Archive for September, 2009

A recent AJC article indicated that the topic of flu shots in the workplace has become a popular topic of discussion at Atlanta law offices. That’s because employers are seeking legal advice about whether or not they can mandate their staff members to obtain flu shots, as the threat of swine flu looms this fall and winter.

Smyrna resident Donna Watson reacts as Carolyn Kimbrough, LPN, administers a flu shot. Todd R. McQueen, for the AJC.

According to the article, since Georgia is a right-to-work state, employers can mandate their employees take the swine flu shot — with a few exceptions such as religious beliefs, union contracts and allergies to vaccines — as a condition of continued employment, said Doug H. Duerr, a partner at Elarbee Thompson, Sapp & Wilson in Atlanta.

So far, major employers in metro Atlanta are not considering making the swine flu vaccine mandatory. Instead, they are setting up on-site locations for their staff to receive the flu vaccine, if they …

Continue reading Can employers require employees to get flu shots? »

Well, I’m glad that’s all over. According to the federal government, we’re probably done with the recession and pointed toward blue skies again. Break out the bubbly!

What, no bubbly? The problem with this post-recession period, compared with others, is that consumers aren’t buying champagne, or much of anything for that matter.

Working Strategies by Amy Lindgren

Still, people will get jobs. They’re just not always the jobs people wanted.

Here is advice for three stages of your post-recession career:

1. Taking the first post-recession job. When it’s time to say yes to an employer’s offer, you may not have much leverage for negotiating. You both know there are other candidates who will take this position as offered, so how much can you really ask for?

Probably a little more than you think. While salary bumps may be off the table and 401k matches may never fatten your bank account again, extra vacation, tuition reimbursement and cross-training might still be …

Continue reading Working Strategies: Tips for handling your post-recession job hunt »

Laura Raines, For the AJC


When people hear the word “promotion,” their thoughts often run to “better title, more money, bigger office,” said Susan B. Wilson, performance and life coach and president of Executive Strategies in Stevensville, Mich.

Robin Kirby, principal of Loving Impact, and Richard Kirby, principal of Executive Impact, help clients with job transitions and other emotional issues related to careers. Photo by Leita Cowart, for the AJC.

“They get caught up in the emotion of ‘Wahoo, they want me,’” she said.

“Eventually it sinks in that this is a life-changing decision, particularly if there is a move involved — and change is stress.”

According to a 2009 British study, getting a promotion can be hazardous to your health.

Chris Boyce of the University of Warwick and fellow researchers analyzed data from the British Household Panel Survey from 1991 to 2005. They found that people who are promoted suffer an average of 10 percent more …

Continue reading Job promotion could be mixed blessing »

About Pulse, Atlanta’s monthly publication for health care professionals

• Editor’s Notes
• Caring meets controversy
• Why I Love My Job: Karen Petersen-Pugmire, APRN, CCRN, CNRN
• Queen of the hardwood
• Atlanta to host forensic nursing assembly
• Continuing Education
• News Briefs



• My Style: Shavonna Sumlin, MA, OT-R\L
• Recession hits pharmacists and their customers
• Emory, Grady make seasonal flu shots mandatory

Continue reading PULSE: 0ctober 2009 edition »

• Age: 30

• Occupation: Occupational therapist at South Fulton Medical Center in East Point and a yoga instructor.

Shavonna Sumlin, MA, OTR/L poses in a Paula KC (purchased at Bill Hallman Bootique) purple cocktail dress with Diego Di Lucca-DSW yellow patent leather wedged slings (shoes) and natural and faux pearl necklaces. Photo by Barry Williams, AJC Special.

• What I’m wearing: “A short, purple cocktail dress by Paula KC that I found at Bill Hallman in Virginia Highland. The shoes [by Diego di Lucca] are high-wedged, yellow patent leather slings with a peep toe.

“My accessories are multiple pearl necklaces of various sizes and lengths, a white-and-gold oversized ring from Banana Republic and a multicolored paisley print clutch.”

• Signature style: “Eclectic and funky. People often guess that I’m an artist or a writer; never a therapist…

“I don’t have to be trendy. When I try something on, I’m asking myself, ‘Do I feel good in this? Does it make me …

Continue reading PULSE: My Style: Shavonna Sumlin, MA, OT-R\L »

By Laura Raines, Pulse editor

According to a survey conducted by the American Pharmacists Association in February, pharmacists and their customers have not been immune to the effects of the recession. A large majority of pharmacists reported that the economic downturn had impacted their practice; nearly two-thirds said that it impacted their jobs.

“We are no longer telling students that they will always find a job in the metro Atlanta area,” said Michell Redding, PharmD, clinical assistant professor and director of the community pharmacy residency program at Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Atlanta. “We believed that job security would never be a factor with pharmacists, but that’s changing.”

Some chain pharmacies have closed stores and others have cut back their pharmacy hours.

“As a result, there are fewer positions and pharmacists’ workloads are increasing,” Redding said. “We’re seeing a situation where a pharmacist — who may have had …

Continue reading PULSE: Recession hits pharmacists and their customers »

Disaster team wants volunteers

The GA-3 DMAT (Disaster Medical Assistance Team) is looking for medical professionals such as nurses, midlevel providers, physicians, paramedics, pharmacists and others to serve as volunteers with the unit.

The GA-3 DMAT, which is based in Atlanta, responds when natural or manmade disasters overwhelm health care systems anywhere in the United States or its territories, and people need medical care. When called upon, volunteers deploy for up to two weeks and become temporary employees of the federal government.

“More importantly, they’ll discover the satisfaction and personal pride in being able to make a difference,” said Wendy Nesheim, deputy commander, GA-3 DMAT.

For information, go to www.ga3-dmat.org or contact administrative officer Karen Watkins at Karen.Watkins@HHS.gov.

• Multiple awards: For the first time in its history, Mercer University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Gamma Psi chapter was recognized as the top …

Continue reading PULSE: News Briefs »

Oct. 7-9
The Georgia Nurses Association will host its biennial convention and membership assembly at the Classic Center in Athens. The theme will be “GNA: Connecting Great People and Great Ideas.” For information, go to www.georgianurses.org/convention.htm.

Oct. 9
Innovative Trends in Respiratory Care seminar will be offered in the Carroll Conference Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta. This course is pending approval by the American Association for Respiratory Care for 7.0 CRCE-Category One credits. Group and student discounts are available. To register, go to
www.saintjosephsatlanta.org/respiratorycareceu. For information, send e-mail to jtidwell@sjha.org or call 678-843-7241.

Oct. 9-10
The Atlanta Chapter of the Case Management Society of America will host its annual educational conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. Ten continuing education credits will be applied for. The cost is $85 for members ($95 after Sept. 9) and …

Continue reading PULSE: Continuing education »

By Laura Raines, Pulse editor

For the first time, the International Association of Forensic Nurses will hold its annual scientific assembly in Atlanta this month.

“Members of our Georgia chapter are excited,” said Denise Atkinson, RN, SANE-A, CMI-III, and president of the IAFN’s Georgia chapter.

Members of Grady Memorial Hospital’s sexual assault forensic examiners team include (from left, front row) Mark Moore, Brandi Rossmoine, Cassandra Betts, Lesteena Staines, (from left, second row) Jo-Ann Lewis Haynes, Michelle Williams, Patricia Baines, Nadia Ralliford and Sonya Lockhard. Photo: Barry Williams AJC Special.

“This will be a huge opportunity for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) in Georgia to attend a conference,” Atkinson said. “Many couldn’t afford to go when they were [held] far away.

“Forensic nurses rarely work together, so this is also a chance for them to learn the latest in the field, to share best practices and to network.”

Members of the Georgia …

Continue reading PULSE: Atlanta to host forensic nursing assembly »

By Laura Raines, Pulse editor

Since Taylor Telfair Regional Hospital in McRae closed in 2008, business has been booming in the emergency room at Dodge County Hospital in Eastman.

“Seeing 64 people in a day is a lot for a small-town ER. It gets the adrenaline flowing,” said Becky Harp Pritchett, RN.

But at 61, Pritchett can handle it. “Adrenaline is part of my make-up,” she said.

Long before she was a nurse — and long before the WNBA was born — Pritchett was a professional basketball player. From 1965 to 1969, she played for the All American Red Heads, a woman’s barnstorming team that toured the country and played men’s teams from 1936 to 1986.

This publicity photo hails Becky Harp as the famous Georgia Peach, the Red Heads fabulous comedienne and a champion foul shooter. AJC Special.

The Atlanta Dream of the WNBA honored members of the All American Red Heads from Georgia during halftime of a game in August. The Dream showed a three-minute video tribute to the …

Continue reading PULSE: Queen of the hardwood »