Catawba Valley Health System

Today, we want to share a heartfelt thank you for Jim Armstrong Subaru, Inc. of Hickory for their contribution to our Oncology department at CVMC! Our local Subaru dealership, in partnership with Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), delivered 80 blankets and handwritten cards to Catawba Valley Medical Center this week. The items are now being gifted to patients who are undergoing cancer treatment. “The blankets are a comfort when a patient is cold, but also when they need to remember someone cares for them after they return home and aren’t surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a hospital and our wonderful staff. A lady told me that she has tried to give back for her entire life and it was so nice to be the receiver when she needed a caring gesture too,” said Melanie Lutz, Director of CVMC’s Cancer Program. “The surprise for the patients is always fun to be part of but I am especially grateful to witness the kindness being shown to these courageous people when they need it most. Thank you Jim Armstrong Subaru and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for your continued support of CVMC’s patients.” CVMC has been fortunate to receive this annual donation since 2016. Thank you to our community partner, Jim Armstrong Subaru, for making this delivery, and to our partners at Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for providing these gifts to our patients! To learn more about the Subaru Loves to Care program, visit LLS.org/subaru.

Earlier this month, Stephen Briggs , PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, who serves as CVMC’s Pharmacy Informatics and Analytics Manager, presented his innovative electronic order entry workflows at the 2024 MUSE Inspire Conference in Denver, Colorado! His presentation was selected as the International Education Exchange contest winner, qualifying Stephen to present to Meditech users at the United Kingdom and Ireland conference in October 2024. The MUSE (Medical Users Software Exchange) Conference gives healthcare professionals an opportunity to learn about Meditech, a medical software, from their peers who have first-hand experience with the software. “We are grateful to have such talent within the organization and excited for this opportunity for Stephen to share his expertise internationally,” said Amy Hollar, CVMC’s Director of Pharmacy. To learn more about Catawba Valley Medical Center, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org.

Catawba Valley Medical Center is honored to share the accomplishments of two staff members – Joelle Calloway, MSN, RN, CIC, Director of Infection Prevention, and Hillery Thacker, MSN, RNC-LRN, NPD-BC, NICU Professional Development Coordinator. Joelle Calloway was recently chosen to present two topics at the National Association for Professionals in Infection Control & Epidemiology (APIC). Earlier this month, Joelle presented poster presentations highlighting CVHS’ central line bloodstream infection prevention (CLABSI) reduction with the implementation of the Vascular Access Team (VAT) and the innovative infection prevention education which was made available to staff by participating in an educational Escape Room. Hillery Thacker also recently designed and launched two educational Escape Rooms surrounding neonatal hypoglycemia and neonatal sepsis designed for mother/baby nurses, NICU nurses, NNP’s, and pediatric nurses. This activity taught staff how to recognize maternal risk factors and neonatal risk factors for both. Staff were also given the opportunity to calculate the risk of infection in the sepsis scenario as well as the glucose gel dose in the hypoglycemia scenario. The purpose of this education is to strengthen staff’s nursing practice in order to be able to recognize and treat our patients more efficiently and effectively. We are proud of both Joelle and Hillery for their dedication to education and their innovative approach in ensuring our staff are able to serve our patients in the best way possible. Thank you to these ladies for truly embodying “Where Compassion Meets Innovation.” To learn more about Catawba Valley Health System, visit CatawbaValleyHealth.org

Today, we are highlighting Catawba Valley Family Medicine- South Hickory! Our practice is located at1985 Startown Road, Suite 102, in Hickory. CVFM- South Hickory is home to Dr. Paul Sykes, MD, Adam Benfield, PA-C, Morgan Propst, PA-C, and Abigail Eckard PA-C. The top priority of the staff and providers at CVFM-South Hickory is helping you and your loved ones prevent illness and maintain physical and emotional well-being by providing medical care and recommending healthy lifestyle choices. CVFM- South Hickory provides multiple services including the following: • Preventative Family Medicine for all ages, including newborns and pediatric patients • Adult and Well Child Physicals • Immunizations • Geriatrics • In-House Lab, EKG (electrocardiogram, Spirometry & Digital X Ray) • Minor Procedures (warts, skin tag removal, simple lesions, drainage of abscesses) Morgan Propst and Abigail Eckard are both accepting new patients over the age of 5! If you would like to book an appointment with them or learn more about CVFM- South Hickory, give them a call at (828)-732-5500 or visit their website https://lnkd.in/enpcwPkU

Happy #FeaturedFriday! This Friday we are highlighting Catawba Valley Cardiology! Located at 3521 Graystone Place Southeast Suite 202 in Conover, CVFM-Cardiology is home to Vincent Pompili, MD, Atul Trivedi, MD, FACC, Patrick Whalen, MD, Amish Sura, MD, Justin Hicks, DO, Lisa Michel, PA-C, Paris Sellers, PA-C, Ashleigh Warran, FNP, Whitney Patterson, DNP, FNP-C, Laura Craig, FNP-C, and Cory Wiles, PA-C. With over 110 years of combined experience, they provide the highest quality care available to you. The cardiology team at CV Cardiology acts as the first line of defense against America’s number one killer, heart disease. They aim to keep you and your family healthy for years to come. Catawba Valley Cardiology provides multiple services including the following: - Electrocardiogram (EKG) - Pulse Oximetry - Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) - Holter Monitors (24 & 48 hour) - Event Monitors - Pacemaker and PT/INR Monitoring - Regular Stress Tests (walking treadmill) - Heart Failure Follow Up - Administration of IV Lasix To learn more about Catawba Valley Cardiology and the services they offer, visit their website at https://lnkd.in/eyrZXvN3 or give them a call at (828)-732-5700.

We are proud to announce that Catawba Valley Health System has received a Gold Level recognition for 2024 in the American Heart Workforce Well-being Scorecard! The American Heart Association has defined best practices for employers to use to build a culture of health and well-being for their workforce. The American Heart Association’s Workforce Well-being Scorecard measures the extent to which the company has implemented those best practices. Companies recognized at the Gold level have achieved a score of between 183 - 216 out of a maximum 230 points. CVHS believes in promoting wellness through employee programs like Health4Us, a discounted membership to Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Fitness Plus, an employee assistance program to promote positive mental health, and more. To learn more about CVMC’s Gold Level recognition, visit Heart.org/Workforce. To learn more about working with CVMC, visit https://lnkd.in/gxTK4rQE

We recently celebrated the retirement of Dr. Brian Kauth, MD! Brian served Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Northeast Hickory for 18 years as a Family Physician! Brian will officially retire on June 16. He has worked as a Family Physician at Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Northeast Hickory since 2005. Prior to completing his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse, Dr. Kauth received his medical degree from Albany (NY) Medical College. He is board certified in Family Medicine and is a member of both the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and the American Academy of Family Physicians. We are grateful for Brian’s distinguished and dedicated service to CVHS, our patients, and our community. Join us in congratulating Dr. Brian Kauth, MD on his retirement!

May is Oncology Nursing Month, making it the perfect time to highlight the caregivers who help people navigate one of the most challenging times of their lives - a cancer diagnosis. Oncology nurses are healthcare professionals who are specially trained to administer chemotherapy and radiation treatments. They are also responsible for monitoring cancer patients’ overall well-being, helping them manage pain and lessen side effects as they undergo treatment. Oncology nurses also play some lesser known, but very important, roles in the life of a cancer patient. Oncology nurses are experts when it comes to cancer and cancer treatments. They help the patient and his or her family understand the disease. They explain the treatment process. They use their clinical knowledge and technical expertise to ensure the patient understands what is happening with their body in every stage of treatment. In addition to addressing the physical needs of their patients, oncology nurses care for their patients’ emotional well-being. They listen to their concerns. They ask questions. Based on what they hear, they are able to connect patients to resources outside the hospital that can help with the mental, financial, and family-related stress that comes along with a cancer diagnosis. Over time, oncology nurses and the patients they serve develop a close relationship. They celebrate milestones, birthdays, and holidays together. They also mourn setbacks and losses. In the end, nurses form an attachment to their patients that cannot be described in any other way than “friendship.” At CVMC, our staff of highly-trained and experienced oncology nurses work to ensure the best quality of life and care for each patient. To learn more about CVMC’s Cancer Center, visit https://lnkd.in/eHyncggx

Join us in congratulating our May C.A.R.E Award Recipient – Chuck Huffman! Chuck serves as a Project Leader in our Environmental Services Department. “Chuck has a positive 'can do' attitude that sets an example to all CVHS employees. He was tasked with a difficult job for the lab and with a smile, produced a plan and executed in a phenomenal fashion. He completed in less than 24 hours what we anticipated to take a week or more,” according to the person who nominated Chuck. "He displayed excellent organizational skills and planning skills all while maintaining a cheerful outlook. Chuck exemplifies commitment, discipline, and solid work ethic. Everything we expect from a CARE employee of CVHS. I would like to recognize Chuck and his commitment to our organization, and…always with a smile to share." The C.A.R.E Award is given monthly to a Catawba Valley Health System employee who has exhibited Courtesy, Attitude, Respect, and Enthusiasm throughout their work. To learn more about becoming one of the exceptional team members who work at CVHS, visit our careers page at https://lnkd.in/gxTK4rQE.

Today, our employees, medical staff, and volunteers were treated to an ice cream social in our cafeteria as part of our Hospital Week festivities! A special thanks to the Employee Giving Council and our Administration for making the event possible, even lending their hands to serving all who came. Off-site employees and clinics who couldn’t make the trip had their own sweet treats delivered to them. Staff also had a chance to wear their 2024 Hospital Week T-shirts, which feature CVHS’s recent awards and accolades. It’s a privilege to work alongside our awesome CVHS family. To learn more about working for our health system, visit https://lnkd.in/gxTK4rQE