Oak Ridge Today

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)

 

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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…]

Atrial fibrillation the topic of Health Night on the Town Tuesday

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Rakesh Vohra

Rakesh Vohra

Learn about atrial fibrillation, a common cardiac arrhythmia, during a Tuesday night lecture in Oak Ridge.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in adults, and it affects more than two million Americans and nine million people worldwide, a press release said. In fact, 15 percent of all strokes occur in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Cardiologist Rakesh Vohra, MD, will discuss atrial fibrillation and heart health during Health Night on the Town at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 24, in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, which is at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Schools have health, wellness panel, screening on Saturday

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Oak Ridge Schools Logo

The Oak Ridge Schools Office of Coordinated School Health and the Allergy, Asthma, and Sinus Center are hosting a free Health and Wellness Panel Discussion and Health Screening this Saturday, January 31, at Oak Ridge High School Auditorium from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The event will be hosted by Dr. Bob Overholt of the Dr. Bob Show. The panel will consist of Dr. Karthick Krishnan (asthma/allergy specialist), Dr. Chris Nolte (sleep specialist), Dr. Randy Robbins (orthopedic specialist), and Dr. Matthew McCallister (concussion/pediatric health). The panel will answer audience questions from 10:15 a.m.-11:15 a.m. [Read more…]

ORPD: Woman pointing handgun out door, pulling trigger as police arrive

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A woman who said she wanted to end her life was pointing a handgun out the doorway of an Orange Lane home and pulling the trigger as officers arrived on a welfare check Wednesday night, authorities said.

The Oak Ridge Police Department responded to the home at 8:01 p.m. Wednesday. They were dispatched to check the welfare of a resident who was reported to be intoxicated and attempting to commit suicide with a handgun.

“Upon arrival, Officers Derek Burchfield and Timothy Buckner observed a 64-year old female subject at the front door of the residence, pointing a handgun out the doorway and pulling the trigger,” the ORPD and City of Oak Ridge said in a press release. [Read more…]

Baby Dylan rings in new year at Methodist Medical Center

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New Year's Baby 2015 MMC

Photo courtesy Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

 

He was due on December 28, and Dylan Cohen Williams was supposed to be one of the last babies of 2014.

But after making Mom and Dad wait a few days longer, on January 1, 2015, at 12:53 p.m. he became Methodist Medical Center’s first baby of the New Year.

Dylan weighed in at 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and he was 20 inches long. [Read more…]

New Fit Club will have monthly hikes on Fridays

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Join the Friday Fit Club and hit the trail for a fun new experience, a press release said.

Covenant Health affiliates Methodist Medical Center and Roane Medical Center are joining together with the Anderson and Roane County Parks and Recreation Departments to create a Friday Fit Club, which will meet for monthly hikes.

If you enjoy hiking and are interested in participating in the Friday Fit Club, you are encouraged to attend a planning meeting on Friday, January 9, from 8:45-10 a.m. in the Ridge Conference Room at Methodist Medical Center, located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Light refreshments will be served, and registration is required. Call (865) 835-4662 to register by January 6.

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…]

Driver stable with minor injuries after car rolls, hits tree

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Oliver Springs Highway Crash

The male driver of this Ford Taurus was stable with minor injuries after going off Oliver Springs Highway, rolling down a drop-off, and hitting a large tree, authorities said. The driver had to be extricated and was taken by ambulance to Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. (Photos by Tom Scott)

 

Rescuers had to extricate the male driver of a car that rolled down a drop-off alongside Oliver Springs Highway and hit a large tree Tuesday morning, and the man was in stable condition with minor injuries, authorities said.

The single-vehicle crash was reported at about 6:50 a.m. Tuesday on Oliver Springs Highway near Bill Key Lane.

The Ford Taurus was headed toward Oliver Springs when it rolled a few times down a 10- to 15-foot drop-off alongside the highway, said Stephanie Fox, assistant chief of the Marlow Volunteer Fire Department. The car stopped when it hit a large tree, she said. [Read more…]

Woman dies after trying to save pets from house fire

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Ridge Lane Firefighters

Firefighters battle a blaze at a Ridge Lane home on Wednesday. A woman who tried to save her pets from the fire died overnight. (Photo by Tom Scott)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:50 p.m. Nov. 23.

The 65-year-old woman who was burned and seriously injured while trying to save three pets from a house fire on Wednesday afternoon died overnight at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, authorities said.

Martha Babb Bailey and Adra Denton of Oak Ridge had arrived at Bailey’s home at 131 Ridge Lane around 3 p.m. Wednesday after grocery shopping. When they opened the front door, the house, which is in Orchard Knob subdivision in Anderson County, burst into flames. Denton called 911 to report the fire, and Bailey ran into the burning home to try to rescue two dogs and a cat, Anderson County Sheriff Paul White said.

But Bailey’s clothes caught fire, and she collapsed in the living room, White said. Denton was unable to reach her and called 911 again to say her friend was trapped in the burning single-story home. [Read more…]

Testosterone levels to be discussed at Health Night on Tuesday

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Adam Shrewsberry

Adam Shrewsberry

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As men age, the body naturally produces less testosterone. In some men, the drop can be dramatic enough to cause fatigue, muscle loss, weight gain, sexual problems, and depression.

Up to one-quarter of men older than 45 may suffer from low testosterone. The condition is more likely to occur as a man grows older.

Learn more about “Low T,” its effects, and the benefits and risks of testosterone replacement therapy, as Adam Shrewsberry, MD, the newest urologist to join the medical staff at Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, discusses “Testosterone: Knowing Your Number” at Health Night on the Town. [Read more…]

Developer: Donut Palace to be built where Price Florist was

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Donut Palace Site Prep

A Donut Palace will be built where Price Florist used to be, and redevelopment work is starting, an Oak Ridge company said Thursday.

 

A Donut Palace will be built where Price Florist used to be, a development company said Thursday.

Redevelopment work is starting, and The Donut Palace of Oak Ridge could open in the first quarter of 2015, said Cappiello Real Estate and Development Company.

The company said The Donut Palace is a regional chain that is primarily located in Texas and the Midwest.

“The Donut Palace is an artisan bakery featuring handmade apple fritters, muffins, cookies, brownies, pastries, and of course, doughnuts,” Cappiello Real Estate and Development Company said. “Each pastry is prepared daily and made fresh for the customers. Along with the baked goods, they will offer coffee, drinks, and artisan sandwiches.” [Read more…]