Breathe Easier - Tift Regional Medical Center

TI F T R EGIONAL M EDIC AL CENTER
Making
Healthy
Choices
at the
Drive-Thru
Breathe
Easier
Controlling
Childhood
Asthma
FALL 2008
The Facts
Behind
Autism
Contents
All About Autism
Children with
autism can make
vast improvements
with early
diagnosis and
treatment.
F E AT U R E S
10
8
Controlling a Child’s Asthma
Learn the basics behind asthma and the
symptoms to look for in your child.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE…
On the Cover
Children of Tift Regional Medical
Center employees are featured
throughout this edition of On Health.
4
7
13
• TRMC’s Summer in Review
• Putting Security First
• Tops in Patient Satisfaction
• Mom, I Can’t
Sleep—My
Head Hurts
• Growing Up is Hard to Do
• Exercise Tricks for Kids
9
15
• Is This Normal for a Newborn?
• Six Ways to Healthier
Fast Food
• New Waiting Rooms
Comfort Families
• Advanced ICU Now Open
6
• New Spine Therapy
Center Opens
• Eat Your Way to
Straight A’s?
• Open MRI Now Available
at West Campus
Oh
!
Nuts
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
14
• What’s Happening
at TRMC
12
• Dealing with
Attention Disorders
• Avoid the Flu
In the Summer 2008 edition of On Health, a photo of pecans was inadvertently
included with an article suggesting readers eat walnuts (“Lower Cholesterol
with Heart-Healthy Foods” on page 4). Pecans also have many health benefits,
and we apologize for any confusion this error may have resulted in.
3
End of Summer
Wrap Up
Tift Regional Medical Center had a busy and exciting
summer. From the annual men’s and women’s events to a golf
tournament and a road race, there were events for everyone.
Here are the highlights with some familiar local faces. Look
closely and you might see someone you know!
The Ninth Annual Nanci Bowen
Charity Golf Tournament was
held last May at the Spring
Hill Country Club. Funds from
the tournament benefited
patients at the Oncology
Center, Hospice of Tift Area,
and Transitions at Tift Regional
Medical Center.
Approximately 200 men gathered at the
UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center
for the Second Annual Tift Regional
Medical Center’s Men’s Event. Attendees
were treated to a barbecue lunch, health
screenings, and lectures. Various vendors
exhibited displays ranging from lawn
equipment to home sound systems. After
lunch, there were fantastic giveaways
including prizes from all the vendors,
emergency car kits, and a HDTV.
4
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
Loop the Lake, a 5K run and one-mile walk, cosponsored by Tift
Regional Medical Center, was held at Lake Blackshear on July 19.
The event included more than 300 participants and raised more than
$20,000 for Ruth’s Cottage and GraceWay Recovery Residence.
The Tenth Annual Tift Regional Medical
Center’s Women’s Event was recently
held at the UGA Tifton Campus
Conference Center. More than 1,000
women attended and were treated
to free health screenings, brunch,
information booths, giveaways, and
keynote speaker Diana Jordan.
Dr. Joe Turner was one of the featured
speakers at the Fourth Annual Tift Regional
Medical Center Senior Seminar, discussing
how to take care of yourself. Other guest
speakers, including Dr. David Banks,
covered healthy eating and how to know
when joint replacement is necessary. This
year’s event was the largest yet, drawing a
crowd of more than 200 people.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
5
New Spine Therapy Center Open
Tift Regional Medical Center recently
opened a new outpatient Spine Therapy
Center in Tifton that complements the
hospital’s growing spine program. In
addition to two orthopedic spine surgeons
on the hospital’s medical staff, TRMC now
offers a service with a specific focus on
spinal physical therapy.
The director of the new TRMC Spine
Therapy Center is Melanie Peavy, MPT,
RN, BSN, a licensed physical therapist with
Eat Your Way to
Straight A’s ?
Want your third-grader to do well on
her math test? The answer may be as
easy as changing what’s on her plate. A
recent survey of 5,000 fifth graders found
that kids who ate a low-fat diet, including
plenty of fruits and vegetables, were
more likely to pass a standardized test
than kids who ate junk food. The survey,
however, did not take into account family
education level or income.
Regardless of whether or not eating
well can improve grades, the other
health benefits of a good diet—weight
loss, more energy, lower cholesterol—
make encouraging healthy snacks over
french fries an easy choice.
advanced training in spinal care.
Peavy offers a variety of techniques
ranging from myofascial release to
spinal mobilization and manipulation,
as well as the latest approaches to spinal
mechanical traction and pain-relieving
modalities. The center will provide
an intense, hands-on approach to
spine therapy.
For more information about the Spine
Therapy Center, call (229) 353-3047.
Open MRI
Now Available
at West Campus
Tift Regional Medical Center
recently began a new open magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) service at
the TRMC West Campus, located in
Tifton at the crossroads of Interstate
75 and U.S. 41. This new unit gives
TRMC a total of three MRI options,
including a high-field strength MRI
and open bore MRI located at the
hospital’s main campus.
Traditional MRI units are closed
and tunnel-shaped, while an
open MRI is open on three sides.
According to Jerry Flannery, director
of Radiology at TRMC, open MRI
is ideal for small children, larger
patients, and those suffering from
claustrophobia or anxiety problems.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Wil Wynn (10 ½), Ross Wynn (10 ½), Reese Wynn (4), children of Lori Wynn, MRI, 7 years with TRMC
Wil says his Mama “looks at other people’s x-rays and stuff like that.” He enjoys going to Wild
Adventures, the bowling alley, and playing board games with his Mama. Ross says his Mama
checks people’s brains to make sure they don’t have diseases. He likes it when she takes them
to the movies. Reese says her Mama works beside the drawing room in the hospital and
works to help people get better. Lori says her favorite thing about her job is “helping patients,
taking care of them, and hopefully, making their experience here even better!”
6
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
Tops in
Putting
Security
First
Tift Regional Medical Center’s security
was recently recognized for its innovative
services and customer satisfaction by
Security Sales & Integration magazine.
TRMC’s security team has installed a stateof-the-art security system throughout TRMC
that allows them to lock down facilities
instantly and monitor 120 cameras. TRMC
also has door access control allowing only
members of each department to have
access. For example, only authorized
employees who need to be in Pediatrics are
allowed to have door access.
Patient
Satisfaction
Tift Regional Medical Center was
recently cited in an article in the Atlanta
Journal-Constitution as one of the top 10
Georgia hospitals in patient satisfaction.
Using data from a new hospital
ratings web site sponsored by the Center
for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS), the newspaper ranked Georgia
hospitals in order of the percentage
of patients who gave the hospital an
overall rating of nine or higher (out of
10). TRMC tied for eighth place out of
the 72 Georgia hospitals included in
the CMS survey, with 75 percent of
patients giving TRMC an overall rating
of nine or higher. The Georgia average
is 65 percent and the national average
is 63 percent.
Mom, IMyCan’t
Sleep—
Head Hurts
Children who suffer from migraines
are almost twice as likely to experience
sleep apnea—a blockage in the airway
that causes the child to wake repeatedly
throughout the night.
A recent study looked at 90 children who
had reported experiencing both sleep and
headache problems. Almost two-thirds
of the children suffered from migraines,
while the other third experienced chronic
headaches, tension headaches, or nonspecific headaches on a daily basis.
The results revealed that 56 percent of
the children with migraines suffered
from sleep disorders such as sleep
apnea, while only 30 percent of the
children without migraines experienced
sleep problems.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Blake Davis (4), Sadie Davis (1), children of Joy Davis, Outreach and Development,
5 years with TRMC
Blake says, “Mama works to get money to buy me candy.” He likes it when she
plays with his guns and draws with him. “I like to lay down with her at night
time and I like for her to hold me,” Blake says. Joy chose her career in marketing
because she likes working with people and enjoys being creative.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
7
Controlling
a Child’s Asthma
When healthy kids get out of breath, they’re usually able to recover
quickly just by relaxing and breathing deeply. When children suffer
asthma attacks, they feel like they’re out of breath and breathing
through a coffee stirrer.
Asthma symptoms include:
• coughing, whistling sounds, or
wheezing when exhaling
• constant respiratory infections
or frequent coughing
• coughing after exercising or
coughing at night while sleeping
• complaints about chest pain
or tightness
According to the American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, more
than 9 million American children suffer from
asthma, a condition that causes the lung’s
airways—known as the bronchioles and
bronchial tubes—to become inflamed and
swollen. As a result, kids might experience
an asthma attack, a “perfect storm” event
that occurs when mucus buildup clogs the
bronchial tubes and increases inflammation,
resulting in the constriction of the muscles
around the airway.
“When a child experiences an asthma
attack, he or she might start coughing,
wheezing, and having breathing
problems,” says Donna Robison, MEd,
RRT, AE-C, asthma educator on staff at
Tift Regional Medical Center. “Asthma
attacks can be life-threatening, so it’s
critical that children with asthma get
diagnosed and then use their control
medications every day and quick-relief
medications as needed.”
Getting Help
Physicians aren’t sure what causes
asthma, but they believe it has to do
with the developing immune system.
Symptoms may develop during infancy
and most asthmatic children can be
diagnosed by age two or three.
After the diagnosis is made, the child
will use daily control medications to
prevent symptoms. The physician also will
prescribe a quick-relief medication to use
when he or she experiences an asthma
attack. By taking the medications—and
attending asthma education classes with
the parents to learn about controlling
the symptoms—your child can be
healthier and reduce the risk of being
hospitalized because of asthma.
“Asthma is a condition that can’t
be cured, but it can be controlled
with the use of medications,” says Lyn
Parson, C-PNP, certified pediatric nurse
practitioner on the medical staff at
TRMC. “It’s critical that parents—and
children—follow the recommendations
of their provider for asthma treatment
on a daily basis.”
To schedule an appointment with an
asthma educator, call (229) 353-7526.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Kennon Snipes (4), child of Tiffany Snipes, Nursing-Surgical Floor, 3 years with TRMC
Kennon says, “Mama works way up top at the hospital and takes shots to sick people.”
Tiffany says her department is a family—they celebrate birthdays, weddings, and new
babies. “We really love each other like part of our own family,” she says.
8
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
Six Ways to
Healthier
Fast
Food
Is This Normal
for a Newborn?
New parents are often filled with questions about what is or is not
normal regarding their newborn’s health. Read on for information about
common newborn conditions.
“Maternal instincts are usually very
good at detecting problems or illness
in a newborn,” says Tony Addington,
MD, board-certified pediatrician
on the medical staff at Tift Regional
Medical Center. “Parents should be
encouraged to bring any concerns to
their pediatrician’s attention, especially
if the child has a high (100.4 degrees
or higher) or low (less than 97 degrees)
rectal temperature, difficulty breathing,
lethargy, or extreme irritability.”
Common newborn ailments include:
• blocked tear ducts
• constipation
• cradle cap, including redness
and heavy flaking on the scalp
• diarrhea
• jaundice
• problems nursing
• rash, often present at birth
• reflux
• thrush
All of these conditions are treatable.
If you think your child is ill, contact your
pediatrician.
Dr. Addington practices at Children’s
Medical Center and is on the medical
staff at TRMC. He can be reached at
(229) 391-3640.
Fast food and healthy food seem
like opposite ends of the spectrum,
but they don’t have to be. Linda
Moore, PhD, RD, LD, CDE, manager
of the Diabetes Learning Center at
Tift Regional Medical Center, gives
these pointers on how to pick
healthier choices at the drive-thru.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Make your portion size small.
Choose the smallest sandwich,
which often has around
300 calories.
Hit the greens. Choose a salad
with grilled chicken and steer clear
of fried meats, croutons, bacon bits,
heavy cheese, and full-fat dressing.
Turn on the grill. Opt for grilled
or roasted meats instead of fried or
breaded ones.
Don’t drink your calories. A
32-ounce soda has about
300 calories. Instead, order
unsweetened ice tea or water.
Take it off. Condiments and
toppings often add the bulk of
calories and fat to a meal. Choose
mustard or ketchup instead of
mayonnaise and skip the cheese.
Pick a good side. Order a side
salad or fruit bowl instead of fries.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Haley Harden (8), Mackenzie Harden (6), Wren Harden (2), children of Melinda
Harden, Pharmacy, 5 years with TRMC
Haley says her Mama “works in the upstairs and sends medicine to sick people
in the hospital.” Mackenzie says her Mama makes medicine and works in the
pharmacy. She enjoys swimming with her mom when she is not working. Melinda
says she enjoys helping to find the right drug at the right time so she can help
patients get home faster.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
9
Autism
All About
According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
as many as 1 in 150 children suffers
from autism—a disorder that
affects behavior and interferes
with social interaction abilities.
While it’s currently not possible
to cure autism, early diagnosis
and intervention can help make
dramatic improvements in the
child’s quality of life.
The term “autism” refers to the
neurologically based developmental
disorders that cause difficulty with social
interaction and communication. While
the severity of the disorder can vary
dramatically—some children will function
normally in society while others can’t speak
or perform activities of daily living—the
symptoms can interfere with virtually every
aspect of a child’s life.
“Autism is an emotionally charged word,
because no parent wants to find out that
their child acts differently because he or
she has a developmental disorder,” says
Jonathan Goodin, MD, FAAP, pediatrician
on the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical
Center. “However, with early intervention—
especially while the young brain is still
developing—many of these children will
make incredible improvements.”
Making the Diagnosis
This often confusing disorder frequently is
difficult to diagnose. Since no specific blood
test or imaging scan can detect autism,
pediatricians must observe the child and
rely on the parents’ observations to screen
the child for the disease. Diagnosis usually
requires evaluation by a developmental
pediatrician or pediatric neurologist.
Autism can be diagnosed in infancy—
usually when parents observe that the
child is excessively irritable or has a over-
sensitive sensory system. However, autism
is most frequently diagnosed during the
toddler years after the child’s development
begins to regress or he or she demonstrates
some of these symptoms:
• Impaired social interaction. Children
with autism might not respond properly to
others. They can be self-abusive, have a
higher pain threshold, and may not want
to be touched. They often don’t want to
play with other children.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication
problems. Kids with autism might not
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Kylei Cutts (3), grandchild of Barry Cutts, Pathology, 14 years with TRMC
Kylei says her grandfather “looks for germs…he looks for germs in people’s mouths
through a microscope.” She enjoys driving the truck and swimming with her
grandfather. Barry said he has always enjoyed anatomy and physiology, so pathology
was a perfect fit.
10
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
Improving Quality of Life
with Therapy
Autism Causes
=
listen to others, may not respond to
their own names, and sometimes
aren’t able to interpret other people’s
thoughts or feelings. They might speak
later in life than other children, and
could talk about themselves in the
third person.
• Obsessive or repetitive behaviors.
Autistic children often rock and twirl,
and they might focus entirely on one
item and ignore other items—or
people—in the room.
While physicians aren’t completely
sure what causes autism, they are sure
of one fact: Vaccines DON’T.
“It has been proven conclusively that
vaccines don’t cause autism, yet we
hear in the media about an alleged
correlation between autism and trace
amounts of mercury in vaccines all
the time,” says Dr. Goodin. “If that is
true, why has the diagnosis of autism
increased so dramatically in recent years
while the mercury content of childhood
vaccines has dropped to practically zero?
“This leads not only to unnecessary
fear on the part of parents, but it also
creates a public health hazard as a
result,” Dr. Goodin says. “Too many
children are inadequately protected
against potentially devastating and
preventable diseases because of these
unfounded concerns.”
Instead, physicians and scientists
believe that autism is a combination of
both genetics and environment. Brain
abnormalities have been identified in
some autistic children using magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), while studies
have discovered abnormal levels of
serotonin and other neurotransmitters in
the brains of autistic children. As a result,
scientists believe that autism might
occur due to genetic defects that control
brain development.
“Recent research has demonstrated
that there is a strong genetic link
involved with autism,” Dr. Goodin says.
“Siblings of autistic children have a
higher rate of acquiring the disorder
than the general population.”
Partnering with Physicians
If your child is suspected of having
autism, the most important things you
can do are to confirm the diagnosis
and then get him or her involved in
occupational or speech therapy. While
the autistic child may never have
completely “normal” relationships,
the child can be more functional with
therapy as he or she ages.
Dr. Goodin practices with Affinity
Health Group and is on the medical
staff at TRMC. He can be reached
at (229) 391-4100.
Whether your child is formally diagnosed
as autistic or your pediatrician just suspects
he or she has the disorder, it’s critical to
begin occupational and speech therapy as
quickly as possible.
The purpose of therapeutic intervention is to make
children as functional as possible so they will be
able to take care of themselves and communicate
appropriately with others. While it’s not always
possible to achieve these goals with therapy, speech
and occupational therapy can dramatically improve
each patient’s quality of life.
“Although some children may require additional
assistance throughout their lives, initiating speech and
occupational therapy services in early childhood can
significantly improve one’s functional abilities for daily
life skills,” says Dee Dee Brown, pediatric speech
therapist on staff at Tift Regional Medical Center.
The goal of speech therapy is to teach the child how
to follow directions and be able to express wants
and needs to the therapists and parents—either on
his or her own or with an alternative communication
device. Occupational therapy helps children learn to
become as functional as possible, with regard to fine
motor skills and activities of daily living, so they can
develop self-care skills to function in everyday life.
The therapists work together so the child can develop
age-appropriate developmental skills.
“After we’ve performed our initial evaluations, we
usually jump right into play-based therapy where we
(the speech therapist and occupational therapist)
work together with the child,” says Lyndsey Estes,
pediatric occupational therapist on staff at TRMC.
“We try to provide the child with real-life scenarios,
combining both speech and occupational therapy
skills, to increase his or her independence with daily
living skills.”
For more information on pediatric therapy services at
TRMC, call (229) 353-6188.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Waylon Vickers (5), Weston Vickers (2), children of David Vickers, Day Surgery, 5
years with TRMC and Candace Vickers, Nurse OB/GYN, 5 years with TRMC
Waylon says, “Daddy works with surgeries and he looks to see if they are all
right, and Mama gives babies something to drink or make them take a nap or
rest.” Waylon enjoys playing with both his Mama and Daddy. David and
Candace also have a two-year-old son, Weston, and three dogs, two
rabbits, a turtle, and some fish.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
11
Dealing with
Attention Disorders
At the library, your son always has difficulty paying attention as the librarian
reads to the group. Is it simple boredom, or could he have Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
First, determine if your child consistently
has a problem with paying attention and if
he or she shows impulsive tendencies, such
as blurting out comments before thinking
them through. If you’ve seen a consistent
pattern of behavior, speak with your
physician at your child’s next appointment.
Don’t Wait
“Many parents want to wait and see how
their child does through the beginning
of the school year,” says Sharon Petzel,
physician assistant for Affinity Health
Group. “This isn’t just a school problem—
it’s the way the brain operates. If your
child is having attention problems in
multiple settings, ADHD could be the
cause, and you should have your child
assessed. That’s one way to ensure a
happier school year.”
Petzel practices as a physician assistant
for Affinity Health Group and is on
the medical staff at TRMC. She can be
reached at (229) 391-4100.
Avoid the Flu—
Get a Shot!
A panel of experts for the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) now recommend that all
children over the
age of six
months be
vaccinated against
seasonal flu.
This suggestion
marks a change
from previous
recommendations,
which emphasized
the importance of
vaccination for children from six months
up to age five. Now all children up through
age 18 are recommended for vaccination,
either with the traditional flu shot or a
vaccination nasal spray.
“As health providers, we see the effects
flu has on patients,” says Deb Hairr, RN,
BSN, director of Women’s and Children’s
Services at Tift Regional Medical Center.
“Children with certain chronic conditions
such as asthma and diabetes and those
under five years of age are especially at
risk. Receiving the flu vaccine each year
is one step you can take to help keep your
family healthy.”
To locate a TRMC physician to
provide your vaccination and meet
your family’s healthcare needs, visit
www.tiftregional.com and select “Find
a Physician.”
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Liberty (Libby) Baucom (5), granddaughter of Gina Bennett, PFS, 9 years with TRMC
Libby says her grandmother talks to dead people and gets money. When they are
playing Libby said she likes to jump on her grandmother. Gina says the thing most
people don’t realize about her department is the time and skill it takes to collect money.
12
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
Exercise
Tricks
for Kids
According to the American
Medical Association, nearly one
in three American youngsters is
overweight or obese.
“Being overweight or obese places
kids at an increased risk for developing
cardiovascular disease and Type 2
diabetes,” says Shawn West, MD,
pediatrician on the medical staff at Tift
Regional Medical Center. “In addition,
overweight children are more likely to turn
into obese adults, which can trigger even
more health problems as they age.”
Growing Up is Hard to Do
Concerned your teen might be depressed? Here’s how you can tell.
Although depression is most often
associated with older adults, it can be
a very real problem for teenagers, too.
Studies have shown that as many as one in
eight adolescents suffers from depression.
“Unfortunately, signs of depression
in teens can be hard to differentiate
from normal teenage moodiness,” says
Nandlal Chainani, MD, pediatrician on
the medical staff at Tift Regional Medical
Center. “For this reason, as many as 80
percent of teenage depression cases
go undiagnosed.”
Moody or Depressed?
So how can you tell whether your
teen is just being moody or if he or she
is depressed? Here are a few signs and
symptoms of depression in teens:
• changes in eating and sleeping habits
• loss of interest in activities
• problems in school
• talking about suicide or death
• withdrawal from friends and family
Dr. Chainani practices at Kids Care
Clinic and is on the medical staff at TRMC.
He can be reached at (229) 386-5101.
Keep Kids Moving
With the increasing popularity of
computer and other indoor activities in
today’s “video era,” many parents may
wonder how they can help their children
fight off this alarming trend. If your child
likes playing football on a home video game
system, encourage him or her to get out on
the field to play a real game of football. Or,
invest in the Nintendo® Wii™, and the Wii
Fit program that features four disciplines:
aerobics, balance games, strength training,
and yoga. Dr. West also recommends
parents limit their child’s video and TV time
to a maximum of two hours per day.
Dr. West practices at Children’s Medical
Center and is on the medical staff at TRMC.
He can be reached at (229) 391-3640.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Chase Beckham (6), Jackson Beckham (2), children of Stacey Beckham, Outreach
and Development, 7 years with TRMC
Chase said he really doesn’t know what his mom does at work, but he thinks
she works on a computer and helps people. Things he loves doing with his
mom include going to Wild Adventures, drawing, swimming, and snuggling.
Jackson likes to go grocery shopping, cook with mom, and eat. Stacey loves the
healthcare field and hopes to be in it the rest of her life.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
13
Hurt Named ACHE Fellow
Douglas R. Hurt was recently named a Fellow of the
American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE),
the nation’s largest professional society for healthcare
business leaders.
Hurt has served as Tift Regional Medical Center’s vice
president of professional services since 1991. He currently
provides administrative oversight for the hospital’s
physician practices, respiratory care, medical imaging,
and cardiovascular departments.
Becoming a FACHE and earning board
certification shows that healthcare leaders like Hurt
are committed to providing high-quality services to
their patients and community.
Wiggins Joins HealthPlus as
New Nurse Practitioner
Sonia Wiggins, FNP-C, is the new family nurse practitioner for HealthPlus in Ashburn
and will work alongside John DeSimone, MD, and Georgia Griffis, PA, in offering
comprehensive family medicine services.
Wiggins, a native of Turner County, recently earned her nurse practitioner degree
from Albany State University after serving as a registered nurse for 16 years with
various healthcare institutions in south Georgia.
Wiggins also holds associate degrees in science and nursing from Bainbridge College
and Darton College as well as a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Thomas University.
New Hospice
Chaplain
Dr. Danny V. Ray was recently endorsed and
commissioned as a hospice chaplain for Hospice of
Tift Area by the North American Mission Board of the
Southern Baptist Convention.
Hospice of Tift Area, a service of Tift Regional Medical
Center, has provided care to terminally ill patients in
Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Colquitt, Cook, Irwin, Tift,
Turner, and Worth counties for more than 21 years.
TRMC’s
Tree of
Life
2008
Area residents will honor
family and friends and
remember lost loved ones
at the 23rd Annual Tree of
Life lighting ceremony to be
held on the front lawn of Tift
Regional Medical Center on
Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.
An annual holiday tradition
for the past 22 years, the Tree
of Life is sponsored by the
Tifton Junior Woman’s Club and
raises money for a special fund
benefiting patients of the TRMC
Oncology Center, Hospice of
Tift Area, and Transitions.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Jason Cody Morris (3), James Morris (1), children of Monica Morris, Outreach and
Development, 6 years with TRMC
Jason Cody thinks his mom plays on the “pooter” (computer) and talks on the phone
when she’s at work. What Monica likes the most about her job is working directly with
the doctors and getting to know them, as well as understanding the dramatic changes in
health care. Her job is to find qualified and highly trained physicians to meet the demand.
14
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
New Waiting Rooms
Comfort Families
Visitors to Tift Regional Medical Center’s new Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
have the option of two new family waiting rooms, thanks to two local
memorial funds.
Visiting family members in an ICU can
be a difficult time. Thanks to donations from
two local memorials, loved ones can now
experience a quiet, comforting environment
at TRMC. Two new waiting rooms are
available for family members and friends
to wait, pray, or meditate while visiting
patients in the ICU.
Meeting Needs
A new large family waiting area features
comfortable furnishings, thanks to the Clarke
Patrick Memorial by Patrick Family and
Friends, in memory of Russell Clarke Patrick,
an Omega native who loved hunting and
fishing. The room features several dividers
to provide privacy, as well as comfortable
couches and chairs to make visitors feel at
home. The room also
has a concession
area with vending
machines, a
coffee maker,
and a microwave
for visitors’
convenience.
A separate
quiet room also
is available
for families and
Russell Clarke Patrick
friends who seek more solitude to pray or
meditate. Dim lighting and the absence of
televisions help create a quiet atmosphere,
while recliners and couches put visitors at
ease. This addition was funded by the C.R.
Summers Memorial
in honor of Charles
Raymond Summers,
a local farmer and
World War II veteran.
Both waiting
rooms feature
plaques dedicating
the areas to Patrick
and Summers,
with a short
inscription and
Charles Raymond Summers
picture on each.
Honoring Loved Ones
Memorial funds are a unique way to honor
loved ones who have passed. Set up through
the TRMC Foundation, memorials allow
family members to designate which hospital
program or need they would like funds to
go toward.
For more information on establishing
a memorial fund, call the TRMC Foundation
at (229) 391-3310.
Advanced ICU
NowOpen
Last summer, Tift Regional Medical
Center opened an advanced intensive
care unit with additional space for care,
as well as state-of-the-art technology.
The 37,500-square-foot unit, located
above the Heart and Vascular Center
on 20th Street, features 20 beds and
private patient rooms.
Each large patient room features
a sofa bed for a family member to
stay overnight, as well as a private
bathroom. Care was taken to ensure
the unit did not appear sterile or cold by
using light paint colors and soft lighting
to create a more home-like environment.
In addition to added comfort, each
room also is equipped with the latest
telemetry monitoring equipment
and critical care technology. A new
automated storage system keeps the
equipment out of the patient’s and
visitors’ way, and nurses are right
around the corner thanks to a central
nursing station and separate computer
terminals for every two patient rooms.
TIFT REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER PROFILES
Kennedy Brooks (4), child of Mandy Brooks, TRMC Foundation, 6 years with TRMC
Kennedy said her mama works to pay bills and to play with Miss Maranda (Houston)
all day. Her favorite things to do with her mom are to play Barbies, swim, and go to
the lake so she can ride the boat. Mandy’s favorite thing about her job is the 30-Minute
Club. She and her husband Chris also have a little boy named Carter, 2.
ON HEALTH
FALL 2008
15
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Lynchburg, Va
Permit No. 830
901 East 18th Street
Tifton, GA 31794
www.tiftregional.com
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This publication in no way seeks to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.