Kerr-Tar COG Young Adult Hiring Event Is April 29; All Job Seekers Welcome

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Despite its title, the Kerr-Tar COG’s 4th annual Young Adult Hiring Event scheduled for Tuesday, Apr. 29 at the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre is rated for All Audiences.

Job seekers of any age are welcome said NC Works Business Services Representative Stacey Williams, one of the job fair’s organizers.

The job fair will run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Williams said. So far, upwards of 40 employers will be on hand to chat with prospective job seekers about careers and positions available at their companies.

The job fair geared for students began during the time of COVID-19 restrictions, Williams explained, as a way to connect high school juniors and seniors not necessarily interested in attending college with local businesses and manufacturers and other employers – in an outdoor setting.

The location proved to be popular, and this is the fourth one planned in the outdoor setting.

“It’s easy to get excited about this event,” Williams said, adding that the students bring an energy that he finds contagious.

Not everyone is looking to go to college, and this hiring event is one way the Kerr-Tar COG can assist future employees learn more about prospective employers. “We’re trying to provide alternatives to those that are not interested in college,” he said.

His #1 piece of advice to job seekers? A positive attitude.

“Your attitude will take you far,” he said. Paired with determination and drive create an employee profile that employers are looking for. “You have to show up, you have to be ready, you have to be prepared and you have to be positive,” he said.

Job seekers need to do a little interviewing of their own, Williams said, when considering a particular field of work that employers should keep in mind.

“They’re looking for something that’s going to be a solid position for them,” he said. An entry-level job that can turn into something bigger and better is desirable. Companies with strong foundations, stability and a solid pay scale also are what employees are looking for.

Williams, a Henderson native, said he is happy to be back home where he is able to serve the community he grew up in. “It’s an awesome feeling to be able to support someone find a career.

Schools from all five counties in the Kerr-Tar region are planning to bring groups of students to the hiring event; other individuals from the area are welcome to just come out to the Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre, 336 Raleigh Rd., Henderson between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. No prior registration is needed.

To learn more, visit https://www.kerrtarcog.org/

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(This story text was originally published on Friday, April 25 based on the interview you can hear above. However, the interview did not air on WIZS until Monday, April 28 on TownTalk, recorded for presentation at that time.)

Jessica Deal Joins Maria Parham Health Wound Center Team

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Maria Parham Health proudly announces the addition of Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Jessica Deal to its Wound Center team. Deal has more than three decades of nursing experience and a dedicated background in wound and ostomy care, according to information provided by MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

Deal earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 1992 and has since cultivated a career marked by excellence in patient care, clinical leadership, and specialized wound management. She holds certification as a Certified Wound Care Nurse and demonstrates her expertise in treating complex and chronic wounds with evidence-based practices.

Throughout her career, Deal has provided care in a variety of healthcare environments, including Maria Parham GI Associates and Carolina GI Associates in Henderson. She has remains focused on individualized treatment plans and promoting healing through innovative techniques and multidisciplinary collaboration.

“We are excited to welcome Jessica to our Wound Care team,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer at Maria Parham Health. “Her advanced skills and commitment to personalized, evidence-based care align perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional healing services close to home.”

The addition of Deal strengthens the center’s commitment to delivering advanced wound care services to the community, including diabetic ulcer treatment, pressure injury management, and care for non-healing surgical wounds.

Learn more at https://www.mariaparham.com/

RCAPS Annual ‘Pet Palooza’ Saturday, May 3

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Bring the whole family out to Ruin Creek Animal Protection Society’s Spring Fling Pet Palooza on Saturday, May 3 for a day of food trucks, crafts, games, photo booths and more!

The event will take place at the former Boyd dealership, 284 US 158 bypass from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Vendors are still being accepted, so please call 252.572.2219 or email info@rcaps.org to get registered.

Children can create crafts for Mother’s Day, and there will be raffles for great prizes available, too.

And it should come as no surprise that pets are welcome to attend with their people!

The Local Skinny! Working Conditions for City Employees

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City of Henderson employees will receive a survey in a few weeks to give feedback about working conditions.

As City Manager/City Attorney Hassan T. Kingsberry explained to Council members at the April 14 meeting, the survey will be anonymous – employees will not be asked to give their names. Kingsberry told Council members that some employees and some directors had shared some concerns with him, so he suggested a survey would be in order.

Kingsberry told WIZS News Wednesday that a working conditions survey is standard practice in other places where he has worked. “I want to make sure staff is comfortable and thriving as we work together for the betterment of the City.”

He said the specific statements or questions that will make up the survey are still being worked on, but he expects that department heads will receive their surveys next week and the rest of the staff will be receive theirs around the mid-May mark.

As for what actions may result, Kingsberry said, “We will see how staff responds and address the issues that need to be addressed to ensure a healthy climate and work culture.”

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Commissioners Discuss Support Of New City Communications Tower During Work Session

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During a work session Monday, Vance County commissioners heard from city officials about progress being made on construction of a communications tower at the North Henderson ball fields that will be funded, in part, by $2.175 million in federal funds secured by U.S. Congressman Don Davis.

City Manager Hassan T. Kingsberry and Assistant City Manager Paylor Spruill spoke to commissioners to ask whether the county is still willing to help with funding, if the need arises.

The city and county have an agreement to split 50/50 funding emergency communications that cover both the county and the city.

Spruill said it’s possible that the project can be completed without contributions from either the city or the county, but the final, all-in cost is unknown at this time.

What is known is that the city of Henderson is the weakest area in all of Vance County on the VIPER system because it is located on the fringe of four towers used by the county, said Brian Short, the county’s former Emergency Management coordinator.

The North Henderson ball field location is “the sweet spot” for the entire county, and putting the tower there – with equipment to support VHF paging and more – would fix two problems at once, Short said.

The North Henderson location has been through a vetting process and will have the ability to provide in-building coverage for the city  in most of the downtown buildings, as well as a large area within the county.

But the federal funds will pay for the tower only; Short predicted it could cost an additional $1 million to outfit the facility with the equipment and everything else that goes along with the tower.

Once built, the state has said it would take ownership and would assume maintenance, including maintaining the VIPER system.

City leaders are in discussion now with Duke Power to “co-locate” on the tower. Spruill said the utility company is in the due diligence process right now but added that “they’d likely contribute any remaining funds toward construction.”

WIZS News has reached out to Duke spokesman Beth Townsend and we’ll update the story when more details are available.

Maria Parham Health’s Cancer Survivor Dinner May 16

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— information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young

Maria Parham Health is hosting its annual Cancer Survivor Dinner on Friday, May 16 and invites survivors and their guests to come be a part of the event to celebrate their strength and resilience in their journeys to overcome cancer.

The dinner begins at 6 p.m. at South Henderson Pentecostal Holiness Church, 905 Americal Rd., Henderson, according to information from MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young.

With a joyful nautical theme, “Set Sail for Celebration,” the evening promises to be filled with gratitude, connection and celebration. Survivors and their guests are invited to come together in recognition of each unique story, share in meaningful moments, and enjoy a dinner event created in their honor.

“We are so grateful for the opportunity to gather and celebrate our local cancer survivors,” said Kimberly Smith, Director of the Maria Parham Health Cancer Center. “Every survivor’s journey is a testament to strength and perseverance. This event is our way of saying ‘we see you, we honor you, and we’re celebrating with you’. It’s an evening full of hope, joy and community.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring one guest to share in this special occasion. Please register by Thursday, May 8 by calling 252.436.6485 to reserve your place.

TownTalk: Child Abuse Prevention Month with S.A.M. Child Advocacy

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If you’ve driven down Garnett Street lately, you may have noticed a tree in the yard of 704 S. Garnett St. decorated with blue ribbons.

Those ribbons, tied to branches and limbs of that tree, have created a ‘Tree of Hope’ this year to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center.

There also are pinwheels planted in the ground and a big inflatable blue ribbon adorning the S.a.M Child Advocacy Center, along with the ‘Tree of Hope,’ a new addition this year, Gill said.

It’s a small way to show support for and honor families and children who have been victims of child abuse.

For Gill and her team at the nonprofit, this is a year-round effort – not just one month out of the year. “We try to go above and beyond any way we can this month,” she said.

Overall statistics surrounding child abuse and neglect are grim, Gill noted. For every report of child abuse, she said, there are two that are unreported.

Vance County is not immune, and, in fact, as a Tier 1 county, there simply aren’t many resources for families and children.

Abuse is a multi-faceted issue that doesn’t always look the same or follow a familiar pattern. From family dynamics to generational abuse or neglect, Gill said part of S.a.M.’s approach is to provide wraparound services to support individuals and families in crisis.

Part of S.a.M.’s role is to connect families with resources to get the help they need.

Another part is the monthly meeting of a multi-disciplinary team that gathers and discusses each family that is seeking help to make sure the particular needs are being met.

“We can’t be a stand-alone center,” Gill said. “The whole point is that every family is getting exactly what they need…for the best outcome.”

One question on the S.a.M. intake form asks whether anyone else in the family has been a victim of abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of the time, the answer is yes. Generational abuse or neglect adds another layer to the degree of trauma felt by families.

Since it started in 2016, Gill said S.a.M. has played a role in helping families and individuals get the healing they need and that they deserve.

“We have had kids that are now in college,” she said. “They are doing wonderful things.”

Ninety percent of the victims of abuse or neglect know the alleged abuser, Gill said. It’s so important for parents or guardians to have conversations with their children to help them understand what appropriate contact is and what is inappropriate.

“Have these conversations with your kids,” Gill said, even if it feels awkward.

“You are your child’s first line of defense,” she said. “We’re always here to help out in any way.”

Parents may get an eye roll from their children, but it’s important to know who their child’s friends are. Getting involved in their lives, showing interest in their activities opens up doors to more important conversations in the future, she added.

Visit https://www.samchildadvocacycenter.com/ to find resources. Call 252.572.4112 to learn more or email Gill at cara@samcac.com.

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Maria Parham Health Releases 2024 Community Benefit Report

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— Donna Young, Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer

Maria Parham Health has published its community benefit report for the 2024 calendar year. This annual report outlines the various ways the hospital is working to support the health and economic vitality of the Henderson/Vance County region as part of its mission of making communities healthier®.

“For more than 100 years, Maria Parham Health has been proud to call Henderson and Vance County our home, and as a leader in our community, we are committed to providing high-quality care close to home, investing in our region’s overall well-being and making a positive impact on those we serve,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer (CEO) of Maria Parham Health. “This year’s report underscores our ongoing commitment to providing the highest quality care possible – both inside and outside our hospital walls.”

Maria Parham Health’s 2024 community benefit report highlights its continued efforts to meet the growing healthcare needs of its community through welcoming new providers, adding and expanding service lines and continually investing in its facilities and healthcare technology. For example, in 2024, Maria Parham Health added 67 providers in internal and emergency medicine, anesthesiology, wound care, OB/GYN, radiology, rehabilitation, gastroenterology, oncology and telemedicine; and made nearly $4.3 million in capital improvements, including a new robotic surgical system, pharmacy renovations and “safe spaces” in the emergency room.

Additionally, Maria Parham Health made a donation of more than $48.9 million in health services to those  in need, demonstrating its continuous commitment to ensuring everyone has access to care, regardless of their ability to pay.

Maria Parham Health is also devoted to creating environments where providers want to practice and employees want to work. In 2024, the hospital distributed more than $67.5 million in salaries, wages and benefits for its approximately 740 employees, while contributing more than $135,000 in professional  development and tuition assistance so all its employees can have the opportunity to learn, grow and  improve the care they provide their patients.

Last year, the organization paid $18,036,950 in local and state taxes, while also continuing its support of local activities and organizations committed to serving the region, including ACTS of Vance County, Crime Stoppers, Shop with a Cop & Friends, McGregor Hall and others.

“We feel fortunate to call Henderson and Vance County our home, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of all those who entrust us with their care. We are also thankful for the hard work and dedication of our providers, employees and volunteers who make it all possible, “said Beard. “As we look ahead to the future, we remain committed to honoring our legacy while further enhancing the many ways we serve our neighbors and communities.”

Maria Parham Health’s 2024 community benefit report is available here.

https://www.mariaparham.com/community-benefit-report