The newest member of the orthopedic team at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Dr. Marvin Vice, held a community lecture on February 10, 2012 at the Mitchell Senior Center. Lecture attendees heard information related to multiple orthopedic procedures including therapy, joint replacement and the equipment used in joint replacement procedures. Speaker Dr. Marvin Vice has over 30 years of experience in orthopedics and is pleased to be a part of the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Orthopedic team. “It is wonderful to get out and meet people in the community,” says Vice “I enjoy answering questions and discussing how our orthopedic team can help people and improve their quality of life.”
Dr. Vice will be holding another lecture at the Mitchell Senior Center in ledger on February 24, 2012 at 9:00 AM. All lectures are free to the community and everyone is invited to attend. If you would like to meet Dr. Vice or have questions about orthopedics in general please attend the lecture on February 24, 2012.
Dr. Vice sees patients in two convenient locations; in Spruce Pine at 78 Broad Street or in Burnsville at the Blue Ridge Medical Clinic – Yancey Campus. To schedule and appointment for either location please call 828-765-8200.
The Laboratory and Pathology Departments of Watauga Medical Center consistently maintain accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP). We are pleased to announce that based on the results of a recent onsite inspection, the Watauga Medical Center Laboratory and Pathology Departments were once again awarded accreditation by CAP.
The laboratory's director, Steven J. Bredehoeft, MD, MPH, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided.
"Dr. Bredhoeft, Dr. Brent Hall and I could not be more pleased with the CAP survey results. The results are the reflection of dedicated staff who are committed to providing excellent patient care," said Beth Miller, ARHS Administrative Director of Laboratory Services.
"Each member of our laboratory and pathology services team works tirelessly to ensure we meet and exceed our regulatory requirements."
Watauga Medical Center's Laboratory and Pathology Departments share this designation with more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories worldwide. The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960's, is recognized by the federal government as being equal to or more stringent than the government's own inspection program.
During the CAP accreditation process, inspectors examine the laboratory's records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, as well as the laboratory's equipment, facilities, safety program and record, in addition to the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to specifically ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients.
To learn more about ARHS laboratory services, visit https://www.apprhs.org/laboratory.
More information about CAP can be found at www.cap.org.
To learn more about Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, visit www.apprhs.org.
Yancey Humane Society wishes to congratulate Doris Willis, Julie Tipton and Renee Tomberlin for their dedication and service to animals in Yancey County. They are all Animal Technicians. Doris has been an employee five years, Julie three years and Renee one year.(click headline to see pics)
The 2011 Mayland Community College Staff Excellence award recipient is a familiar face at the college. The recipient, Rhia Crawford, has been working at Mayland since 1986. “I am honored to receive this award,” said Crawford. “Mayland has a wonderful staff and they all want to do the best they can for their peers and students. It was humbling to hear my name announced when we have so many dedicated and deserving staff members.”
Crawford began her career in higher education at Mayland as a part time instructor in the Secretarial Program and then transitioned to a full time instructor in 1987. “My passion is for teaching and seeing the students succeed in the classroom,” said Crawford. “That is one of the greatest pleasures of my job. Seeing the looks of accomplishment and hearing the support from the families of our graduates helps me to see that we are truly making a difference in the lives of our students. This is evident in all graduations, from Basic Skills graduations where students are awarded their GEDs to the Nursing and Medical Assisting pinning ceremonies to the BLET graduation to the curriculum graduation where degrees, diplomas, and certificates are awarded.”
Crawford has worked in several leadership roles at the colleges that include instructor, Department Head and Dean of the Business and Public Services Divisions at the college, Associate Vice President of Instruction, and currently as Vice President of Instruction.
In Crawford’s current position she is responsible for ensuring that Mayland’s programs meet state and accreditation requirements, while upholding a high standard of quality.
“Mayland has amazing students and the challenges they face makes me want to ensure that Mayland offers quality programs to prepare them for employment and/or further education,” said Crawford.Crawford also works with the community in finding needs for new programs for Mayland to offer.
Burnsville Shoes & More has now moved to the Fox Shopping Center on the 19-E Bypass in Burnsville, across from Western Sizzlin Steakhouse.
Liz Norton opened Burnsville Shoes & More in March of 2009 on West Main Street . The business outgrew that store and moved to a larger location on East Main Street. Now, once again the store has expanded to fill the new, larger location on the bypass.
Burnsville Shoes & More has a wide selection of new boots and shoes for men, women and children. Liz buys most of the shoes from stock overruns and returns, allowing her to offer lower prices. “We have new, namebrand shoes and boots at lower prices. We have a good selection of nice boots and they are all under $100.00, “ said Liz.
With the new location Liz has room for “slightly used” clothing for the family. She also has Motorcross helmets and boys Motorcross pants and used Motorcross boots.
Burnsville Shoes & More is open Tuesday thru Friday 11 am to 5 pm , Saturday 10 to 2. Call 682-7207.
When it’s cold and wet outside and you can’t practice on the baseball and softball fields, you’ll be happy to know there is now a place in the area where people can go to hone their pitching and batting skills. Pitch and Hit an indoor pitching, hitting and fielding facility in Ledger opened on December 5th, providing area athletes a .....
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Henry F. Gregor to our Medical Staff. Dr. Gregor is an OB/GYN with over 30 years of experience and joins the Blue Ridge Medical Clinic – Spruce Pine campus. Dr. Gregor most recently was practicing medicine in the Boone area and has been providing on-call services for Blue Ridge Regional Hospital since September, 2011. He is a Fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and a Diplomate through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Gregor began seeing outpatients on January 10, 2012 at BRMC-Spruce Pine.
“We are so pleased to have Dr. Gregor as the newest member of our team,” says Tammy Wood, Vice President of Hospital Owned Practices. “His background and experience fulfills an important need in our community and broadens our depth of Women’s Services at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. He has already made such a positive impact on the patients he has served. We are fortunate to have a physician of his expertise to service the women in our area,” stated Ms. Wood. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gregor at BRMC-Spruce Pine, or for more information , please call; 828-765-0170.
For the fourth straight year, Watauga Medical Center has received the Outstanding Patient Experience Award™ from HealthGrades. This distinction ranks Watauga Medical Center among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide based on an analysis of patient satisfaction data for 3,797 U.S. hospitals. In addition to the Overall Patient Experience Award, HealthGrades also named Watauga Medical .......
Katlyn’s Cubby Consignment/Thrift Store has opened, giving those looking to buy and sell clothing and accessories and other items a new option in Burnsville. The store is located at 613 West Bypass in the Fox Family Shopping Center across from the Western Sizzlin Steak House in Burnsville.Owner Nicky Gouge said the store will carry clothing, as well as ......
Michael Duerkes, PA is the newest member of the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Team. Duerkes joins the staff of Blue Ridge Medical Clinic – Yancey Campus as the newest Physician’s Assistant. Duerkes, PA began accepting new patients January 3, 2012. A graduate of University of Florida and A.T. Still University, Michael Duerkes and his family come to our community from Arizona. “My family and I are excited to move back to the Southeast”, says Duerkes. “We have family members living all throughout the area, and the Mountains of WNC are perfect for the outdoor lifestyle that we love.”
Michael Duerkes is a Certified Physician Assistant with experience in Family Medicine and Orthopedics. He is also a Certified Athletic Trainer. “We are pleased to have Michael as a part of our team,” says Tammy Wood, Vice President of Hospital Owned Practices. “His background will be an added benefit for our community and the patients we serve at our Blue Ridge Medical Clinic in Yancey County.” Blue Ridge Medical Clinic is located at 800 Medical Campus Drive in Burnsville. If you would like to schedule an appointment, or want more information, please call 828-682-0200.
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital recently welcomed the first baby of 2012. Louisa Marie DiFeo Eichelberger was born January 3, 2012 at 10:49 pm; she weighed 7lbs and 6oz and was 21.5 inches long. Louisa was welcomed by....................
The Mayland Manufacturers Association (MMA) held their first meeting in November on the Mitchell Campus of Mayland Community College. The MMA is an industry driven group comprised of representatives from manufacturing companies and economic development commissions in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. Officials from Mayland Community College and the North Carolina Community College System also participated in this meeting. The goal of the MMA is to serve the manufacturing sector of the area by providing the opportunity to get together and discuss common issues and needs while supporting the stability and growth of local industries. Meetings will focus on topics of interest including workforce development, customized training, human resource development, and continuing education. The MMA was developed by Mayland Community College which facilitates the meetings in order to promote the growth of industry in the area, thus promoting job growth. Companies represented in the MMA include Altec Industries, Banner’s Cabinets, New Buck Corporation, BRP Industries, Glen Raven Fabrics, Hickory Springs Manufacturing, Highland Craftsmen, Mayland Court, Unimin Corporation, Feldspar Corporation, and The Quartz Corporation. Even with many local jobs lost in recent years, manufacturing still accounts for almost 25% of all jobs in Mitchell, Avery, and Yancey counties. Across the state manufacturing provides above average wage jobs for over 500,00 individuals, putting North Carolina solidly in the top ten in the nation in terms of manufacturing output. The industries in this area are committed to hiring local workers, and Mayland Community College is committed to helping these potential employees gain the necessary skills to be productive in the manufacturing environment. If you would like more information about the Mayland Manufacturers Association, or are interested in joining, contact Ted Ollis at 828-765-7351, ext. 267.
Effective January 1, 2012, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute-Boone will become The Cardiology Center of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS). The Cardiology Center will remain in the same location as the previous Sanger office, on the campus of Watauga Medical Center......
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in ultrasound as the result of an extensive review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of internal body parts to help providers diagnose illness, injury, ..........
John Cook, RN CCES (Certified Clinical Exercise Specialist), Director of Disease Management at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital recently attended a symposium where he was co-chair of the meeting. This symposium took place in Chicago and was sponsored by the American Association of Diabetic Educators to examine the development of best practice standards ......
The Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Program is upgrading to advanced technology for patients at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. The Cardiac Rehabilitation program is currently upgrading the heart monitor system to be used as a part of the electronic health record. This upgrade will allow .....
Arthur Carder, CEO of Western Highlands Network (WHN) is pleased to announce that, the NC Department of Health & Human Services has given Western Highlands Network final approval to proceed with the next expansion site for the 1915(b)(c) Medicaid Waiver. Beginning January 3, 2012 Western Highlands.....
The Customized Training Program (CTP) provides training and services for new, expanding and existing business and industry in North Carolina. The state pioneered Customized Training fifty years ago and is consistently recognized as having one of the most effective training programs in the nation. The decision of a business or industry to locate, expand, or remain in NC is influenced ....
Naomi Hoydal saw an opportunity to give back to the community while starting a new business. Her idea was to open a business featuring local handmade crafts at affordable prices. She rented a building (the old Lamp Post Shoppe on West Main Street in Burnsville) and offered to rent space in the shop to local crafters for a nominal fee. This gives crafters a place to display .....
The Mitchell County Chamber staff welcomed over 20,000 visitors during the month of October between the two Visitors Center the Chamber operates. Over 8,000 visitors were greeted at the Crabtree Falls Visitor Center in October and over 12,000 people visited the Chamber's Visitor Center at the Museum of NC Minerals. "The Mitchell County Chamber staff were very busy in October sharing information and giving directions to over 10,000 visitors," said Shirley Hise, Executive Director. "This is another reminder of what a great benefit the Visitor Center is to our Chamber members and a reminder to our members to be sure their information is available at the Visitor Center throughout the year."
The North Carolina Farm Bureau, Yancey County Farm Bureau, and Mitchell County Farm Bureau donated $7,000 to the local medical community as part of the North Carolina Farm Bureau’s Healthy Living for a Lifetime initiative. The initiative visited Burnsville on ...
