Monthly Archives: March 2012
Occupational Therapy Helps Individuals Live Life to its Fullest
In recognition of the ways which Occupational Therapy aids in making life better, April has been designated as Occupational Therapy Month by the American Occupational Therapy Association. “At Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS), we are fortunate to have a growing and talented team of Occupational Therapists,” shared Jeanne Bradshaw, PT, OCS System Director of Rehabilitation Services.
Occupational therapists (OT) and occupational therapy assistants (OTA) help people across all ages participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities (occupations). Common occupational therapy interventions include helping children with disabilities to participate fully in school and social situations, helping people recovering from injury to regain skills, and providing support for older adults experiencing physical and cognitive changes.
Occupational therapy services may include comprehensive evaluations of the client’s home and other environments (e.g., workplace, school), recommendations for adaptive equipment and training in its use, and guidance and education for family members and caregivers. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
The ARHS team of Occupational therapists:
- Michelle Forrest, OTR/L and Shirley Faw, OTR/L both work full time at The Rehabilitation Center and float to other areas such as Watauga Medical Center Inpatient. They are both certified Lymphadema Therapists and work closely with oncology patients during their recovery
- Kris Welborn, OTR/L covers all locations across the system as the only resource pool OT.
- Kevin Tacheny, OTR/L, OTD works with patients at Blowing Rock Hospital alongside Sabrina Goebeler, OTR/L who also covers ARHS Home Health.
- Renee Brown, COTA (Occupational Therapy Assistant) assists at Blowing Rock Hospital and ARHS Home Health.
“The dedication of these professionals to quality care is inspiring and deserves recognition,” continued Bradshaw. “Their work is meaningful not only to their patients, but to our organization, as they are critical members of the ARHS Rehabilitation team.”
When asked what is most rewarding about working as an Occupational Therapist, Kris Welborn, OTR replied “losing one’s independence with everyday activities can be devastating following a serious illness or injury. What once used to be simple becomes frustrating and discouraging. Providing a method of assistance or adaptation can be so rewarding as you see the delight from someone who is regaining their sense of independence.”
Kevin Tacheny, OTR/L says, “Being an OT allows me to fully extend the compassion I have for people in difficult situations and try to help them regain the little things in life we don’t appreciate until they’re gone.”
To find out more about occupational therapy and how it might help you, visit the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Web site, www.aota.org.
Lacey Named as President of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital
Richard Sparks, President & CEO of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System (ARHS) announced the promotion of Carmen Lacey, MSN, RN to President of Cannon Memorial Hospital, effective April 1, 2012.
Carmen Lacey, MSN, RN
Chuck Mantooth has served as President & CEO of Cannon Memorial Hospital since 2006. Mantooth will remain in the role of CEO of Cannon. In addition, Mantooth becomes the President of Watauga Medical Center in Boone, taking on additional management roles within ARHS.
Watauga Medical Center, Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital, Blowing Rock Hospital and Appalachian Regional Medical Associates are all managed by the parent Corporation of Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, headquartered in Boone, NC.
Mr. Sparks’ decision to promote Carmen Lacey to President of Cannon Memorial came about because of her tenure with the healthcare entities in Avery County, as well as, her excellent leadership, clinical, and management skills.
“I have the utmost confidence in Carmen’s ability to lead Cannon Memorial Hospital. As with most small hospitals in the United States, Cannon has experienced many changes over the past decade. With each change, Carmen developed remarkable resilience, but has always remained true to her core beliefs in making life better for this community. Carmen’s strong character, leadership qualities, compassion for our patients and belief in her staff put her in a position to succeed”, stated Chuck Mantooth, CEO Cannon Memorial Hospital.
Carmen was born in Avery County and grew up in the Jonas Ridge Community of Burke County. She began her healthcare career as a staff nurse at Sloop Memorial Hospital in 1987 after completing her Associates Degree in Nursing from Western Piedmont Community College. Lacey went on to further her education by completing a BSN from Winston-Salem State University and a MSN from Gardner-Webb University. Lacey also holds a Certificate in Nursing Administration from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Carmen worked in several roles at Sloop Memorial Hospital until its merger with Cannon Memorial in 1999. At that point, she became the Director of the Medical/Surgical Unit, Restorative Care and the New Life Center. She has had duties in almost every area of clinical operations at Cannon Memorial Hospital over the past twelve years; most recently as the Director of Patient Care Services for the facility.
“I am excited about this new role and thankful for the confidence Richard Sparks and Chuck Mantooth have placed in me. In addition, I am forever indebted to the many nurses I have worked with over the years who have helped shape my nursing career and management style. I owe special thanks to Eula Johnson, RN and Pam Jameson, RN for taking me under their wings and growing me as a nurse”, stated Lacey.
Carmen Lacey lives in Linville with her husband, Mike. She has three children, Melynda Henderson, who is a Physical Therapist, Laura Lacey who will begin her 1st year of Pharmacy School at UNC-CH this fall and Taylor Lacey who is completing her second year at UNC-CH.
ARHS Announced Administrative Structure Changes
Sparks named Mr. Chuck Mantooth as President of Watauga Medical Center in Boone. In addition to this new responsibility, Mr. Mantooth will remain President of Appalachian Regional Medical Associates (ARMA), ARHS’ physician practice management division, and CEO of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville.
This change aligns Watauga Medical Center, Cannon Memorial Hospital and ARMA under a new division known as “Hospital and Physician Group”. According to Sparks, “The alignment of these three entities is critical for a successful implementation of the upcoming 2013-15 ARHS Strategic Plan”.
Mantooth has served the healthcare system for over 20 years in a variety of roles, most recently as President of ARMA and President and CEO of Charles A. Cannon, Jr. Memorial Hospital in Linville. While Mantooth will retain the role of CEO of Cannon Memorial Hospital, he will welcome Avery County native Carmen Lacey, MSN, RN, in as President of Cannon Memorial Hospital. Ms. Lacey has worked in healthcare in Avery County for over 25 years. Her first role was as a staff nurse at Sloop Memorial Hospital and she has filled various leadership roles at Cannon Memorial Hospital over the years, most recently serving as Director of Patient Care Services.
Additional changes to the administrative structure include Tim Ford, President & CEO of Blowing Rock Hospital taking on additional duties as Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs, which will focus on Government Relations, Legal Services, Corporate Compliance and Planning.
Claire Cline, MPH, RN, Senior Vice President Patient Care Services, who manages the majority of inpatient services for ARHS, will take on additional duties of management of the ARHS Pharmacy. Kim Bianca, MSN, RN, Senior Vice President of Clinical & Outpatient Service Lines will enhance her management of ARHS service lines by adding Lab and Imaging to her division.
“These organizational changes will better position ARHS’ Senior Leadership Team to address current issues and move the healthcare system into the future,” Sparks went on to state.
Healthcare System Celebrates Certified Nurses Day March 19
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System is celebrating Certified Nurses Day, March 19th by honoring its board certified nurses. The following nurses are being recognized for their professionalism, leadership and commitment to excellence in patient care:
Certified Med/Surg Registered Nurse (ACNS-BC)
- Shelia Acheson
- Jamey Ellison
- Mary Testerman
- Ginger Jordan
Certified Registered Perinatal Nurse (RNC-Perinatal)
- Rebecca Davis
- Diane Gates, RN-BC
- Lisa Haas
- Lorrie Mash
- Maggie McNeill, IBCLC
- Terry Smith
- Robyn Starr
- Carole Towers
- Linda Walls, RNC – Fetal Monitoring
Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN)
- Jennifer Anderson
- Teresa Callahan
- Marjorie Hrozencik
- Adah Loscheider
- Patricia Patella
- Gail Redwine
- Paul Young
Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia Registered Nurse (CAPA)
- Maria Hamby
- Angela Hamrick
- Cathe Poteat
Certified Gastroenterology RN(CGRN)
- Mara Taylor
Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM)
- Carrington Pertalion
- Lisa Stevens
Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN)
- Kim Tester
Certified Diabetic Educator
- Linda Bond
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA)
- Lance Campbell
- Kevin Henson
- Allan Anderson
- Deb Flaherty
- Renee Troy
- Patrick Bennett Riley
- Catherine Archer
- Katy Shaffer
- Beverly Ramsey
- Cheryl Kirkpatrick
- Michelle Walker
- Cheryl Adair
Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse
- Shelia Acheson
- Sandy Bost
- Pat Rowland
Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Teresa Core
- Carol Harmon
- Traci Knight
- Sherri Osborne
- Patricia Outland
- Todd Pennell
- Delinda Woody
Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)
- Christine Trivette
Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN)
- Andy Blavatt
- Joshua Cooke
- Niki Craig
- Jan Holland
- Angie Hopson
- Lori Ligon
- Christine McKinney
- Bill Moore
- Carolyn Moser
- Dan Rash
- Kristen Sokolnicki
Advanced Nursing Executive (ANCC)
- Peggy Hatley
- Eula Johnson
- Carmen Lacey
Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ & HACP)
- Angie Hicks
Nursing Case Management (RN-BC)
- Mary Norris
Certified Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
- June Smith
- Susan Stafford
Certified Geriatric Nurse
- Kay Grubb
Certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC)
- Nicole Chappell
Certified Nurse Oasis Coding (COS-C)
- Ginger Jordan
- Margo Tremonte
Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR)
- Tonya Antoine
- Marcella Bradford
- Selena Brown
- Daniel Clemmer
- Sylvia English
- Kim Dellinger
- Wanda Knecht
- Elizabeth Kress
- Sally Marsh
- Joan Messner
- Jasmine Platteter
- Carol Rankhorn
- Tim Tumbiolo
- Karen Williams
- Sarah Williamsa
Board Certification of nurses plays an increasingly important role in the assurance of high standards of care for patients and their loved ones. Nursing, like health care in general has become increasingly complex. While a registered nurse (RN) license provides entry to general nursing practice, the knowledge-intensive requirements of modern nursing require extensive post-secondary and continuing education and a strong personal commitment to excellence by the nurse.
Appalachian Regional Healthcare System encourages national board certification for all its nurses. There are many nursing certification specialties such as medical-surgical, oncology, surgery, anesthesia, wound care, hospice, case management, emergency nursing, perinatal, geriatrics, diabetes, critical care, pediatric, pain management, cardiovascular and many others. Many nursing certification bodies exist to serve the full range of specialized nursing care offered in the contemporary health care system; national nurse-certifying bodies should be accredited by either the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) or the National Organization for Competence Assurance (NOCA), or both.
Please join Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, ABNS, NOCA and the nation’s national nursing certification organizations in honoring those hardworking, dedicated nurses for their professionalism, and a job well done!
New Therapy Intervention for Stroke Patients at The Rehabilitation Center
Stroke patients and other patients suffering from foot drop have a new treatment option available at The Rehabilitation Center in Boone – the wireless NESS L300™ Foot Drop System from Bioness Inc. of Valencia, CA. The innovative wireless system helps patients recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and incomplete spinal cord injury walk again with a more-normalized gait, giving them more function, more freedom and more life.
“We are excited to be among a select group of facilities in the country to offer this treatment system,” says Emily Roberts, PT, Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Services at Watauga Medical Center. “The NESS L300 accelerates and compliments traditional therapy. By adopting the NESS L300 System as a standard of care, we hope to maximize patient rehabilitation.”
The innovative NESS L300 is the first functional electrical stimulation (FES) system that is wireless, low profile, and lightweight. The system has three components: a gait sensor worn in the shoe, a wireless stimulating leg cuff worn below the knee, and a clinician programmed control unit. When the gait sensor detects “heel off,” it sends a message to the leg cuff, which then stimulates the leg muscles to lift the foot accordingly. The advanced Intelli-Sense Gait Sensor™ technology of the NESS L300 Foot Drop System allows patients to achieve a more-normalized gait on changing terrains and at varying speeds.
Katherine Graham, PT, Candace Shelton, DPT, and Kelly Conrad, DPT, are Physical Therapists at The Rehabilitation Center certified in fitting the NESS L300. Graham says that “The NESS L300 is easy for patients and clinicians to use!” “We can actually program the system while the patient is walking.”
The Rehabilitation Center will host a Free Screening Day for the new treatment option on Wednesday, March 14th. To register, please call (828)268-9043 no later than Tuesday, March 13th.
For initial assessments and more-detailed information on the NESS L300, please call The Rehabilitation Center at (828) 268-9043. For more information about The Rehabilitation Center, visit www.apprhs.org/the-rehabilitation-center.
To learn more about Bioness Inc. or the NESS L300, please visit www.bioness.com.