The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Caregivers serving home community at new hospital
When Cleveland Clinic Mentor Hospital opened July 11, it created a unique opportunity for two local caregivers who are excited to be serving patients in their hometown.
Respiratory therapist Krystal Jones and radiologic technologist Sandy Novak are part of the team at Mentor Hospital. Both caregivers bring years of experience and dedication to their craft.
According to a Cleveland Clinic news release, Jones returned to Cleveland Clinic earlier this year, leaving a travel position to become a full-time respiratory therapist at Mentor Hospital.
“I wanted the opportunity to work in my own community and be close to home for my family,” Jones said. “It’s a great facility and we’re all excited.”
“The first month has been exciting getting to know everyone and getting used to the workflow of a new facility,” Jones added. “I’ve had a lot of positive feedback from my patients in regard to their care, with a lot of them stating they can tell their caregivers love what they do by how well they’ve been cared for.
“It really makes me proud to be a part of such a great facility and hopefully a long career in helping it grow.”
According to the release, Novak joined Cleveland Clinic in April after leaving another health system, seeking an opportunity closer to home.
She certainly accomplished that goal as Mentor Hospital is just 6 minutes from Novak’s house.
“Taking care of people in my own community is amazing,” said Novak. “It is such a safe environment. I’m excited to be working for Cleveland Clinic knowing its standard of care.”
Mentor Hospital provides outpatient services in cardiology, digestive health, orthopedics, pulmonary medicine, surgery, urology, and vascular surgery. Inpatient care covers primary care, orthopedics and general surgery, according to the release.
It is Cleveland Clinic’s first hospital in Lake County.
“Patients seem to love that Cleveland Clinic has a facility in this area,” Novak said. “We have also been getting many compliments on how beautiful this facility is. The large windows just outside of our X-ray rooms have an amazing view. It is a nice change considering that most X-ray rooms are tucked away in a basement.”
Mentor Hospital appears to be a two-story building, but it is three levels, and the lower level, which includes x-ray, has windows that face the woods to the south. Its imaging capabilities include x-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound.
“We have experienced caregivers and new caregivers working together and building a great team to take care of our patients,” Novak said. “I have already noticed a good sense of togetherness in the few weeks we have been open so far.”