Oak Ridge Today

Chrisman named MMCer of the Month for March

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Cary Chrisman - March MMCer of the Month

Cary Chrisman

Cary Chrisman, a pharmacist at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for March. In his job, Chrisman assists with patients’ medication needs through antibiotic stewardship, nutrition support, and blood glucose management. He has been at Methodist since 2002.

Chrisman is described by Chuck Ashley, director of Pharmacy, as an outstanding employee and clinician.

Chrisman received two nominations. One nomination said: “He is always right there when he is needed. He thinks ahead about what the next step could be, not only with medicine but with a patient’s disease process. That speaks volumes to me on how dedicated he is to the patient’s well-being.” [Read more…]

Covenant Health has leadership changes, new president at MMC

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Jeremy Biggs

Jeremy Biggs

Mike Belbeck, the current president of Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, will become the executive vice president of operations for Covenant Health, and a new president and chief administrative officer will succeed Belbeck at MMC on April 1.

The leadership changes were announced by Covenant Health on Tuesday.

Covenant Health, which is headquartered in Knoxville and the region’s largest employer, had previously announced its current president and chief executive officer, Anthony L. Spezia, will become CEO emeritus, and Jim VanderSteeg, current executive vice president of operations, will become president and CEO.

Belbeck, who is also chief administrative officer, or CAO, at Methodist Medical Center, will succeed VanderSteeg as the health system’s executive vice president of operations.

Jeremy Biggs, president and chief administrative officer of Cumberland Medical Center in Crossville, will succeed Belbeck as president and CAO of Methodist Medical Center. [Read more…]

Woman escapes kitchen fire, taken to hospital; dog rescued

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South-Benedict-Fire-Feb-14-2016-1

A resident of a Scarboro home escaped a kitchen fire on Sunday night, Feb. 14, 2016, and firefighters and police officers rescued a dog from the home. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

A resident of a Scarboro home escaped a kitchen fire on Sunday night, and firefighters and police officers rescued a dog from the home.

The kitchen fire was reported at 7:12 p.m. Sunday at 247 South Benedict Avenue. Firefighters were able to extinguish it within about 10 minutes or less.

Marie Woolin, a resident who was home alone at the time, was outside when firefighters arrived, Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley said. Neighbors helped her to a car, and she was later taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge for evaluation. She was released later Sunday night, Kerley said.

The fire appears to have started on a stove and to be cooking-related, Kerley said. It was reported to have caused significant damage to the kitchen, where it burned cabinets, and there was reported to be smoke and water damage in the rest of the house. [Read more…]

Methodist offers a new weapon in fight against lung cancer

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Methodist Medical Center Main Entrance

Cigarettes bring together more than 50 chemicals that are known to cause cancer. In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States and worldwide.

In the U.S., lung cancer is responsible for 29 percent of cancer deaths, more than those from breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer combined. Statistically, lung cancer caused by smoking is responsible for nearly 135,000 U.S. deaths per year.

Early detection [Read more…]

Physicians Forum: Overview of Tennessee Workers’ Compensation—2015

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Robert Snyder

Robert Snyder

A June 30 forum will focus on workers compensation reforms in Tennessee.

During the forum, Dr. Robert B. Snyder, medical director for the Division of Workers’ Compensation and Jeff Francis, assistant administrator in the Workers’ Compensation Division, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, will present a seminar titled “Overview of Tennessee Workers’ Compensation—2015.”

It’s been organized by the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce and scheduled for Tuesday, June 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Goff Medical Sciences Building, Goff 104, at Roane State Community College at 701 Briarcliff Avenue in Oak Ridge. The forum is sponsored by Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Stroke symptoms, rehab to be discussed during Tuesday night lecture

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Arthur Moore

Arthur Moore

Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and affect more than 795,000 Americans each year. It’s important to recognize the signs of a stroke, know what actions to take, and get on the road to recovery.

Join Methodist Medical Center for Health Night on the Town as Arthur Moore, MD, medical director of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Mary Dillon, MD, medical director of Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, discuss the many aspects of a stroke, from signs and symptoms to rehabilitation. The program will take place on Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Covenant Health, parent company of Methodist Medical Center, is the only stroke hospital network in East Tennessee, which means no matter where you live, stroke care is always nearby. When patients need a higher level of stroke care, they are transported to Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center, the leader of Covenant’s stroke network and the region’s first comprehensive stroke center, a press release said.

Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon

Health Night on the Town is a medical lecture series presented by physicians and other health professionals. Programs are held in the hospital’s Ridge Conference Room at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of every month except June, July, November, and December. Health Night is free and open to the public. For more information about Health Night on the Town, please call (865) 835-4662.

Clinch River Spring Antique Fair on Saturday in Clinton

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Clinch River Antique Festival

Clinch River Antique Fair (Submitted photo) 

 

The 11th Annual Clinch River Spring Antique Fair will be held on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Historic Downtown Clinton.

The Spring Antique Fair will kick off with a party on Friday evening, May 1, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Hoskins/Lane Park on Market Street with live musical entertainment.

Back by popular demand are The Real McCoys. This trio is comprised of brothers Blake and Aaron McCoy, who play banjo and guitar, and bass player Nick Patterson.

These young men grew up in Lake City playing in church, and they have been a favorite at The Museum of Appalachia’s Fall Homecoming for the past five years, a press release said. They released their first album in 2010 and are currently working on their second one, hoping to include several songs they have written. Their true passion for bluegrass music drives them to make bluegrass appeal to everyone. Their spin on the classic “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” has made them a local favorite.

[Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center celebrates Certified Nurses Day

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Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge observed Certified Nurses Day on Thursday, March 19, by honoring all of the board-certified nurses who work at the hospital.

Board certification of nurses plays an important role in assuring high standards of patient care.

“Nursing, like health care in general, has become increasingly complex,” said Janice McKinley, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Covenant Health, parent company of Methodist Medical Center. “Board certification means that a nurse has successfully completed extensive specialized education, and has made a strong personal and professional commitment to excellence. These are the expert nurses who work throughout our health system.” [Read more…]

Hospitality Houses keep family close during son’s medical crisis

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Hospitality Houses

One of the Hospitality Houses is pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

Part of being a parent is letting your children go. You want them to grow up, become independent adults, get a job, “leave the nest.” But when the unthinkable happens, when your independent, self-supporting, adult child is critically ill or hurt, you instantly become that protective parent of bygone years, and your only wish is to be with them and to offer comfort, support, care, and love.

So when Pauline and Sammie Gary got a call from their son Myron saying he’d passed out twice and was going to the emergency room at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, they did what any parent would do, they got in their car and drove the five hours from their home in Aiken, South Carolina.

On their way to the hospital, the Garys were able to speak with Myron’s doctor and nurse, and they learned that their 26-year-old son’s heart had stopped and that he would require a pacemaker. They needed to be by their son’s side during this difficult and scary time, and that’s all they could focus on as they made the trip to Oak Ridge.  [Read more…]

Brian Ford named MMCer of the Month for January

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Brian Ford

Brian Ford

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Brian Ford, an attendant in the Transport department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge (MMC), was named the MMCer of the Month for January.

In his job, Ford transports patients to and from their tests, procedures, and rooms. He also assists with the “lift team,” which helps move patients in and out of their beds. He has been with Methodist since 2012.

Ford is described by manager Sheila Doughty as “compassionate and caring with all his patients.”   [Read more…]

February classes at Methodist Medical Center

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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. [Read more…]

Wanda Crowe named hospital’s MMCer of the Year

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Wanda Crowe

Wanda Crowe

Wanda Crowe, anesthesia tech in the Surgery department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the 2014 MMCer of the Year.

Hospital employees cast their votes for MMCer of the Year among the candidates who received MMCer of the Month during 2014, and Crowe, who was named MMCer of the Month in October, received the greatest number of votes to earn this special distinction.

As an anesthesia tech, Crowe’s duties include transporting patients for surgery, maintaining a clean environment for the operating rooms and assisting her coworkers with a variety of tasks to ensure a high quality of care for all patients. Crowe has been with Methodist since 1995. [Read more…]