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Dec. 22, 2004
MGHS employee earns rare hemodialysis distinction
Marquette General Health System Certified Clinical Hemodialysis
Technician Stephanie Aho is one of a kind in the Upper Peninsula.
Aho, who works at the Western U.P. Dialysis Center located
at Portage Health System in Hancock, is the first non-licensed
hemodialysis technician in
the U.P. — and
just the eighth in Michigan — to train for and receive certification to
provide dialysis care under a nurse’s supervision.
Aho traveled to Lansing to take the certification exam.
“
I love this job,” Aho explained. “I enjoy caring for patients.
In this job, I get to see the same people three times a week. All patients
must
come in three times a week or they risk drastic consequences.
“
Saying that my patient’s lives are dependent on dialysis is not an overstatement,” Aho
continued. “Those who come in three times a week usually do so for three
to six hours a day. I have positive relationships with them. My patients often
comment that we (staff) are like members of their family.”
Aho’s supervisors expressed pride and satisfaction with her efforts to
improve her skills.
“
This is a significant feather in her cap,” said Dialysis Care Coordinator
Karen Kelley. “Stephanie is a great asset to the team at the Western
Upper Peninsula Dialysis Center and to MGHS.”
Said Hemodialysis Unit Nurse Manager Andrea Wills: “Stephanie represents
the high standards of MGHS and the level of care we are dedicated to providing
the community we serve. Her patient care is exemplary and will improve even
further with her certification. We are extremely proud of her.”
“
Now I understand all functions of the kidney and why we treat it the way we do,” Aho
said. “I have a much better comprehension of dialysis now.”
Added Wills: “Stephanie symbolizes our commitment to care for our patients
with a well-trained staff who give the best customer service possible and who
simultaneously provide the highest level of patient care.”
For more information about hemodialysis treatment in the Western U.P.,
contact the Western UP Dialysis Center at 1-906-483-1735 or visit their
web page
at www.mgh.org/westup/index.html.
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