Karen Amen, MS RN has been selected as Chief Nursing Officer at Havasu Regional Medical Center. Most recently, Amen served as Vice President of Clinical Services at Tucson Heart Hospital in Tucson AZ and has a strong history of Nursing and Clinical Leadership.

Amen has served as a Health Care Executive for several years and has a proven record of enhancing clinical efficiency, patient satisfaction and has
a strong focus on Quality initiatives and patient safety goals.

Amen’s senior management experience includes developing clinical programs, providing a strong base for Nursing growth and career satisfaction and establishing community outreach programs. “I am glad to
be in Lake Havasu”, states Amen. “The community has been welcoming
and Havasu Regional Medical Center has so much to offer. I am excited about this opportunity.”

Amen has a Master of Science degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Detroit in Detroit, MI. She obtained her Bachelors
of Science in Nursing from Madonna College in Livonia, MI and her Associates of Nursing at Henry Ford Community College in Dearborn, MI. Amen has facilitated and taught clinical workshops including:

National Association of State Units on Aging Conference, Washington, D.C. 1991.
National Governor's Conference on Aging, Dearborn, MI.  1991.
 “HRMC is pleased to welcome Karen aboard”, states Hospital Spokesperson Sheena Benson. “She has the knowledge and professionalism that we sought to compliment our Administrative Team. Her clinical skills and management experience is definitely an asset to the hospital and community”.

Michelle Bovee, RN was recently awarded Havasu Regional Medical Center’s 2007 Scott Mercy Award. This honor places Michelle in nomination for LifePoint’s 2007 Mercy Award, the highest honor an employee can earn with LifePoint Hospitals, Inc., the parent company of Havasu Regional Medical Center.

The Mercy Award was created to honor outstanding individuals for their commitment to LifePoint’s high standards of excellence. The Mercy Award is given annually in honor of Scott L. Mercy (1961-2000), founding chief executive officer of LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. This award commends individuals whose daily dedication and care giving inspires others with their compassion, dedication and merciful spirit. The winner will be honored in June at a ceremony during LifePoint Hospitals’ Senior Leadership Retreat.

Michelle’s background is in Medical Surgical/Telemetry and she has developed leadership skills which make her a strong night time Charge Nurse. Michelle is an asset to HRMC in many ways including providing consistency and reliability to those around her. She is known to be an excellent mentor for co-workers and an avid patient advocate. Michelle has worked at Havasu Regional Medical Center for almost 11 years.

“LifePoint Hospitals is committed to delivering quality patient care. We are extremely proud to recognize Michelle for her efforts on behalf of our patients and our community” said Dorothy Sawyer, CEO.

Havasu Regional Medical Center and Omniflight Ambulance Service have worked together for several years, providing emergency air transport to the citizens of Lake Havasu City. On Saturday, July 14, a dedication ceremony was sponsored by Omniflight to unveil the newest emergency helicopter based at Havasu Regional Medical Center.

“We are proud and pleased to serve as the base station for the Emergency Helicopter Service and are especially excited to now have two helicopters stationed at the hospital,” states HRMC spokesperson Sheena Benson. “The second helicopter will provide a consistent back up system for the community and also allow the Air Crew and Emergency Personnel more flexibility in case of multiple traumas,” added Benson.

Having the benefit of two Emergency Helicopters on site is a significant and important compliment to the hose of emergency services available in Lake Havasu City. In addition, the expansion of this service is an example of the continued growth within the community. “We are very appreciative of the hard work and dedication of the Omniflight Crew”, states Benson. “They are truly caring and committed to the people of Lake Havasu City and serve as vital members of the health care team.”

R. Douglas Hade, MD has accepted an appointment to Havasu Regional Medical Center’s Board of Trustees. His appointment was effective April 2007. Cinda Ross, Board of Trustee Chairperson comments, “I would like to welcome Dr. Hade. He brings a refreshing vitality to the Board and his professionalism and medical expertise will be an asset to the Board.”

Dr. Hade grew up in Seattle, Washington. After graduation from the University of Washington, he attended the University of South Dakota School of Medicine on a Navy Scholarship. Upon completion of an Internship in Family Practice, he entered the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Florida for flight surgery training. He then served as a flight surgeon with the 1st Marine Air Brigade out of Kaneohe, Hawaii. After four exciting years, he returned to academic medicine, completing his Family Practice residency at the Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.

Dr. Hade has been a Family Practice physician in Lake Havasu City since 1991. He enjoys hiking, boating and spending time with his family. He served as HRMC Chief of Medicine from 2001-2003 and also served as Chief of Staff in 2004-2005.

“I am very pleased with the appointment of Dr. Hade to the Board of Trustees”, states Dorothy Sawyer, CEO. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and represents both the Medical Community and Lake Havasu City residents in a desire to maintain the highest quality healthcare standards.”

Havasu Regional Medical Center has announced preparation plans for a multi-million dollar physical plan expansion project, scheduled to being in late 2007. “Currently we are renovating specific areas of the hospital,” said Dorothy Sawyer, Chief Executive Officer at HRMC. “This renovation includes interior and exterior painting and revitalization of the oldest portion of the hospital. It will allow us to provide a more comfortable space to our patients during the construction phases of the master project, taking place in other areas of the hospital,” explain Sawyer.

Havasu Regional Medical Center has consistently invested in high tech and modern equipment and services. In 2006, the hospital opened the new Havasu Heart Centre and also acquired the Havasu Surgery Centre, which continues to be a valuable service to the community.

The master construction project will consume 24-36 months of ongoing renovation in varying areas of the hospital. Plans include:

Updated Women’s and Children’s Centre
Emergency Department Renovation and Revitalization
Increasing the number of total hospital beds
Expansion and enhancement of the current Cath Lab and Cardiac Services
Implementation of Cardiac Rehabilitation
Expanded Intensive Care Unit
Growth and development of a new Orthopedic Service of Excellence
New imaging equipment and services (Nuclear Medicine and 64-slice CT)

In addition to the above, HRMC is considering the construction of a new patient tower to offer more space, increased beds and more modern patient rooms. Jim Geist, Chief Operations Officer of HRMC comments, “We recognize the importance of health care in our community and are very pleased to being this new project. It will allow HRMC to use the existing campus and expanded services, while modernizing our patient care areas.”