at any time, although membership dues are payable by Oct. 1 each year. An individual membership for the Auxiliary is $10, family is $15 and a lifetime membership is $250.

For more information, call Annis at 641-831-0280.

 

Skiff board to hold strategic planning meeting

Newton Independent

The Skiff Medical Center Board of Trustees will hold a closed-door strategic planning session beginning at noon Monday which is scheduled to run all afternoon.

Skiff trustees will discuss patient quality care and process improvement initiatives, as well as marketing and pricing strategies and other proprietary information, relatively new allowances for closed session meetings of Iowa hospital boards.

In 2009, then-Gov. Chet Culver signed legislation that reworded and clarified the duties and powers of hospital trustees. The measure also expanded the allowances for hospital boards to go into closed session for strategic planning purposes "where public disclosure of such information would harm such hospital's competitive position when no public purpose would be served by public disclosure."

Registration open for Skiff Hospice conference on bereavement

Newton Independent

Registration remains open until Friday, April 5, for Skiff Hospice's annual spring bereavement conference.

The conference, entitled "How Do You Do What You Do?" will run from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 12, at the DMACC Conference Center, 600 N. 2nd Ave. E., in Newton.

The conference is intended for nurses, social workers, mental health counselors, chaplains, funeral directors, hospice staff, volunteers and community members. A $50 fee includes lunch, snacks and handouts.

The featured speaker is Harold Ivan Smith, D. Min., FT. Smith is a grief specialist who speaks annually to thousands of grief counselors and grief facilitators around the world.

Smith is part of the teaching faculties at Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City and the Carondolet Medical Institute in Eau Claire, Wis. He has created and facilitates grief gatherings, an innovative storytelling group for grievers. His most recent book is "Borrowed Narratives: Using Historical and Biographical Narrative with the Bereaving."

For more information or to register for the conference, contact Skiff Hospice at 641-787-3074.

 

Skiff baby named Hy-Vee's cutest

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center had one of its own named the winner in the Newton Hy-Vee's recent Cutest Baby Contest.

Clay Urias (top photo), born 15 months ago at Skiff, son of Jaynie Guthrie and Michael Urias was named the winner out of 20 entries in the contest. Both he and his parents received a $25 Hy-Vee gift card.

People were allowed to vote with cash which raised a total of $400 that was donated by Hy-Vee to Skiff's OB department.

Pictured making the donation to the Newton hospital are, from left, Hy-Vee Marketing Coordinator Jeanne Birkenholz, Hy-Vee Store Director Jason Crocker, Skiff OB nurse Ashley Foster, Hy-Vee Perishables Manager Jon Holland and Hy-Vee General Merchandise Manager Jaime Grannon.

Newman named Skiff DAISY nursing award winner

Shayna Newman, center, was recently presented the first DAISY nursing award of 2013 during a presentation at Skiff Medical Center. Pictured with Newman are API Healthcare representative Collette Clearly, left, and DAISY organization Regional Program Director Melissa Barnes.

Newton Independent

Shayna Newman, a registered nurse at Skiff Medical Center, was recognized for her dedication, patience, kindness and the professional care she provides during the Newton hospital's first DAISY Award ceremony of 2013.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was presented to Newman following nominations by her nursing director, Kris Hoyt, and a patient and her son.

"Shayna consistently makes her patient's emotional needs just as important as their physical needs," Hoty wrote in her nomination. "We recently had a young patient who had been hospitalized quite frequently. Shayna met this patient on his frist day. She learned what his emotional goals were and in turn became his No. 1 cheerleader. Even when she wasn't working, but was at the hospital for in-service, she would stop in to cheer him on."

Scott Howell, the son of a patient that Newman previously cared for, echoed Hoyt's comments.

"I could see Shayna is very passionate about 'her' patients and would probably walk to the ends of the earth to make sure they feel safe and secure in her care," Howell wrote. "I could not find a more deservign person for this DAISY award."

On hand ot greet nominees and present the award to Newman were Melissa Barnes, regional program director from the DAISY award organization, and Collette Clearly from API Healthcare, a corporate sponsor of the organization.

"It is a real privilege to be at Skiff today and take part in your ceremony," Barnes said. "It's wonderful that your organization recognizes the outstanding care your nurses provide daily. It is an honor to meet these nurses and hear about the differences they make in the lives of their patients."

Newman was emotional as she accepted the award from Barnes and her Skiff colleagues.

"Thank you for this award," she said. "I am so surprised. I love my job and am glad that I can make such a positive impact on my patients. I believe in taking care of my patients from the inside out, just like Kris described in her nomination."

Newman was among 11 nurses nominated for the quarterly award. Others were Arlys Boyington, Linda Brown, Stacey Dee, Ashley Foster, Carol Hammer, Lorrie Harter, Christine Hinshaw, Denise Ripperger, Leanne Schwickerath and Donna Spidle.

Nomination forms are available throughout Skiff Medical Center. The nominations are reviewed and award winners selected on a quarterly basis by the Nursing Coordinating Council, which consists of professional nursing representatives from all areas of the organization.

Community donations make Skiff chapel renovation possible

Larry Peterson, chaplain for Skiff Medical Center, sits in the Skiff Chapel just prior to the beginning of the remodeling project that will replace the dated pews and stained glass windows.

Newton Independent

The past few years have witnessed many remodeling projects at Skiff Medical Center in pursuit of raising the comfort level and care of its patients and their families. The latest renovation is soon to take place at the Skiff Chapel.

Like previous remodeling projects, donations from the community have allowed this long-desired goal to become a reality.

"Though beautiful in its own right in many different ways, the chapel was beginning to show its age," said Larry Peterson, Skiff chaplain. "Because of the generosity of the people in the Newton community, we're able to realize our dream of transforming Skiff's chapel into a more restful and relaxing place for patients and their families to visit in times of spiritual need. A quiet place to meditate and worship is a key component of the healing process. The renovated facility will allow our hospital to better minister not just to the body, but to the spirit as well."

Linda Roorda has been selected to head the chapel's renovation effort. She  has previously worked on a number of remodeling projects at Skiff, including the recently updated Philips Imaging Center and Memorial Hall.

"Her talents have been such a blessing for the hospital," said Lora Mattson, director of Social Services at Skiff Medical Center. "We really loved what she did in radiology and feel that she is the best fit for our vision of the chapel's new look."

Roorda explained her vision for the chapel's makeover.

"Working closely with the staff on various projects throughout the hospital - such as the Skiff Cancer Clinic - we decided concepts such as 'warmth,' 'comfort,' and a sense of being 'safe' should be the focus of Skiff's remodeling. I'm honored to be asked to be a part of the Skiff chapel project."

The pews and two stained glass windows currently in the chapel will be moved to storage. Once the project begins, the chapel will be closed to the public, though Skiff will continue to offer spiritual services to patients, patient families and friends.

The remodeling project is expected to be completed in May.

 

Pink Ribbon Support Group donates to Skiff Cancer Clinic

Members of the Pink Ribbon Support Group recently presented the Skiff Cancer Clinic a $2,500 contribution. The donation will be used to purchase various supplies needed to enhance the patient experience at the Skiff Cancer Clinic. On hand to accept the donation were, left to right, Skiff Medical Center Foundation Director Bruce Hoffmeier, Pink Ribbon Support Group Treasurer Linda Hotger, Pink Ribbon Support Group Coordinator Carol Hopkey, Cancer Clinic nurse Veronica Mangrich, Pink Ribbon Support Group member Mary Lou Kaloupek and Skiff Events and Community Coordinator Leisa Zylstra.

Skiff to host language development seminar

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center will host a language development seminar from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in the Newton hospital's in-service room.

Speech therapist Ashley Panno will present a program on language development milestones for children age birth to 5 years, including signs of speech or language delay. She will also share tips with parents on how to foster language development. A period for questions and answers will also be included.

"Parents are the best and most important teacher and advocate when it comes to their child's development of speech and language skills," Panno said. "Children are born ready and able to communicate. This communication continues to become more complex and refined with age and we want to provide parents the tools they need to encourage their child's language development."

A meal will be provided during the presentation and child care will be provided free of charge for children whose parents/guardians are in attendance.

Pre-registration is required. Call Central Scheduling at 641-787-3070 with the number of adults and children, along with their ages, by Thursday, March 7, to register.

Medicaid expansion would bolster Skiff's current $25 million impact on the local economy

Newton Independent

Skiff Medical Center provides 361 jobs that add more than $25 million to Jasper County's economy, an impact that would be even greater should the state expand its Medicaid program as part of new federal health care law according to the latest study by the Iowa Hospital Association.

In addition, Skiff employees by themselves spend almost $7 million on retail sales and contribute about $400,000 in state sales tax revenues.

"Skiff Medical Center is one of the major employers not only in Newton, but in all of Jasper County," said Skiff CEO Steve Long. "Our vision is to be a 'treasured community asset' and our many caregivers work hard every day to live up to this deal. It is satisfying to know that we are able to impact the community not only in the excellent care we provide for our patients, but in the significant direct and indirect investment we make economically, as well."

The Iowa Hospital Association study examined jobs, income, retail sales and sales tax produced by hospitals and the rest of the state's health care sector. The study found that Iowa hospitals directly employ 71,169 people and create another 62,198 jobs outside the hospital sector. As an income source, hospitals provide more than $4 billion in salaries and benefits that generate another $2.2 billion through other jobs that depend on hospitals.

"People are often unaware of the broader contribution that hospitals make to their local economies, the significance of hospital purchases with local businesses and the impact of their employees' spending for the entire region," said Kirk Norris, Iowa Hospital Association president and CEO.

And, the hospital association notes, that impact could be even greater should Gov. Terry Branstad change his mind and agree to the expansion of Iowa's Medicaid program to cover more low-income residents.

"We can't ignore the fact that Medicaid expansion would bring as much as $600 million a year to Iowa's economy," Norris said. "That is a huge influx of dollars that would spread across the state. It's not unlike a major business choosing to relocate to Iowa, but the impact is much broader and beneficial to far more Iowans. In terms of overall impact, there is no bigger economic issue in Iowa than Medicaid expansion."

Norris said that by insuring as many as 150,000 low-income Iowans, Medicaid expansion would also help alleviate the growing amount of charity care and bad debt among Iowa hospitals. In recent years, uncompensated care has grown 10 percent annually. In 2012, Iowa hospitals provided more than $1 billion in uncompensated care, primarily to uninsured Iowans.

Skiff's CEO agreed.

"Expanding Medicaid to cover more low-income Iowans is very important for Skiff," Long said. "Uncompensated care will always be a part of our financial picture, but it is growing at a pace that is unsustainable as more and more people are unable to afford health insurance."

Skiff Auxiliary opens annual scholarship application period

Newton Independent

Applications are now available for the annual Skiff Medical Center Auxiliary college scholarships for students in Jasper County interested in pursuing an education in a health-related field.

Applications are available at the hospital's administration office, the DMACC campus in Newton and at high school counselor's offices at high schools throughout Jasper County. The application deadline is April 1.

The following scholarships are available:

• $1,000 Lydia E. Swihart Nursing Scholarship for students pursuing a two- or four-year nursing degree.
• $1,000 Sterling and Maxine Swanger Nursing Scholarship for students pursuing a degree in nursing.
• $1,000 Hospital Administration Scholarship in honor of Ronald R. Ross, a former administrator at Skiff.
• $500 Janet and Joyce Slycord Nursing Scholarship.
• $500 Nursing Scholarship in honor of Lois Vogel.
• $500 Health-Related Scholarship given in memory of Ronald R. Ross.
• $500 Geneva Trost Field of Medicine Scholarship.
• Additional $1,000 scholarships for students interested in pursuing an education in nursing and other health-related fields.

Completed applications and references must be received by Skiff Medical Center by noon on Monday, April 1. Personal interviews will not be required. Scholarship selection will be based upon financial need, scholastic performances, past accomplishments, activities, leadership, personal references and goal statements.

Additional information about the scholarships can be obtained by contacting Skiff Auxiliary Scholarship Chairperson Bev Curtis at 641-792-5284.

Newton man receives outpouring of support from community

By STEPHANIE ALEXANDER
Skiff Medical Center

Mark Stiles has had huge amounts of luck in the past year - luck that has come in both the good and bad varieties.

Last summer, he and his wife Jody were expecting their second child, a sibling for 12-month-old Sadie. They both had jobs they loved: Mark in the estimating department at Pella Corporation, Jody at DMACC. Their only complaint to speak of was nagging discomfort Mark had been experiencing for a long time - and which wasn't getting any better.

Finally tired of the chronic pain and numbness in his chest, neck and arms, likely result of old football injuries, Mark went to see a neurosurgeon. The doctor recommended surgery to treat a herniated disc and bone spurs and scheduled Mark for an operation in Des Moines on Aug. 29.

"During my office visit with the neurosurgeon, I was in pain, sure, but I had my strength and was able to hop across the office," Mark said. "I was told it was going to be a routine surgery and that I would end up feeling better."

The operation appeared to go well until the realization set in that Mark was having difficulty moving his arms and legs.

"The doctor isn't sure what went wrong," Jody said. "It could have been anything from a nerve getting pinched to a spinal bruise to a spinal stroke."

A decision was made to have a second operation, in the hopes of reversing the negative effects of the first. Once again, the initial impression was that of a successful procedure. Mark said he "felt like a million bucks." However, shortly after returning to his hospital room, he began to struggle to breathe.

"Apparently an artery had been nicked during the second surgery," Jody said. "He had internal bleeding and the blood was clogging his airway. He couldn't breathe at all. They rushed him away and I sat for 20 minutes, not knowing if they'd been able to revive him, not knowing if I was a widow, four months pregnant and with a young daughter at home."

The medical team was able to insert a tracheostomy tube into Mark's windpipe and restore his oxygen supply. In the midst of the emergency treatment, though, his esophagus was torn. This required a feeding tube, which would be in place for the next three and a half months.

Jody describes her husband as being "frustrated" at the time, which was understandable given that what was supposed to be a routine surgery and a one- to two-day hospital stay had turned into a long-term medical crisis for their family.

Mark ended up staying in the hospital in Des Moines for more than three months. He finally got to the point where he was able to be transferred to his hometown hospital of Skiff Medical Center on Dec. 5. As a patient in Skiff's Swing Bed Program - intended for patients who aren't ready to go home after traditional hospitalization - Mark was able to utilize physical therapy and occupational therapy at Skiff, gaining the strength needed for his ongoing recuperation.

That road to recovery is proving to be a long one. Mark continues to need a wheelchair and his upper limbs are significantly weak.

"I can curl three pounds with my right arm and two pounds with my left," he said.

The dexterity in his hands and fingers continues to be affected, which could prevent him from returning to his desk-based job in Pella for the foreseeable future.

Another issue, even bigger than that of his career, weighed on Mark's mind as autumn turned into winter. During Mark's hopsitalization, first in Des Moines and then at Skiff, his wife's due date with baby No. 2 was approaching.

More than $1,000 raised at Skiff's Pink Nose/Blue Toes

Matt Scotton, director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff Medical Center, came in fourth during this year's Pink Nose/Blue Toes 5K sponsored by the hospital and took home the prize for "craziest outfit" with his Captain America apparel

Newton Independent

More than $1,000 was raised toward pediatric therapy supplies for children who use Skiff Medical Center's physical, occupational and speech therapy services during the Newton hospital's second annual Pink Nose/Blue Toes 5K event held late last month.

Jake Potter of Ankeny was the first man to cross the finish line in a time of 18:24. He was followed by Polk City's Jim Robidoux who clocked a time of 19:07. Renowned local runner and elite marathoner Robyn Friedman, who is a physical therapist at Skiff, was the first female finisher and the only femaile in the top 15 participants with a time of 19:36.

Prizes were also given for the oldest person to finish the race (72-year-old Jim Matthews of Baxter) and the youngest (9-year-old Collin Dykstra of Newton). The craziest outfit prize went to Matt Scotton, director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Skiff, who came in fourth overall while dressed as Captain America.

Last year's male and female winners, Jon and Susie Duke of Ankeny, ran the race at a slower pace this year, but for good reason - the visibly pregnant Susie was running for two.

The event also included three kids' fun runs.

"We're so pleased about the more than 60 runners and walkers we had join us for our second 5K, even in weather that was quite cold," said Leisa Zylstra, Events and Community Coordinator at Skiff. "Our therapists do an amazing job with children and this will make possible some very important supplies to keep that work moving forward. We're already looking forward to have people join us when we host our third Pink Nose/Blue Toes. See you in 2014!"

'Liking' Skiff results in donation for Courthouse Christmas lights

Skiff Medical Center CEO Steve Long, left, recently presented a $250 check to Steve Knight who oversees the annual holiday lighting display on the Jasper County Courthouse. Throughout December, Skiff ran a promotion on its Facebook page where it pledged to donate $1 for each new "like" the Newton hospital received by the end of the year. Upon ringing in the new year, Skiff had earned 250 new Facebook followers. Thanks to Skiff's donation, along with others from the community, Knight said the 2013 funding needs are close to being fulfilled.