New Equipment Helps Improve Early Heart Care

FAYETTEVILLE – When a patient is having a heart attack, nearly 85 percent of the damage occurs within the first two hours. That’s why hospitals work so hard to get patients to the cardiac catheterization lab as quickly as possible.

Recently Cape Fear Valley Health added special equipment to its ambulances that can cut this time dramatically. The LIFENET system, from Physio-Control, Inc., was purchased with a $76,640 grant from Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation’s Friends of Children. It allows paramedics to securely transmit EKGs to Emergency Department physicians in real time. The goal is to reduce time to treatment, known as door-to-balloon time (D2B), for patients who experience a dangerous type of heart attack known as STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction).

D2B time refers to the interval from patient arrival at the hospital to inflation of the balloon catheter within the patient’s blocked artery – the shorter the D2B time, the greater the chance of survival.

On May 24, this equipment made a difference for 80-year-old Phillip Outterbridge, who lives in western Cumberland County. Outterbridge’s D2B time was an incredible 12 minutes. A 90-minute D2B time has become a core quality measure for The Joint Commission.

It all started when Outterbridge suddenly became weak, started sweating and became short of breathe. The pain in this chest was unrelenting. A widower who lives alone, he called his neighbor to drive him to the hospital. When his neighbor arrived, could tell Outterbridge needed an ambulance and called 911.

First responders from Fayetteville Fire Department’s Station 8 arrived first. Shortly thereafter, EMS arrived and paramedics hooked the patient up to the 12-lead EKG at 1:22 p.m. The Emergency Department physician could see the EKG in real time, and a code STEMI was called at 1:23 p.m. The paramedics began treatment en route to the hospital, giving the patient an aspirin and oxygen.

Bladen Nursing Assistants Honored During Partners In Caring Week

ELIZABETHTOWN - Two Bladen County Hospital nursing assistants were recently honored by Cape Fear Valley Health System during Partners in Caring week.

D’Vora Lennon and Jennifer Parker, both NAII/Unit Clerks, were recognized during a banquet ceremony on Wednesday, June 20, along with other health system staff. Partners in Caring celebrates the achievements of nursing support staff throughout the health system during the past year.

Lennon has been employed with Cape Fear Valley Bladen Healthcare since November 2001. Parker has been employed since November 1995.

Bladen Nurses Honored During Nurses Week

ELIZABETHTOWN – Two Bladen County nurses were recently honored by Cape Fear Valley Health System during national Nurses Week.

Jane Kinlaw, LPN, was one of 12 nurses named an Exemplary Nurse by the health system for 2012. The Bladenboro native works in Bladen Medical Associates’ Bladenboro Office.

The honor was bestowed upon Kinlaw for her consummate compassion both on and off the job. She recently came back to her clinic after hours to help a patient’s family after seeing them in a supermarket. A child in the family was out of asthma medication and the family could not afford a refill.

She also tirelessly reassures nervous patients about medication safety and provides financially strapped patients with the telephone number and address of the local Food Pantry. Kinlaw has worked at the Bladeboro Office for seven years and was nominated for her award by Pearline Grant, M.D.

Allison Strickland, RN, was named Bladen County Hospital’s Nurse of the Year for 2012. The Clarkton native won for her professional dedication and growth during the past two years. 

She chairs the hospital’s Nursing Policies and Procedures committees, as well as the Nursing Peer Review Team. Each committee’s goal is to identify opportunities to improve and enhance nursing care.

Strickland joined Bladen County Hospital in 2009. She works as a Charge Nurse on the hospital’s Surgical Services team and is cross-trained as an Emergency Department and Obstetrics nurse. Her focus is to provide excellent, safe care to patients using her strong clinical nursing background. 

BMA Clinics Earn Recognition For Patient-Centered Care

ELIZABETHTOWN – All three Bladen Medical Associates clinics have received Level 3 (highest level) designation as patient-centered medical home programs by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

The three-year designation is provided through the Physician Practice Connections-Patient Centered Medical Home (PPC-PCMH) program. It recognizes facilities that use evidence-based, patient-centered processes to address a patient’s entire range of healthcare needs, including disease prevention, early detection and care coordination.

The three Bladen Medical Associates clinics recognized are in Elizabethtown, Bladenboro and Dublin. Each demonstrated the ability to promote partnerships between patients and their clinicians, instead of emphasizing episodic office visits, which improves patient care quality and efficiency. 

State Approves New Cape Fear Valley Hospital

FAYETTEVILLE – State officials have approved Cape Fear Valley Health’s request to build a new 65-bed hospital, adjacent to Health Pavilion North, to better serve the growing healthcare needs of northern Cumberland and southern Harnett counties.

The planned hospital will include 57 medical/surgical inpatient beds, eight intensive care beds, seven observation beds, a 20-bed Emergency Department, two operating rooms, imaging services, laboratory and other ancillary services. 

Cape Fear Valley Health originally submitted a Certificate of Need (CON) requesting the hospital last June. Under N.C. law, state regulators must approve new hospitals to prevent expensive and unnecessary duplication of healthcare services. 

The new hospital would complement Health Pavilion North’s existing services, which include a cancer center, physical and occupational therapy, ExpressCare, pharmacy, laboratory, CT, ultrasound, X-ray and offices for family practice and pediatrics.

“We are very excited,” said Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health, “ about bringing the first new civilian hospital to Cumberland County in more than 50 years.”

Cape Fear Valley Receives Heart Surgery’s 

Highest Ranking

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Heart & Vascular Center has been awarded a “3-star” rating, the highest rating possible, for quality in cardiac surgery by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). The ratings system is the gold standard for rating cardiac surgery programs in the U.S.

Cape Fear Valley received its overall quality rating for surgeries performed between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2011, the latest data period available.

The STS developed the comprehensive rating system to allow for comparisons regarding the quality of cardiac surgery among US. Hospitals. Just 14 percent of hospitals nationwide received the 3-star rating.

More than 6,400 cardiothoracic surgeons nationwide participate in the ratings program by voluntarily submitting patient outcomes data. The data criteria includes patient survival for at least 30 days after surgery, absence of surgical complications, usage of recommended medications, and employing optimal surgical techniques.

Cape Fear Valley Physician Appointed National President of Sleep Medicine Academy

FAYETTEVILLE – Sam Fleishman, M.D., has been elected President of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). His one-year term began June 1.

Dr. Fleishman is Medical Director of Cape Fear Valley Sleep Center and Behavioral Health Care. He is a Fayetteville native and has spent his entire 17-year medical career at Cape Fear Valley.

He is board certified in the Specialty of Sleep Medicine, a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. 

Established in 1975, the AASM is the only professional society dedicated exclusively to the medical subspecialty of sleep medicine. The organization includes 8500 physicians, researchers and healthcare professionals dedicated to diagnosing and treating sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy and sleep apnea.

Cape Fear Valley Holds Health Pavilion Hoke Topping Off Ceremony

RAEFORD - Cape Fear Valley Health on Tuesday, May 15, 2012, held a topping-off ceremony for its Health Pavilion Hoke outpatient facility off U.S. 401, near the Cumberland County line.

The multi-million dollar facility wille eventually provide much-needed outpatient services for Hoke and southwestern Cumberland County residents, including: digital x-ray, mammography and ultrasound; urgent care for minor injuries and illnesses; family medicine; specialized medical services; and an on-campus pharmacy for patient convenience.

Health Pavilion Hoke is just the first phase of a $92 million investment by Cape Fear Valley Health in Hoke County. It will eventually be joined by Hoke Medical Center, a new 41-bed acute care hospital, which will also be built on the same campus.

Ceremony photos can be viewed at www.capefearvalley.com/hph_topoff

Hufham Appointed 4 South Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Jessica Hufham, RN, has been appointed 4 South Patient Care Manager at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Garland native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2003 as an Emergency Department staff nurse. She most recently held the position of Lead RN Case Manager/Supervisor with the Coordination of Care department. 

Hufham received her associate’s degree in Nursing from Sampson Community College in Clinton. She is currently pursing her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.

In her new position, Hufham will oversee all aspects of patient care on 4 South, a medical telemetry department.

Dr. DeFoe Appointed Cancer Liaison Physician

FAYETTEVILLE – Sarahgene Gillianne DeFoe, M.D., has been appointed Cancer Liaison Physician for the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Treatment and CyberKnife^© Center. The appointment is for three years.

Dr. DeFoe is among more than 1,500 volunteer physicians who comprise the Cancer Liaison Physician network. The volunteers evaluate, interpret and report their respective facility’s performance data to the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). They then help implement quality improvement initiatives at their facilities based on the collected data.

NCDB data contains data, such as patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment, and outcome information for more than 25 million malignant cancers diagnosed and treated in the U.S. between 1985 and 2009.

Cancer Liaison Physicians also spearhead local initiatives championed by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer (CoC). The CoC collects data from accredited cancer programs and provides tools to help diagnose, treat and improve quality of care for patients. 

Dr. DeFoe received her medical degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, Penn. She completed a residency in radiation oncology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh, Penn. During her residency, she received extensive training in stereotactic radiosurgery, including the CyberKnife^© Robotic Stereotactic Radiosurgery System.

Stonestreet Appointed Chief Nursing Officer

FAYETTEVILLE – Jana Stonestreet, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, has been appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer with Cape Fear Valley Health.

The native of Missourri has more than 26 years of nursing leadership experience. She previously held the position of Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer with Vanguard Health Systems, a national healthcare network. Prior to that she served as Chief Nursing Executive with Baptist Health System in San Antonio, Texas. 

She was also a Chief Patient Care Officer with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas, and a Chief Nursing Officer with Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio, Texas.

Stonestreet received her master’s degree in Nursing from the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Science in Galveston, Texas. She received her doctorate in Nursing from Texas Woman’s University of Houston, Texas. 

In her new position, Stonestreet will oversee all aspects of nursing at Cape Fear Valley Health. It is the ninth largest health system in North Carolina and employs approximately 1,500 nurses. 

CEO Appointed To State Council

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley CEO Mike Nagowski has been appointed by Gov. Beverly Perdue to the State Health Coordinating Council (SHCC). He was sworn in April 19, during a ceremony inside the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Board Room.

The SHCC helps develop the annual State Medical Facilities Plan, which must be approved by the governor every year. The plan is an annual document that helps determine the need for new healthcare facilities and services in North Carolina, such as hospitals and expensive medical equipment purchases.

Marshall Faircloth, a Cumberland County Commissioner and Chairman of the Cape Fear Valley Board of Trustees, performed the swearing in ceremony, on behalf of Gov. Perdue. Nagowski’s appointment is for a three-year term that expires on Dec. 31, 2014.

Cape Fear Valley Medical Center Recognized For Pediatric Nurse Staffing

FAYETTEVILLE – The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PCNB) has recognized Cape Fear Valley’s Children’s Center and Children’s Emergency Department for having at least five certified pediatric nurses on staff.

The certified pediatric nurses at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center are: Ida Zuniga, RN, BSN, CPN; Patricia Brady, RN, BSN, CPN; Amy Frazier, RN, CPN; Cheryl Norris, RN, BSN, CPN; Jacquelyn Allen, RN, CPN; and Lorena Sanchez, RN, CPN, CPEN.

Cape Fear Valley is just one of 16 hospitals in the state and one of approximately 300 nationwide to receive the distinction, which recognizes the pursuit of excellence in the pediatric nursing field.

Hospitals that achieve the “5 or More” distinction receive a commemorative certificate and are listed on the PCNB’s website at http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/news/hospitals_with_cpns.

Weatherly Named Bladen County Hospital President

ELIZABETHTOWN – Dan Weatherly has been appointed President of Bladen County Hospital.

The native of Harrisburg, Ill., has more than 16 years of experience in healthcare. He previously held the position of Interim CEO at the hospital. Prior to that, he was Director of Outpatient Operations with Cape Fear Valley Health, responsible for developing and growing outpatient volumes for Hoke, Bladen and southern Cumberland counties.

He was also a Territory Sales Manager for PathGroup Labs, based in Brentwood, Tenn. His duties included developing services throughout eastern Tennessee and north Georgia, and managing laboratory service operations for more than 145 physician practices.

Weatherly received his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla., and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis in Chicago, Ill.

In his new position, Weatherly will oversee daily operations at Bladen County Hospital. He replaces Cameron Highsmith, who resigned as Bladen County Hospital president in October.

Webster Named Behavioral Health Services Director

FAYETTEVILLE – Doug Webster has been appointed Service Line Director for Behavioral Health Services at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The native of Miami, Fla., has more than 25 years of behavioral health leadership experience and was previously CEO of Hermitage Hall, a 100-bed residential treatment facility for adolescents in Nashville, Tenn. Prior to that, Webster was an administrator with Horizon Mental Health Management, a national contract management firm, based in Lewisville, Texas. 

He was also Behavioral Health Director at Community Hospital in New Port Ritchey, Fla., Hospital Administrator at Coliseum Psychiatric Center in Macon, Ga., and Director of Geriatric Psychiatry at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, Fla.

Webster received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Social Work from Florida International University in Miami. 

In his new duties, Webster will oversee all aspects of Behavioral Health Care at Cape Fear Valley Health, including an inpatient psychiatric hospital, outpatient services for children, adolescents, adults and families, and the health system’s Sleep Center. 

Cape Fear Valley Receives Two Lactation Awards

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has received two awards for its lactation program efforts. 

The first is the Golden Bow Award for the medical center’s decision to stop distributing infant formula and related materials to new mothers. The North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition presented the award to Cape Fear Valley during a ceremony at the medical center on March 23.

UNICEF launched the Golden Bow campaign in 2002 as a symbol for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding efforts worldwide.   

The second award was for excellence in lactation care. It was given by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) and the International Lactation Consultant Association (ICLA).

The medical center received the IBCLC Care Award for staffing International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and for providing a lactation program available 5-7 days a week for breastfeeding families. 

In addition, the medical center demonstrated it has provided breastfeeding training for medical staff who care for new families, and have recently completed activities that help protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

Cape Fear Valley’s International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are: Kenyatta Elliott, IBCLC-RLC; Mary Wroblewski, RN, IBCLC; and Catherine Diehl, RN, IBCLC, BSN. Each teach in classes offering breastfeeding education and consultation with new mothers seven days a week.

McGarry Named ICU Patient Care Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Felicia McGarry, RN, BSN, has been appointed Patient Care Manager for the Medical, Cardiac and Surgical Intensive Care units at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Fayetteville native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2001 as an LPN. She was previously Patient Care Manager for 3 Valley Pavilion at the medical center. She was a Clinical Educator with the health system prior to that.

She received her associate’s degree in Nursing from Fayetteville Technical Community College and her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from East Carolina University in Greenville. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Leadership, also from East Carolina University.

Cape Fear Valley To Officially Purchase Bladen County Hospital

ELIZABETHTOWN – Cape Fear Valley CEO Mike Nagowski will meet with Bladen County Commissioners tonight to finalize the official purchase of Bladen County Hospital by Cape Fear Valley Health System.  

A ceremonial letter-signing and plaque presentation will be held during the board’s regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Bladen County Courthouse. The signing fulfills a four-year promise by the health system to purchase the hospital and make annual improvements. To date, Cape Fear Valley Health has invested nearly $19 million in upgrades. 

In 2008, Cape Fear Valley Health and Bladen County Hospital entered into a multi-year affiliation that allowed the health system the option of purchasing the hospital within five years. In the years since, the affiliation has brought an influx of improvements to Bladen County, improving healthcare for all.

The numerous improvements include:

• A new roof for Bladen County Hospital
• Aggressive physician recruitment to bring additional physicians to the county, including pediatricians, general surgeons, OB/GYN phsycians, hospitalists, ED physicians and family practice physicians
• Bladen Kids’ Care opening in Elizabethtown, bringing the first pediatrician to the county in decades
• Bladen Sleep Center opening to offer in-house sleep studies at Bladen County Hospital
• Fayetteville Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine opening an Elizabethtown office for greater patient convenience and access
• Fayetteville cardiologists now performing initial visits and follow-ups through the Bladen Consultation Center
• Bladenboro Family Practice merging with Bladen Healthcare to offer improved family care services to local residents
• Bladen County Hospital Birth Center renovations to offer an improved birthing experience for patients
• Hospitalists working in-house at Bladen County Hospital to care exclusively for hospitalized patients
• New Mid-Level Provider (Physician Assistant) added to Emergency Department staff to reduce patient wait times
• Digital Mammography equipment purchased
• - New C-arm X-ray machine purchased for greater diagnostic imaging capability in the Operating Room
• - Bladen Digital Mammography Services receiving accreditation from the American College of Radiology
• - Bladen County Hospital Lab receiving accreditation by The Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations
• - Bladen County Hospital being named a “Red Apple” hospital by the North Carolina Prevention Partners for its commitment to provide healthy food for employees, patients and visitors
• - And Bladen Nurse, Terri Duncan, RN, BSN, being named a Great 100 Nurse for 2011.

Cape Fear Valley Health is the state’s 9^th largest health system and serves a five county region within southeastern North Carolina, including Bladen County. Bladen County Hospital is one of just two Critical Access Hospitals in the region, federally designated to provide care for primarily rural patients. 

Bladen Medical Associates Office New Location

BLADENBORO – Bladen Medical Associate’s Bladenboro Clinic has moved to a new, state-of-the-art location.  

The new primary care facility is located inside existing space at 1106 West Seaboard St., across from Bo’s Supermarket. Bladen Medical Associates-Bladenboro is leasing the 5,600-square-foot building and renovate it to offer new diagnostic services to area residents. The renovation began in late December and is expected to end in April. 

The project is a collaborative effort among the Town of Bladenboro, Bladen’s Bloomin Agri-Industrial, Inc., the N.C. Rural Center Foundation, the Golden Leaf Foundation and Bladen Healthcare, LLC. 

The leased space is completely renovated to accommodate the practice’s new services, including Obstetrics and Gynecology. A provider from Bladen Healthcare’s Women’s Health Specialists will have scheduled days at the facility.

X-rays, ultrasounds and blood draws will also be available at the practice for the first time. Local patients previously had to drive 20 minutes or more to obtain these services. 

“The staff and I are so excited about the new office,” said Pearline Grant, M.D. “It’s going to allow us to offer more services, which means we can provide a higher level of care to our patients. I just know that our patients are going to love the new building and services.”

The Bladenboro office also adds a new provider: Shelly Brown, FNP-C, a Bladenboro native. 

“I look forward to providing quality care,” Brown said, “not only to clients but to neighbors as well. This new building is to going to be great and the practice will continue to be an invaluable asset to our community.”

Paramedic Wins State Public Service Award

FAYETTEVILLE – A Cumberland County EMS Emergency Paramedic (EMT-P) has been honored for his public service.

Lee Westbrook, EMT-P, won a 2011-2012 Public Servant Gold Medal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars – Department of North Carolina chapter. The Clinton native’s award came in the Emergency Medical Technician category.

The annual award is presented to a chapter member who actively gives emergency medical treatment, provides rescue service, or civil disaster assistance, as a member of any public or volunteer EMS department. Hope Mills VFW Post 10630 sponsored Westbrook in this year’s competition.

He is the ninth member of Cumberland County EMS to win a VFW Public Servant Gold Medal from the state chapter. Kevin Brunson, EMT-P, was the last state winner in 2009. Deborah Collado, EMT-P, was a post winner in 2010.

Westbrook is no stranger to awards. He previously helped Cumberland County EMS’s competition team win first place in the 2010 Journal of Emergency Medical Services national paramedic competition. The local team won by beating several national EMS powerhouses, such as the Official Fire Department City of New York (FDNY) and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. 

The 7-year U.S. Air Force veteran has worked in the EMS field since 1998. He currently teaches specialty certification classes for the American Heart Association, and works with the North Carolina Urban Search and Rescue Team. Westbrook has also participated in tactical medical programs with law enforcement agencies. 

Cape Fear Valley EMS World Champs Again

FAYETTEVILLE – For the second time in three years, a Cape Fear Valley Health EMS team has won the most prestigious EMS competition in the nation.

The 9^th Annual Journal of Emergency Services (JEMS) Games was held last week in Baltimore, M.D., pitting the best EMS teams against one another in graded competition. The games are open to any team in the world. This year’s participants included powerhouse squads from Miami-Dade, Las Vegas and FDNY.

Cumberland County EMS paramedics Lee Westbrook, Larry Smith, Brian Pearce and Joseph Crowder, all EMT-Ps, represented Cape Fear Valley Health in winning the two-day competition. Westbrook is a Lead Paramedic. Smith is a Fleet Maintenance Supervisor. Pearce is Director of Cumberland County EMS. And Crowder, the team’s newest member, is a Training Officer and Assistant Chief over EMS system development.

Pearce, Smith and Westbrook have known, worked and competed in EMS competitions together for more than a decade. They reside in the Eastover community a few miles apart and have volunteered with the Eastover Fire Department, where they respond to fire and medical emergencies.

All the competing teams were tested for clinical skills during day one, including a hazardous materials accident simulation and a heart attack response. The three teams with the best overall scores advanced to the final round and were graded on mock disaster drill performance before an audience of their peers.

Cape Fear Valley’s final scenario was a tornado involving seven patients and just 20 minutes to treat each victim. The simulation was eerily reminiscent for Westbrook and Pearce, who both responded to tornadoes that ravaged western Cumberland County last April.

Cumberland County EMS will receive approximately $20,000 in EMS prizes for the victory, including a $10,000 video airway device, a training mannequin and carbon monoxide detector. 

Cape Fear Valley’s EMS team first won the JEMS competition in 2010, beating 16 other teams. That year’s squad included Dave Cuddeback, a Duplin County EMS training officer, who served as a technical advisor to Westbrook, Smith and Pearce. 

Culbreth Named 7 South Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Melissa Culbreth, BSN, has been named Patient Care Manager for 7 South at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Fayetteville native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2004 as a Staff Nurse on 7 South. She previously held the position of Nursing Supervisor. Prior to that, she was a Staff Nurse in the Emergency Department. 

Culbreth received her associate’s degree in Nursing from Sampson Community College in Clinton. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing, based in Illinois.

In her new duties, Culbreth will be responsible for all patient care services within 7 South, including care for joint replacement patients. 

Burg Named Supply Chain Director

FAYETTEVILLE – Jeff Burg has been appointed Corporate Director of Supply Chain Services at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The Miami native has more than 30 years of managerial experience and previously served as Director of Materials Management / Environmental Services at BryanLGH Health System in Lincoln, Neb. Prior to that, he was Director of Environmental Services with the health system.

Burg earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He received his master's degree in Health Services Administration also from Central Michigan University. 

In his new position, Burg will oversee central purchasing and supplies management for the health system.

Faircloth Named 3 Valley Pavilion Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Robin Faircloth, RN, has been appointed Patient Care Manager for 3 Valley Pavilion at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Massachusetts native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 1993 as a Staff Nurse. She was previously Patient Care Manager of 3 Valley Pavilion – South. Faircloth was a Resource Nurse at 3 Valley Pavilion prior to that.

She received her associate’s degree in Nursing from Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Mass., and is currently pursing her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from The College Network. 

Cape Fear Valley Named Top Performing Hospital

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health has been named a Top Performing hospital for 2011 under QUEST, a performance program developed by the federal government.

Based on third-year results, the health system received awards for top performance in the areas of saving lives, safely reducing patient care costs, and delivering the most reliable and effective care.

As a result, Cape Fear Valley will receive a $20,000 monetary award for meeting its goals under the program. 

QUEST was created in 2008 by the Institute for Health Improvement and the Premier healthcare alliance. Its goal is to incentivize hospitals to increase healthcare quality, while also reducing costs, to prepare for changes in the healthcare industry.

Cape Fear Valley has been named a Top Performing hospital for all three years of the project.

More than 150 hospitals nationwide joined QUEST in 2008 to set initial performance goals and then try to meet them annually under the project. Participating hospitals can collaborate and share knowledge with each other to develop best practices, which benefits all hospitals.

The federal government will soon begin penalizing poor-performing hospitals by reducing their Medicare reimbursement payments. Higher performing hospitals will receive bonuses. QUEST hospitals consistently outperform other hospitals at a lower cost, benefitting everyone.

Cape Fear Valley Earns National Quality Award

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health is being rewarded for consistently delivering high quality care.

The health system was named an Attainment Award winner under the Health Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) Project for 2011. As a result, Cape Fear Valley Health will receive $50,000 in additional insurance reimbursement payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The federal agency partnered with the Premier healthcare alliance to create the pay-for-performance study six years ago. The project’s goal is to improve patient care quality and to determine if financial incentives are effective at improving patient care quality among hospitals. Just 272 hospitals participate in the study nationwide.

Cape Fear Valley Health won for its work in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, heart bypass surgery, pneumonia, hip and knee replacement surgery and surgical care improvement. To date, the health system has received 23 HQID awards and received more than $450,000.

CMS issued out approximately $12 million in additional incentive payments to just 211 hospitals in 2011. Overall, CMS has awarded more than $60 million throughout all six years of the HQID project.
HQID is the first CMS incentive program of its kind. It measures such things as prescribing a daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks and teaching heart failure patients to weigh themselves daily. These are considered best practices, which lead to best patient outcomes.

The Premier healthcare alliance is a performance improvement alliance of more than 2,500 hospitals nationwide and 78,000 other healthcare facilities, which collaborate to improve quality and cost-effectiveness. To learn more, visit www.premierinc.com.

CMS Continues Medicare, Medicaid Funding To Cape Fear Valley

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center entered into a collaborative agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that ensures that Medicare funding to the hospital is not terminated.

The arrangement allows Cape Fear Valley the opportunity to step back and take a methodical, comprehensive review of all policies and procedures at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center instead of simply rushing through another survey process. Cape Fear Valley has asked The Greeley Company, a nationally recognized CMS policy expert, to assist in the review process.

Cape Fear Valley has been working with The Greeley Company since Dec. 2, 2011, to make improvements in the Emergency Department and the discharge documentation process. Among the improvements in the ED are the addition of a physician in the triage area to provide more timely medical screening exams and the addition of a clinical person in the ED waiting room to perform reassessments on patients and work with the triage nurse and ED physician to identify patients whose condition may warrant a higher priority.

“We welcome this opportunity to work in partnership with CMS,” said Michael Nagowski, Cape Fear Valley Health Chief Executive Officer. “Cape Fear Valley has worked with CMS and has been recognized for five years in a row as part of the Healthcare Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) project. To date the health system has received 23 HQID awards and received more than $450,000 in additional payments from CMS. We expect this collaboration with CMS will further enhance our operations and quality.”

Bladen Medical Associates Office Moving To New Location

BLADENBORO – Bladen Medical Associate’s Bladenboro Clinic will be moving to a new, state-of-the-art location in the spring.

The new primary care facility will be located inside existing space at 1106 West Seaboard St., across from Bo’s Supermarket. Bladen Medical Associates-Bladenboro will lease the 5,600-square-foot building and renovate it to offer new diagnostic services to area residents. The renovation began in late December and is expected to end in April.

The project is a collaborative effort among the Town of Bladenboro, Bladen’s Bloomin Agri-Industrial, Inc., the N.C. Rural Center Foundation, the Golden Leaf Foundation and Bladen Healthcare, LLC.

The leased space will be completely renovated to accommodate the practice’s new services, including Obstetrics and Gynecology. A provider from Bladen Healthcare’s Women’s Health Specialists will have scheduled days at the facility.

X-rays, ultrasounds and blood draws will also be available at the practice for the first time. Local patients previously had to drive 20 minutes or more to obtain these services.

“The staff and I are so excited about the new office,” said Pearline Grant, M.D. “It’s going to allow us to offer more services, which means we can provide a higher level of care to our patients. I just know that our patients are going to love the new building and services.”

The Bladenboro office will also add a new provider: Shelly Brown, FNP-C, a Bladenboro native.

“I look forward to providing quality care,” Brown said, “not only to clients but to neighbors as well. This new building is to going to be great and the practice will continue to be an invaluable asset to our community.”

Once completed, a facility grand opening will be held.

Cape Fear Valley Named Top Performing Hospital

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health has been named a Top Performing hospital for 2011 under QUEST, a performance program developed by the federal government.

Based on third-year results, the health system received awards for top performance in the areas of saving lives, safely reducing patient care costs, and delivering the most reliable and effective care.

As a result, Cape Fear Valley will receive a $20,000 monetary award for meeting its goals under the program.

QUEST was created in 2008 by the Institute for Health Improvement and the Premier healthcare alliance. Its goal is to incentivize hospitals to increase healthcare quality, while also reducing costs, to prepare for changes in the healthcare industry.

Cape Fear Valley has been named a Top Performing hospital for all three years of the project.

More than 150 hospitals nationwide joined QUEST in 2008 to set initial performance goals and then try to meet them annually under the project. Participating hospitals can collaborate and share knowledge with each other to develop best practices, which benefits all hospitals.

The federal government will soon begin penalizing poor-performing hospitals by reducing their Medicare reimbursement payments. Higher performing hospitals will receive bonuses. QUEST hospitals consistently outperform other hospitals at a lower cost, benefitting everyone.

Cape Fear Valley Earns National Quality Award

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health is being rewarded for consistently delivering high quality care.

The health system was named an Attainment Award winner under the Health Quality Incentive Demonstration (HQID) Project for 2011. As a result, Cape Fear Valley Health will receive $50,000 in additional insurance reimbursement payments from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

The federal agency partnered with the Premier healthcare alliance to create the pay-for-performance study six years ago. The project’s goal is to improve patient care quality and to determine if financial incentives are effective at improving patient care quality among hospitals. Just 272 hospitals participate in the study nationwide.

Cape Fear Valley Health won for its work in the areas of heart attack, heart failure, heart bypass surgery, pneumonia, hip and knee replacement surgery and surgical care improvement. To date, the health system has received 23 HQID awards and received more than $450,000.

CMS issued out approximately $12 million in additional incentive payments to just 211 hospitals in 2011. Overall, CMS has awarded more than $60 million throughout all six years of the HQID project.

HQID is the first CMS incentive program of its kind. It measures such things as prescribing a daily aspirin to prevent heart attacks and teaching heart failure patients to weigh themselves daily. These are considered best practices, which lead to best patient outcomes.

The Premier healthcare alliance is a performance improvement alliance of more than 2,500 hospitals nationwide and 78,000 other healthcare facilities, which collaborate to improve quality and cost-effectiveness. To learn more, visit www.premierinc.com.

Bladen County Hospital Participating In National Study

ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital has joined the Joint Commission Center for Transforming Healthcare's Healing Partnership™ and is participating in a nationwide hand hygiene study.

Mindy Goldsmith, Performance Improvement Coordinator at Bladen County Hospital, said hand-washing practices among physicians and staff will be observed for three months before results are submitted to the Joint Commission Center. The local results will then help attain a national average.

The study's goal is to help improve patient safety and lower healthcare costs among hospitals nationwide. This is the first time Bladen County Hospital has participated in a Joint Commission Center study. Any Joint Commission-accredited healthcare organization can join the Healthcare Healing Partnership™.

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 19,000 healthcare organizations and hospitals nationwide. To learn more, visit www.jointcommission.org.

Knitters Donate Caps For A Good Cause

ELIZABETHTOWN – Area knitters got into the Christmas spirit early this year by recently donating 60 knitted caps for newborn babies at Bladen County Hospital's Birth Center.

The knitting enthusiasts personally delivered the headgear for the Period of Purple Crying Prevention Program, which raises awareness about shaken baby syndrome. The condition occurs when parents or caregivers, frustrated by crying infants, shake their baby.

Bladen County Hospital began participating in the statewide initiative in 2008. The hospital's nurses educate new mothers at the bedside about the dangers of shaken baby syndrome and how to soothe crying babies.

The new mothers also watch an educational DVD during their stay and get language-specific, personal copies to take home.

The program's goal is to reduce shaken baby syndrome cases in North Carolina by 50 percent over five years. Nationally, an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 children require medical treatment each year after being shaken.

Digital Mammography Off To Fast Start

ELIZABETHTOWN – The Women’s Diagnostic Center at Bladen County Hospital has performed more than 1,000 digital mammograms since launching the in-house service earlier this year.

Mindy Goldsmith, Director of Radiology at Bladen County Hospital, says the center performed 170 mammograms in October alone, which was national Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Women’s Diagnostic Center performs both preventive and diagnostic screenings using the facility’s new state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment, which was installed in March. It is the first time Bladen County Hospital has offered digital screenings to the community.

A regular mammogram is essential for early detection of breast cancer, which can save lives. The Women’s Diagnostic Center still performs traditional mammograms. But digital, or computerized, mammography systems provide quicker and more-detailed results through the use of digital images.

In all, the Women’s Diagnostic Center has performed more than 2,000 mammograms since March on patients from Bladen and surrounding counties. The facility is located at 603 S. Cypress St. and is open from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. To schedule a mammogram or to learn more, call (910) 863-1131.

Diabetes Bus Coming To Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN – The Diabetes Bus is making its way back to Bladen County.

The traveling educational road show will make its next pit stop on Monday, Nov. 14, at Trinity United Methodist Church at 901 W. Broad St. The free event is sponsored by Bladen Medical Associates and will be from 1 to 3 p.m.

Bladen County Hospital is bringing the mobile classroom to Elizabethtown to help educate local patients and family members about the importance of staying on top of the disease.

If left uncontrolled, diabetes can lead to chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, blindness, limb amputations, and even death.

Roughly 24 million Americans have diabetes and as many as a third of U.S. adults could have the disease by 2050 if trends continue. North Carolina’s prevalence rate is higher than the national average, but has few diabetes management programs in rural areas.

The Diabetes Bus initiative was created with the help of a Duke Endowment to provide access to quality diabetes education to N.C. communities.

To learn more about the Diabetes Bus initiative, go to http://www.thediabetesbus.org/ or call Bladen County Hospital at (910) 862-5100.

Weatherly Appointed Interim CEO For Bladen County Hospital

ELIZABETHTOWN – Dan Weatherly has been appointed Interim CEO for Bladen County Hospital.

The Harrisburg, Ill. Native has more than 15 years of experience in the healthcare services development field. He previously held the position of Director of Outpatient Operations with Cape Fear Valley Health, responsible for developing and growing outpatient volumes for Hoke, Bladen and southern Cumberland counties.

Prior to that, he was Territory Sales Manager for PathGroup Labs, based in Brentwood, Tenn. His duties included developing new laboratory services throughout eastern Tennessee and north Georgia, and managing laboratory service operations for more than 145 physician practices.

Weatherly received his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla., and his master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of St. Francis in Chicago, Ill.

In his new position, Weatherly will oversee daily operations at Bladen County Hospital. He replaces Cameron Highsmith, who resigned as Bladen County Hospital CEO in October.

Cape Fear Valley CEO Talks To Wall Street About Healthcare Reform

NEW YORK – Cape Fear Valley CEO Mike Nagowski spoke before Wall Street executives today as part of an expert panel discussion on the healthcare industry.

The event was held by the Premier healthcare alliance and touched on topics, ranging from emerging healthcare trends and strategic partnerships to reducing costs and physician practices.
Nagowski spoke before the 99 executive analysts about healthcare reform and its burgeoning effects. The healthcare industry is consistently looking for news ways to improve performance while receiving less reimbursement from insurance providers.

Cutting costs is a tenuous option in the healthcare industry, where patient care quality is always a priority.

“Cape Fear Valley has been preparing for healthcare reform for years through our collaboration with Premier,” Nagowski said. “We’re focusing quality and safely reducing the cost of care through a number of initiatives.

“Our Transition of Care Clinic for congestive heart failure patients is a good example of how we are caring for patients outside the hospital. It’s not only a sound strategy for healthcare reform, it’s an effective way to improve the health status of our community.”

Cape Fear Valley Health and the Premier alliance of more than 200 other hospitals have partnered for several years to improve healthcare by collecting and analyzing performance data. The resulting best practices are then shared with more than 2,500 U.S. hospitals nationwide and 76,000 other healthcare offices and clinics.

Thibodeaux Named Cardiac Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Julie Thibodeaux, RN, has been appointed Patient Care Manager for Cardiac Services at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The Sanford native has more than 14 years of nursing experience and previously served as a clinical educator with Cape Fear Valley Heart & Vascular Center. She joined the health system in 2008 as a Lead Charge Nurse with the Chest Pain Observation Unit.

Thibodeaux will oversee Cape Fear Valley’s Chest Pain Center and Cardiovascular Observation Unit.
She received her associate degree in Nursing from Sandhills Community College in Southern Pines. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University.

Bladen Nurse Among Great 100

ELIZABETHTOWN – Terri Duncan, RN, BSN, has been selected as a Great 100 Nurse for 2011. The award is an annual honor given to nurses who exhibit nursing excellence and make a difference in their community.
Duncan, a Clarkton native, has more than 20 years of nursing experience and currently serves as a Clinical Educator at Bladen Healthcare. Her duties include educating health system nurses about best practices and evidence-based medicine. She also serves as a patient advocate by looking for ways to improve healthcare for all patients.

Her other duties include everything from educating employees about smoking cessation, serving as a hospital liaison to area nursing programs, and helping instruct new nurses during clinical rotations.

When she’s not working, Duncan talks to civic and faith-based groups about healthcare. For the past 10 years, she has touched on issues such as senior health, exercise, meal preparation and healthcare decisions.

Duncan previously served as a district representative and local district president with the North Carolina Nurses Association. She has been a member for more than 20 years.

Just 100 nurses are chosen each year to receive the Great 100 award. It was created by the Great 100 organization, a grassroots-nursing group created in 1988 to recognize outstanding registered nurses in North Carolina.

State Officials OK Cape Fear Valley Health Trauma Program

FAYETTEVILLE – State EMS officials have given Cape Fear Valley Health approval to operate as a Level-III Trauma Center for parts of southeastern North Carolina.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Emergency Medical Services granted the approval on Sept. 1. The program's launch will eventually lead to an official Trauma Program designation for Cape Fear Valley, which is expected within a year.

In its approval letter, state EMS officials recommend that regional EMS providers include Cape Fear Valley's new trauma center as a treatment destination for critically injured patients.

Cape Fear Valley's Trauma Center program will serve patients from Cumberland, Sampson, Bladen, Hoke and Harnett counties.

Trauma injuries require advanced medical care as soon as possible. EMS workers are instructed to take trauma patients to the nearest hospital that can adequately treat their injuries. This often means diverting patients from local hospitals to a dedicated trauma center.

Level-III trauma centers are defined as facilities that have emergency resuscitation, surgery and intensive care capabilities for most trauma patients, but do not have full availability of specialists. Cape Fear Valley currently has six surgeons on its trauma panel, allowing for full, 24-hour coverage.

Cardiac Rehab Program Receives National Re-accreditation

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program has been re-accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

The three-year certification recognizes Cape Fear Valley’s commitment to quality treatment and improved patient outcomes. Certified AACVPR programs offer the most advanced practices available in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field.

The AACVPR is the only organization that certifies cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs nationwide. Its certification program allows patients to seek out rehab programs considered among the best in the nation.

Cape Fear Valley’s rehab program underwent a six-month application process, requiring extensive documentation of all staffing, credentialing, patient care plans and program practices. The re-accreditation was granted Aug. 31. It was the third time Cape Fear Valley has received AACVPR certification.

Founded in 1985, the AACVPR's mission is to reduce morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

Tart Appointed Outpatient Pharmacy Director

FAYETTEVILLE – Chris Tart, Pharm.D., has been appointed Director of Outpatient Pharmacy Services at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The Roseboro native has more than 11 years of pharmacy experience and joined the health system in 2005. He previously held the position of Pharmacist-Manager at Health Pavilion North. Prior to that, he was a Pharmacist with Matthews Drugs in Clinton.

Tart received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy in Chapel Hill.
In his new role, he will be responsible for Cape Fear Valley Health’s four outpatient pharmacy locations: Valley Pharmacy, Center Pharmacy, Health Pavilion North Pharmacy, and Cumberland County Medication Access Program Pharmacy.

Medical Center Expanding Emergency Department

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Medical Center will expand its adult Emergency Department into space currently occupied by the Children’s Emergency Department. The move will take effect midnight Sunday, Aug. 7.

Moving the children’s ED enables the adult Emergency Department to expand and improve flow, thereby decreasing wait times. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Emergency Department is consistently one of the Top 100 busiest in the nation.

“Our Emergency Department is on track to see more than 130,000 patient visits this year,” said Mike Nagowski, Cape Fear Valley CEO. “That’s an increase of more than 7 percent over last year.”

As a result of the expansion, the Children’s Emergency Department will move into newly renovated space on the Melrose Road side of the medical center. The expanded Children’s Emergency Department will have 17 rooms, two resuscitation rooms and four observation rooms.

Free parking will be available in the Melrose parking lot in front of the new Children’s Emergency Department.

Cape Fear Valley Hospitals Receive ENERGY STAR Rating

FAYETTEVILLE – Two Cape Fear Valley Health hospitals have been awarded ENERGY STAR certification. The prestigious rating is the national symbol for superior energy efficiency, cost reduction and environmental protection.

The U.S. Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency awards the certification to products and facilities that meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines intended to reduce energy costs and consumption. To qualify, a rating of 75 out of 100 points must be met, based on electrical, natural gas, water and fuel oil efficiency. This data is validated by an independent engineer prior to submission for ENERGY STAR approval.

Just three North Carolina hospitals have received ENERGY STAR certification. The two belonging to Cape Fear Valley Health are Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and Bladen County Hospital. Cape Fear Valley Medical Center scored 85 and Bladen County Hospital scored 79. The scores place both facilities in the top 15 percent of energy-efficient hospitals nationwide.

Cape Fear Valley Health has been able to improve its energy performance while maintaining high standards of quality for patients and visitors, while also improving the health system’s bottom line.

Fred McMillan, Director of Engineering, says energy conservation measures save Cape Fear Valley Health up to $1.2 million a year.

“I couldn’t be more proud,” says McMillan, “of my engineering team whose hard work made this possible. We’ve been working on this initiative since 2008.”

Sessoms Wins DAISY Award

ELIZABETHTOWN – Audra Sessoms, RN, has won Cape Fear Valley Health’s Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

Sessoms, a Surgical Services Nurse at Bladen County Hospital, won for going above and beyond to help an outpatient admitted to another facility. The patient suffers from a chronic condition that requires medication and therapy the patient was denied at the new facility.

The patient’s family contacted Sessoms and pleaded for her to intervene because they feared for the patient’s health and safety. Sessoms agreed and contacted the patient’s new physician to explain the situation.

The patient’s treatment was eventually changed and Sessoms continued to follow up with the patient and her family to ensure she was OK.

For her efforts, Sessoms was presented a commemorative DAISY award, a hand-made figurine from Africa, and enough Cinnabon cinnamon rolls for her unit.

The Daisy Award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s program to recognize extraordinary efforts nurses perform everyday. The not-for-profit organization is based in Glen Ellen, Calif., and was established by family members of the late J. Patrick Barnes. The 33-year-old died in 1999 from a little-known autoimmune disease called Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Barnes requested Cinnobon cinnamon rolls for him and his nurses shortly before his death to thank his caregivers for their efforts. With the help of Cinnabon’s parent company, FOCUS Brands, the Daisy Foundation carries on this tradition by serving Cinnabons to all the nurses in a winning nurse’s unit.

Bladen County Hospital Lab Receives Accreditation

ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital Laboratory recently passed a comprehensive inspection and was awarded accreditation by The Joint Commission on Healthcare Organizations.

The two-year accreditation was granted in March after a rigorous two-day, on-site inspection from a commission surveyor.

The Joint Commission evaluated the laboratory’s performance in complying with nearly 300 quality control standards, related to quality control, safety, infection control, leadership, management and ongoing performance improvement.

Bladen County Hospital Laboratory has 11 employees and performs chemistry, hematology, microbiology and blood bank testing for the hospital and clinical offices within the Bladen Health Care system.

The Joint Commission is the gold standard in healthcare accreditation. It accredits more than 18,000 healthcare organizations nationwide, including approximately 3,000 clinical laboratories.

Thayer Named 8 South Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Jackie Thayer, RN, has been appointed Patient Care Manager for 8 South at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The native of Ludington, Mich., joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2005 as a Staff Nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She previously served as Interim Patient Care Manager for 8 South. Prior to that, she served as a Lead Charge Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit and as a Resource Nurse on 5 South.

Thayer received her associate’s degree in nursing from Fayetteville Technical Community College. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Fayetteville State University.
Her new duties will include overseeing patient care on 8 South, a 34-bed medical/surgical unit.

Akins Appointed Cardiology Director

FAYETTEVILLE – Renee Akins, RN, BSN, MBA, has been appointed Cardiac Service Line Director at Cape Fear Valley Health.

The Georgia native has more than 19 years of healthcare experience and an extensive background in Cardiology.

She previously served as Executive Director of Cardiac Services at WellStar Health System in Atlanta, Ga., overseeing invasive and non-invasive cardiac departments at WellStar’s Cobb and Douglas hospitals. She was also an Assistant Vice President of the Emergency Department at the Cobb facility.

Prior to that, she served as a Medical Affairs Specialist with Cordis, a Johnson & Johnson Company, working with 24 interventional cardiology labs in Florida and Georgia.

Akins received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Ga. She received her M.B.A. from American Intercontinental University in Dunwoody, Ga.

In her new position, Akins will oversee cardiac, interventional, diagnostic and rehabilitative procedures and surgeries performed through the Heart & Vascular Center.

Marshburn Appointed Vice President Of Nursing

FAYETTEVILLE – Debbie Marshburn, RN, BSN, MBA, has been appointed Vice President of Nursing at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Richlands native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 1982 as an ICU Staff Nurse. She previously served as Interim Chief Nursing Officer. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of Clinically Integrated Services.

As Vice President of Nursing, Marshburn will oversee nursing on Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s campus.

Marshburn received her associate, Bachelor of Science and M.B.A. degrees from Fayetteville State University.

She will continue to serve as Interim Chief Nursing Officer, in addition to her new duties.

Cape Fear Valley Health Now Performing Robotic Surgery

FAYETTEVILLE – Cape Fear Valley Health recently set a milestone, performing the area’s first robotically assisted surgery.

Christian deBeck, M.D., Director of Medical Robotics, used the health system’s new da Vinci© Surgical System robot to perform a radical prostatectomy on a prostate cancer patient. The minimally invasive technique benefits patients through smaller incisions, less pain, faster healing and less infection risk.

The FDA approved the da Vinci system in 2006 for general laparoscopic procedures. It has since been successfully used in complex surgeries, ranging from bowel resections and hysterectomies to heart tissue ablation and mitral valve repair.

Like its historical namesake, the da Vinci robot uses unparalleled anatomical accuracy and innovation. Surgeons using the robot sit at a console equipped with a three-dimensional viewer that shows high-definition footage inside the patient’s body.

The surgeon’s hand movements are mimicked by the da Vinci’s pencil-sized probes, which are inserted into the patient through tiny incisions. The free-standing robot can even compensate for natural hand tremors, allowing for finer accuracy while operating.

Elizabeth Pope, Office Manager for Cape Fear Valley Urology, says prostate cancer patients operated on with the da Vinci system are typically discharged within 24 hours following surgery.

Dr. deBeck performed the health system’s first da Vinci surgery in May and has since performed several more using the system. Dr. Ravinder Annamaneni, a general surgeon, and Drs. Paul Sparzak and Arnold Barefoot, both obstetric/gynecologist surgeons, have also been credentialed to use the da Vinci© Surgical System.

Bladen County Hospital Adds New ED Position

FAYETTEVILLE – Bladen County Hospital has added a mid-level provider position to its Emergency Department staff to reduce patient wait times.

A mid-level provider is a physician assistant or nurse practitioner who provides patient care under a supervising physician.

Bladen County Hospital’s new mid-level provider will provide care for non-life threatening injuries.

Cameron Highsmith, Bladen County Hospital CEO, says the hospital monitors wait times and asks for patient feedback through surveys given to patients when they are discharged.

“Our goal is to give the highest quality care in the most efficient way,” said Highsmith.

Ray Named CSICU Manager

FAYETTEVILLE – Shonda Ray, BSN, has been named Patient Care Manager for Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit (CSICU) at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center.

The Sanford native joined Cape Fear Valley Health in 2004 and previously held the position of CSICU Resource Nurse.

Ray received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from North Carolina Central University in Durham.
As Patient Care Manager, she will be responsible for all patient care services within CSICU.

Bladen County Hospital Digital Mammography Services Receive Accreditation

ELIZABETHTOWN – Bladen County Hospital’s new digital mammography unit has received full accreditation from the American College of Radiology.

The hospital offers the county’s only digital mammography services through the Women’s Diagnostic Center. The service has been available to the public since March.

“We are so pleased to have received full accreditation so quickly,” said Mindy Goldsmith, CRA, Director of Radiology. “We have had a great response from patients with this new technology.”

Digital mammography uses digital images rather than traditional film images. The digital images are screened by a Computer-Aided Detection system that detects small anomalies or suspicious growths that may go unnoticed with traditional film.

To schedule a digital mammogram, please call the Women’s Diagnostic Center at (910) 862-1131.