Oak Ridge Today

Dr. William Culbert to speak on Affordable Care Act on Thursday

Posted at
By 2 Comments

William Culbert

William Culbert

William Culbert Jr., MD, a family practice physician who is an advocate of the Affordable Care Act, will be the guest speaker at the Thursday meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club.

“The ACA, an Idea Whose Time Has Come,” is the topic of Dr. Culbert’s talk. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Club Room of the Clinton Community Center.

Vernon’s Burnins will serve Vernon Long’s award-winning, slow cooked barbecue, and the dinner costs $10 per person. For reservations, e-mail Ann Mostoller at amostoller@msw-law.com or call Mary Matheny at (865) 483-8937. [Read more…]

Co-director to discuss Free Medical Clinic’s role under new health care law

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Tanya Vargas

Tanya Vargas

Dr. Tanya Vargas, co-director of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, will discuss the role of the clinic under the new health care act in a community forum to be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Grace Covenant Church, 320 Robertsville Road.

Her presentation is entitled “The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge after the Affordable Care Act.” Vargas said she will address the question, “If everyone is going to be insured after the Affordable Care Act, why would free medical clinics like FMCOR be needed?”

Vargas moved to Oak Ridge in 1990, after completing her pediatric training at Tulane University School of Medicine and Affiliated Hospitals, and three years of private practice in New Orleans.

She has been active in multiple organizations in Oak Ridge, including Oak Ridge Playhouse, ShowKids, Oak Ridge Baseball Association, and Montessori School of Oak Ridge. She is a founding member of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge board of directors and has served in various capacities on that board, including service as president. [Read more…]

Anderson County government: Let’s knock out breast cancer!

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Anderson County Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pictured, back row, from left are Shaynne Thompson, Purchasing Agent Pamela Cotham, Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank, Toni Romero, and Deputy Purchasing Agent Karen Whaley. Pictured front row, from left, are Cathy Toney, Lisa Champion, Joyce McCulley, and Terri Ferry. (Photo courtesy of Anderson County Government)

The Anderson County purchasing and school departments, along with the county mayor, have joined the fight to raise awareness for breast cancer, a press release said.

“Purchasing supports our own survivors, and we encourage and empower women to do monthly self-exams and get a yearly mammogram,” Purchasing Agent Pamela Cotham said.

As those battling cancer “box and fight” their way through, they are surrounded by many people—known and unknown—who stand in their corner during their fight.  [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic has open house, ribbon cutting at new location

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge will have an open house and ribbon cutting celebration at its new location next week.

The clinic has moved to an expanded location at 116 East Division Road in Oak Ridge (immediately behind Zaxby’s restaurant).

The open house will be from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 8. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m.

Before moving to the new location in mid-October, FMCOR was housed in the Trinity Center on Robertsville Road. The larger facility will help to meet the ever increasing requests for care, a press release said. Since opening in January 2010, more than 3,000 patients have been served in nearly 13,000 visits. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge resident living with HIV featured on WUOT special to air Nov. 6

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

WUOT I'm Still Here Logo

KNOXVILLE—When John was diagnosed with HIV in 1990, he never would have imagined he would be alive to celebrate his 50th birthday.

Twenty-three years later, the Oak Ridge resident views his life with the sense of appreciation and perspective that can only come from someone forced to face his own mortality.

“My life is a lot different,” he said, “but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

John is one of five East Tennesseans featured on a new WUOT special, “I’m Still Here: My HIV Life.” The program will air during “Morning Edition” and “All Things Considered” on Wednesday, Nov. 6. [Read more…]

Roane State student wins national $21,000 scholarship

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

James Davis

James Davis

Roane State Community College student James Davis of Crossville is one of two students in the country to win a $21,000 scholarship awarded to young adults with cystic fibrosis as they pursue higher education.

Davis was among 24 undergraduate students who received a $2,500 AbbVie CF Scholarship. The students then competed for public votes to win an additional $18,500 scholarship and be named a 2013 Thriving Scholar.

In addition to public votes, scholarship awards were based on students’ academic excellence, extracurricular activities, creativity, and ability to serve as a positive role model for the cystic fibrosis, or CF, community. [Read more…]

Grace Lutheran has candle lighting service for those with mental health issues

Posted at
By 2 Comments

Submitted

Grace Lutheran Church of Oak Ridge will host a candle lighting service in support of those challenged by mental illness, substance use disorders, and other brain disorders at 5 p.m. Sunday. Everyone is welcome, and a special invitation is extended to family members, members of all area churches, community organizations, and the healing professions from neighboring counties.

One in four adults experiences a mental health problem in any given year, and 50 percent will experience this problem at some time during their lives. One in five young people aged 13 to 18 also experience mental illness. These numbers continue to grow.

“The church is in a unique position to provide a community of support for those who are in pain,” Pastor Steve Damos said. “We can provide solace and faith, and be compassionate advocates for those seeking recovery and wholeness.” [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic moving to larger location this weekend

Posted at
By 3 Comments

After nearly four years in its original location on Robertsville Road, the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge is moving. The clinic will be closed Friday and Monday for the move. When it reopens Tuesday, it will be at its new location at 116 East Division Road.

The new location is across the Oak Ridge Turnpike from Methodist Medical Center and behind Zaxby’s restaurant. The (865) 483-3904 phone number and (865) 481-0203 fax number will remain the same, a press release said.

The release said the larger space has more examination rooms, reception and waiting areas, and administrative office space, and it will help FMCOR better meet the needs of the increasing number of patients. [Read more…]

Health Insurance Marketplace opens Tuesday

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Kathleen Sebelius

Kathleen Sebelius

The new Health Insurance Marketplace set up by the Affordable Care Act opened Tuesday, and Tennessee residents can apply for coverage, compare plans, and enroll at HealthCare.gov.

“For the first time ever, today all Americans can begin shopping for quality health coverage that is affordable, and not be denied or charged more because they have a pre-existing condition,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release.

The HHS said the Health Insurance Marketplace will allow uninsured Americans and their families to purchase health insurance in one place. Coverage begins as early as Jan. 1, 2014, for people enrolling by Dec. 15, 2013. Open enrollment closes March 31. [Read more…]

Remote Area Medical Clinic a ‘huge success’

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Information from WYSH Radio

Organizers of last weekend’s Remote Area Medical Expedition at Clinton’s First Baptist Church said the event was a huge success.

During the two-day clinic, medical, dental, and vision services estimated at more than $504,000 were provided to patients at no charge. Organizers said the vast majority of the services provided were in the dental clinic to the tune of $413,505, including one patient who received more than $8,000 in dental care. [Read more…]

CONTACT Care Line celebrates 40 years with concert, workshops, new director

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Submitted

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee is marking 40 years of service to neighbors in crisis with a fundraising concert, a new series of listening workshops, a new executive director, and a new look.

The Oak Ridge-based nonprofit fields some 10,000 telephone calls annually from people who are lonely, facing a crisis, and at times contemplating suicide. It is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, including a contingent of University of Tennessee psychology students whose time listening to callers provides valuable experience. [Read more…]

Children’s Hospital volunteer director to discuss neonatal abstinence syndrome

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Cheryl Allmon

Cheryl Allmon

“Holding Little Lives in Our Hands” is a presentation that describes the dramatic rise of neonatal abstinence syndrome across eastern Tennessee and what East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is doing about it. It will be presented to the Altrusa Club on Sept. 25 by Cheryl Allmon, director of volunteer services and programs at Children’s Hospital.

Children’s Hospital has received national attention for their multifaceted approach to treating infants who are born suffering from prescription drug dependence. In 2012, the hospital treated nearly 300 infants suffering from withdrawal from drugs. The number of infants affected by addiction at birth continues to rise each year. The first step in treating the infants is to assess the severity of the addiction. [Read more…]