Beard: Maria Parham is Committed to ‘Making Communities Healthier’

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-Press Release, Maria Parham Health. Editorial by Bert Beard, CEO, Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Health’s mission is Making Communities Healthier. We are proud to partner with the communities we serve to achieve this mission. Our physicians, employees, volunteers, and board members work hard every day to provide the highest quality care possible for our community, collaborating with patients and family members, employers, community leaders and others to create a legacy of care that will last for generations to come.

Because of the strength of our partnership with our region, we have been able to support our shared communities in many ways. The most important contribution we make is providing high-quality care close to home. Quality and service are at the center of how we care for our patients, and we continually invest in our facility to ensure we can meet the healthcare needs of our community.

In 2017, we made $3,594,560 in capital improvements, including new entrance canopies for our cancer and heart and vascular centers, a new telemetry monitoring system for expanded coverage in the hospital, and the addition of Maria Parham Franklin – an emergency department and psychiatric care facility in Franklin County.

Recruiting talented physicians into our community and supporting them also is a key driver of our efforts to ensure that our communities have access to high-quality care and service. During the past year, Maria Parham Health added 50 new providers in interventional cardiology, emergency medicine, anesthesiology, telepsychiatry, wound care, radiation oncology and more.

To create places where physicians want to practice and employees want to work, we strive to create an environment where talent is recognized, job satisfaction is valued and our 700 employees can effectively use their skills in providing high-quality care and service. We provided more than $47,044,014 in salaries, wages and benefits so that our employees and their families can live, play and grow in the place they call home.

Supporting local organizations and delivering healthcare to all of our neighbors, regardless of their ability to pay, are foundational to our commitment to the overall well-being of our communities. In addition to numerous sponsorships and charitable gifts to organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, American Cancer Society, United Way, American Red Cross and many more, we delivered more than $7.74 million in healthcare to those in our community who were in need. And as a fiscally responsible member of our community, we paid a total of $ $5,961,113 in taxes.

It is our honor to serve our communities. We are proud that, in a constantly changing – and increasingly challenging – healthcare landscape, we have been able to continue to expand the many ways we contribute to and serve our communities. This is only possible with your support, and we need your partnership now more than ever to continue the important work that we do in collaboration with you each day.

Healthcare involves many choices, and when you choose a local healthcare provider like Maria Parham Health for your care, you help us to do more for our community. Choosing our hospital over one of the many regional facilities vying for your attention helps us to ensure access to quality care locally, provide care for those in need, ensure local jobs and create opportunities for professional growth regionally, fuel economic development and contribute to the prosperity of our region, and boost support for regional organizations.

On behalf of our dedicated staff, board members and volunteers, thank you for your partnership and for entrusting us with your healthcare, and thank you for your continued support as we seek new ways to work with you to make our community healthier in 2018 and beyond.

VGCC Franklin Campus Hosting Education Night For Adult Learners

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College’s Franklin County Campus is hosting a special event for new and returning adult learners to learn more about its plans for Evening & Weekend College.

Education Night for Adult Learners will be held on Thursday, November 1, at 6 p.m. at the campus located at 8100 N.C. Highway 56 in Louisburg.

“The Evening & Weekend College will serve all learners at Vance-Granville, with an emphasis on the adult learner,” said Bobbie Jo May, dean of the Franklin Campus. “Our campus will provide placement testing and counseling services on some evenings and weekends, and we’ll offer hybrid sections of courses with classes on campus once per week or even once per month to meet the busy schedules of adult learners. The college is strategically planning to meet the diverse needs of this population.”

As a part of the Evening & Weekend College, Franklin Campus will offer many courses for the upcoming Spring Semester through the College Transfer program, including English, Math, Biology, Introduction to Computers and Psychology. The Career and Technical Division will offer courses in the Welding, Paralegal, Medical Office Administration, Business Management, Biotechnology, Medical Assisting and Early Childhood Education curriculum programs.

VGCC’s Franklin Campus also offers a robust selection of courses through the Continuing Education division during the day, evenings and weekends for the Spring Semester and the Summer Terms in 2019: among them, Nursing Assistant, Medication Technician, Phlebotomist, Notary Public, Biotechnology, Human Resource Specialist, and Healthcare Administration.

“We encourage those who are interested in how the Evening & Weekend College can accommodate their schedules to come to the Franklin Campus on November 1 so that we can help them achieve professional and personal success in their lives,” said May.

American Flag

Annual Military History Show to be Held at Henderson-Oxford Airport – Sat., Oct 27

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-Information courtesy the 3rd Annual Military History Show’s Facebook page

The 3rd Annual Military History event will be held at the Henderson-Oxford Airport, 6514 Airport Rd., Oxford on Saturday, October 27, 2018. Events are scheduled from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Set-up is available Friday evening. All time periods are welcome.

A P-51 Mustang is scheduled for fly-in for this event (weather depending).

Point of contact: Harry Coombs

News 10/24/18

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Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Henderson Police Dept. Weighs In

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In recognition of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, WIZS’ Town Talk program has featured several organizations that respond to abuse and domestic violence situations in the local area. On Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk, representatives from the Henderson Police Department (HPD) discussed their experiences in dealing with domestic violence calls.

“Each time we get a call, it’s a different situation,” said Lt. Jessica West. “Domestic violence is not just people that live in the same house; it’s many different kinds of relationships.”

While two spouses verbally arguing or physically fighting may come to mind when the words domestic violence are mentioned, West said it is just as often siblings, parents and children, cousins or ex-boyfriends/girlfriends involved.

Domestic violence also extends to all genders, races and socio-economic backgrounds. “It’s a stereotype that women are always the victim. Men are victims as well but may be less likely to report,” said West.

In cases of repeated domestic violence issues, West said that the problem often starts out as emotional abuse and quickly turns to physical violence. “A lot of abuse begins as emotional abuse and control methods and escalates to physical abuse. Many victims can’t see that they are being abused, but others around them see it.”

According to West, while there are some referrals after the fact, the HPD mainly gets involved when either the victim or a concerned family member or neighbor calls to report an in-progress incident.

“The 911 dispatchers are trained on how to handle a domestic dispute call and know how to dispatch officers to the scene accordingly,” West said.

Calls involving a weapon of any kind get the highest priority. “Whether it be a gun or someone swinging a stick around, if a weapon is involved the call becomes a high priority,” said West.

West said when the call is first answered, the dispatcher will verify the name and address to ensure they are sending officers to the correct location. “This is why it is so important to make sure that children know their address, their name and their parents’ names,” West explained.

Officer Ryan Woodlief, also on Town Talk representing the HPD, described how advances in technology allow officers to view a “narrative” of the 911 history of the call location, including previous incidents, whether there are juveniles living in the home and vehicle information.

When asked how he handled calls of such a sensitive nature, especially as they may involve children, West responded, “I try to relate to the people that I’m serving as much as I can and try to put myself in their shoes.”

This understanding often goes a long way to help calm frayed nerves and volatile situations.

To assist those victims who are in immediate need of removal from their home or situation, the HPD has a relationship with Infinite Possibilities, Inc, an organization that helps victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence find temporary shelter in a safe, discreet location.

Infinite Possibilities, Inc. is available 24/7 by calling their hotline at (252) 425-2492. For help in an emergency situation, call 911.

To listen to the interview in its entirety, please click here.

Granville Vance Public Health Logo

Granville Vance Public Health to Hold Community Forum at Expo Center

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-Information courtesy Granville Vance Public Health’s Facebook page 

Granville Vance Public Health will hold a Community Health Forum at the Granville County Expo Center, 4185 US Hwy 15-S in Oxford on Thursday, October 25, 2018, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. A light meal will be served.

The health department is looking for community input to help set priorities that are critical for improving the health and well-being of communities in both Granville and Vance Counties. You will hear highlights from the recent assessment finding and will have the opportunity to provide input on health priorities to be addressed over the next four years.

A long-time role of the health department is to solicit input from the community regarding strengths, resources and needs, as well as prioritize the issues of most concern.

A similar community forum was held at the Perry Memorial Library in Henderson on October 16.

For more information, please call (919) 693-2141, ext 148.

VGCC Announces Community Fall Festival – Mon. Oct. 29

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College is inviting the community to attend a Fall Festival on Monday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Civic Center on the Main Campus.

Admission will be free. Tickets for “Family Fun” activities and games will be 25 cents each, according to Jermiel Hargrove, VGCC’s coordinator of student activities and athletics. Popcorn, cotton candy, pizza, candy and drinks will also be available for purchase. The proceeds from the Fall Festival will benefit VGCC’s Athletic Department.

Activities will include face painting, a costume contest, a bounce house and crafts. Games will feature a bean bag toss, corn hole, witch pitch, a pumpkin walk and fish cup toss.

The college’s Civic Center is located at 200 Community College Road in Henderson.

For more information, contact Jermiel Hargrove at (252) 738-3246.

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church

South Henderson Pentecostal to Present ‘A Christmas Carol’ Dinner Theatre

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-Information courtesy Rhonda Pulley, South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church 

South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church will present a Christmas Dinner Theatre “A Christmas Carol” for five nightly performances. Performance dates and times include:

  • Saturday, November 24, 6 p.m.
  • Sunday, November 25, 6 p.m.
  • Thursday, November 29, 6:30 p.m.
  • Friday, November 30, 6:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, Dec. 1, 6 p.m.

Performances will be held in the church’s Family Life Center located at 905 Americal Road in Henderson.

Tickets are $25. Dinner meal includes prime rib, baked potato, garden salad, dinner roll, dessert and beverage.

Tips will be given each night to a different non-profit organization. 2018 recipients by evening are Nov. 24 – Granville County Crime Stoppers; Nov. 25 – Juvenile Crime Prevention/Teen Court of Vance County; Nov. 29 – Rock Bridge Cemetery Preservation; Nov. 30 – All God’s Children Ministry to Underprivileged Children; Dec. 1 – Converting Hearts Addiction Ministry.

Call (252) 438-3322 for information on how to obtain tickets.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 10/23/18

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Former Miss NC Victoria Huggins Talks Her Role as Belle in ‘Beauty and the Beast’

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Victoria Huggins, a former Miss North Carolina and the upcoming female lead in McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center’s production of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” was invited to “be our guest” on WIZS’ Town Talk program.

Huggins, who is originally from Robeson County, will step into the shoes of the spunky and intelligent Belle, a girl who loves to read and whose head is always full of adventure. Belle finds herself on just such an adventure when her father is captured by a hideous beast who lives in an enchanted castle deep in the woods. When Belle courageously takes her father’s place as prisoner, she learns there is so much more to the beast, played by Vance County resident Jonathan O’Geary, than meets the eye.

Huggins, whose many accomplishments include performing as a child in the Alabama Theatre’s Christmas productions, being crowned Miss North Carolina in 2017, competing in the Miss America pageant and auditioning for American Idol, said her current role is truly special. “This is a dream role for me,” said Huggins. “I’ve looked up to Belle ever since I could walk.”

In addition to Huggins and O’Geary, the large cast of characters includes Josh Glasscock as Cogsworth; Brian Westbrook as Lumiere; Jackson Hopper as LeFou, Shana Fisher as Mrs. Potts; Lilly Hicks and Eva Hopper sharing the role of Chip and even McGregor Hall’s Technical Director Matt Nowell as the villain Gaston.

“It’s pretty cool to see him come from behind the scenes into the spotlight,” Huggins remarked of Nowell.

According to Huggins, the live orchestra and professional costumes and sets provided by the National Broadway Tour, along with the venue itself, will create a magical atmosphere and will really bring the well-beloved characters to life.

“I fell in love with the venue immediately, not only because of the breathtaking stage and seats, but it’s attached to the library,” said Huggins. “I think it is fantastic how people are connected to the arts here in Henderson.”

“Beauty and the Beast” will be performed at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge St. in downtown Henderson, at 8 p.m. on October 26 & 27 and November 2 & 3. There will also be a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee performance on October 28 and November 4.

Tickets are still available and may be purchased by:

DROP IN: 201 Breckenridge Street, Henderson, N.C. Monday – Friday 1:30 – 5:30 p.m

CALL: (252) 598-0662 (M-F 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.)

CLICK HERE: www.McGregorHall.org  (Use the eTix official site, online fees apply)

For those with children or grandchildren who love “Beauty and the Beast,” Chick-fil-A of Henderson will host a “Crafts with Belle” night tomorrow evening at 5 p.m. Huggins will be on hand to participate in crafts and activities.

Also, don’t miss “Tea with Belle” on Saturday, October 27 & November 3 at 2 p.m. at McGregor Hall. Children will have the opportunity to have tea on stage with Belle and see her in her ballgown.

Huggins said she is excited about these upcoming events and can’t wait for everyone to see what’s in store for the performances.

“Everybody is going to be blown away by this show.”

Listen to the interview in its entirety by clicking here.