Tag Archive for: #mariaparhamhealth

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Maria Parham Health: Memorial Day, No Greater Love

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Memorial Day is coming up, and Thursday, May 26th at 10 a.m., Maria Parham Health will remember fallen heroes. The presentation called “Memorial Day, No Greater Love” will take place at the flagpole, weather permitting, in front of Maria Parham.

The public is invited to the event on the main, Henderson campus as those who have died in the performance of their military duties while serving the U.S. Armed forces will be remembered and honored.

The ceremony will include prayers, speakers, music, the hanging of a memorial wreath and the reading of names In Memoriam.

In the event of bad weather, the ceremony will move to the front lobby of the hospital. Either way, the address is 566 Ruin Creek Road.

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MPH Staff Has An Oasis Room To Take Respite

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Maria Parham Health staff now has an Oasis Room, designed just for them as a spot where they can just unplug and recharge – themselves and their phones.

With thanks to the hospital’s facilities team and suggestions from staff to the Resiliency Committee, the room was officially opened today (Thursday) and will open for everyone to enjoy come Monday, according to Kimberly Smith, director of the Cancer Center and member of the resiliency committee.

What once had been a spot with outdated lighting and carpeting that served as a hiding spot for storage racks has been transformed into a soothing, well – oasis – for MPH staff to come enjoy a few minutes of peace and quiet during their workday.

There’s a massage chair for relieving stress and a television that will play soothing music, Smith said.

“People can use it as a place to relax a little bit,” said CEO Bert Beard, before returning to the work of saving lives and caring for patients.

There will be snacks and drinks and a single-cup coffee maker for everyone to enjoy. There’s a spot to charge phones and a coloring wall, along with a board where folks can write positive messages to one another.

“We’re very pleased with the way the space turned out,” Beard said. Smith also gave special thanks to Josh Banks, director of the facilities team, for the extra effort they put in to making the room just right. “They just really have a heart to make things happen,” she said.

But that’s not all – Smith said she hopes to create a smaller version of the Oasis room on the patient floors for those nurses and others who aren’t necessarily able to come to the Oasis room during their shift. “Even if it’s a simple recliner,” Smith said, having a mini-oasis on the different floors would allow staff “to get away and reset themselves.”

The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Health To Host Job Fair On Thursday

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Maria Parham Health is hosting a job fair from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, May 19. There are a variety of clinical and non-clinical jobs available.

Human Resources Director Randy Toscano spoke with John C. Rose on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! and said job applicants could possibly be extended an offer at the job fair.

Applicants should bring a resume and may apply online beforehand, but it’s not necessary, Toscano said. There will be a computer set up in the hospital lobby to apply. There will be information tables from each department set up and the department heads will be available to speak with prospective applicants.

Among the departments that are looking to fill positions are nursing, radiology, registration and labs, he said. Individuals who are interested in a career in the health care industry are encouraged to attend. “You can walk out with a new career,” Toscano said.

There is always a need for phlebotomists, LPNs and RNs, he added, but also in non-clinical areas such as housekeeping, registration and food service.

Register online at https://www.mariaparham.com/

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Emilee Johnson New Executive Director of Operations MP Franklin

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Maria Parham Franklin has a new executive director of operations, Emilee Johnson.

Maria Parham Health announced last week, via it’s Facebook page, that Johnson had been named to the position and that she has been with Maria Parham for 19 years.

In her most recent role, she served as senior director overseeing rehabilitative services, security, medical office leasing, dietary and environmental services.

The MPH post indicated Johnson is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and that she has shown exceptional leadership qualities within the hospital and community.

Her volunteer work with the Henderson Family YMCA, Triangle North Healthcare and Adopt-A-Highway are a handful of examples of her outreach and community mindedness.

Congratulations to Emilee Johnson.

(Text and picture published with permission. Information courtesy of Maria Parham Health.)

TownTalk: Low Dose CT Screening Can Catch Cancer Early

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Maria Parham Health is offering low-dose CT scans to screen for lung cancer, catch the disease early and provide appropriate treatment.

Much like mammograms and colonoscopies are routine tools to detect breast cancer and colon cancer, MPH Cancer Center Director Kimberly Smith said the low-dose CT is helpful for early detection.

Long-time smokers between the ages of 50 and 77 who show no signs or symptoms of lung cancer are eligible for the scans, Smith said on Monday’s Town Talk. She and MPH Social Worker Hope Breedlove told John C. Rose they hope that anyone wants to know whether they meet the criteria for the scan will call 252.506.7070 this week to learn more.

“We’re really excited to have this life-saving lung cancer test for smokers and former smokers,” Smith said. She and Breedlove want the community to be educated about what it is, especially because Vance County and the surrounding area has a high rate of lung cancer. In fact, she said, lung cancer accounts for 12.7 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers. In Vance County and the surrounding area, lung cancer is in the top three of all cancer diagnoses.

The phone line will be active through Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. Callers will be asked to leave a message with their name, date of birth, a phone number and insurance information, Smith said. A cancer center staff member will follow up within 2-3 business days and walk prospective patients through a series of questions to determine eligibility.

Insurance will pay for the scans of eligible patients, she added. And there are a certain number of scans available for those without insurance.

Not sure you are eligible? Not to worry, Smith said. “We’ll help you navigate through that.”

“The scans are a really great way for us to find out if a patient has some type of lung cancer,” Smith said. The earlier even a small spot is detected, the earlier a treatment plan can be developed and implemented. “We really want to find (it) earlier,” she said, adding that the cancer center uses a software program that monitors a patient for life.

Breedlove explained that the age range has expanded some in hopes of getting younger people screened. “We want to catch the lung cancer early,” she said.

Smith said COVID-19 has interrupted those routine screenings that are so important at early detection of disease. She encouraged everyone to get those screenings scheduled – not just the low-dose CT scans, but mammograms and endoscopies as well.

“That’s how we save people’s lives,” she said.

TownTalk: Taking Care of Your Heart

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Dr. Mohammed Akhter, an interventional cardiologist at Maria Parham Health is helping promote the American Heart Association’s theme to “reclaim your rhythm” during the February observance of heart health awareness.

No one can deny the impact that COVID-19 has had on our brains and our hearts, Akhter told John C. Rose on Wednesday’s Town Talk. He encourages everyone to focus again on health lifestyles that can have a positive effect on our physical and mental health.

When gyms and restaurants shut down at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, it was more than just an inconvenience, Akhter said.

It’s time to get back in the groove of those lifestyle habits like regular exercise, eating healty foods and enjoying the social interactions with family and others.

During the pandemic, he said, “we couldn’t go to the gym, we were ordering food online and not socially interacting with our loved ones – that has a major effect on our health.”
The AHA made a fundamental plea to the public, he said. “Now is the time to get back to the rhythm – exercise more, eat better and spend more time with your families.”

Those are concrete examples of steps to take to improve health and reduce stress. But  diagnostic tests performed by medical professionals are needed to determine if high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol levels may also be affecting your overall heart health.

Akhter said that 1 in 2 U.S. adults have hypertension – high blood pressure – but only 1 in 4 have it under control.

He recommends that his patients try to consume less than 2 grams of sodium a day, which may mean scrutinizing food labels. In addition, he recommends 30 minutes of exercise most days, limiting alcohol use and taking medicine that is prescribed for hypertension.

Women and African Americans are two groups that are underrepresented in heart studies, he said.

Maria Parham Health promoted National Wear Red Day on Feb. 4 as a way to “express a solidarity with women who are at risk for cardiovascular disease. He said it’s the number one killer in women.

Women may experience different symptoms than men, he said, adding that is a contributing factor to the under-diagnosis of heart disease in women.

Similarly, African Americans are underrepresented in studies of heart health.

The goal is equitable health for all, Akhter said, who said that in his practice, he works hard to tailor therapies to the individual patients.

 

Friday, Feb. 4 Is Wear Red Day To Promote Awareness Of Heart Disease In Women

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Tomorrow – Friday, Feb. 4 – is National Wear Red Day to promote awareness of heart health. Join the employees at Maria Parham Health by wearing red to support awareness of women and heart disease. Donna Young, MPH marketing and communication coordinator said local businesses that participate have a chance to win a free quarter-page ad in The Henderson Dispatch. See the Maria Parham Health Facebook page for details about how your business can enter.

Wear Red Day is just one way the staff at MPH are showing their support of February’s American Heart Month.

The American Heart Association created National Wear Red Day in 2004 with a mission to dismiss myths and raise awareness of heart disease and stroke as the number one killer of women. To support heart health in women locally, Maria Parham employees are encouraged to wear red. Photos of employees will be shared on the hospital Facebook page throughout the day. Community members are also welcomed to wear red and share their photos on social media using the hashtag #MPHWearsRed.

Maria Parham Health has kicked off “28 Days of Heart” as a way to provide a wealth of heart health information each day during February. Visit MariaParham.com each day to learn tips about how to keep your heart healthy, from recipes to fitness.

Maria Parham’s Facebook will have heart-healthy recipes, fitness tips, and medical information geared at keeping your ticker ticking as it should.

American Heart Month: Know Your Heart Numbers

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February is American Heart Month and Maria Parham cardiologist Dr. Mohammad Akhter has a question to ask: “Do you know how healthy your heart is?”

The heart is one of the hardest working parts of the body, Akhter said in an article sent to WIZS as part of American Heart Month.

Knowing some key terms – and understanding what they mean with regard to heart health – are important to keep in mind, he said.

People hear about blood pressure and cholesterol, but knowing your own numbers and taking action to control them is an important step to maintain heart help. Targets for healthy cholesterol levels can vary based on age and gender, but a general rule of thumb for adults is to aim for 125-200 mg/dL. Too much LDL (the “bad” kind)  or not enough HDL (the “good” kind) increases the risk for build-up or blockage in arteries, which could lead to heart attack or stroke.

As for blood pressure, Akhter said that the 120 over 80 is still a good guideline, and readings above those levels would be considered elevated or high. Readings greater than 130/80 are considered hypertensive.

“High blood pressure can be a significant contributor to and sign of serious heart issues,” Akhter said. “Unfortunately, it is an all-too-common condition, affecting nearly half of American adults according to the American Heart Association, and presenting no symptoms the majority of the time,” he said.

Fortunately, high blood pressure can be lowered and managed with the proper care, including diet and medication.

Health professionals usually perform the blood analysis that gives individuals their cholesterol level and blood pressure, but there’s another indicator that Akhter points to that could be a predictor of heart problems – a patient’s waist size.

He cited a study by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute which showed that men with a waist size larger than 40 inches and women with a waist size greater than 35 inches are at higher risk for heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“The good news is that healthy eating and physical activity can help you lower and maintain a healthy waist size and stay on the road to good heart health,” he said.

Risk factors like high cholesterol and blood pressure can also run in your family, so knowing your family’s heart health history can help you stay alert to your own health risks. And while these aren’t the only markers on the map to good heart health, they are key factors in determining how healthy your heart is and your risk for heart issues now or down the road. Your primary care provider can check these numbers for you – including during your annual check-up – and work with you on a plan to make any changes necessary to get you back on track, whether it’s simple lifestyle changes or medication if necessary.

Call 800.424.DOCS to make an appointment. For more information on heart health, visit heart.org. Take a free heart health assessment at MariaParham.com/heart-care.

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Need A COVID-19 Test? Please Do NOT Go To Maria Parham Emergency Dept.

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If you or a family member needs to be tested for COVID-19, please, please please don’t go to the Emergency Department at Maria Parham Health. According to information from the hospital, there’s a “dramatic increase” in the number of people coming to the emergency department to seek a COVID-19 test. “We are asking our community to consider alternative locations for COVID testing, in order to conserve valuable hostpiatl resources,” the statement read.

COVID tests are available at local pharmacies, urgent care clinics and primary care clinics.

Visit https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/about-covid-19/testing/find-my-testing-place/no-cost-community-testing-events to find other locations for COVID-19 testing at no cost or low-cost.

 

TownTalk: Henderson Fire Dept. Puts The Boot In For Maria Parham’s Angel Fund

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It is generally not recommended for pedestrians to walk out in the middle of traffic for any reason – especially Dabney Drive. But when firefighters do it, with their boots in their hands instead of on their feet, rest assured it’s for a good cause.

And on Tuesday, Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell presented the result of the 2021 fundraiser to the staff at Maria Parham Health’s Cancer Center – a check for $25,000. WIZS’s Trey Snide was on hand Tuesday for the check presentation and John C. Rose shared highlights on Wednesday’s Town Talk.

“It’s a great honor for us to be here with you today to present you with another donation from the wonderful residents of the city of Henderson and Vance County and the visitors that come down Dabney Drive,” Cordell said during the presentation ceremony.

He recounted that the first fundraiser to support the cancer center’s “angel fund” was back in 2014. Through t-shirt sales to fight breast cancer, the fire department was able to raise about $3,400 for the oncology department.

Since then, the annual fundraiser – except for last year when it was cancelled because of the pandemic – has netted more than $77,000.

This year’s total of $25,000 almost doubles the combined efforts of previous fundraisers, and Cordell credits the generosity of the community and the willingness of all three shifts of firefighters with this year’s success.

“This year’s total – I was blown away,” he told the group assembled at the hospital for the presentation. The original goal for Day 1 of the project was $4,700, but they’d gotten that by lunchtime, Cordell recalled. By the end of Day 1, folks had put $11,000 in those boots.

Cordell said he remembered thinking, “Man, that’s good. The rest of the days will be pretty slow, but the people just kept on giving.”

“If it wasn’t for these men and women that go out there, very unselfishly, and stand out there in the middle of Dabney Drive and hold a boot,” Cordell said, the donation to the cancer center simply wouldn’t have been possible.

Kimberly Smith is director of the hospital’s cancer center and she said the angel fund helps cancer patients with basic needs, from transportation to medicines to help with their treatment.

“We thank you very much,” Smith said.  “We appreciate you…this money will go to great use for our patients and our community here.”

She likened the work of firefighters to the work that the staff at the cancer center, saying that every day, each group of workers does an amazing job and, every day, they find ways to help people in the communities they serve.

Hope Breedlove is a social worker at the cancer center and offered her thanks as well.

“I’m so thankful.  I’m so proud right now of you, of the community.” Through the angel fund, patients can receive funds that remove barriers, Breedlove noted, and if it weren’t for the angel fund, “we couldn’t do some of the things that we’re able to do” for the patients.

“This angel fund is truly a godsend,” Breedlove said. “From the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of our hearts, and from the bottom of our patients’ hearts, we just thank you so much.”

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