Blog Posts in June, 2014

Catawba Valley Medical Center provides $267,500 grant to Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry for Healthcare Services

CVMC awards $267,500 The Duke Endowment grant to the Community Health Center of Catawba County, a program of Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry, pictured here HICKORY, NC – June 13, 2014 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has received a $267,500 grant from The Duke Endowment to support the Community Health Center of Catawba County (CHCCC), a program of Greater Hickory ...

Catawba Medical Foundation Welcomes Tracey Bolick

Catawba Medical Foundation (CMF) announced today that Tracey Bolick has joined the Catawba Medical Foundation (CMF) in the capacity of Support Coordinator. Tracey has a strong background in marketing and communications with a wealth of experience including 13 years as the Hickory Furniture Mart Marketing Director. She graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill where she ...

CVMC Named Among the Best Cancer Hospitals in America

Catawba Valley Medical Center receives Women’s Choice Award ® for providing exceptional patient care and treatment in cancer care CVMC Comprehensive Cancer Center located in Hickory opened in January 2013 housing an Infusion Center, Inpatient Oncology and Radiation Services within the same building to better serve patients with advanced technology and greater convenience. Hickory, NC ...

Party on the Lawn Benefits Women in Philanthropy

HICKORY, NC – May 27, 2014 —Women In Philanthropy (WIP), will host its annual benefit event – Party on the Lawn this Saturday, May 31 at the SALT Block from 4:30 – 7:30 PM. WIP, a “Giving Circle,” of women who combine their philanthropic contributions to benefit organizations affiliated with the Catawba Medical Foundation, is an extension of Catawba Valley ...

Centering Pregnancy Groups

This program combines health assessments, education and support for pregnant mothers in a unique group setting that completely replaces traditional one-on-one prenatal visits. Centering Pregnancy groups are comprised of eight or ten women with similar due dates who meet regularly throughout their pregnancy, initially meeting monthly, and eventually changing to every other week in the final stages ...

Summer Food Safety

Summer should be a time of fun and relaxation. With an increase in eating on the road or away from home, along with the warmer temperatures, the potential for foodborne illness increases. Use these tips to help lower your risk: • Check the “use by” and “sell by” dates on products before buying • Choose perishable items last when shopping • Wash fruit and ...

Fun in the Sun

As most parents know, summer time means fun in the sun with your child. Swimming is a summer time favorite, whether you love to splash in the pool, take a dip in the lake, or make waves at the beach; it is best to know how to keep your child as safe as possible. In this article we will discuss tips on how to keep your child safe in the sun and when playing in and around water. According to Safe ...

Over 60? Prevent Shingles, Get the Vaccine

Over a million cases of shingles are reported each year, with one in every three people developing a case at some point in life. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (herpes zoster), but with shingles, the blisters tend to be clustered in a specific area, rather than scattered all over the body as in chickenpox. Shingles most often affects areas on the trunk or face with ...

Hoots Faced Fear of Chemotherapy with Navigation

When Linda Hoots arrived at the CVMC Infusion Center in December for what she understood to be iron infusions, she felt blind-sided to learn that she would, in fact, be getting the first of 18 chemotherapy sessions. That’s when Deanna Griffie, RN OCN intervened to help steer Hoots through the medical system maze. Over the six months of chemotherapy treatment, Griffie helped her understand ...

CVMC Takes Action to Save Young Lives at Arndt and River Bend Middle Schools

HICKORY, NC – May 14, 2014 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has recognized the need for on-site emergency care at area middle schools, and has provided automated external defibrillators (AED) as a result. An AED is a transportable, battery-powered tool used to immediately diagnose and treat people with heart failure. River Bend and Arndt Middle Schools recently received the ...

Bechtol Joins Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbarics

HICKORY, NC – May 8, 2014 — Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has announced the addition of Brian Bechtol, PA-C to its panel of advanced wound healing providers at the CVMC Center for Wound Healing & Hyperbarics. “I am honored to have the opportunity to join a program offering such a high level of success in treating wounds with advanced options including ...

First Patient Implant of Miniaturized Insertable Cardiac Monitoring Device

HICKORY, NC – May 5, 2014 —Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) today announced its first patient to receive an innovative heart monitor. The Medtronic Reveal LINQ™ Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) is the smallest long-term heart monitor available for patients with recurrent fainting, heart palpitations, unexplained stroke or atrial fibrillation. Cardiologist Derek Luney, MD ...

How to have a SAFE KIDS summer

As a child, summer was my favorite time of year. I could play outside all day, eat ice cream till I burst and enjoy the feel of warm grass beneath my toes. I didn’t have a care in the world. This summer, thousands of children will spend the majority of their day playing outside. As a parent or caregiver, you want to make sure you are keeping kids safe while letting them enjoy this wonderful ...

Health First Center Sponsors Senior Resource Fair

HICKORY, NC –On Friday, May 2, Catawba Valley Medical Center’s (CVMC) Health First Center will sponsor a Senior Resource Fair to kick-off its observance of Older Americans Month. This national celebration aims to inform seniors about relevant topics to enhance life in the later years. The free Senior Resource Fair is open to the public from 9am to 12pm on the lower level of Valley ...

Heart Patient Stories

STAYING AFLOAT – Ruth Deaton Receives World’s Smallest Heart Monitor to Help REVEAL the Cause of Stroke Ruth Deaton holds a miniaturized insertable cardiac monitor like the one she received in July to help determine if irregularities in her heart are responsible for a stroke she had in May Ruth Deaton has been surrounded by accomplished surgeons her whole life. Her father, Glen R. ...

Catawba Valley Medical Center Achieves Accredited Chest Pain Center Status

HICKORY, NC – March 27, 2014 —Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) announces that it has received Chest Pain Center Accreditation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC). The SCPC is an international not-for-profit organization that focuses on transforming cardiovascular care by assisting facilities in their effort to create communities of excellence that bring together ...

Free Affordable Care Act Enrollment Assistance

Certified Application Counselors will be available at CVMC’s Health First Center in Valley Hills Mall for free assistance in choosing and enrolling in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This community outreach program is offered to help boost enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace and to educate our community on selecting the best solution for their unique healthcare needs. “With ...

Emergency Department Announces Fast Track Care Option

Catawba Valley Medical Center has announced the opening of the Fast Track care option in its Emergency Department, an effort to reduce wait times. This move aims to lighten the patient load in the triage area, while allowing emphasis to be placed on more urgent patient care needs. “We saw an opportunity to improve efficiency inside the Emergency Department,” said Chuck Scronce, ...

Giving Blood: Who can? Who Cant?

If you’re healthy and you know it – give blood in January during National Blood Donor Month Traditionally in winter months blood tends to be in short supply due to holiday festivities and travel, inclement weather and sickness. For blood centers, the month of January proves to be the most difficult time to collect blood donations. While you are making your resolutions this month, why ...

Catawba Valley Cardiology adds James Ritter to team of cardiologists

HICKORY, NC – Thursday, Jan. 9, 2014 – Catawba Valley Cardiology has announced the hiring of James Ritter, M.D., as the practice’s fourth cardiologist. “I am excited to join such a high quality cardiovascular team and work in an outstanding facility. My family and I look forward to joining the Hickory community,” said Ritter. In his new role, Ritter will perform heart ...