David's Story: "I Owe This Hospital My Life"

Theresa’s fears were confirmed – the cadiologist on call told her that her husband was having a massive heart attack. “They took me back immediately and 8 or 9 people started working on me,” said David. “That’s when my wife put her hands on Dr. Byrnes’ shoulders and pleaded with him not to let me die.” Luke Byrnes, MD with Catawba Valley Cardiology ...

The POD: Maternal Child Education

Whether you’re a first-time mother-to-be, expectant father, or an experienced parent, education is an important part of a healthy pregnancy. We offer a variety of fun, informative and convenient classes to help you and your family get ready for your new bundle of joy. Previously located at the Health First Center in Valley Hills Mall, CVMC Maternal Child Education (The POD) classes are now ...

Set Your Sitter Up for Success

If you’ve found a babysitter you like and trust, great! You’re almost ready to enjoy a night off. Below are some tips to insure you; your children and your babysitter have the best experience possible. Make your expectations clear. What are you looking for out of this arrangement? It’s important your babysitter knows what is expected of them prior to hiring. Communicating these ...

Try Managing Back Pain Conservatively First

Do you struggle with nagging pain in your lower back? Don’t worry you aren’t alone. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), approximately 85 % of people will experience some form of back pain during their lifetime. Back pain is: the second most frequent reason for visits to a family physician after the common cold the second most common neurological ailment in the U.S. the ...

My Story - Denise Wallace: "I have Parkinson's Disease, but Parkinson's does not have me"

A gregarious blonde, statuesque woman, Denise Wallace has never been a woman who easily slows down, or gets down. In fact, her larger-than-life personality makes friends and family chuckle at the idea of Denise actually trying to be LOUD. But, a special therapy called “BIG & LOUD” has given Denise the ability to curb symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and continue enjoying ...

CVMC Launches Wound Care Awareness Campaign

HICKORY, NC – June 4, 2015 — Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is helping raise awareness of chronic wounds. During the second annual Wound Care Awareness Week, held from June 1 to June 5, Liane Schubring, BSN, MBA/MHA, Director of the Catawba Valley Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbarics visited local physician offices to provide education to help staff identify patients that may ...

CVMC Earns Chest Pain Accreditation for Emergency Balloon Angioplasty and Stent Implantation

HICKORY, NC – June 3, 2015 —Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) received full chest pain accreditation with PCI, the abbreviated term for emergency balloon angioplasty and stent implantation from the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care (SCPC) on March 26, 2015. The Accredited Chest Pain Center’s protocol-driven and systematic approach to patient management allows physicians ...

Party on the Lawn Benefits Women in Philanthropy

HICKORY, NC – May 27, 2015 — Women In Philanthropy (WIP), will host its annual benefit event – Party on the Lawn Saturday, June 6 at the SALT Block from 5:00 – 8:00 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 Medical ...

Monitoring High Risk Pregnancy by Telemedicine

Charlotte Fetal Medicine Specialist Dr. Joy Monitors Hickory Mom Kellie Sowell While pregnancy can be a blissful time, it can also be a dangerous time for women with underlying heart issues. Expectant mother Kellie Sowell, is a 24-year old Hickory resident who suffered a heart attack two years ago. The heart disease alone has completely changed her life. “I can’t eat certain foods. I ...

Senior Resource Round Up

One of the biggest barriers to senior services is a lack of knowledge about the services. To help promote the broad array of programs, events, and classes provided for the area’s aging population by CVMC, here is a virtual version of those presented at a Senior Resource Fair held Tuesday, May 5 th at Valley Hills Mall. CVMC was a premier event sponsor and one of over 40 service organizations ...

Curtis King's Story: A Drug - Balloon Saved My Leg

“It saved my leg,” said Curtis King, a 60-year-old Hickory resident diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD). “Sores on the top of my left foot and between my toes were causing so much pain that it was impossible for me to wear shoes or walk. My toes were turning black and I lost feeling in my feet and lower leg because they weren’t getting circulation.” ...

CVMC Strokehero Goes to Capitol Hill

The following is an update to a story published in June 2014 in the Health First Center Newsletter, “ Stroke Robot Saves Lowman ” “It’s not every day that you get to go to the United States Capitol and tell lawmakers in congress about how a robot saved your life,” said Nancy Lowman, CVMC Distribution Technician. “I’m nervous, but it’s such an honor, ...

MAN UP. Take Control of Your Health

June is Men’s Health Month, a chance for both men and women to increase their awareness of the potentially significant health problems that men face, as well as what steps you can take to prevent such problems. Taking care of yourself is part of being the best man you can be. One of the most dangerous challenges men face is a general reluctance to seek care for health complications or ...

CVMC Seeks Community Input to Help Improve Patient Experience

HICKORY, NC – May 12, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has created the framework for a new Patient and Family Advisory Council and is seeking participation from patients and families representing the community it serves. “We are looking for a broad cross-section of participants willing to offer candid and constructive feedback to help us identify and prioritize our ...

New Drug Coated Balloon Procedure Helps Prevent Amputations

CVMC First in Region to Offer Minimally Invasive Option for Vascular Disease Patients HICKORY, NC – May 11, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) announces the availability of a new technology to treat patients suffering from peripheral artery disease (PAD). The procedure reopens blocked arteries and delivers medication to prevent future narrowing of the arteries that limits ...

CVMC Donates AED to Challenger Early College High School at CVCC to Help Save Lives

HICKORY, NC – May 4, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has once again helped fill the need for portable automated external defibrillators (AED) in area schools. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), the use of AEDs dramatically lowers the risk of death from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) and CVMC equipped the students and staff of Challenger Early College High ...

Come Play at Safe Kids Day and Learn About Preventing Injuries

HICKORY, NC – April 28, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center, the lead agency for Safe Kids Catawba County, encourages children of all ages to come enjoy Safe Kids Day 2015 this Saturday, May 2nd between 10am and 1pm at Conover Station Park. This free annual event is a fun way for kids and parents to learn how to be safe at home, at play and on the way. Safe Kids Day helps raise ...

Dr. Cammy Benton Joins Catawba Valley Family Medicine - South Hickory

Catawba Valley Medical Group (CVMG) announced today the addition of Cammy Benton, MD, ABIHM to its experienced team of providers at Catawba Valley Family Medicine – South Hickory. Dr. Benton will join Dr. Paul Sykes and Family Nurse Practitioner Penny Matlock on May 4th at the practice located on Startown Road. After graduating Sigma Cum Laude at Eastern Carolina University (ECU), Dr. Benton ...

CVMC's Kayla Hefner Accepts NC Award for Successful Safe Kids Catawba County Car Seat Check Program

HICKORY, NC – April 21, 2015 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC), the lead agency for Safe Kids Catawba County, announced today the honor of receiving the 2015 North Carolina Safe Kids Program of the Year Award in recognition of its successful child passenger safety outreach. Presented by representatives from NC Child Protective Services Training Program and the NC Governor’s ...

Arditti Family Generosity Funds Therapeutic Pool Seniors Love

When the tendons simultaneously severed in both of Ed Arditti’s quadriceps in 1990, he found enormous value in exercising in a therapeutic indoor pool. Relearning to walk while also managing the chronic kidney failure that led to his leg injury, Ed was introduced to the benefits of exercising in water by physical therapists at Duke University School of Medicine. Upon returning to his Conover ...

My Story - How Jennifer Lane Reversed Diabetes

Jenny Lane before gastric bypass Jenny Lane after gastric bypass “ NOTHING CHANGES IF NOTHING CHANGES,” said CVMC gastric bypass patient Jennifer Lane. “You can’t keep doing the same things and expect different results.” By age 25, Jennifer had been struggling with her weight for years and there were already signs it was affecting her health – she had developed ...

New Mom Sings Praises of CVMC Birthing Center

From a Patient Letter… “I wanted to thank you for the outstanding quality of care and brilliant expertise that your team of doctors, nurses, and staff provided during the birth of our daughter and care after her delivery. We did not have a typical delivery as our daughter was born via gestational surrogate. Your hospital embraced our unique situation and handled it with the utmost ...

Bobbi Kimsey Takes CVMC Birthing Supplies/Midwife Skills to Haiti

According to the Midwives for Haiti organization, Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Due to geographic remoteness and socioeconomic status, many expectant mothers in Haiti do not receive the care they require. In fact, a skilled provider attends only about 25% of births in the country, making Haiti a very dangerous country to give birth. Without skilled assistance, both ...

Healthy Snacks Your Kids Will Actually Eat

Incorporating healthy foods into your child’s diet can improve their overall health, fight weight gain, regulate their moods, boost brain power and give kids energy they need to stay active all day. “As a parent, I know how hard it can be to get children to eat healthy,” said Kayla Hefner, CVMC Child Health/Safety Specialist”. Most kids love to snack throughout the day, but ...

It's Never Too Late to Chuck Your Pack in the Trash

It can be one of the hardest things to do: quit smoking. But medical experts say it can also be one of the best things you can do for your health. One in every five deaths in the United States is smoking-related according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the CDC points out about 10 million people in the United States have died from causes attributed to smoking ...