Oak Ridge Today

Honors: Nurse in Family Birthing Center named ‘MMCer of the month’

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Shelia Justice

Shelia Justice

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Shelia Justice, licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the Family Birthing Center at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the “MMCer of the Month” for September.

In her duties, Justice provides care for post-partum mothers and babies as well as post-operative patients in the Family Birthing and Women’s Services Center. She is a scrub nurse for c-section deliveries and assists with other deliveries. Justice also ensures that the department is well-stocked and at the ready for patients. She has been with Methodist for a cumulative 13 years.

Justice is described by Donna Longmire, director of Surgical Services, as “an asset to Covenant Health, Methodist Medical Center, and the Family Birthing Center. [Read more…]

Honors: MMC names August employee of the month

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Gilly Lipang

Gilly Lipang

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Salvacion “Gilly” Lipang, a housekeeper in the Environmental Services Department at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for August.

Lipang has been with Methodist since 2010. She is described by Chris Rhodes, environmental services director at Methodist Medical Center, as “one of the most upbeat, happy individuals I have had the privilege of meeting.” Rhodes said Lipang always has a smile on her face and is a very hard worker who will do any task asked of her to the best of her ability. Rhodes said he receives many compliments on her friendliness and dedication to her job.

Lipang received two nominations. One nomination noted, “Gilly exceeds all standards of care for our patients and performs excellent care at all times.” This nomination continued: “When she cleans the rooms for our patients, they shine. She doesn’t miss a spot; everything in the room is in its place and ready for us to greet the patients with comfort in knowing she has performed a job well done.” [Read more…]

MMC Foundation hosts 2014 Acorn Classic golf tournament

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Sponsorship, player opportunities available

Plans are under way for the Methodist Medical Center Foundation’s 2014 Acorn Classic. The annual golf tournament will take place on Monday, October 20, at the Oak Ridge Country Club with a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

Registration is now open for individual players and teams, and a variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. The Acorn Classic is a four-person scramble tournament open to 120 amateur players. The entry fee is $150 per player or $600 per team of four, and it includes green fees, cart, lunch, four contest holes, and a dinner awards banquet.

Proceeds will benefit the Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center, which provide free lodging to cancer patients who must travel for treatment, as well as other outpatients and families as space allows. [Read more…]

Health Night on the Town lecture to look at end of life

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Methodist Medical Center Entrance at Night

The main entrance to Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge is pictured above at night. (Photo courtesy Covenant Health)

Death, you might say, is a fact of life. It’s something we all must face, and while it may not do to dwell on death, it can benefit all of us to understand it, accept it, and plan for it—for both ourselves and our loved ones.

That’s the goal of the Ethics Committee at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge as they present “Preparing for End of Life” at August’s Health Night on the Town lecture. The Ethics Committee is comprised of physicians and other experts from the medical field who will share their professional and personal experiences. The program will discuss the biology of death, the psycho-social aspects of death, and the practical aspects of death, such as advance directives and other legal documents.

Health Night on the Town on will take place Tuesday, August 26, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The program will be led by members of the Ethics Committee at Methodist Medical Center, which includes members of Methodist’s medical staff: family practice physician and Ethics Committee chair Jose Malagon, MD; orthopedic surgeon Randall Robbins, MD; anesthesiologist Stephanie Smith, MD; and Methodist employees: chaplain Jack Sills, clinical social worker Julie Emig, and risk manager Lisa Chadwick.

Health Night is a free medical lecture series and is open to the public. For more information about Health Night on the Town, call (865) 835-4662.

Baby’s Best Fest celebrates World Breastfeeding Month

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Like ice cream and a summer day, some things are just made for each other. That’s how we feel about breastfeeding, too.

Breast milk is made especially for your baby. Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, La Leche League, and WIC encourage all new mothers to consider breastfeeding for your baby’s health and development. Remember, breast is best for baby!

To celebrate World Breastfeeding Month, Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, La Leche League, and WIC 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 Tuesday, August 5, from 6-7 p.m. at the Bissell Park Playground, located at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Ice cream quantities are limited. Bring your picnic blanket, your family, and your friends and show your support for breastfeeding and giving your baby the best start possible!

For more information, call (865) 835-4662.

MMC receives quality achievement award for heart attack treatment

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MMC Cath Lab Blurry Action

 

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge has received the Mission: Lifeline Bronze Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.

“Methodist is honored to receive recognition from this highly respected organization,” said Dr. Milan Sheth, a board-certified and fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist on the staff of Methodist Medical Center. “We are deeply committed to preventing conditions that can lead to heart attacks and to diagnose and treat even the most critically ill cardiac patients.”

Each year in the United States, approximately 300,000 people have a STEMI, or ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, caused by a complete blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it’s critical to immediately restore blood flow, either by surgically opening the blocked vessel or by giving clot-busting medication.

The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps hospitals, emergency medical services, and communities improve response times so people who suffer from a STEMI get prompt, appropriate treatment. The program’s goal is to streamline systems of care to quickly get heart attack patients from the first 9-1-1 call to hospital treatment. [Read more…]

Methodist’s Survivor Sundae proves just how sweet victory can be

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Crystal, Kim, and Shari

Photos courtesy Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

 

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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 1, life after cancer looked like a warm summer day resplendent in sunshine. It sounded like old-fashioned mountain music being carried on a gentle Tennessee breeze. It tasted like a bowl full of ice cream topped with chocolate and cookies and sprinkles…and a bit of whipped cream for good measure. On Sunday, June 1, life after cancer looked beautiful whether it was still a little weak, still healing a scar, still re-growing hair, or whether it was an old friend that had come many years before, but never looses its sweetness.

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge honored these cancer survivors, their family, and friends by holding Survivor Sundae, an ice cream social celebrating National Cancer Survivor Day on Sunday, June 1. Nearly 100 people 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, also known as CALM.

“Sometimes people have a negative idea of what life after cancer looks like,” said Kim Maes, coordinator of the Hospitality Houses at Methodist 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…]

Honors: Tammy Sparks named May’s MMCer of the Month

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Tammy Sparks

Tammy Sparks

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Tammy Sparks, a licensed practical nurse and certified surgical technologist in the Family Birthing Center at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for May.

In her duties, Sparks provides care for patients in the Family Birthing Center, assists physicians with c-section deliveries, and assists registered nurses in patient care as well as stocks and manages supplies for the Family Birthing Center and operating room. She has been with Methodist since 2010.

Sparks is described by Donna Hamby, director of Surgical Services, as “an asset to her patients, co-workers, physicians, Methodist Medical Center, and Covenant Health.”

Hamby continued, “She provides excellent patient care and has good clinical judgment and skill.”

The person who nominated Sparks said, “She is the most efficient and productive employee that I have ever had the pleasure of working with.” [Read more…]

Honors: Becky Cox named April’s MMCer of the Month

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Becky Cox

Becky Cox

Becky Cox, a registered nurse in the Post Anesthesia Recovery Unit, or PACU, at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, has been named the MMCer of the Month for April.

In her duties, Cox prepares patients for surgery as well as cares for their needs in the recovery room. She joined Methodist as a student nurse in 1979 and has been employed as an RN since 1981. Prior to working in the PACU, Cox worked in the Acute Care Unit and was one of the first two RNs to open Methodist’s Cath Lab in 1988.

Cox is described by Deborah Lively, nurse manager in the PACU at Methodist, as “dependable, committed, and someone who provides excellent care to each and every patient and family she comes in contact with.”

Lively continues by saying, “She is a team player and works well with all of her co-workers, surrounding departments, and physicians.” [Read more…]

Get your tickets to support MMC Casino Night 2014

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MMC Casino Night

Grab your best girl and swing into Methodist Medical Center’s Casino Night 2014! The 40s-themed event will celebrate Oak Ridge’s heritage as a military town, and promises to be a night of fun, food and fancy footwork. (Photo courtesy MMC)

Tickets are still available for the Methodist Medical Center Foundation’s Casino Night 2014: Secrets, Science and Swing on Saturday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the New Hope Center at Y-12. This year’s theme hearkens back to the early days of Oak Ridge when the street were in mud, couples were in the mood, and mum was the word.

Guests at Casino Night will enjoy dinner and dancing, as well as silent and live auctions that include tickets to local and national attractions, local art, fine jewelry, weekend getaways, and week-long trips in the Rocky Mountains, Sunset Beach, and the Caribbean. The band Soul Candy and the Traffic Jam will provide late night entertainment. [Read more…]

United Way raises $1.17 million, about 90 percent of ‘bold’ goal

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Greta Ownby and Edwena Crowe

UWAC Board President, Greta Ownby, left, announces Edwena Crowe, right, as Volunteer of the Year. (Submitted photos)

The campaign was complicated by the partial government shutdown in October, but the United Way of Anderson County raised close to $1.2 million this year, or about 90 percent of its goal.

The results were announced at an annual meeting and campaign announcement at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge on Thursday.

The campaign goal, which was described as “bold,” had been $1.3 million. The total amount raised was $1,172,742. The United Way said this will allow for stable funding for its agency programs.

“Unfortunately, we will not be able to increase funding to our community partners,” UWAC Executive Director Rick Morrow said. “Last year’s total resulted in a reduction of $200,000 to the funding pool, and this year’s total will only allow for continued funding at that level.” [Read more…]

Inadequate shielding exposed workers to excess radiation at MMC imaging center, lawsuits allege

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Methodist Medical Center

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

Methodist Medical Center says it will ‘vigorously’ refute allegations

Note: This story was last updated at 3:38 p.m.

Five lawsuits filed in Anderson County on Monday allege that X-ray and radiologic technologists, including two who were pregnant, were exposed to excess radiation for several years at Methodist Medical Center because some walls in and around a radiology imaging center in the new emergency department were built without the required lead shielding, elevating the workers’ risk of health problems, including cancer.

The five lawsuits allege the walls in the emergency department, which opened in February 2006 as part of a hospital remodel, did not have the required protective radiological shielding because of building, design, and inspection errors.

Lead-lined walls are required in radiological areas to limit radiation exposure under local and federal regulations and construction and health standards, the lawsuits say.

But the defendants—Covenant Health of Knoxville, Rentenbach Engineering Co. of Knoxville, and TEG Architects LLC of Jeffersonville, Ind.—failed to have qualified personnel survey or check the installation and construction parameters, or conduct proper barrier determinations for lead barrier thickness, to ensure that the walls in the radiological areas would adequately reduce scatter and leakage radiation, the lawsuits say. The defendants also failed to have qualified personnel certify that the MMC in-department imaging center and nearby areas were built in compliance with all applicable regulations and guidelines so that the plaintiffs “would only be exposed to levels of radiation that were as low as reasonably achievable, all before allowing work to be done at that facility.” [Read more…]