Oak Ridge Today

Baby’s Best Fest celebrates World Breastfeeding Month

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Best-Fest-2015-Group

Community members gather to show their support for breastfeeding during the 2015 Baby’s Best Fest. This year’s event will take place on Aug. 4 at the A.K. Bissell Park playground. (Photo by MMC)

 

By Kelly Goodman/Covenant Health

Like ice cream and a summer day, some things are just made for each other. That’s how we feel about breastfeeding. Breast milk is made especially for babies, and the staff at Methodist Medical Center and the Family Birthing Center want to encourage all new mothers to consider breastfeeding for your baby’s best health and development.

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Month, Methodist Medical Center, the Anderson County Health Department, and La Leche League will host Baby’s Best Fest, a free event featuring a family ice cream social, children’s activities, community resources, and more. Baby’s Best Fest will take place Thursday, August 4, from 6-7 p.m. at the A.K. Bissell Park Playground, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

“Breastfeeding is about making it work for you and your baby for an extended time,” says Cher Stallings (RN, BSN, IBCLC, CCE), International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in the Family Birthing Center at Methodist Medical Center. “So many mothers start out breastfeeding, but as they return to work or get caught up in a busy home life, they may give up breastfeeding earlier than they would ideally like. For some women, it’s a lack of support from family. For others, it’s a lack of tools or knowledge.” [Read more…]

MMC: Renovations under way on third Hospitality House for visiting patients, families

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To help the renovation efforts, employees from National Strategic Protective Services, or NSPS, have put in many hours of hard labor at Methodist Medical Center’s soon-to-be third Hospitality House. (Submitted photo)

To help the renovation efforts, employees from National Strategic Protective Services, or NSPS, have put in many hours of hard labor at Methodist Medical Center’s soon-to-be third Hospitality House. (Submitted photo)

 

The Methodist Medical Center Foundation and the Hospitality Houses are adding a third Hospitality House near Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

The Hospitality Houses are located just minutes from MMC, and they primarily serve patients and families visiting for cancer care, wound care, intensive care, cardiac critical care, or certain short stays related to specific tests and procedures. There are no charges for guests staying at the Hospitality Houses. All costs are covered by charitable contributions raised through annual fundraising events and by food and related necessities donated by caring individuals, area churches, civic clubs, and businesses, a press release said.

Last year, 211 guests spent 1,787 nights in Methodist’s two existing Hospitality Houses. They came from 18 Tennessee counties and 14 different states. One guest with a family member in Intensive Care Unit came all the way from France, the press release said. [Read more…]

Students use the summer to take a lesson in citizenship

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From left, Katie Starnes, Ryann Whitson, Henry Shen, and Katie Law assemble falls-prevention packets used for patient care. They are just a few of the 45 Junior Volunteers who have taken time from their summer vacations to serve at Methodist Medical Center. (Submitted photo)

From left, Katie Starnes, Ryann Whitson, Henry Shen, and Katie Law assemble falls-prevention packets used for patient care. They are just a few of the 45 Junior Volunteers who have taken time from their summer vacations to serve at Methodist Medical Center. (Submitted photo)

 

When school is out for the summer, many teens look forward to sleeping in, hanging out with friends, and enjoying the freedom of a few unscheduled weeks. But at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, a group of teens used the summer to give back to their community rather than while away the hours in front of the computer or around the pool. These high school students served as Methodist’s Junior Volunteers.

The Junior Volunteers are part of Methodist’s larger volunteer program, and like their adult counterparts, the students assist in many areas throughout the hospital and host special sales and fundraisers to support the patients and services at Methodist Medical Center.

This summer, the Junior Volunteers’ fundraiser included a doughnut sale. They also ran the operation of the fruit wagon and snack cart, which sells goodies around the hospital three days a week. [Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center announces July classes

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Whether you want to get in shape, prepare for the birth of a baby, or find support from others going through a similar experience, Methodist has a class for you!

Classes will be held at the hospital, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge, unless otherwise noted. For more information and registration, call (865) 835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

Support Groups

Mended Hearts Support Group, Thursday, July 21 at 6 p.m.

Mended Hearts offers peer-to-peer support for those affected by heart disease including patients, families, and caregivers. The group meets the third Thursday of the month in the Cheyenne Ambulatory Center Conference Room, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike. To learn more call (865) 806-3013.

Grief Support Group, Wednesday, July 27 at 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. [Read more…]

Altrusa donates books, toys for distribution in Children’s Waiting Areas at MMC

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Members of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge visited Methodist Medical Center to assemble special activity bags to be distributed to children waiting for loved ones who are patients at Methodist. The women pose with the variety of books and toys they included in each bag. (Submitted photo)

Members of Altrusa International of Oak Ridge visited Methodist Medical Center to assemble special activity bags to be distributed to children waiting for loved ones who are patients at Methodist. The women pose with the variety of books and toys they included in each bag. (Submitted photo)

 

Altrusa International of Oak Ridge recently assembled and donated bags filled with books and toys for distribution to kids who are visiting Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. The bags’ contents were all donated from businesses and individuals throughout the community. Methodist’s Volunteer Services will oversee the distribution through the hospital’s special Children’s Waiting Areas.

“These bags will make wonderful gifts for our patient families who utilize the Children’s Waiting Areas,” said Lois Ward, director of Volunteer Services at Methodist.

“Waiting while a loved one—especially a parent or grandparent—is in surgery or intensive care can be an emotional time for anyone, but for children it can be especially difficult,” Ward said. “Having a good book to read or a new toy to play with is a great way to help take some of the worry out of their wait.” [Read more…]

Learn what’s being done to address addiction, recovery at July 14 storytelling event

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Drug Addiction Recovery at Princess Theatre in July 14 2016

A community storytelling event on July 14 will share information on what’s being done to address addiction and recovery in East Tennessee. National Public Radio, which has been covering Roane County Recovery Court, will serve as the master of ceremonies, a press release said.

The storytelling event is titled “Roane is Better Together!” It’s scheduled from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 14, at the Princess Theatre in Harriman.

It’s sponsored by Russell Johnson, district attorney general of the Ninth Judicial District, and Roane County Public Defender Kim Nelson, a press release said.

The press release said the Roane County Recovery Court launched in January, and NPR has shared several video and audio clips with its listening audience. [Read more…]

Methodist Wound Treatment Center: Celebrating 10 years of saving lives, limbs

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On June 8, the Methodist Wound Treatment Center celebrated its 10 year anniversary and Wound Care Awareness Week during an open house celebration and education event. Guests had a chance to meet the staff, tour the Center, enjoy refreshments and learn more about the services and specialized products used for treatment. (Submitted photo)

On June 8, the Methodist Wound Treatment Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary and Wound Care Awareness Week during an open house celebration and education event. Guests had a chance to meet the staff, tour the Center, enjoy refreshments and learn more about the services and specialized products used for treatment. (Submitted photo)

 

When vascular surgeon Dr. David Stanley was sent on a mission in 2005 to “look into” hyperbaric medicine as part of a new wound treatment center at Methodist Medical Center, he was skeptical. “I didn’t think it was much good,” Dr. Stanley recalls with a laugh.

Ten years later, Dr. Stanley serves as director of Methodist’s Wound Treatment Center and is an outspoken advocate of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The procedure is just one of many treatment options offered at the Wound Treatment Center, which celebrated its 10th anniversary with an open house and wound care education event on June 8.

The goal of the center is to improve patients’ quality of life by managing wounds to ensure that they heal quickly and completely. The Center’s staff of nine employees and four physicians bring their expertise to the challenge of non-healing wounds. [Read more…]

Drug Awareness Day at Oak Ridge Outdoor Pool on Saturday

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2016 Drug Awareness Day

The Oak Ridge Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks will be hosting the fourth annual Drug Awareness Day at the Oak Ridge Municipal Pool located at 172 Providence Road, on Saturday, June 18.

Drug Awareness demonstrations will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. inside the pool area. Hundreds of prizes will be given away to those participating in a drug awareness activity. Some of the prizes include T-shirts, coloring books, swim noodles, beach balls, and Frisbees.

This event is a partnership with Anderson County Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department, Roane County Anti-Drug Coalition, and the Tennessee Meth and Pharmaceutical Task Force. [Read more…]

Attendees make their own sunshine at Methodist’s Survivor Sundae

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Guests of all ages enjoyed building ice cream sundaes at Methodist Medical Center’s third annual Survivor Sundae event, which is held to honor cancer survivors and educate the public on cancer prevention and screening. (Photo submitted by MMC)

Guests of all ages enjoyed building ice cream sundaes at Methodist Medical Center’s third annual Survivor Sundae event, which is held to honor cancer survivors and educate the public on cancer prevention and screening. (Photo submitted by MMC)

 

National Cancer Survivors’ Day is an annual, worldwide celebration of life where cancer survivors unite to show the world what life after cancer looks like. On Sunday, June 5, Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge honored these cancer survivors, their family, and friends by hosting its third annual Survivor Sundae, an ice cream social celebrating National Cancer Survivors’ Day.

Cancer survivors, caregivers, and the community gathered to enjoy the free event, make ice cream sundaes, connect with other survivors and cancer support organizations, and listen to music by the Mt. LeConte Jug Band, which was sponsored by the Cooperative Agreement of Labor and Management, or CALM.

“Sometimes people have a negative idea of what life after cancer looks like,” said Kim Maes, manager of Methodist’s Cancer Support Services and event organizer. “But the reality is that more people are living longer and having better quality lives after cancer than ever before. Survivors are showing us that life after cancer can be meaningful, exciting and filled with joy.” [Read more…]

Roane State dental hygiene students earn honors

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Roane State dental hygiene students Kim Palmer (left) and Crystal Morse won first place at a state competition for their display on silver diamine fluoride. (Photo by RSCC)

Roane State dental hygiene students Kim Palmer (left) and Crystal Morse won first place at a state competition for their display on silver diamine fluoride. (Photo by RSCC)

 

Two Roane State Community College dental hygiene students won first place at the annual Tennessee Dental Hygiene Association table clinic competition in Chattanooga.

Students from five dental hygiene programs presented displays that represented their research on a dental hygiene topic. Roane State students Kim Palmer of Lenoir City and Crystal Morse of Friendsville won for their display on silver diamine fluoride.

“I am very proud of our students and their hard work,” program director Melinda Gill said. “This is the third year our dental hygiene students have competed, and we have placed every year.” [Read more…]

Walkup named May’s MMCer of the Month

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Jennifer Walkup

Jennifer Walkup

Jennifer Walkup, a clinical specialist physical therapist and pediatric coordinator in Outpatient Therapy Services at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for May.

In her job, Walkup evaluates and treats pediatric physical therapy patients. These include children with developmental delay, cerebral palsy, autism, and other disorders. Additionally, she coordinates pediatric therapy services for the department. She has been at Methodist since December 2005.

Walkup is described by Amy Dorset, manager of Methodist Therapy Services, as someone who “gives 120 percent every single day.”

The nomination says, “She is always willing to come in early or stay late to accommodate patient treatment to be sure her ‘kids’ (patients) receive the therapy they need.” [Read more…]

Methodist Wound Treatment Center celebrates 10 years of healing wounds

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Methdist Wound Treatment Center

The Methodist Wound Treatment Center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in conjunction with Wound Care Awareness Week, which is held June 6-10. In honor of the occasions, the Methodist Wound Treatment Center will host an open house and education event where the public, caregivers, and clinicians may tour the center, learn about advanced wound care services and products, and meet the expert staff, a press release said.

The Methodist Wound Treatment Center open house will take place on Wednesday, June 8, from 3-6 p.m. The center is located at 160A West Tennessee Avenue in Oak Ridge, behind Methodist Medical Center. The event is free.

This is the third annual Wound Care Awareness Week. It is estimated that chronic wounds affect 6.7 million people in the United States and the incidence is rising, fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and the late effects of radiation therapy. If left untreated, chronic wounds can lead to diminished quality of life and possibly amputation of the affected limb. [Read more…]