Welcome to SNOOZE NEWS – the newsletter for SSM Sleep Management LLC and its affiliated companies.
In This Issue…
- Employee Spotlight
- Egan New Hires
- “Caught in the Act”
- New Hires
- Personal Growth Minute
- Physiological Basis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
- June Birthdays
- July Birthdays
- June Anniversaries
- July Anniversaries
Employee Spotlight
Leeann Geraci, RT, SSM Director of Operations
Hi, my name is Leeann Geraci, RT, and I am the director of SSM operations. I have been a respiratory therapist since 2007. My journey began at East Jefferson in the ER/ICU. Working in the emergency room right out of school was quite an unforgettable and eye-opening experience. I learned so much while caring for trauma patients, transporting unstable patients, pediatrics, and being a part of the code blue response team. I then transferred to become a clinical liaison for a long-term acute care facility. A clinical liaison is a marketer that meets with case managers, physicians, and hospital staff to determine if a patient meets the criteria for LTAC. This is where I started learning about insurances and how they work as a whole. I then started with Egan DME in 2021 and have since transitioned to SSM. We have doubled the number of employees since I first started on the sleep side, and I now have the privilege of being a part of management for 55 amazing employees. The amount of growth we have had as both individuals and as a team is truly outstanding. I could not do this job without the leads thriving and everyone putting in such great effort to make sure “no patient is left behind.” I love witnessing the growth we make daily. I am thankful that ownership has given me the opportunity to be a part of this company. I look forward to continuing to excel in all that we do, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together. Stay Calm and Breathe, Love an RT.
Egan DME’s Recent New Hires
Shay Fontenot has been a Respiratory Therapist for over 20 years. He is a native of Opelousas, Louisiana, and will travel to provide face-to-face setups in the Opelousas and surrounding areas. In his spare time, you can find Shay at Three Mile Lake with family and friends.
Julie Green has been a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist for over 10 years. She will be traveling and working from our Monroe location to set up patients. After work, you can find Julie reading and spending time with her family.
Melissa Cunningham brings to the team extensive DME experience and will be cross-trained to support the Monroe location and the Resupply team. In her spare time, you can find Melissa outdoors hiking and swimming.
“Caught in the Act” of Providing Great Patient Service
Patient Rose XXXXX, that Ray Marion saw for a DME Setup called. She absolutely raved about her experience and said she was so nervous because she has anxiety, but Ray Marion helped her so much. Ray Marion explained everything, so she understood, and she said he made her feel so comfortable with everything. Rose said had Ray Marion not gone out there she doesn’t think she would’ve been able to start her therapy and she would’ve had us pick up the device. This is a shining example of “No patient left behind”!
Mr. Bryan Hanaki,
Good morning, I appreciate your letter and kind gesture of the gift card stemming from the events last week on June 7th. I completed my re-scheduled sleep study last night and wanted to let you know it was a complete night and day difference from my last experience. The office staff, Natalie Pizani, was able to rapidly reschedule my appointment, and Meagan Picard, the technician for my visit last night at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles was phenomenal. She upheld all the attributes that I’m sure you and your colleagues at SSM are striving to achieve for the vision of your company. Thank you again.
Kind regards,
Eric XXXXX
Hi, my name is Kim XXXXX.
I ordered CPAP supplies a few weeks ago. The person who helped me from beginning to end was Sarah Davidson. I cannot express what a wonderful experience it was. She was kind, attentive, trustworthy, and professional. I needed a new script. She took care of everything including calling me back to let me know she received it. Even though this may be her job it’s how she did it that prompted me to send this email. She spoke and acted like it was her absolute pleasure to help me. She was so lovely to speak to and so eager to help. I truly thought she was the owner. In my experience owners are the ones who are so accommodating. I have to say it was a joy doing business with her and your company.
Great job hiring her. Bravo!
P.S. When I called to get Lori Speyrer’s email address, I spoke to Michelle Perkins. Her tone of voice was similar to Sarah Davidson’s. Happy and attentive. How rare it is to hire not one, but two people who act like they are happy and eager to serve!!
Sincerely Kim XXXXX
Great work team, thank you all for your outstanding patient care. If you hear of examples of your team members going above and beyond, please share the experience with us!
Welcome Aboard New Hires
- Nikki St. Martin – Service Center VOB
- Taylor Lightell – Service Center Intake
- Julius Morris – SSM HST Driver
- Melissa Cunningham – Egan DME
- Shay Fontenot – Egan DME
- Julie Green – Egan DME
Personal Growth Minute
“The simple things that lead to success are all easy to do. But they’re also just as easy NOT TO DO…Unsuccessful people just choose what they think is the path of least resistance. But it really isn’t.”
-Jeff Olson, “The Slight Edge”
Simple, daily habits create long-lasting positive impacts. We must CHOOSE to commit to them! Over time, those small habits lead to success!!
It’s the SIMPLE ACTIONS that separate missed opportunities from ACHIEVEMENTS! Make the CHOICE to create a positive outcome each day!
Physiological Basis of Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of partial or complete cessation of breathing during sleep. The physiological underpinnings of OSA primarily involve upper airway obstruction, which results from the collapse or narrowing of the pharyngeal airway. This collapse is often attributed to a combination of factors, including anatomical abnormalities such as severe obesity, reduced muscle tone in the upper airway, and changes in respiratory control during sleep.
When the airway becomes obstructed, the airflow is disrupted, leading to decreased oxygen levels and increased carbon dioxide levels in the blood. These disruptions trigger brief awakenings or arousals from sleep, and the cycle of repeated obstruction and arousal can significantly fragment sleep, disrupt the normal sleep architecture, and lead to various adverse health consequences (daytime fatigue, excessive somnolence, etc.) if left untreated.
June Birthdays
- Julie Green – June 3rd
- Melissa Cunningham – June 5th
- Leslie Chapetta – June 14th
- Mark Gagliano – June 16th
- Kim Roberts – June 27th
July Birthdays
- Erica Young – July 1st
- Emmalee Williamson – July 2nd
- Charlee Ianetta – July 3rd
- Helen Bonner – July 5th
- India Harris – July 6th
- Donnicka Hayes – July 22nd
- Shantanya Thibeaux – July 24th
- Chelsey Williams – July 27th
- Bryan Parker – July 28th
June Anniversaries
- Michele Oliver – 3 years
- Brandi Sheffield – 3 years
- Ray Marion – 2 years
- Kaili Mayerhafer – 1 year
- Melanie Ladmirault – 1 year
- Shalaine Burkes – 1 year
- Natalie Pizani – 1 year
July Anniversaries
- Kimberly Solida – 10 years
- Bryan Parker – 9 years
- Katina Duplantis – 7 years
- Kristina Ducote – 3 years
- Lacey Dolese – 2 years
- Donnicka Hayes – 2 years
- Shauntel Mazac – 1 year
- Megan Palmisano – 1 year
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