Local Pop-Up Farmers Market Today
As Ardis Crews of Green Rural Redevelopment Organization explains, there is a local pop-up farmers market today (Friday) in downtown Henderson. The market is along Chestnut Street within sight of the library and the Henderson Police Department. It will continue from now through 4 p.m. In additional to fresh vegetables and flowers, there is a grill going with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken and barbecue sandwiches.
Crews said, “The pop-up market in the downtown section is an idea which brings traffic to the downtown area. It also brings food to the downtown area. Today we have foods that come from our local farmers, and that’s what we will always use is local farmers. We have foods from people who are selling at the (Vance County Regional) farmers market. In the future, we will have farmers who have small farms and who are doing the food and who grow sustainably. We are very interested in food products and that food is available to everyone. We are excited about our Regional Farmers Market. However, for some of our citizens here in Henderson, it may not be convenient to get there. So the pop up market downtown will hopefully be a vehicle to solving that situation.”
The organization is approved for E-B-T as are several of the associated farmers. Green Rural Redevelopment Organization is also approved for “Double Bucks.” For example, if you buy $10 in E-B-T, then you can get another $10 in double bucks that can be spent on fresh vegetables.
The pop-up market is neither in competition with nor is it an extension of the Vance County Regional Farmers Market, which operates just off Beckford Drive on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Crews said, “…we are working with. We can’t work without them. Pop up markets will never happen on days when (The Vance County Regional) Farmers Market is open, and we will always go to the people in Farmers Market to help us fill our tables. We also hope that the young farmers that come out to work with us will become members for (The Vance County Regional) Farmers Market so the Farmers Market will grow.”
VGCC recognizes 22 Medical Assisting students at Pinning
Vance-Granville Community College held a pinning ceremony for its 2016 Medical Assisting program graduates on Aug. 5 at the college’s Franklin County Campus in Louisburg, where the program is conducted.
As VGCC’s program is nationally accredited, the graduates are now eligible to sit for the American Association of Medical Assistants’ (AAMA) certification examination to become Certified Medical Assistants.
The 22 graduates being honored included Heather Harwood and Kimberly Richardson, both of Castalia; Amanda Newton and Shatory Yarborough, both of Franklinton; Jenny Clark, Tonya Henderson, Kenia Puga-Gomez, Stephanie Ranes and Adrienne Robertson, all of Henderson; Ashley Kittrell of Kittrell; Brittany Blacknall, Jessica Crudup, Jodi Hess, Regina Hicks and Lindsay Ward, all of Louisburg; Julius Glasper of Oxford; Kayla Hutson and Samantha Patterson, both of Stem; Brittany Ray and Denise Six, both of Wake Forest; Kelly Tharrington of Warrenton; and Dallas Glover of Youngsville.
Program Head/instructor Donna Gardner served as the mistress of ceremonies. Student Regina Hicks provided the invocation.
Franklin County Campus Dean Bobbie Jo May made welcoming remarks, congratulating the students and thanking their supportive families and friends who had gathered to celebrate the graduates’ success.
“We are all so proud of you, and we’re grateful that you have allowed the VGCC Franklin Campus family to assist in your education, inspiring and supporting you in meeting all of your goals,” May told the class.
Samantha Patterson, who led the graduating class as president of the VGCC Student Association of Medical Assistants chapter, was the featured speaker.
“Our studies at Vance-Granville Community College have culminated in this day, and will echo in our futures,” Patterson said. “Some of us will be working; some going on to pursue an associate’s degree; some may still be trying to figure things out, and that’s okay, too. Therein lies the beauty of life, and, more specifically, life in this country. We have the freedom to pursue our own dreams, but let us not be so caught up in ourselves that we forget those that we pledge to serve. After all, we are Medical Assistants. We are the extra sets of hands, eyes, and ears for our providers. We are advocates for our patients. We are a vital part of the team that makes the medical office work. Let us consider the needs of others as we work to fulfill our own.”
Gardner presented each graduate with his or her pin, signifying that each had successfully completed the course of study and was prepared to enter the growing Medical Assisting profession. As they were pinned, VGCC Dean of Health Sciences Angela Thomas read reflections from the graduates about their educational experiences and their career aspirations. Instructor Patrice Allen then led students in reciting the creed of the American Association of Medical Assistants.
Dr. Angela Ballentine, VGCC’s vice president of academic and student affairs, rounded out the ceremony with concluding remarks. “You have wisely chosen a profession in which you can make a difference in the lives of others, and in which there are a variety of career opportunities,” Ballentine told the class. She encouraged all graduates to maintain high standards as professionals and to become lifelong learners. “I know that you will continue to succeed and make us proud as VGCC alumni,” Ballentine said.
Student Tonya Henderson gave the benediction.
With their one-year diplomas in hand, many graduates are continuing their education to complete the two-year associate degree in Medical Assisting. For more information about Medical Assisting, call the Franklin Campus at (919) 496-1567.
Wineries celebrate N.C. Wine Month in September
Wine lovers will have plenty of ways to celebrate the state’s $1.7 billion wine and grape industry in September during North Carolina Wine and Grape Month.
The annual celebration aligns with the traditional harvest season of grapes across the state. The N.C. Wine and Grape Growers Council, which promotes the industry, is encouraging consumers to visit local wineries during the month.
“North Carolina is home to more than 180 wineries, and each one is as unique as the wines it offers,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “On top of that, the state has 525 grape growers from the mountains to the coast.”
The state has four American Viticultural Areas: Yadkin Valley, Swan Creek, Haw River and Upper Hiwassee Highlands. Each is federally recognized for its distinctive combination of soil, climate, elevation and wine characteristics. Consumers can find a list of N.C. wineries with maps and contact information online at https://bit.ly/NCWineries.
Wineries will offer a variety of special events in September, from wine tastings and grape stomps to music festivals and farm-to-table dinners. Following are a few of the special events planned at wineries and vineyards across the state:
- Sept. 3 – Vineyard Deck Music Series at South Creek Winery in Nebo
- Sept. 4 – Grove Winery Wine & Song Concert Series in Gibsonville
- Sept. 10 – Duplin Winery’s Grape Stomp in Rose Hill
- Sept. 10 – Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre at South Creek Winery in Nebo
- Sept. 16 – Grape Day at State Farmers Market in Raleigh
- Sept. 17 – Shine to Wine Festival in North Wilkesboro
North Carolina is the 10th-largest producer of wine in the nation and grows about 2,300 acres of grapes annually. The wine and grape industry employs nearly 8,000 workers across the state. More information about the industry is available at www.ncwine.org.
Bert Beard Named CEO of Maria Parham Medical Center
Maria Parham Medical Center (MPMC) announced today that Bert Beard has been named chief executive officer (CEO) of the hospital, effective August 22, 2016. Beard comes to MPMC from Wilson Medical Center (WMC), a Duke LifePoint Healthcare facility in Wilson, N.C., where he most recently served as chief operating officer (COO) since 2014.
“Bert has done a tremendous job guiding the daily operations at Wilson, and we are so pleased to appoint him to the top leadership post at Maria Parham,” said Jeff Seraphine, president of LifePoint Health’s Eastern Group, which includes Duke LifePoint Healthcare facilities. “His natural leadership skills, proven ability to drive excellence, and deep commitment to delivering high-quality, patient care are exactly what we were looking for to lead the hospital forward. I am confident he will build on the strong foundation that already exists at Maria Parham.”
A highly-skilled administrator and natural leader, Beard managed the daily operations of WMC, a 294-bed acute care facility, and served as primary liaison to physician services. While there, Beard initiated an $81 million hospital renovation project and drove the expansion of the hospital’s interventional cardiology program, which included the recruitment of a top cardiologist to the area. He also led the hospital to achieve Chest Pain Certification from the Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care in April 2016 and has established a plan to lead the hospital toward Primary Stroke Center certification.
Before joining WMC and Duke LifePoint in 2014, Beard served for nearly four years as associate administrator and interim COO at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton, Fla. Prior to that he served as associate administrator and assistant chief staffing officer at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn.
Beard received his bachelor’s degree from Furman University in Greenville, S.C., and MBA and MHA from Georgia State University in Atlanta. He has been an active member of the Wilson community, serving on numerous boards and regularly volunteering his time to support various causes.
“This is a strong hospital and a wonderful community,” Beard said. “I am genuinely excited to take on this new role and help build on the excellent work that is already happening at Maria Parham. I also look forward to getting involved in the community and exploring ways that the hospital can continue working to improve the overall health and well-being of our communities.”
Beard plans to reside in the Henderson Market with his wife, Crystal, and three daughters, Kylee (6), Sydney (3) and Emory (2). He replaces Brian Sinotte, who is leaving MPMC to serve as CEO of UP Health System – Marquette, a Duke LifePoint facility in Marquette, Mich.
About Maria Parham Medical Center
Maria Parham Medical Center, a Duke LifePoint hospital, is a regional hospital in Henderson, North Carolina, serving the people of north central North Carolina and Southside Virginia. As a part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare, Maria Parham is supported by Duke University Health System’s world-renowned leadership in clinical excellence and quality care and LifePoint Health’s extensive resources, knowledge and experience in operating community hospitals. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, Maria Parham offers a wide range of services and the latest technology to meet the healthcare needs of the community. For more information about Maria Parham Medical Center, please call (252) 438-4143 or visit www.mariaparham.com.
About Duke LifePoint Healthcare
Duke LifePoint Healthcare, a joint venture of Duke University Health System, Inc. and LifePoint Health (NASDAQ: LPNT), was established to build a dynamic network of hospitals and healthcare providers. The joint venture, which brings together LifePoint’s experience in community-based hospital management and Duke’s world-renowned leadership in patient safety and clinical quality systems, is strengthening and improving healthcare delivery by providing community hospitals the clinical, quality and operational resources they need to grow and prosper.
H/V Chamber Hosts Ribbon Cutting for Maria Parham’s New Wound Center
The Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of The Advanced Wound Center’s new location with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, July 14 at 4:30pm at their Ruin Creek Road location. “This is only one of more ribbon cuttings to come,” said Brian Sinotte, CEO, Maria Parham Medical Center.
Dr. Joseph Franklin, Medical Director, made remarks about the new advanced technology of the center and that his overall goal is to bring care to those that can’t go to larger healthcare facilities. Remarks were also made by other representatives from the hospital, city, county and state officials about The Advanced Wound Center and how MPMC continues to grow and serve the needs of the community and surrounding areas.
At MPMC Advanced Wound Center, their team of providers help individuals struggling with wounds get on the fast track to recovery by managing their persistent wounds and ulcers with the latest technology and treatments. In just the last five years, The Advanced Wound Center has had over 20,000 visits.
The new center offers two chambers for hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), an advanced therapy for patients who suffer from chronic wounds that are not responding to traditional therapies. Patients are placed in a pressurized chamber where they breathe 100 percent oxygen. The treatment delivers more oxygen to the body’s tissues, helping to heal wounds, save limbs and repair extensive tissue or bone damage.
It is a pain free approach to treating more than a dozen medical conditions and is approved by Medicare to treat patients with a variety of medical conditions.
For more information, please contact them at 252-436-1700