Integrative Care Services
Mercy Regional Medical Center’s Integrative Care Services include programs that promote the balancing of mind, body and spirit through various therapies, which have been shown to be effective ways to naturally reduce anxiety and pain while promoting healing. They are meant to be complementary to one another and to the medical care patients receive while in the hospital or as an outpatient. Services include the Touch, Love and Compassion (TLC), Steps to Surgical Success (Steps), and Acupuncture services. Acupuncture and TLC services are also available on an outpatient basis.
The TLC program was officially founded at Mercy Regional Medical Center in 2001 by a collaborative team of nurses, chaplains and physicians who are passionate about using complementary modalities in the art of healing. Since then, Integrative Care Services has grown to include the Steps to Surgical Success program and acupuncture.
Providers such as physicians and nurses may refer any Mercy Regional Medical Center patient to the Integrative Care Services programs, or patients may self-refer.
Services
Touch, Love and Compassion – TLC
Through healing partnerships between a patient and a TLC staff member, patients may choose one or more of the following therapies during their stay at Mercy Regional Medical Center:
• Affirmation
• Aromatherapy
• Conscious Breathing
• Healing Therapy
• Imagery
• Massage
• Meditation / Prayer
• Music Therapy
Steps to Surgical Success
This program is provided for pre-operative and post-operative patients who wish to help reduce anxiety and pain while promoting healing through awareness and relaxation techniques. The patient is guided through the development of a personal healing plan, which is used in preparation for his or her surgery. All the modalities available through TLC are also options with the Steps program. Both the TLC and Steps programs are offered at no extra cost to the patients of the hospital.
Outpatient TLC
This popular program is also offered to family and friends of patients, the general community, and patients who are discharged but wish to continue receiving sessions. All modalities listed in the Touch, Love and Compassion program above are offered.
Outpatient TLC is a fee for service program. Sessions are approximately one hour in length and cost $60. Please call 970-764-3210 to schedule an appointment.
Acupuncture
An ancient system in use for approximately 5,000 years, acupuncture is the art of applying individually prepackaged, sterile, fine needles on specific locations in the body to promote wellness. It is a powerful complement to other forms of healthcare and is an ongoing foundation for a healthy productive life.
People experiencing a variety of conditions may benefit from acupuncture. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have reported that acupuncture may be an effective treatment for the following conditions:
• Addiction
• Asthma
• Back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Chemotherapy nausea
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Menstrual disorders
• Myofascial pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Postoperative nausea
• Postoperative pain
The initial 1 ½ - 2 hour consultation fee is $100. Subsequent 1-hour sessions cost $60. Please call 970-769-7989 and leave a message. Your call will be returned within 24 hours to arrange your appointment. Acupuncture is also available to Mercy Regional Medical Center inpatients.
Symptom Reduction Consultations
Awareness and Relaxation for Managing Stress
Individualized sessions are available to help clients explore the physical, mental and spiritual dynamics of one's life. This process allows one to discover more of his/her personal potential for self-care and healing. Consultations may include discussion, conscious breathing, gentle stretching, guided imagery, body awareness, affirmations, and meditation or prayer. The sessions are one hour in length and the cost is $60. An appointment may be arranged by contacting scheduling for MRMC Integrative Care Services at 970-764-3259.
Skilled Staff
TLC and SSS staff members are registered nurses who are certified graduates of the Healing Therapy program, a formal training program founded by Catholic Health Initiatives. Acupuncture is provided by a Colorado state licensed acupuncturist.
Leanne E. Jordan, M.D.
Medical Director Integrative Care Services
Leanne E. Jordan, M.D., is a board certified obstetrician-gynecologist. She has been working at Mercy since 1998. She graduated from Dartmouth College and Brown University College of Medicine then completed her residency at the University of Colorado. She is a currently a clinical instructor for medical students at the Univ. of Colorado and works closely with the midwifery group at Mercy. Dr. Jordan has served as chairman of the Surgery Department and Obstetrics Committee in the past and is currently Director of the TLC program.
Jean Hamilton, RN
As a Registered Nurse since 1970, Jean has worked in a variety of hospital settings. She began her career as a scrub nurse for open heart operations at Penrose Hospital. At the University of Texas she participated in some of the first kidney transplants and research on peritoneal / cranial shunts. In Denver, Colorado, Jean worked in a pediatric intensive care and surgery. Jean moved to Durango more than 25 years ago and has worked in Mercy Regional Medical Center’s Emergency Department, Surgery Department, PACU, and Same Day Care Center. Currently, she is the department manager for Surgery Admission Short Stay (SASS), Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Endoscopy, and the Integrative Care Department.
Suzanne Bolton, RN, HNC
As a registered nurse, Suzanne has worked in many diverse settings including Intensive Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Medical/Surgical management, integrative aromatherapy, and is also a certified instructor for Catholic Health Initiatives’ Healing Therapy program. Suzanne is a member of the Holistic Nurses Association. Being a member of the TLC team is a dream come true for her because she can use her knowledge of the gentle healing arts, and can help to facilitate healing by creating a safe and sacred space for her clients. Suzanne acknowledges and honors the resources her clients already have and offers new insights and techniques to assist them in pain management and relaxation. Her intention is to be a healing presence that listens, supports and empowers her clients to make healthy lifestyle choices. Contact via e-mail: suzannebolton@mercydurango.org
Melinda Mical RN, NMT
As a professional massage therapist since 1984, Melinda has practiced skills in relating healing self-care and relaxation methods to clients. She brought these skills into her nursing career as she perceived the benefit of a more balanced (holistic) approach to the healing opportunities available to patients in the hospital setting. As part of the team, she participated in the process of envisioning and creating the Mercy TLC program. She has continued this by developing the Steps to Surgical Success and the Outpatient TLC programs. During this time, she has studied and practiced the healing arts of guided imagery and aromatherapy. She is certified as a Healing Therapy practitioner and offers herself as a companion and facilitator on the healing journey of her patients and clients. Contact via e-mail: melindamical@mercydurango.org
Mary Ellen Albright, M.Ac., Dipl.Ac., L.Ac., RN, HTC
With 25 years combined psychiatric, intensive care, and cardiac care nursing experience, Mary Ellen has been a staff member at Mercy Regional Medical Center as a registered nurse since 1991. Mary Ellen also has more than 20 years private practice experience as an acupuncturist. She received her Master’s Degree in Acupuncture at the Traditional Acupuncture Institute in Columbia, MD. She received additional acupuncture training at Leamington Spa, England, and in several clinics throughout China. Mary Ellen maintains her board certification with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and is licensed to practice acupuncture by the State of Colorado. She is certified in Healing Therapy. Working in collaboration with Eastern and Western systems of medicine has long been a vision of Mary Ellen’s. Contact via e-mail: maryellenalbright@mercydurango.org
Janet E. Wilson, RN, MS, HNC
As a holistic nurse, Janet offers complementary services as a TLC team member. She is certified in healing therapy through Catholic Health Initiatives and stress management through Inspiration Unlimited and Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. She received additional training through Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry. She earned a Master's degree at the University of Colorado School of Nursing. Janet assists in exploring one's values, purpose, and healing potential through awareness, relaxation and integrative healing therapies. Contact via e-mail: janetwilson@mercydurango.org
Healing Therapy Certification
The Integrative Care Services offers a Certification in Healing Therapy by trained staff endorsed by Catholic Health Initiatives. This is a year-long course that invloves attendance of three weekend-long workshops during the year. Attendance of a one-day Introduction to Healing Therapy course is required prior to entry in the 12-month course.
Graduates of this program have gone on to practice the healing arts in other areas of the Durango community and beyond. Many of them volunteer their time, providing TLC to Mercy Regional Medical Center staff members. For information regarding Healing Therapy Certification call 970-764-3259.
Labyrinth
Located on the south side of Mercy Regional Medical Center’s campus is a walking labyrinth. The labyrinth supports health and well-being by addressing the needs of the body, mind and spirit. Walking the labyrinth relaxes the body, encourages the mind to release anxious thoughts, and supports the inner journey to health and well-being. A labyrinth walk is a personal experience and has something to offer everyone.
"Walking a labyrinth has something to offer everybody. If a creative work project is challenging you, walking can get your creative juices flowing. When you are struggling with grief or anger or a physical challenge or illness, walking the labyrinth can point the way to healing and wholeness. If you want a way to meditate or pray that engages your body as well as your soul, the labyrinth can be such a way. When you just want reflective time away from a busy life, the labyrinth can offer you time out.” -Melissa Gayle West, Exploring the Labyrinth
Mercy’s labyrinth will also be the site of community events throughout the year. The labyrinth is open to the public year-round during daylight hours. You may walk the labyrinth in solitude or with a docent. If you would like to make an appointment to walk the labyrinth with a docent or to receive further information about the labyrinth, call Mercy’s Spiritual Care Department at 970-764-2340. Labyrinth materials are available in the Mercy gift shop.
Donations for labyrinth activities may be made through the Mercy Health Foundation. Please designate “for labyrinth activities” on your check.
Gift Shop
Gift certificates for Outpatient TLC and Acupuncture may be obtained at Mercy Regional Medical Center’s gift shop. Also available for purchase are eye pillows, books, music CDs and labyrinth materials.
Hours
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact Information
Tel: 970-764-3259
Tel: 970-769-7988
Scheduling Appointments for Outpatient TLC: 970-764-3210
Scheduling Symptom Reduction Consultations: 970-764-3259
Scheduling Acupuncture Appointments: 970-769-7989
Fax: 970-764-3260
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