Being the Patient Instead of the Nurse - Having a Heart Attack Put Susan Anderson on the Other Side of Cardiac Care

A picture of good health – Hickory resident Susan Anderson, 69, never anticipated the role reversal that occurred when a heart attack put her on the receiving end of cardiovascular care at the CVMC Heart Center on May 8, 2016. Now retired, Susan spent over 40 years as a registered nurse with career experience working alongside cardiac care professionals at both Hickory hospitals. In an ...

10 Tricks to Get Your Kid to Eat More Veggies

“Kids are renowned for being picky eaters and trying to get them to eat their vegetables can seem like a never-ending battle,” said Renee Greene, Wellness Dietitian at CVMC’s Health First Center. “But parents, don’t give up! Because vegetables are packed with nutrients needed in your child’s diet, skipping them really isn’t the solution.” To help, ...

Tom Brown's Stroke Recovery Story

Little Victories Every Day “Stroke rehab [rehabilitation] starts when you’re still in the hospital”, says Tom Brown, 55, of Morganton. “After my stroke in February, I learned you have the greatest chance of regaining your abilities during the first few months after a stroke so I put all my focus into being a good rehab patient.” As a long distance truck driver, Tom ...

CVMC Receives the 2017 Women's Choice Award as One of America's 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience

HICKORY, NC – May 9, 2017 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award ® for the sixth consecutive year. America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that CVMC has been ranked within the top 100 hospitals of similar size based on ...

Lynne Laws Joins Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Claremont

HICKORY, NC – April 28, 2017 — Catawba Valley Medical Group (CVMG) announced today the addition of primary care provider Lynne Laws to its family medicine practice located in Claremont. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Lynne received her Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree with a specialty in Family Practice in 2016, and is board certified by the American Nurses ...

Adina Andreu Named Chief Nursing Officer at CVMC

HICKORY, NC – May 16, 2017 – Adina Andreu has been named Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) at Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC). She will succeed existing CNO Eddie Beard at the end of this year as he assumes the post of President and Chief Executive Officer upon the retirement of J. Anthony “Tony” Rose. Andreu has been with CVMC for more than 19 years. Prior to her recent ...

Enlarged Prostate? How to Cope

Enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is the most common prostate problem for men ages 45 and older. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) , although BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40, the occurrence and symptoms increase with age. BPH affects about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to ...

NICU Reunion: It Was a Super Hero Gathering

By the time a baby has been discharged from the CVMC Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), our staff has developed a very special relationship with the parents and the baby. That is why we hold an annual NICU Reunion to bring back these tiny patients and their families year after year. It offers a chance for the physicians, nurses and other staff who first cared for them to watch them ...

Lynda Walter: My Hip Replacement Story

“Getting a new hip gave me my life back,” says Lynda Walter, 68, of Granite Falls, NC. “I would tell anyone considering a hip replacement not to be afraid or delay the procedure because they fear the pain or recovery. For me, the pain was gone the moment I woke up from surgery.” Now that she’s had both hips and a knee replaced, Lynda feels she knows a little something ...

Boost Bone Health With Weighted Exercise

Starting at a young age, doctors assess physical activity as well as calcium and vitamin D intake to insure we are building bone mass. “Most people never think about how likely we are to develop Osteopenia, bone loss which eventually leads to Osteoporosis, a condition causing brittle, weak bones until we are well past those critical years,” said Fitness Plus Health & Fitness ...

CVMC President and CEO Rose Announces Plans to Retire; Board Appoints Beard as Successor

HICKORY, NC – April 27, 2017 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) announced today the appointment of Eddie Beard as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Beard will assume the role upon the retirement of J. Anthony “Tony” Rose at the end of 2017. “Today’s announcement is the culmination of the Board’s 5-year CEO ...

Catawba Valley Family Medicine - Claremont Breaks Ground on New Practice

HICKORY, NC – April 20, 2017 — Residents in Claremont will soon have a new primary care facility option. Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Claremont will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 27 th at 11:30am for its new location at 3114 West Main Street in downtown Claremont. The new 7,200 square foot practice scheduled to open in the fall of 2017 will replace the ...

Strong Men Make Health a Priority

Delaying a conversation about your blood pressure and cholesterol is easy. But facing the consequences − such as heart attack or stroke − isn’t. While Americans of all backgrounds can be at risk for heart disease, African American men, especially those who live in the southeast region of the United States, are at the highest risk for heart disease according to the CDC. ...

Inside the Chamber: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Treatment

Inside the CVMC Center for Wound Healing and Hyperbarics, patients lie in an enclosed, clear, cylindrical chamber. Although they look as if they are enjoying a day of rest and relaxation – watching television or napping – they are undergoing a series of oxygen therapy treatments for a variety of serious conditions. On average, the air we breathe daily is about 21% oxygen. Wounds need ...

Is a Sleep Study Right For You?

Staying up too late to watch the game or getting up earlier than normal to catch a flight may cause you fatigue the following day, but did you know consistently disrupted sleep can lead to long-term health issues? According to WebMD, sleep loss and poor sleep patterns can slow your reflexes, impair concentration and memory, and contribute to weight gain and depression. Chronic sleep loss can also ...

Keep Moving - Advice for Happy Retirement

For most people, retirement is a time to slow down and relax, but the best way to stay healthy is to remain active. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends weekly activity for seniors, combining light aerobic activity such as walking, vigorous activity like running, strength training, and balance training. If it’s been a while since your last workout, take it slow. ...

CVMC Expert Takes Global Stage Improving Heart Failure Care

Hickory heart failure specialist, Sara Paul, DNP FNP, has been making rounds lately, both in her lab coat treating patients at Catawba Valley Cardiology, and on a global stage, facilitating knowledge about the heart condition that is her specialty. Recently, Sara was invited to participate as a faculty for two international groups of heart failure nurses when the American College of Cardiology ...

Dr. George Zoret Named Medical Director of CVMC Occupational Health Center

HICKORY, NC – April 6, 2017 – Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) recently announced the appointment of Dr. George Zoret as Medical Director of its Occupational Health Center (OHC) . Dr. Zoret joins Physician Assistant Phil Killian, Nurse Manager Kim Pennell, ADN and Practice Director, Debbie Leger, RN to offer comprehensive services to local business partners that want to improve the ...

Before You Go: Travel Health Tips

A lot of time and effort goes into planning a trip. So it’s important you’re aware of medical risks common to the area you’re traveling to and take the steps necessary to protect both yourself and your family. Before you travel, talk to your primary care provider or an expert in travel medicine about health risks specific to the area you plan to visit. Make sure all your routine ...

Playing it Safe on the Playground

It’s that time of year again, the weather is warming up and kids are itching to be outdoors. “Going to the park is a great way for families to enjoy a spring day and perfect for children to get plenty of exercise,” said Kayla Hefner, Health First Center Health Promotion Specialist. “With all the fun activities parks and playgrounds can provide, we must make sure we’re ...

I'm Blessed to be Here Today

Cancer Survivor Chase Gilleland’s Inspiring Story “I could see him talking, but I couldn’t really hear him,” said Chase Gilleland, 25 of Sherrills Ford on being told by a doctor that he had cancer two years ago. “I just couldn’t accept it. Despite feeling as if a weight had been placed on my chest, I decided to try and keep a positive outlook throughout the ...

Varicose Veins? Explore These Non-Surgical Options

We’ve all seen them, and the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that varicose veins affect 50 percent of all women. Appearing as twisted, bulging dark purple or blue veins primarily on legs or ankles, varicose veins occur when blood valves do not work properly and blood pools in the network of veins instead of flowing from one valve to the ...

Prepare For Parenthood at The POD

Whether you’re a first-time mom-in-training or you’ve taken this journey before, you’ll gain confidence, connect with fellow parents-to-be and get answers to your questions from experienced childbirth educators through our services offered at The POD. New to The POD: Moms in Motion – An aquatics exercise class designed just for expectant mothers. It includes low-level ...

Colorectal Cancer Screening Can Save Your Life

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and, if you’re over 50 or if you’re younger than 50 but have a family history of colon cancer, it is recommended you undergo a screening colonoscopy. Although colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States, it is also one of the most preventable. Dr. Keith McManus of Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Maiden says ...

Understanding Nutrition Labels

“Really, the most nutritious foods are found without labels, like fruits and vegetables,” says Renee Greene, Wellness Dietition at CVMC’s Health First Center. “But if you find yourself in the grocery store reaching for pre-packaged food, it’s important to understand what’s inside and whether or not it’s good for you.” The Nutrition Facts Label is ...