Making Good in Health: Idaho job changes, recognition and other achievements [The Idaho Statesman]

Aug. 13--PacificSource awards camp scholarships

The health insurance company sponsored the Boise Hawks baseball camp in June. It offered eight camp scholarships to the Boise and Girls Club of Ada County and four scholarships for Activate Treasure Valley to distribute on their own. The scholarships are worth $80 apiece, for a total of $960.

Central District Health gets new CFO

Bonnie M. Spencer has been hired as chief financial officer for the Central District Health Department.

Spencer, a certified public accountant and a certified public manager, has worked in various roles for the South Central Public Health District in Twin Falls for the past 30 years, the last seven as deputy director. She officially began her duties on July 22.

Pulmonologist joins Bingham Memorial

Dr. David Shrader has joined the team at the Blackfoot hospital.

Shrader is a fellowship-trained physician with unique experience, clinical maturity and expertise. The pulmonologist specializes in treating patients with challenging respiratory diseases and disorders, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema, occupationally related breathing disorders and inflammatory lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis and sleep-related breathing disorders.

He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida in chemistry, then continued his education at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He completed his residency and internship, going on to a fellowship at the University of Washington. Upon completing his fellowship, Shrader moved to Idaho Falls, becoming the first pulmonologist in Southeastern Idaho.

U.S. News ranksSaint Al's as No. 1

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise is ranked No. 1 in Idaho and in the Boise metropolitan area by U.S. News & World Report in its annual Best Hospitals ranking. The report included analysis of 12 hospitals in the Treasure Valley. In addition to the No. 1 hospital ranking, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center received high marks in four specialties: gynecology, orthopedics, pulmonology, and urology.

This year's Best Hospitals issue, the 24th annual edition, showcases more than 700 of the nation's roughly 5,000 hospitals. Fewer than 150 are nationally ranked in at least one of 16 medical specialties. In addition, U.S. News covered 94 metro areas in the U.S. to provide regional hospital rankings to complement the national rankings.

"A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of," said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. "Only about 15 percent of hospitals are recognized for their high performance as among their region's best. Just 3 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty."

St. Luke's honored by U.S. News

St. Luke's Health Systems Boise and Meridian Medical Centers have been ranked as high performing in three specialty areas by U.S. News & World Report's 2013-14 Best Hospitals rankings.

St. Luke's was ranked No. 2 in Idaho for the quality of its care and was noted as being high performing in orthopedics, gynecology and urology.

Saint Al's recognizedfor trauma center

Saint Alphonsus Trauma Center has been re-verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee, an ad hoc panel of the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.

This achievement recognizes the trauma center's dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.

The ACS Committee on Trauma Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers that provide not only the hospital resources necessary for trauma care, but also the entire spectrum of care to address the needs of injured patients from the scene of the trauma to the emergency room and through the rehabilitation process.

Payette Rehab gets award for quality

Payette Care and Rehabilitation Center, an 80-bed Genesis Health Care skilled nursing center, has been selected as a 2013 recipient of the Bronze Commitment to Quality award for improving the lives of patients and residents.

The award comes through the National Quality Award program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living. The program honors facilities across the nation that care for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Anesthesia groupadds doctor, CRNAs

Anesthesia Associates of Boise announced expansion of anesthesia services to St. Luke's Orthopedic Surgery Center on River Street in Boise that became effective July 1.

AAB welcomes Margaret Kaspar, M.D., and three certified registered nurse anesthetists -- David Simon, Mike Buckingham and Charlaine Fisch.

Idaho Pain Group adds Wagner

Dr. Jared Wagner has joined the Idaho Pain Group at Bingham Memorial Hospital, Blackfoot, a physicians group offering a multidisciplinary approach to pain management. Wagner completed his residency at the Cleveland Clinic in Anesthesiology and is fellowship-trained in pain medicine from Northwestern University. He brings expertise in pain therapies, including treatment for chronic, acute pain and cancer-related pain.

Wagner graduated at the top of his class from the University of Nevada with degrees in biochemistry and mathematics. He attended medical school at the University of Michigan, graduating with research honors.

Insurance agency adds Craig to name

Curtis Craig has joined Howard Insurance Agency in Boise, which will now be known as Craig-Howard Insurance Agency.

Craig has 10 years experience in the health insurance business.

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