Tag Archive for: #mariaparhamhealth

TownTalk: Maria Parham Recognizes Employees During Leapfrog Event

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People working in hospitals hear the word “contagious” and their minds may go straight to thoughts of how to react to an adverse medical situation.

But during a celebration Wednesday at Maria Parham Hospital, the mood was nothing but positive as staff and other officials took time to honor employees for their hard work and dedication to their jobs and to celebrate receiving an “A” safety rating from Leapfrog, a hospital watchdog agency.

It was Cancer Center Director Kimberly Smith who used the word “contagious” to describe the attitude and positivity of Efia Kearney, who was honored as Employee of the Year.

Kearney works in the Emergency Department, and she is always picking up extra days to help out. “She provides a positive outlook for Maria Parham,” Smith said, reading from some of the comments on the nomination form. “She is our ace-in-the-hole to solve needs,” read another nomination.

Top left frame – Efia Kearney and Kim Smith; Top center – Josh Banks

Smith herself was presented a director award, along with Josh Banks, director of facilities management.

In remarks to the group, both Smith and Banks spoke about the high level of teamwork involved in getting their jobs done each and every day.

Stephanie Allen, director of quality and patient safety, attributes the Leapfrog “A” rating to the same teamwork across the hospital. “It’s something for us to be very proud of,” Allen said during the gathering.

The hospital previously had earned “B” ratings from Leapfrog, and CEO Bert Beard said this is the first “A” rating.

As a community hospital, Maria Parham doesn’t have the size or resources that other, larger facilities enjoy, but it “can still be excellent and give quality of care,” Beard said.

Eight out of 70 Lifepoint facilities earned an A rating from Leapfrog, Beard noted. Just over 1 in 4 of the 2200 hospitals rated by Leapfrog received an A rating.

“Once you set the bar this high, you want to keep it there,” said Allen.

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Maria Parham Franklin To Hold Job Fair Jan. 19

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Maria Parham Franklin will hold a job fair on Thursday, Jan. 19 in Louisburg.

Job seekers can visit with MPH representatives from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more about available positions at Franklin Behavioral Health, some of which include a $500 sign-on bonus, according to Donna Young, coordinator of marketing and communications.

Openings include day and evening RN positions for both adult and geriatric areas, as well as behavioral health techs for both adult and geriatric areas. Come prepared, as job offers may be made on the spot!

Learn more about the available positions at MariaParham.com/Careers. Applicants can pre-register for this event at https://www.mariaparham.com/event/44.

Diabetes: Living With, Preventing Disease

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Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy and causes blood sugar levels to rise to abnormally high levels. As the seventh leading cause of death, diabetes is one of the most common – and dangerous – health issues in the U.S. In fact, more than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and one in five who do have it are unaware of their condition.

There are three main types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and gestational diabetes. Cheryl Hester, a registered nurse at Maria Parham Health, said diabetes can be treated with medication and its risks reduced by making a few key lifestyle changes.

Children as young as 1 year old have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, a result of the body stopping production of insulin altogether.

Insulin is a hormone that helps your body turn food into energy and manages your blood sugar. Symptoms for Type 1 typically develop early and intensely, and this type is primarily diagnosed in children, teens and young adults. Those with Type 1 take insulin regularly to compensate for their body’s inability to produce it.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common iteration of the disease and usually occurs when your body has difficulty maintaining normal blood sugar levels as a result of an inability to use insulin properly.

Generally speaking, risk factors including unhealthy weight, age and a family history of Type 2 diabetes can contribute to a person being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

Women with a history of gestational diabetes also are at a greater risk for a Type 2 diagnosis, as are people from higher-risk ethnic groups such as African-American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian and Alaska Native (some Pacific Islanders and Asian-Americans are also at higher risk).

Gestational diabetes occurs only in females and results when pregnancy-related body changes affect the ability to make sufficient inulin. It typically goes away after birth, but it can increase the mother’s and the child’s risk for Type 2 diabetes later in life.

A related condition is prediabetes. Prediabetes presents when blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. More than one in three American adults – around 96 million – have prediabetes, and more than 80 percent don’t know it. Diabetes can also lead to other, more serious health issues, like heart and kidney disease, vision loss and stroke. The good news is that Type 2 and gestational diabetes can be prevented. Eating healthy foods, engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight can help.

How do you know if you have diabetes? There are classic symptoms, including frequent urination, increased hunger and thirst, unintended weight loss, blurry vision, fatigue, abnormally dry skin, numb or tingling hands or feet, slow-healing sores and more infections than usual.

But you may not have any of the above-mentioned symptoms and still have diabetes. Your primary care provider can conduct a simple blood sugar test to determine whether you have diabetes or prediabetes. Being equipped with the knowledge of your status can empower you and your provider to work together on a treatment plan and lifestyle changes to improve and protect your health if needed.

For more information on diabetes, visit www.cdc.gov/diabetes and www.diabetes.org.

Need to make an appointment with a provider for a talk about diabetes and blood sugar testing? Call 800.424.DOCS or visit https://www.mariaparham.com/

 

Maria Parham Health Earns “A” For Patient Safety From National Group

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Maria Parham Health has received an “A” rating from a national watchdog organization for its achievements in protecting hospital patients from preventable harm and errors.

The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization that promotes patient safety, published its findings recently, said Donna Young, MPH coordinator for marketing & communications.

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients.  Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.

To view the complete report, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org or follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, and via its newsletter.

Maria Parham Health

Maria Parham Ranked Among Best For Maternity Care

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 – Information courtesy of Donna Young, Maria Parham Health coordinator of marketing & communication

 

Maria Parham Health has been named to Money Magazine and The Leapfrog Group’s inaugural list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. The rankings are intended to help expecting parents make educated decisions about which hospitals consistently deliver the safest, highest value care for patients and excellence in maternity experiences. Out of more than 2,200 hospitals surveyed, Maria Parham Health was one of 259 hospitals nationwide to earn the first-time honor.

“Maria Parham Health is honored to be among the inaugural list of top hospitals to receive this honor,” said Bert Beard, chief executive officer of Maria Parham Health. “Our hard-working team of physicians, midwives, nurses, respiratory therapists and staff goes above and beyond every day to provide the best possible experience for mothers, babies and their families, and this is well-deserved recognition.”

To qualify for the honor, eligible hospitals were required to carry an A or B letter grade on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade assessment for spring 2022. Hospitals also were required to meet specific criteria and achieve national standards related to:

  • Early Elective Deliveries
  • Cesarean Birth
  • Episiotomy
  • DVT (deep vein thrombosis) Prophylaxis
  • Bilirubin Screening
  • High-Risk Deliveries (only applies to hospitals electively admitting high-risk deliveries)

For more information about the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care rankings,

visit https://money.com/methodology-best-hospitals-for-maternity-care/

MPH Trunk or Treat Friday, Oct. 28

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Maria Parham Health is holding a drive-through Trunk or Treat next Friday, Oct.28, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the main campus on Ruin Creek Road in Henderson.

This free, completely drive-thru event is open to the public – children will remain in vehicles and hospital team members will distribute candy and treats through open car windows to ensure a safe Halloween experience.

Vehicles should enter the hospital campus via the Ruin Creek Road entrance and follow the signs to the back parking lot. MPH organizers invite other community groups to join in the fun, too.

Any civic, local government or church group that wants to participate by decorating a vehicle trunk and pass out treats should contact Ashley Downing before Tuesday, Oct. 25 at ashley.downing@lpnt.net.

The Local Skinny! Maria Parham To Host Breast Cancer Screening

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As part of its observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Maria Parham Health is offering free clinical exams to promote education, prevention and early detection.

MPH Cancer Center Director Kim Smith said staff will be available to walk participants through the process, literally greeting you as you walk into the hospital and then making sure the process goes smoothly. The screening event will take place Thursday, Oct. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There will be snacks and other goodies, as well as giveaways and door prizes, too, and Smith encourages women to bring their families, neighbors or anyone who may benefit.

“Knowledge is definitely power,” echoes hospital social worker Hope Breedlove. Whether the news is all good, or whether there needs to be some follow-up diagnostic care, “knowing what we need to do to be healthier gives us a sense of power in our lives,” Breedlove said.

Both women spoke with John C. Rose on Thursday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Anyone who attends the event will be seen, a doctor will discuss the results with the client and then staff will review any next steps that need to be taken. Follow-up care will be scheduled if necessary.

In addition to the exams, the event is designed to educate people about how to be healthy, Smith said. “We know that early detection is what saves lives,” she said, while stressing the importance of getting screenings done in a timely fashion.

Smith said staff will walk participants through the entire process, “and provide support every step of the way.”

This event, as with previous events, requires no advance registration and follows COVID-19 recommendations, including wearing masks to maintain a safe environment for all.

 

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Free Prostate Cancer Screening At MPH Sept. 29

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-information courtesy of Donna Young, MPH marketing & communication coordinator

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and the doctors and staff of Maria Parham Health are once again providing free prostate screenings for men in the community.

The screening event will take place on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. No appointments are needed; just show up at the hospital.

According to a press release from Donna Young, marketing & communication coordinator, all men are at risk for prostate cancer. Although about 13 out of every 100 American men will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and of that figure several will die from it.

The most common risk factor is age. The older a man is, the greater the chance of getting prostate cancer, but some men are at an increased risk. African American men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men, and more than twice as likely to die from it. African American men tend to get diagnosed at an earlier age, have more advanced disease when it is found, and tend to have a more severe type of prostate cancer than other men. Men who have a close blood relative (father, son or brother) who had prostate cancer are also at an increased risk.  The American Cancer Society recommends screenings for men 50 or older and those at a higher risk beginning at 45.

For more information, call the Maria Parham Cancer Center at 252.436.1656.

 

Maria Parham Welcomes New Family Nurse Practioner To GI Staff

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–Information courtesy of Donna Young, MPH marketing & communication coordinator

Maria Parham Health Tuesday announced that Colleen Truax, FNP has joined its staff and will be offering GI services to patients throughout Henderson, Vance County and the surrounding area.

“We are pleased to welcome Colleen Truax to our Maria Parham family as part of our growing GI practice,” said Bert Beard, MPH CEO.

“GI care is a growing need in our community, as diagnoses of colorectal cancer continue to increase among adults younger than 50 and recommendations are supporting earlier screenings. Maria Parham GI Associates will be an important practice as we work to slow the trend of later stage cancer findings to make our community healthier.”

Colleen Truax earned her Family Nurse Practitioner designation from Bradley University in Illinois, and also holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College. She has participated in several clinical rotations throughout the area, including work at North Carolina Specialty Hospital, Maria Parham Health and UNC Nash General Hospital.

Colleen Truax is seeing patients at Maria Parham GI Associates. To schedule an appointment, call (800)424-DOCS.

MPH Welcomes Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Mark Messner

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Maria Parham Health Friday announced that Mark Messmer, DO MS has joined its staff and will be offering orthopedic surgical services to patients in Henderson, Vance County and the surrounding region. Messmer comes from a military background and joins Maria Parham from his previous position as staff orthopedic surgeon at Camp Lejeune, according to a press statement from Donna Young, marketing & communication coordinator for MPH.

While at Lejeune, Messner’s patients were primarily active-duty personnel with the Marines and Navy with a variety of sports-related injuries and trauma. He specializes in sports, trauma, arthroplasty and general orthopedics, and becomes the second new orthopedic provider to join Maria Parham Health as the hospital continues to grow its orthopedic and surgical services.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Messmer to Henderson to practice at Maria Parham Health,” said CEO Bert Beard. “Orthopedic surgery is a growing need in our community, and Dr. Messmer’s training and military surgical background have given him a great breadth of experience in a wide range of procedures that people in our region need. This expertise will be important as Maria Parham Health works to make our community healthier.”

Messmer was graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor of science degree in human biology. He has a master’s degree in medical education and holds a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Messmer, a member of the American Osteopathic Association of Orthopedics and the  American Osteopathic Association, is scheduling patients at Maria Parham Orthopaedics. To schedule an appointment, please call 800.424.DOCS.