Oak Ridge Today

Faith and Our Medical Community, Part 1: The Hospital Chaplain

Posted at
By 3 Comments

Several times I thought I saw the silhouette of angels moving around behind Chaplain Sills as I recently interviewed him in the Methodist Medical Center chapel. Reverend Jack Sills certainly needs angelic assistance in his role as the hospital chaplain here in Oak Ridge.

Just as you would expect, Chaplain Sills is a calm, gentle man who exudes kindness and understanding. This year, he will celebrate his 25th anniversary as the only full-time hospital chaplain Oak Ridge has ever had. He calls his role a “specialized form of ministry.”

Chaplain Sills describes his ministry as “the representative presence of the hospital’s belief that God is important in the care of patients, families, and staff.” He explained this to mean that the belief in God for human beings is important. His role in practical terms comes down to being a visible presence. Chaplain Sills continued: “Being present gives opportunity to others to discuss spiritual or emotional concerns without an agenda. I consider these to be holy moments.

[Read more…]

Methodist Medical Center conducts assessment of local health needs

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

As a member organization of Covenant Health, Methodist Medical Center’s mission is to improve the quality of life for East Tennesseans through better health. One important way to carry out that mission is to collaborate with communities to determine local health needs, and to work with local organizations to develop and implement plans for addressing those needs.

In addition, recent healthcare legislation requires that Methodist and other not-for-profit hospitals and health systems conduct community needs assessments every three years. While the process is not explicitly scripted, hospitals are encouraged to collaborate with key community stakeholders such as health departments, universities, and organizations such as United Way and local Chambers of Commerce.

[Read more…]

Baby Lyric ‘Sings’ in the New Year at Methodist Medical Center

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

New Year's Baby

Lyric Kendall Phillips was born just after midnight New Year’s morning, making her the first baby of 2013 born at Methodist Medical Center. She is pictured above with parents Mandy Truax and Cody Phillips. (Submitted photo)

While many were singing “Auld Lang Syne” to cap off 2012 and welcome in the New Year, the delivery of 6 lbs., 15 oz. Lyric Kendall Phillips brought the sweet sounds of a new baby to parents Mandy Truax and Cody Phillips. Lyric made her debut just a little past midnight on New Year’s morning, making her the first baby of 2013 born at Methodist Medical Center—and the first new resident of Clinton.

[Read more…]

Former Medford fire chief dies in single-vehicle accident in Oak Ridge Turnpike

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Oak Ridge Turnpike Fatal Accident

A Lake City man died Wednesday evening during a single-vehicle accident on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Elza Drive. Braden’s pickup truck went down an embankment and hit a tree, but his passenger survived. (Photos by Tom Scott)

A Lake City man who was also a former volunteer fire chief in Medford died during a single-vehicle accident on Oak Ridge Turnpike near Elza Drive at about 4:46 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.

Ronnie L. Braden, 62, was driving a black 2001 Ford pickup that went 15 feet down an embankment and into a tree, according to an Oak Ridge Fire Department report.

Rescuers said Braden had been complaining of chest pains before the accident.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, the Oak Ridge Police Department said Braden was declared dead at the scene by Anderson County Emergency Medical Services.

[Read more…]

Generous Christmas spirits make Holiday Lights shine at Methodist

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Marc Beaubien, Debbie Scarbrough, Clay Good

Holiday Lights guest speaker, Marc Beaubien, left, stands before the illuminated tree with with Debbie Scarbrough, Hospitality House coordinator, and Clay Good, Holiday Lights chair. (Submitted photos)

The Hospitality Houses of Methodist Medical Center provide a home away from home for cancer patients and their families who come to Methodist Medical Center for treatment. Nearly 4,000 guests have been welcomed into Methodist’s two houses, the Manly House and the CALM House. Thanks to the community’s generosity during the annual Holiday Lights campaign, the houses will continue to provide lodging, food and comfort to the guests who pass through their doors.

Holiday Lights is the annual fundraiser that supports Methodist’s Hospitality Houses through the sponsorship of lights. The Methodist Medical Center Foundation held a dedication ceremony on Dec. 6 to thank this year’s donors, who gave their support by contributing $28,000 to Holiday Lights, an amount which has continued to grow even as the official campaign comes to a close. The money raised through the campaign is used to pay for the houses’ daily operations, utilities, food, and overall upkeep.

[Read more…]

MMC recognized for safety

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

Methodist Medical Center was honored with an “A” Hospital Safety Score by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit run by employers and other large purchasers of health benefits.

The A score was awarded in the latest update to the Hospital Safety ScoreSM. The grades were assigned to U.S. hospitals based on preventable medical errors, injuries, accidents, and infections.

[Read more…]

WYSH: ETHRA van driver busted for pills at hospital

Posted at
By 4 Comments

Information from WYSH Radio in Clinton

A van driver for the East Tennessee Human Resource Agency was arrested last week after he allegedly bought pain pills from a confidential informant in a bathroom at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Leonard Shannon Ellis, 33, of Rockwood and Keith Edward Sackett, 55, of Kingston are each in custody at the Anderson County Jail on charges of criminal conspiracy and possession of a controlled substance.

[Read more…]

Small fire in MMC emergency department quickly extinguished

Posted at
By 1 Comment

Methodist Medical Center Mattress Fire

The Oak Ridge police and fire departments respond to a small mattress fire on Wednesday morning in the Methodist Medical Center emergency department.

Note: This story was updated at 1:30 p.m.

A patient with a lighter who was experiencing a medical emergency started a foam mattress on fire at Methodist Medical Center on Wednesday morning, Oak Ridge Fire Chief Darryl Kerley said.

In a statement, the hospital said the small 10:15 a.m. fire in its emergency department was quickly extinguished.

[Read more…]