Tag Archive for: #wizsnews

The Local Skinny! Maria Parham Unveils Oasis Room Art

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The staff at Maria Parham Health have enjoyed the amenities of their Oasis room for about a year – the massage chairs, a TV, soothing music, beverages and snacks are just a few of the perks that filled the space.

The blank wall was a perfect candidate for some artwork, and thanks to high school junior and budding artist Abi Short, that wall now is the permanent home for a painting Short calls “Peace.”

Short, 16, is the daughter of MPH Cardiologist Dr. Sydney Short. She joined her parents, hospital staff and community leaders as her painting was unveiled Monday.

The idea for the Oasis room came about as hospital employees and health professionals everywhere were strained because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital came up with the idea for a spot where staff could take a step away from the stress of their jobs for just a few minutes – a quick cup of coffee while listening to some music or a few minutes in a massage chair can do wonders during the work day.

MPH CEO Bert Beard told those assembled at the unveiling that the space is a place to recharge and relax. “We want to continue to do things that are going to enhance our workplace,” Beard said, because we know “that enhances the care we give to our patients.”

Cancer Center Director Kimberly Smith is on the hospital’s Awards and Resilience Committee and she said having a spot like the Oasis room helps reduce staff burnout – it’s a place where people can “come in and take a break and a breather,” she said.

Donna Young, MPH marketing director, said the hospital invited employees’ families to enter an art contest to find the perfect painting for the accent wall inside the Oasis room.

“We knew we wanted something really special,” Young said. “We got some wonderful entries…put it to a vote and Abi’s won.”

The young artist described her work as a reflection of memories of family vacations to the mountains.

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TownTalk: Remote Area Medical Returns To Henderson

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For the second year, Duke Remote Area Medical is bringing a pop-up clinic to Henderson to provide free medical, dental and vision care.

RAM is partnering again with Vance Charter School, which is hosting the two-day clinic on Saturday, May 20 and Sunday, May 21. The school is located at 2090 Ross Mill Rd. The co-organizers for the clinic are Duke students Saajan Patel and  Anvi Charvu, both of whom aspire to be physicians one day.

But that’s years away, and the undergraduates have teamed up with RAM to be able to make a difference now.

Last year’s clinic provided assistance to about 150 individuals, and this year the organizers hope that number doubles because additional optometrists and dentists have joined the team to see patients. The clinic operates on a first come, first served basis, but the services are provided right on the spot.

Charvu said she remembers one woman who was seen in the dental clinic last year. “She was so grateful” for the care she received, Charvu said. And the price is right, too.

“RAM does a great job of having great providers who make you comfortable while you’re there,” she added.

The patient parking lot will open around midnight on Friday, May 19. Clinic doors open at 6 a.m.

Once in the parking lot, additional information about the clinic will be provided. Neither insurance nor ID is required.

Because there is a high demand for dental and vision care, Charvu said, patients will elect to go to either the dental clinic or the vision clinic on a given day. But a client could get dental care on Saturday and then return on Sunday for vision care, she noted.

Those who need glasses can be fitted for them and actually get their glasses on the same day from the on-site lab. If bifocals are prescribed, they’ll need a little extra time and clients will get them in the mail.

Clients will get information about local providers who are willing to provide follow-up care, at no cost or at a reduced fee.

 

Local businesses, civic groups and other community partners are teaming up to provide food for the medical professionals who work in the clinic over the course of the weekend. Patel and Charvu said they appreciate the support the community continues to offer to allow the clinic to take place.

“All of these community partners have been such a help this year,” Charvu said. Local Rotary clubs, the Salvation Army and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce all have contributed in one way or another to make sure the clinic is successful.

Services available at a RAM free clinic include dental cleanings, dental fillings, dental extractions, dental X-rays, eye exams, eye health screenings, eyeglass prescriptions, eyeglasses made on-site, women’s health exams and general medical exams.

In addition to the medical professionals who donate their time during the clinic, there are about 20 Duke students and 120 general support volunteers who work behind the scenes to make sure things run smoothly.

But other local volunteers are needed as well, Charva and Patel noted. If you’d like to help set up on Friday, May 19 and take down on Sunday, May 21, please call 865.579.1530 or visit www.ramusa.org. In addition, overnight parking staff to greet patients is also needed, and interpreters can volunteer to aid patients through the process, either in the parking lot or during clinic operations. Individuals do not need to work in the medical field to volunteer as general support.

 

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Cooperative Extension With Paul McKenzie: What Works in the Garden

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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City of Henderson Logo

The Local Skinny! Leadership Positions Open In the City of Henderson

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Vance County and the City of Henderson face several key leadership positions – the openings are the result of different circumstances, and local governments are coping with the vacancies as they continue to look for qualified applicants to fill the jobs.

It was announced last week that Jordan McMillen would be leaving his post as county manager to become manager of the town of Butner.

And Curtis Tyndall has been acting fire chief, but Terrell Blackmon said now the city has begun a search for a permanent chief, following the death of Steve Cordell.

Blackmon said the city continues to operate without a city engineer, a job that has been vacant for a couple of years. The water and street staffs depend on “on-call” engineers, and Blackmon stated that the city has a “very competent engineering staff that handles all of the day-to-day activities.” Public Works Director Andy Perkinson retired in January and the Human Resources Director, Elgin Ward, is set to retire in August.

Blackmon spoke at the recent West End Community Watch meeting and discussed the openings and the effect they have on city operations.

“We are getting ready to advertise for a fire chief, as well as a human resources director. The HR Director will be retiring in August, but we intend to begin recruiting for that position at the same time that we advertise for a fire chief. We have several engineers that we use on-call and for projects that have been handling the professional engineering work for the city,” Blackmon stated in an email to WIZS Monday.

He added that although the position hasn’t been filled, there are several potential candidates whom city staff have spoken with about the job.

henderson.nc.gov/departments/human_resources/jobs.php

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TownTalk: Seussical Jr. And Other Productions Coming To McGregor Hall

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Got a budding actor living under your roof who may be looking to hone some skills this summer? McGregor Hall Executive Director Mark Hopper said this season’s Henderson Rec Players productions may be just the place to start.

Young people ages 8-16 are invited to a May 9 meeting, at 7 p.m., to learn more about Seussical, Jr., the culmination of a two-week-long children’s theater camp set for June 12-25.

This year marks the third year for the children’s camp, which Hopper said had been a long time coming. “That was a dream for a long time,” he said on Monday’s TownTalk.

Whether it’s acting, singing or helping behind the scenes, youngsters will get an immersive experience in what goes on to bring a production to the stage.

And the price – $50 for the two weeks – is right, Hopper said, to allow more children to come and take part.

Learn more about Seussical, Jr. and the other shows that the Rec Players will perform during the 51st season at www.mcgregorhall.org.

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City of Henderson Ward 3 Town Hall Meeting 4-27-23

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A flier has been distributed for the 6 p.m. meeting April 27 at Shiloh Baptist Church.

Council Member Garry Daeke told WIZS News on April 20 that the Henderson City Council is looking to do a town hall meeting in each ward.  He said it’s so “people will come out and just bring, you know, things forward that maybe they want us to know that they don’t always bring to the council, feel comfortable, you know, coming in front of the council.  We thought we’d go out to them.”

Daeke said there was a plan also to present some information about housing.  He said one of the urban redevelopment areas (URA) is in Flint Hill.  “Probably going to bring some design stuff for that, show them some ideas we have or at least where we are in the process,” he said.

Community development and code enforcement information may be presented as well because the City is looking at beefing up that department.  “We’re probably going to see more inspections of houses and stuff…,” he said.

The floor will be opened up for residents to talk about what’s important to them, according to Daeke.

The City of Henderson provided notice Monday that a possible quorum of the Henderson City Council Members may be present the Ward 3 Town Hall Meeting Thursday.  The notice stated, “This is not a regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council, no official business will be conducted, nor will any official action be taken and no meeting minutes will be produced for this notice.”

 

Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Mini Gardening

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen

McMillen Selected As New Butner Town Manager

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-information courtesy of the Town of Butner

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen will become the next town manager of Butner.

The town of Butner issued a press statement Wednesday announcing the selection of McMillen, who was chosen from a pool of 30 applicants generated by a nationwide search.

Finalists were interviewed in early April, and a contract with McMillen was approved on Monday, April 17. He will begin his new job on June 12, 2023.

McMillen brings to his new role nearly 15 years of government experience. He has served as Vance County’s manager since August 2016, and was assistant manager from 2013-2016. Before that, he was director of planning and development from 2008 to 2013.

“I appreciate the Council’s thorough selection process and am thrilled to come on board in Butner.  I look forward to building relationships, working with staff and the Council, and ultimately continuing the great work of serving the citizens in Butner,” said McMillen. “The Town has a bright future, and I am drawn to its rural character and close-knit atmosphere, its outstanding access to the Triangle and growth potential, as well as its family-friendly feel and vision for the future.”

“We are delighted to have Mr. Jordan McMillen join us as the new Town Manager,” said Terry Turner, Mayor of Butner. “We are confident in his skills and abilities to move Butner forward. He will be a great asset to the people of Butner.”

He has a Master of Science in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. He was awarded the Kerr-Tar Council of Governments Outstanding County Manager of the Year in 2020 and the Egan Award for Application of Information Technology in 2008.

Jerry L. Ayscue, who has been serving as interim town manager since December 2022, will stay on until McMillen begins his duties in June.

SportsTalk: College Of Charleston Finding Success On The Baseball Field

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Will Dorton, Associate Head Baseball Coach and Pitching Coach at College of Charleston, talks about his team and their season. Dorton is married to the former Allison High of Henderson.

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