Bon Secours

On July 1st, the Birthplace at Mary Immaculate Hospital in our Hampton Roads, Virginia market began offering nitrous oxide to laboring mothers. This is a safe and effective way to help mothers relax during labor without being disoriented. It is self-administered and takes effect quickly. Studies have shown it does not affect infant alertness and does not effect breastfeeding.

Our society can try to convince us that life is about ourselves. In this “Mission Moment,” it is helpful to be reminded that true happiness flows, not from focus on self, but through the relationships we develop and the purpose of a better world we can pursue together. At Bon Secours, our Mission extends compassionate care beyond the walls of our hospitals and medical facilities. We are committed to providing good help to those in need no matter the time or the place. We’d like to share encouraging and inspiring quotes on our social media channels. It is our hope that these "Mission Moments" will provide you with encouragement no matter where you are in life. #MissionMoments

Recently, Bon Secours -- St. Francis Health System (Greenville, South Carolina) hosted a grand opening of its new Harness Health Retail Pharmacy. Located inside St. Francis - Downtown, the pharmacy marks the health system’s third retail pharmacy serving the Upstate.

We sat down with Timothy Schaffner, MD, FACS, FASMBS at Bon Secours Surgical Specialists and Maryview Medical Center to find out a little more about what made him get into bariatrics. What made you decide to get into bariatrics? “First, I really enjoyed the surgeries as a trainee. I liked foregut anatomy, and I liked the technical challenges of learning bariatric operations, which can be very complex. I have also always loved the satisfaction that comes from seeing a successful post operative bariatric patient, and the tangible quality of life improvements that I can help them achieve.” Did anyone inspire you to become a doctor? “I’ve had mentors along the way who helped me be the surgeon I am today, but it seemed as if I just always wanted to be a doctor as a kid.” Were you considering any other specialties in medical school? “I considered trauma/critical care for a time, and I had a lot of exposure to it in the military. But the hours were much more unpredictable, and I felt like doing that job at a high level as I got older would be harder.” What other passions / hobbies do you have outside of work? “Much of my time outside of work is spent with my daughters, as well as my wife. We like going to the beach and recently purchased an RV to go camping at many lovely places right in our backyard in Virginia. I also enjoy golf, cooking, and playing guitar.”

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Fourth of July!

Today marks the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn police raids in New York City, which served as a catalyst to paving the way toward equality for the LGBTQ+ community. At Bon Secours/Mercy Health, we strive to provide a culture where all are welcome. Our commitment to fostering an inclusive ministry helps us better connect with our patients, communities, partners and each other. This commitment, rooted in our value of Human Dignity, reflects our belief that every person is a treasure, every life a sacred gift, every human being a unity of body, mind and spirit. We share this prayer from The Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA). https://bit.ly/3NsBu8E

We commemorate Juneteenth as a ministry committed to human dignity and equality and reflect on this day with this prayer. God of liberation, Today we celebrate Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in America. Open our eyes that we might recognize in each other sisters and brothers with a common origin and a shared destiny. May this great celebration of liberty and life inspire us to continue the work of justice and freedom, pursuing and promoting the dignity of all. We pray in the name of God who strengthens us in our quest for love and light. Amen.

When the difficulties of life threaten to overwhelm us, remember the importance of laughter. Laughter can remind us that life is not as bad as it seems and that each new day brings with it the chance to begin again. Our Mission extends compassionate care beyond the walls of our hospitals and medical facilities. We are committed to providing good help to those in need no matter the time or the place. We’d like to share encouraging and inspiring quotes on our social media channels. It is our hope that these "Mission Moments" will provide you with encouragement no matter where you are in life. #MissionMoments

Thank you to all those who have shown us fatherly love. This Father's Day, we reflect on fathers with this prayer. God and parent of all, Today we celebrate fathers and the unique gift of a father’s love. Bless all fathers with a deep and abiding appreciation for the significance of the role they play in the lives of their children. Fill their hearts with your Holy Spirit, inspiring them to model for their children your love and goodness. Help them to believe in their children as you believe in us. Light within each of us the flame of gratitude for the profound contribution our fathers make to our lives. May we always be grateful for the blessing of fathers, for their love and support, and for their encouragement throughout our journey, supporting our efforts to lead full, engaged, and meaningful lives. Amen.

"It takes more than one team!" Thank you to our community health team members as well as associates across Bon Secours who live our Mission everyday by being good help to those in need and partnering to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Kendra Smith, the vice president of community health for Bon Secours Mercy Health, shares the following special message. #CHIWeek #CommunityHealth #CelebratingCommunities