Tag Archive for: #mariaparhamhealth

Maria Parham Implements Limited Visitation In Reponse To Widespread Respiratory Viruses

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

Maria Parham Health has implemented limited visitation effective immediately in response to elevated levels of respiratory viruses in the region. The decision was made to help protect the health and safety of patients, visitors, and employees while continuing to provide high-quality, compassionate care.

While Maria Parham Health recognizes the important role visitation plays in a patient’s healing and emotional well-being, these temporary measures are necessary to reduce the risk of respiratory illness transmission within the hospital.

“We understand how meaningful it is for loved ones to be present during a hospital stay,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Maria Parham Health. “However, with respiratory viruses currently at an elevated level in our community, these precautions are a responsible step to help protect our patients, our staff, and the families who trust us with their care. We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we prioritize safety.”

Current visitation guidance includes:

  • Children under the age of 18 are discouraged from visiting the hospital.
  • Adult visitors and family members should be limited to next of kin and close contacts.
  • A maximum of two visitors will be allowed at a time. (In certain situations, including in the Emergency Department, visitation may be limited to one or no visitors.)
  • Visitors who are not feeling well are asked not to visit.
  • Proper cough etiquette is encouraged, including covering coughs with a tissue or arm, disposing of tissues immediately, and cleaning hands afterward.
  • Visitors should perform hand hygiene before and after visiting.
  • Face masks remain optional at this time; however, due to the increase in respiratory illness, masking is highly encouraged in patient care areas as a simple and effective way to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, in accordance with CDC guidance.

Exceptions to these visitation restrictions may be considered on an individual basis and will be determined by the Charge Nurse or House Supervisor after hours.

Maria Parham Health thanks patients, families, and the community for their continued dedication to helping provide a safe environment for all.

For updates or additional information, please visit Maria Parham Health’s official communication channels.

Visit https://www.mariaparham.com for updates.

Dr. Richard Goldstein Retires After 43-Year Career

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Maria Parham Health is honoring the retirement of longtime otolaryngologist Dr. Richard Goldstein, who saw his final patients in the office on Tuesday, December 23, concluding an extraordinary 43-year medical career – including more than 32 years of service in the Henderson community.

Members of the Maria Parham medical staff and operating room team gathered recently to celebrate Goldstein’s career, recognizing his decades of compassionate care, clinical excellence and steady leadership. During his time practicing in Henderson alone, Goldstein cared for nearly 28,000 patients and leaves a lasting impact on the health and well-being of countless individuals and families.

“Dr. Goldstein’s legacy at Maria Parham Health and in our community cannot be overstated,” said Bert Beard, Chief Executive Officer of Maria Parham Health. “For more than three decades, patients trusted him with their care, and colleagues relied on his knowledge, precision, and calm presence. We are deeply grateful for his dedication and wish him the very best as he begins this well-earned next chapter.”

Goldstein plans to remain in Henderson with his family and said he looks forward to pursuing personal interests and hobbies in retirement. While his clinical presence will be greatly missed, his contributions to Maria Parham Health and the surrounding region will continue to be felt for years to come.

Maria Parham Health extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Goldstein for a career marked by service, integrity, and commitment to excellence.

(Information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young)

 

HFD Boot Drive Nets $18,100.90 For Maria Parham Cancer Center

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Members of the Henderson Fire Department delivered a Christmas gift to Maria Parham Health’s Cancer Center staff on Wednesday – a giant check, both in size and amount.

The three-day boot drive held each year outside Central Station on Dabney Drive netted $18,100.90, all for the Cancer Center.

In presenting the check, Henderson Fire Chief Tim Twisdale said he and his colleagues are glad to be able to do something to provide for the care of others.

The boot drive was renamed in memory of the late chief Steve Cordell, who lost a brave battle with cancer in 2023.

MPH Social Worker Hope Breedlove thanked the fire department for the long partnership, now in at least its eighth year.

The money is used to help cancer patients who may struggle with paying for medications, transportation and other things that go along with getting life-saving treatment at the hospital.

“It’s really challenging to get them the things that they need,” she said, but the boot drive proceeds certainly help fill the gap.

MPH CEO Bert Beard said the fire personnel are critical first responders to get to residents in the city who may end up in the hospital to receive care. Beard said the passion that the cancer center staff shows when they serve patients is mirrored in the passion that firefighters show as they do their jobs each day.

“You guys are a part of our team,” he said.

Maria Parham Health Welcomes Reshmi Udesh, MD To Surgical Staff

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–       Information courtesy of Maria Parham Health Public Information Officer Donna Young

Maria Parham Health announces the addition of Reshmi Udesh,  MD, FACS, a board-certified general surgeon, to its surgical team. Udesh brings extensive  experience in minimally invasive, robotic and foregut surgery, further expanding the  comprehensive surgical care available to patients in Vance County and the surrounding region.

Udesh’s clinical focus includes advanced surgical techniques designed to provide smaller  incisions, reduced pain and faster recovery times. Her areas of expertise include endoscopy and  anti-reflux procedures; hernia, skin mass and cancer-related surgery; and gallbladder, colon and  rectal procedures.

She is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Udesh completed a general surgery residency at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, following earlier residency experience at Howard University Hospital in  Washington, D.C. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree in India.

Before joining Maria Parham Health, Udesh practiced as a general and bariatric surgeon at TidalHealth Nanticoke Hospital in Delaware. She also completed a research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where she focused on vascular surgery and improving perioperative outcomes, contributing multiple peer-reviewed publications in major medical journals.

Udesh is now accepting new patients and referrals at Maria Parham Surgical Associates. To schedule an appointment, call 252.433.0430 or visit https://www.mariaparhamphysicianpractices.com/

Maria Parham Health (Scheduling Impacted)

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Maria Parham Health: THERE ARE NO ACTIVE SCHEDULING IMPACTS KNOWN TO WIZS RADIO AT THIS TIME.

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(Maria Parham Health is our advertising client and corporate, community partner. This post is not a paid ad.)

Maria Parham Health to Illuminate Campus in Celebration of 100 Years of Care

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Community Invited to a Festive Evening of Lights, Performances, and Holiday Cheer on December 4

Maria Parham Health is proud to announce a special community celebration in honor of its 100th anniversary of providing healthcare to Henderson, Vance County, and surrounding areas. On December 4, the hospital will host an evening of family-friendly festivities as it illuminates its campus for the first time, marking a century of hope, healing, and service.

The event will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in front of the hospital and will feature:

  • The lighting of Maria Parham Health’s first outdoor Christmas tree
  • 100 glowing luminaries honoring loved ones from across the region
  • Performances by talented young local artists
  • Inspiring messages from area clergy
  • Hot cocoa and cookies for all attendees
  • A visit from Santa Claus, with parents invited to bring cameras for photos

Community members, families, and former patients are warmly encouraged to attend and create a new holiday tradition together on the campus of Maria Parham Health. The celebration also invites former patients to reflect on and celebrate their own journeys of healing.

“As we mark 100 years of caring for this community, we wanted to create a celebration that reflects the warmth, resilience, and togetherness that define Henderson and Vance County,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “This event is our way of saying thank you to every patient, family, staff member, and neighbor who has been part of our story. We hope everyone will join us as we light up our campus and celebrate a century of hope and healing.”

Community members wishing to honor a loved one with a luminary may reserve one free of charge by emailing donna.young@lpnt.net.

Maria Parham Health will also be accepting canned food donations for ACTS (Area Christians Together in Service) during the event.

— Press Release from MPH and Donna Young

(MPH is our advertising client on air and online.  The information and audio available here is not a paid ad.)

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The Local Skinny! MPH Gets C.O. For Phase Two Of Emergency Dept. Renovation

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– Courtesy of Maria Parham Health 

Maria Parham Health has received a Certificate of Occupancy for Phase Two of its Emergency Department renovation on the Henderson campus, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing efforts to expand access to high-quality care—particularly for patients facing behavioral health challenges in Henderson and Vance County.

Construction on Phase Two began in September 2025 and was designed to better serve vulnerable populations across the region. The project focuses on creating dedicated spaces within the Emergency Department to meet the growing need for behavioral and mental health services, while also improving patient safety, privacy, and dignity.

“This milestone represents more than just the completion of a construction phase—it reflects our deep commitment to caring for every patient who comes through our doors,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “By expanding and modernizing our Emergency Department, we’re ensuring that our community has access to compassionate, comprehensive care, especially for those in crisis who need it most.”

Key improvements include purpose-built behavioral health treatment areas designed with safety and comfort in mind, as well as operational enhancements that will streamline patient flow and support staff well-being.

The renovation was made possible through funding secured in October 2023 as part of a collaborative initiative involving the Vance County District Attorney’s Office, Granville Vance Public Health, the Vance County Board of Commissioners, and the North Carolina General Assembly. This investment underscores a shared regional commitment to strengthening mental health care infrastructure and improving outcomes for patients across the area.

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‘Tricky’ Weather Prompts Maria Parham Health To Send ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Indoors

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Maria Parham Health’s Trunk or Treat event will still take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28, but, thanks to rainy weather predicted for the next few days, organizers have decided to send the costumed kiddos inside to get their goodies.

This is the fifth year for the event, but it’ll be the first time that it’s not a drive-thru affair. The trick-or-treating will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., said MPH Public Information Officer Donna Young. Enter through the Main Lobby of the hospital and follow a clearly marked loop that will lead you out through the doors of the Heart & Vascular department.

All trick-or-treaters must be accompanied by an adult, Young noted. “We can’t wait to see all your creative costumes and smiles – rain or shine, the fun goes on inside!” she said.

For more information, please contact Donna Young at donna.young@lpnt.net.

Maria Parham Health’s State-Of-The-Art Radiation Oncology Dept. Elevates Cancer Care

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

Maria Parham Health celebrated the reopening of its Radiation Oncology Department on Oct. 10, marking the culmination of several months of renovations and significant technology upgrades aimed at elevating cancer care in the region. The event welcomed community members, hospital staff and local leaders to tour the updated facility, which now houses a state-of-the-art linear accelerator and offers expanded treatment options including Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy.

The upgraded linear accelerator represents the latest advancement in external beam radiation therapy, delivering high-energy X-rays or electrons with exceptional precision to target cancerous tumors while preserving healthy surrounding tissue. The new technology’s ability to rotate around the patient and integrate advanced imaging sets a new standard for patient care and comfort in radiation oncology.

“Bringing this level of technology to Maria Parham Health is a major step forward for our patients and our community,” said Bert Beard, CEO of Maria Parham Health. “We are proud to now offer cutting-edge treatments like SBRT, which not only improves outcomes but also reduces treatment time and enhances quality of life for our patients. This reopening represents our continued commitment to innovation, excellence, and compassionate care.”

As a Duke LifePoint hospital, Maria Parham Health benefits from its affiliation with Duke Health, ensuring that patients have access to the same high-quality, evidence-based cancer care  found at larger academic centers—delivered conveniently close to home by trusted local  providers.

SBRT is a highly specialized form of radiation therapy that allows for the delivery of larger doses of radiation over fewer sessions—typically between one and five—compared to traditional therapy that may require daily treatments for several weeks. The precision of SBRT is made possible through advanced imaging and targeting technologies, helping to spare healthy tissue and reduce side effects.

Guests at the reopening also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Ryan Fecteau, MD, PhD, Maria Parham Health’s new Radiation Oncologist. Fecteau brings a wealth of clinical expertise and a compassionate, patient-centered approach to the team, further enhancing the cancer care  services available to patients in the region.

The celebration took place in a setting adorned in pink, honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month and reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to comprehensive, community-based cancer care.

 

Maria Parham Health ‘Trunk Or Treat’ Oct. 28

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This is the fifth year that Maria Parham Health is hosting its Trunk or Treat for the community, but it’s the first time that costumed kiddos will get to walk through instead of riding through in vehicles.

Hospital organizers say they’re looking forward to being able to dial up the fun by interacting more closely with trick-or-treaters from the community during the event, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Medical Plaza, 120 Charles Rollins Rd.

Originally launched as a drive-through in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trunk or Treat  provided a safe, CDC-compliant way for children and families to celebrate Halloween. Trick-or treaters stayed in their vehicles while receiving candy from costumed staff and volunteers  stationed along a designated route.

“With the significant decrease in COVID cases in our area, we felt it was time to bring back that face-to-face community spirit,” said Donna Young, public information officer for Maria Parham  Health. “We’re excited to welcome families back in a more interactive and festive setting.”

This year, guests will park in the gravel lot behind the hospital and walk down to the Medical  Plaza at 120 Charles Rollins Rd., where the main event will take place. Hospital staff will decorate their vehicles and don creative costumes to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. In addition, community organizations are invited to join in by decorating their own vehicles and passing out treats.

Adding to the fun, live music will be provided by local band Man Up, who will entertain guests with spooky rock tunes that blend Halloween flair with a youthful energy.

The event promises to be a safe, family-friendly celebration full of treats, laughter, and community engagement — a tradition that continues to grow year after year.

For more information or to register your organization to participate, please contact Donna Young  at donna.young@lpnt.net.