In my quest to continue to grow, learn and connect with my readers, I have enrolled in an online PhD program studying developmental psychology.  I am completely aware that this is a program that will take me YEARS to complete and that a lot can happen during my course of studying that could have an impact on my successful and timely completion of my degree. Regardless I am choosing to publicly share the start of my journey because I also know that without support, I cannot accomplish this lofty goal. Although I have just begun, I feel like I have already learned so much about things I didn’t know about …
First and foremost, in 2020, there is no longer a stigma associated with an online learning degree.  As a matter of fact, more and more bricks and mortar schools are expanding their offerings and degree programs into the online format.  At the age of 18, the experience I gained from attending and living on a college campus was hugely valuable to my development, but things have changed and the cost of that type of education can be exponentially expensive now. Plus, I wish to continue to travel and I have neither the desire, nor the inclination to set myself up for obtaining a degree if I have to attend classes in one physical location. Learning whilst wearing pajamas is just a bonus!
In the few short weeks I have added ‘student’ to my identity, I have also learned that writing a research paper, discussion post or even a comment, requires proper citation. I prefer to write in a style of relatable storytelling so this new style of writing will take some adjusting to, as well as the mastering of an entirely new skill set. That set will include a precise focus on exact punctuation and spacing.  I have lived an adult life of writing about things I have experienced, but now I am learning that perhaps, somebody else might have experienced these same things and written a research paper about it. I must find it and now give credit to them so that people will take what I have to say as fact, rather than opinion.  Even though this is a new level of understanding for me, as a doctoral student, I have learned that I WILL just 100 percent embrace the process and do it! I have learned that I do not have a choice.
Unexpectedly, I have also learned, in a short amount of time, just how much I absolutely love writing this column, and I know, that when I have to struggle with having to say “No. I can’t attend that party because I have to write a paper.” Or “We have to plan a getaway on this particular weekend, even though the prices are higher, because I have classes starting next week.” That will all be completely worth it because, again, to reiterate, my degree will, ultimately, help me to connect with YOU, my readers, and that is what my drive is.
Fact! Fact!

Kathy Naumann, possessor of NATURALLY curly hair and the understanding that you can’t control everything!

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Honored
DAYVILLE — Tom Halley, an athletic trainer at Westview Health Care Center, is the organization’s October Employee of the Month.  He joined the Sports Medicine team in September 2017.
A native of Worcester, he graduated from Holy Name High School in Worcester. There he took an interest in athletic medical care.  He was fascinated by the range of solutions that can be offered between simply taping an injured joint or having an advanced knowledge of human anatomy and physiology and advising athletes about injury prevention versus injury treatment. He earned his bachelor’s in athletic training from Merrimack College and got a master’s from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.
“Tom is a dedicated member of the Sports Medicine department,” said Alex Williams, director of Sports Medicine. “His positive attitude and enthusiasm contributes to a positive morale in the department. He is a natural leader and invaluable member of our team.”

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Completed
Day Kimball Hospital recently completed renovations and upgrades to its pharmacy featuring enhancements that increase the standard of care for all DKH patients with a focus on safety and quality.



PUTNAM — Day Kimball Hospital (DKH) recently completed renovations and upgrades to its pharmacy featuring enhancements that increase the standard of care for all DKH patients with a focus on safety and quality.
Day Kimball Hospital’s pharmacy dispenses medication to its emergency department, operating rooms, general medicine, ambulatory care unit, endoscopic services, pain management as well as patients who receive chemotherapy treatments. And now it operates with high-technology that has shepherded an even greater level of accuracy, safety, security and service.
The renovated pharmacy includes a new sterile preparation space with a separate sterile compounding cleanroom where medications are made. The cleanroom prepares chemotherapy and intravenous medications such as IV antibiotics and customized IV fluids.
The sterile prep area has positive air pressure and hoods that filter air to prevent possible contamination while preparing the drugs. The chemotherapy prep area has negative air pressure to reduce the risk of chemotherapy exposure and specialized chemotherapy hoods that filter air to prevent contamination and preserve negative pressure to protect staff.
“We recently completed a remodel of the pharmacy to revamp workflow and complement fail-safe technologies, according to best practices,” said Robert Viens, director of pharmacy, Day Kimball Healthcare. “On all levels, this initiative has optimized safety and improved productivity.” He praised pharmacists and technicians for continuing to provide outstanding service during the 18-month renovation project.
The new facility and its state-of-the-art medication and supply management technology, Omnicell, helps the pharmacy team support a fast turnaround on medication orders and offer the ultimate standard in safety and quality patient care. is compliant with U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) Standards 795, 797, 800, and 825 that govern how hospitals receive, store, dispense, and dispose of hazardous drugs.

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