Oak Ridge Today

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy the topic of Health Night on the Town on Tuesday

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While advancements in radiation therapy help to target cancerous tumors and affected areas with a greater sense of accuracy, normal tissue can still be impacted by the treatment.

Fortunately, the use of hyperbaric oxygen, or HBO, therapy can provide significant healing treatments for those dealing with a radiation injury.

Learn more about the use of HBO therapy with Kristie Teffetteller, director of the Methodist Wound Treatment Center, and clinical manager, Michelle Bailey, a registered nurse, or RN.

Health Night will take place on Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, which is located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Community listening event in Rocky Top to focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction

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Terry-Frank-Aug-15-2016

Terry Frank

A community listening event in Rocky Top in April will focus on painkillers, substance abuse, addiction, and overdoses.

The listening event will be at the Rocky Top Community Center on Monday, April 3, from 6-7:15 p.m. It will be hosted by Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and concerned citizen Patricia Adkins, a press release said.

“The open invitation event will focus on receiving community comments about opiate abuse, addiction issues, and/or treatment, and any concern surrounding substance abuse issues in the community,” the press release said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdoses now account for more deaths in the U.S. than motor vehicle accidents, with 52 percent attributed to prescription medications. [Read more…]

Health care employers invited to participate in Roane State job fair

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Employers are invited to participate in a March 29 job fair at Roane State Community College for students who are pursuing careers in health care and plan to graduate this year.

The fair is planned for Wednesday, March 29, from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at Roane State’s Oak Ridge campus at 701 Briarcliff Avenue. Setup begins at 11 a.m. in the Coffey-McNally building.

Employers are asked to register by March 24. There is no registration fee. To register, visit www.roanestate.edu/jobfair. Limited space is still available. [Read more…]

Lunch with the League to feature the ‘alphabet soup’ of health care

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Matt Tillery

Matt Tillery

A guest speaker at Lunch with the League on Tuesday will help decipher the “alphabet soup” of health care, a press release said.

Guest speaker Matt Tillery, director of community services for Cherokee Health Systems, will give a brief history of the Affordable Care Act, Tennessee’s Medicare and Medicaid programs, and resources available to those who are eligible for these services, the press release said.

Tillery will speak specifically on community mental health clinics and federally qualified health care centers, and what these types of service locations mean to community members, the press release said. The program will start at noon Tuesday, March 21, in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

5K Run, Walk on May 5 a fundraiser to help fight cancer

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The American Cancer Society has announced the first 5K Run and Walk at a Relay For Life event in Anderson County in May.

The run and walk will take place on Friday, May 5, at 8 p.m. at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge. People ages 12 and up are invited to participate by either walking or running to help raise money in the quest to “create a world with less cancer by helping people get well and stay well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against cancer,” a press release said.

To register for this event, go to the website runsignup.com. You may locate the event by typing in Anderson County Twilight, which will take you to the event page. Individuals may support one of the local teams participating in Relay For Life or may create a team of their own.

“This is a great way to honor or remember someone you love whose life has been touched by cancer,” the press release said. [Read more…]

ORHS Youth Ambassadors travel to Capitol for substance abuse prevention day

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Submitted photo

 

Eleven Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP) Youth Ambassadors from Anderson County, Clinton, and Oak Ridge high schools traveled to the State Capitol to take part in Prevention Alliance of Tennessee’s Day on the Hill. On this day, coalitions from all across the state come together to advocate for substance abuse prevention in Tennessee. By joining forces with The Prevention Alliance of Tennessee (PAT), the ASAP Youth Ambassadors are able to further the mission to prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said.

During the visit, these students had the opportunity to have private meetings with Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, Representative John Ragan, and Representative Dennis Powers to educate them about the issues that are important to them. Currently, these issues include the desire to have tobacco-free parks in Anderson County, the risks involved with legalizing medical or other uses of marijuana, and support for opioid abuse reduction. [Read more…]

Gene Caldwell—retired pediatrician, former state representative—dies at 84

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Photo courtesy Amanda Caldwell

Photo courtesy Amanda Caldwell

 

Note: This story was last updated at 10:40 a.m.

Dr. Gene Caldwell, a retired pediatrician and former Tennessee state representative, died Saturday, March 4. He was 84.

Caldwell, a beloved pediatrician who often said he was the luckiest guy in the world, died at NHC of Oak Ridge from congestive heart failure, according to his obituary. He would have turned 85 in 10 days.

Caldwell, a Democrat, served three terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 33rd District from 1996 to 2002.

“Gene Caldwell was a great public servant and did much for our community,” said Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally, an Oak Ridge Republican. “He will be missed, but his contributions will live on.”

The district lines have changed a bit since then, but at the time, the 33rd District included part of Anderson County, including Oak Ridge, Clinton, and Norris, said Jim Hackworth, who is also a former state representative in District 33. Caldwell preceded Hackworth.

“He was a good friend and will be sorely missed,” said Hackworth, who served the district for eight years.

Caldwell and his family had moved to Oak Ridge in 1966, when he began his practice with the Children’s Clinic of Oak Ridge. He retired in 1994 after 27 years. [Read more…]

Photos: AJ Cucksey visits Oak Ridge

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AJ Cucksey is pictured above with the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team during a 68-38 win over West in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball)

AJ Cucksey is pictured above with the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team during a 68-38 win over West in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball)

 

AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor, met two of Oak Ridge’s best athletes—junior Destiny Kassner and senior Tee Higgins, both basketball players—during Region 2-AAA quarterfinal games at Wildcat Arena this past weekend.

AJ was at the Friday night game, when Destiny helped the Lady Wildcats beat Bearden in a regional tournament quarterfinal. He was back again on Saturday, when Tee helped the Wildcats in a win over West, also in a quarterfinal game.

Here are photos from AJ at the basketball games, and before. [Read more…]

Young cancer survivor meets with Destiny, gets a dunk from Tee

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AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor and kindergarten student at Farragut Primary, sits on the Oak Ridge Wildcats sideline next to senior Tee Higgins (5), who dunked for AJ during a 68-38 win over West during a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcats Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor and kindergarten student at Farragut Primary, sits on the Oak Ridge Wildcats bench next to senior Tee Higgins (5), who dunked for AJ during a 68-38 win over West during a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

 

He’s already performed “Rocky Top” for Peyton Manning and become friends with Joshua Dobbs and his family.

Now six-year-old cancer survivor AJ Cucksey, who has seven inoperable brain tumors, has met two of Oak Ridge’s best athletes: junior Destiny Kassner and senior Tee Higgins, both basketball players.

AJ was at the Friday night game, when Destiny helped the Lady Wildcats beat Bearden in a regional tournament quarterfinal. He was back again on Saturday, when Tee helped the Wildcats in a win over West, also in a quarterfinal game.

AJ, a kindergarten student at Farragut Primary School in Farragut, met Destiny and Tee on Friday, and he sat on the bench next to Tee on Saturday. Tee, who spent time talking to AJ, dunked for him.

AJ, a football fan, was asked what he thought about meeting Tee, a top football recruit who has been named a Mr. Football finalist in Tennessee for the second year in a row.

“Cool,” AJ said. [Read more…]

Buy tickets for Bursting the Blues fundraiser by Wednesday

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Photo credit Clint James Photography

Photo credit Clint James Photography

 

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Shake off the winter blues with dinner, a silent auction, a balloon pop, and live music at CONTACT Care Line’s annual “Bursting the Blues Gala.” The evening will offer attendees the opportunity to celebrate the coming of spring, win prizes, and help CONTACT raise money to support those most at risk in its nine-county service area. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 4, from 6-9 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

Contrary to popular myth, suicide rates are highest in spring and are lowest in winter. Studies dating back as far as the early 1800s have demonstrated that this trend has remained constant since then. Researchers are uncertain of the cause. In 2016, Tennessee lost 938 people to suicide, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

To reduce these numbers, CONTACT has joined more than 160 crisis centers across the country to form the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. As the only Care Line call center in East Tennessee, CONTACT Care Line provides a confidential crisis line to anyone who needs a listening ear or a referral for other community resources. [Read more…]

Divas for a Cure on March 4, a fundraiser for American Cancer Society

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Divas for a Cure 2017
There is no better way to spend a Saturday than by enjoying the company of other women (and men) in food/drink, entertainment, and pampering by professionals. There will also be music by a local band, Hazel.

The event will be held on Saturday, March 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the High Places Community Church in Grove Center in Oak Ridge. Admission is $30 at the door or early bird, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Anderson County event. Admission includes a lunch buffet, mimosa bar (two per diva), a fashion show put on by local merchants, and four pampering tickets to be used at the pampering stations of your choice. This will include hand/foot massages, nails, hair, makeup, mini-facials, henna, and much more, a press release said. The popular “Purse Pull” will also take place during the event, which gives you the opportunity to go home with a very nice purse. [Read more…]

Borchers wins Anderson County Ally of the Year Award

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DrB2Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, or ASAP, of Anderson County hosted a contest for selecting an “Ally of the Year.” Candidates for the award were nominated by community members for their passion for creating a healthy and productive Anderson County. They are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County. Each dollar raised by the candidates counted as one vote.

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers was the top fundraiser, bringing in more than $1,850. Oliver Springs Police Chief Kenny Morgan was the first runner-up, raising more than $1,200. Anderson County School Superintendent Tim Parrott was the second runner-up, adding $1,100. [Read more…]