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INSIDE
New Pediatric Emergency
Department mascot makes
a ‘splash’! pg 4
Nash Health Care Quarterly Magazine / www.nhcs.org / Volume 8 / Number 3 / Fall 2015
Hero nurse Angela
Stoddard saves accident
victim pg 19
Our Patients Declare
Independence!
Behind-the-scenes interviews with the surgical weight loss stars of
Nash Health Care’s latest advertising campaign
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l w b
S p e c i a l
D e d i c a t i o n
Brio Contest Winner
Congratulations to Marjory Dornetta from Wilson, NC! She found all of the soccer
ball symbols in the last edition of Living with Brio.
Want to be our next big winner? We’ve hidden scales throughout
the pages of this issue. Be sure to count this one too! e first person to find
them all will wins another great prize. Email [email protected] or call 252 962
8766 with your answer.
Sorry, but employees and volunteers of Nash Health Care are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Meet our two new OB-GYNs!
Dr. Nancy Hancock is a
graduate of the University
of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill School of Medicine,
Tulane University School of
Public Health and Tropical
Medicine, and Clemson
University. Before working
at Nash Health Care, she
was a resident physician at
Wake Forest University
School of Medicine and a
UNC Global Women’s Health Fellow doing clinical work
in Zambia. Originally from Morrisville, NC She an avid exercise enthusiast and loves spending time outdoors. She
enjoys reading, watching movies, spending time with her
adorable kitty, Mr. Mittens and cheers loudly for the
Clemson Tigers! She is currently accepting new patients.
Dr. Kerry Bullerdick is a
graduate of Wake Forest
School of Medicine and
Cornell University. Prior to
Nash Health Care, he
worked at Wake Forest
Baptist Health, and at the
Coptic Church Hospital in
Zambia. Originally from
Alexandria, Virgina. Dr.
Bullerdick enjoys traveling,
especially to the lesser
known corners of the world. He also likes recreating ethnic cuisine from his travels, but still considers Eastern
North Carolina barbecue one of his favorite meals. He is
an avid pet lover and wildlife enthusiast. He is currently
accepting new patients.
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
please call Nash OB-GYN Associates at 252-443-5941.
What our
patients
are saying
In this regular feature, we
provide actual, unsolicited
patient comments
provided as written. This
issue, we have compiled
feedback from surgical patients. Due to patient
privacy regulations, names and identifying
information have been omitted.
“I was very impressed with the skill, friendliness,
and concern of the nursing staff! ey seem to
have great team work.”
“Impressed! Wow!”
“Everyone was so friendly, helpful and responsive.”
“Privacy & comfort is very important to me, why I
chose Nash Day Hospital. I was glad of my
decision.”
“I have relayed to all my friends how wonderful
my surgery went. ank you all!”
“I was very nervous about my surgery, but
everyone put me at ease and was very attentive to
my needs and concerns.”
“I was quite impressed by the care I received from
beginning to end. OUTSTANDING!”
“e nursing staff was exceptional and exceeded
my expectations. ey explained things well and
helped me feel comfortable through every step of
the procedure.”
“Best experience ever and I have had plenty.
Super!”
2
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
Living with Brio magazine is published as a community service for the
friends and patrons of Nash Health Care. Nash Health Care is a non-profit
hospital authority affiliated with UNC Health Care. Nash Health Care
is comprised of five licensed hospitals totaling 403 beds: Nash General
Hospital, Nash Day Hospital, the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center,
Community Hospital and Coastal Plain Hospital.
Larry H. Chewning, President / CEO Nash Health Care
Brad H. Weisner, Executive Vice President / COO
P. Cameron Blalock, Vice President of Support Services
Leslie Hall, Vice President of Nursing Services / CNO
Al Hooks, Vice President of Financial Services / CFO
David Hinkle, Vice President of Information Systems / CIO
Meera Kelly, MD, Chief Medical Officer
David Gorby, MD, Vice President of Quality
Michelle Cosimeno, Associate CNO
Stacy Sumner Jesso, Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Board of Commissioners, Nash Health Care:
Robert A. Evans, Chairman
Jerry W. Daniel, Vice Chairman
Kay A. Mitchell, Secretary
James M. Lilley, Treasurer
John A. Barker
Jeffrey A. Batts
Martha J. Chesnutt, MD
J. Wayne Deal
Leorita B. Hankerson
Eugene F. Holland, Jr.
Jean A Kitchin
Bill Lehnes
Melvin M. Mitchell
Ivan Peacock, MD
Ex officio members:
Larry H. Chewning
Frederick A. Frohbose, MD
Laura Jacimore, MD
Accredited by: The Joint Commission and CARF, the Rehabilitation
Accreditation Commission
Members of: American Hospital Association, North Carolina Hospital
Association, VHA
Information in Nash Health Care’s Living with Brio comes from a wide range of
medical sources, including state and national health organizations. If you have any
specific questions or concerns about content that may affect your health, please
contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations.
Living with Brio is published quarterly by the Public Relations Department of
Nash Health Care, 2460 Curtis Ellis Dr., Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Editor: Jeff Hedgepeth
Writer: Rachel Gorman
Art Direction / Design: Bob Unrue, Five Oaks Design, Inc.
Comments and contributions are welcome. [email protected]
©2015 Nash Health Care
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contents
definition:
noun
vigor or vivacity of style or performance
Living with Brio / Volume 8, Number 3 / Fall 2015
Feature Articles:
Health Briefs:
Columns:
10
4
6
Our Patients Declare
Independence !
New Pediatric Emergency
Department mascot makes a
‘splash’!
Health care of the future
15 Nash Health Care Comfort Carts
rolling in a new era of patient and
family care
19
Nash Health Care support
groups
14
17 Lights of Love shines
brighter than ever
19 Hero nurse Angela Stoddard
saves accident victim
Meet Nash Health Care’s
Patient and Family Advisory
Council!
At Nash Health Care, we’re
committed to more than just
the health of our patients, we want a
thriving community, too. at’s why we
sponsor events, classes and support
groups that encourage education,
inspiration, and connection. For more
information about our efforts, visit
nhcs.org.
NHC / Living with Brio / Summer 2015
3
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‘Splash’!
New Pediatric Emergency Department Mascot Makes a
Splash the new Pediatric Emergency Department Mascot celebrates with fellow
Nash Health Care team members at the ice cream social held in his honor
Splash could be Swimming Your Way!
In the weeks after Splash was announced, the mascot made trips to the Boys and
Girls Club of Nash/Edgecombe Counties and to the YMCA. Splash will continue
to appear at Nash Health Care-sponsored health fairs, child-focused community
events, and inside the Pediatric Department throughout the year. Want to see
where Splash will be next? Email [email protected] for calendar information.
Need help navigating the
Affordable Care Act’s
Insurance Marketplace?
We are here to help! e Nash Health Care
Outreach Navigation Program is ready to
answer your questions about the Affordable
Care Act, your insurance options, and to walk
you through the application process. Free!
Call to arrange an appointment with
Evangeline Grant, RN today! 252-962-3462
We’ll also come to you! If your church or
community organization is interested in
hosting a free health fair or presentation on
ACA or any other health topic, we are happy
to help. Call the number above for more
information!
4
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
e Emergency Department made big waves at its one-year
anniversary party recently when Nash President Larry Chewning
revealed the brand-new Pediatric Emergency Department mascot,
“Splash.” Emergency Department team members and their families were
pleasantly surprised by the big blue fish, who came out waving, handing
out hugs and children’s Frisbees, while Bobby Darin’s “Splish Splash I
Was Takin’ A Bath” played in the background.
Six months in the making, Splash was created to provide an extra
source of comfort for pediatric patients and their families that are being
treated at the hospital. When greeted by a recognizable, friendly face,
children visiting the Emergency Department will be less likely to be
frightened. at means less stress and anxiety for parents and families, too.
Splash was designed and named with the help of Nash Health Care
employees who responded to a survey of what kind of Pediatric
Emergency Department mascot they would like to see. Nash team
members Christopher Braddy and Betty Bell supplied the suggestions
for a fish, and the name Splash, respectively. e mascot was then made
possible with support from the Nash Health Care Foundation.
“Since the doors opened to our new, state-of-the-art Emergency
Department facility, we’ve worked hard to provide compassionate, high
quality service and care to the patients and families in our community. ”
said Amy Winham, Administrative Director, Emergency Department.
“More than 13,000 patients have been treated thus far. It feels good to
celebrate our team’s success, and, of course, to unveil Nash’s newest
family member! We are happy to see him dive into our community.”
After the unveiling, Nash Health Care hosted an ice cream social in
the cafeteria to celebrate the Emergency Department and introduce
Splash to other hospital colleagues.
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THE NASH HEART CENTER PRESENTS:
Nash Health Care
Systems Receives the
American College of
Cardiology Award for
Cardiac Care
How to Stay
Heart Healthy!
Follow these easy recommendations to
better take care of that ticker!
Nash Health Care Systems was recently
honored with the 2015 American
College of Cardiology’s Silver
Performance Achievement
Award. We are one of only
91 hospitals nationwide
to receive the accolade.
e award
1 Exercise. Just 30 minutes a day of physical activity will increase your heart
recognizes Nash
health. Always check with your physician before starting an exercise regimen.
Health Care Systems’
commitment to a
higher standard of care
for heart attack patients.
2 Quit Smoking. Any amount of smoking, even light or occasional smoking, damages the heart and blood
“Nash Heart Center was
vessels. No matter how much or how long you’ve smoked, quitting will benefit you!
built to meet the growing
needs of cardiac patients
in our community” said
Sarah Heenan, Executive
Director of the Nash
3 Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eating fewer fatty foods will help to
Health Care Heart
lower your cholesterol.
Center. “Every
department at Nash
works hard to provide
the best possible care for
our cardiac patients. We
are so proud to receive an
4 Reduce your salt and sodium intake. Nine out of ten Americans eat more than double
award that recognizes the
the daily recommended amount of sodium. Excess sodium can increase your risk for
efforts of the entire hospital and
high blood pressure, so be sure to read nutrition labels, choose lower-sodium
the superior care that is provided here”
foods, and cook at home more often.
e Center for Disease Control
estimates that over 700,000 Americans
suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack
occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery
partially or completely blocks blood flow to the
5 Manage stress. Maintaining a positive attitude,
heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include
reducing stress, relaxing, and enjoying time with
administering aspirin upon arrival and
family and friends can help your overall
discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the
health – including your heart!
blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and
cardiac rehabilitation, among others.
“is award is a proud achievement for Nash Health
Care Systems. It reflects the hard work and dedication of
our highly skilled cardiac physicians and staff who care for
some of our most seriously ill patients and their families,”
said Nash Health Care President, Larry Chewning. “e
implementation of these guidelines requires successful
coordination of the cardiovascular team and emergency
personnel and is a critical step in saving the lives and
improving outcomes of heart attack patients.”
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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H E A L T H
C A R E
Did you take your meds today? At the right time?
All of them?
Following your doctor’s orders can be cumbersome, especially if you’re
supposed to take more than one pill a day.
That’s why scientists are working to develop microchips that can be
preloaded with medications and implanted in our bodies, programmed to
administer drugs at a given time, interval and/or dose. A doctor would
theoretically be able to adjust the dose, or stop the drug altogether, by remote
control.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers Robert Langer and
Michael Cima started working on this idea with John Santini in the 1990s.
Langer and Cima are on the board of directors of MicroCHIPS, a company trying
to make the idea a reality.
In a 2012 study, they implanted a chip under the skin below
the waistlines of eight women with osteoporosis. Over four
months the device delivered regular doses of an
osteoporosis drug normally given by injection. The study
showed this method was safe and effective.
Since then the device has improved considerably,
says Robert Farra, MicroCHIPS
president and chief operating
officer. The current version is
about the size of a Scrabble
tile and can deliver more drugs
than before.
6
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
O F
T H E
F U T U R E
The company is aiming to release its first product to the public in 2017, which
will likely be a hormonal contraception device that can be turned on and off
wirelessly and releases a consistent daily dose. It will have the ability to offer
progestin and estrogen together, like a combination birth control pill.
The first version of this device will likely last five years, but it’s possible to
create one that could remain in the body and effectively deliver drugs for up to
16 years.
“The MicroCHIPS implantable drug delivery device is the greatest
advancement in delivering medicine since the first tablet pill was developed in
1876,” CEO Bradley Paddock says.
Another device is being developed for other chronic conditions, including
multiple sclerosis. It may even lead to new therapies, Langer says, because the
device protects unstable drugs.
The device could also transmit data to hospitals and
doctors so “you could have permanent records of
exactly what you took when.”
Further down the line, the chip could serve as
a rescue device, releasing medications for
heart attack, stroke or allergic reaction in
at-risk patients.
Source: Elizabeth Landau, CNN
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Meet Nash Health Care’s
Patient and Family Advisory Council!
Muscle up for Good Health
A short weekly bout of strength-training can
help reduce body fat, improve bone density, and
control blood pressure and cholesterol, according
to a recent review of studies. Ask about using
circuit machines at the gym, or do squats, chest
presses, and shoulder presses at home using
dumbbells or resistance bands. Two to three 2045 minute weekly sessions targeting the major
muscle groups are ideal.
Source: Consumer Reports
Fine Food No Better Than Fast
Think a nicer eatery helps you eat healthier?
Research from the University of Illinois found that
people took in more sodium and as many calories
and as much fat eating at restaurants as they did at
fast-food eateries. And they took in 190 more
calories when dining out when eating food
prepared at home. Tips: Order broiled or grilled fish
or chicken, get sauces and dressings on the side,
and choose lower-calorie treats such as fruit.
Source: Consumer Reports
In November of 2013, Nash Health Care’s
Volunteers on the committee are frequently
Amy Winham, PT and Ryan Griffin, BSN, RN assigned to lean teams and special projects,
began recruiting volunteers for the Nash Health
providing an “outsider’s point of view.”
Care Patient and Family Advisory Council. e
Assignments have included ED patient flow,
purpose of this council is to evaluate and offer
points of entry, general hospital orientation for
recommendations for improving the “soft
employees and volunteers, signage and
touches” provided by hospital staff to both
wayfinding, patient information video for new
patients and their families.
admissions, patient portal, layout of Women’s
One of the primary reasons for establishing
Center, clinical alarms, and readmissions
this council was to help hospital staff members
reduction.
deal with “the curse of wisdom,” where
Other responsibilities include reviewing
employees are so close to the daily workings of
brochures and forms for clarity and ease-ofthe hospital they may not be able
understanding, sharing and
to perceive how new patients
addressing community
and families might see and
perceptions of the hospital, and
interpret all that’s going on in the
coordinating speaking
hospital.
engagements to help promote
A perfect example of this curse
the hospital. e committee is
would be alarm fatigue. Hospital
also called on occasionally to
staff can become desensitized to
help select art prints for the
monitors tracking vital signs and
hospital and TV channels to be
blood glucose, possibly leading
available in patient rooms.
to longer response times. In most
Lee Bailey said, “Nash
cases, there is no need for great
Health Care very much
alarm or immediate attention,
appreciates the time and thought
but the family gathered around
that our Patient-Family advisors
Kenneth Mullen, Co-Chair
their loved one’s bed doesn’t
devote to improving the hospital
Nash Health Care Patient and
know this and may panic.
experience. ey’re very serious
Family Advisory Council
And, while the family’s
about seeing this hospital
perception of the situation may not be the reality, provide high quality, compassionate care.”
this perception needs to be addressed. is is the
e council meets on the second Tuesday of
kind of issue the Patient and Family Advisor
each month at the hospital. Larry Chewning,
Council loves to tackle.
President and CEO; Cam Blaylock, Senior VP
Lee Bailey, BSN, RN joined Ryan Griffin,
Corporate Services, and Jeff Hedgepeth,
BSN, RN as co-facilitator of the council in
Director of Marketing have addressed the
January 2015, as Amy Winham assumed her
committee, along
new role as administrative director of the Nash
with many
The Patient and Family Advisory
Health Care Emergency Department.
department
Council Speaks Up!
Current members serving on the council are
heads and team
Keep an eye out for columns from memKenneth Mullen (chair), Ellen Warren, Gail
leaders. Most
bers of the Patient and Family Advisory
Council in future issues of Living with Brio.
Coley, John Griffin, Lynette Saunders, Bill
recently, Brad
Brantley, Pat Brantley, Regina Jared, and Willie
Weisner, Chief
Ray Atkinson. Lynette Saunders only recently
Operations Officer, and Leslie Hall, Chief
joined the council, but brings with her 35 years
Nursing Officer, spoke to the council.
of Nash Health Care experience. She has also
Council member John Griffin said, “It’s very
joined the Volunteers at Nash.
enlightening to have the corporate officers share
All volunteer members on the team have
their knowledge of hospital operations with us.
spent time in the hospital, or have a loved one
One of the many things I’ve discovered while
who has, and realize the importance of the care
serving on this council is how the hospital is
received beyond medical treatment.
often blamed for things for which it has zero
In addition to hospital staffers Bailey and
responsibility. Bound by privacy laws, it takes
Ryan Griffin, Amy Winham continues to
some undeserved bad publicity and is never able
serve on the council. Janet Joyner, Executive
to defend itself. I sincerely hope our council can
Secretary of Quality Support Services/Risk
help to improve the public’s perception of Nash
Management/Patient Safety, who is responsible
Health Care so that it more accurately matches
for fielding all patient grievances, is also a key
the reality.”
member of the council.
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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F e a t u r e
Our Patients Declare Independence!
Behind-the-scenes interviews with the surgical weight loss stars of Nash Health Care’s latest advertising campaign
PENDENC
DE
E
Y
DA
MY
IN
Riding, running, flying, diving …
our Surgical Weight Loss patients
are superstars in their everyday
life, and now on the small screen
too! You may have seen the four
Nash Health Care Surgical Weight
Loss commercials that
feature real patients,
their stories, and the
extreme activities that they
learned to love after losing the
weight. Now, Brio sits down with
the active bunch to get a behindthe-scenes look at the ways they
are living well – and shooting the
commercials to prove it!
Want to see these patients in
action? Check out:
www.YourIndependenceDay.org
for videos and more information.
8
01
OC
TO
0
Georgia has lost 126 lbs.
B E R 28,
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Meet Georgia The surgical weight loss patient flying so high she needs a parachute!
Brio: Let’s start at the beginning. Tell me a
little bit about your story!
Georgia: It began after my friend had [weight
loss] surgery. I admired her. I watched her
journey – I had struggled with my weight for a
number of years -- and after talking to her,
Before
I thought, why not go to the class and see what
it was all about.
At the time I was 100 pounds overweight.
I didn’t have medical conditions – just morbid
obesity. I have a teenage son, and I kept
thinking about how much I wanted to live a
long life to be around for him. It was a
personal decision, but I’m not one to hide it.
I’m open about my transformation because it’s
been a life-changing experience for me, and I
want to impact others. I’ve come out of
this shell and realized life can be fun. I
cycle, kayak, paddle board, run 5ks and
most recently have taken up sky diving.
There’s no limit to life now!
when I skydived for the first time. It was
wonderful, but it was brutally cold. The
enjoyment wasn’t there as much as it was this
time around because the weather [when we
shot the commercial] was perfect.
When I showed up, I was told to be
prepared to jump more than once. I ended up
jumping five times out of the plane that day,
and never once had butterflies. We were
filming over where I, being a cyclist, usually
ride, so I saw the country roads, the water
where I paddleboard and kayak. To be above
all that and to see what I’ve accomplished,
there was no words to describe it. I would
definitely do it again!
Brio: How has your life changed since
your Weight Loss Surgery?
Georgia: I am very blessed with a
family who is supportive, and that my
biggest cheerleaders are at work – Pat
and Melissa. When you go through the
surgical weight loss process, they tell
you this is one of the tools in a toolbox
that you can use to stay healthy. You
have to continuously monitor what you eat,
you have to exercise, and you have to have
people in your life that hold you accountable.
It can’t just be you, because the change is huge.
You have to have cheerleaders in your life.
It is certainly something I recommend. To
anyone that might be in a dark place, it brings
a lot of sunshine to your life. That is the
biggest testimony that I can share with others:
my smile. I want others to have the joy that I
have.
Brio: What was it like shooting a commercial
thousands of feet in the air?
Georgia: I never thought about the camera.
When I jumped, there was a guy in front of us
filming, when I was on the ground, there were
cameras all around. I love to smile anyway, so it
just felt natural. It was me doing one of my
passions and just having fun for the day.
Brio: The date of your weight loss surgery,
your “Independence Day” was nearly five years
ago. Did you ever expect to be in a commercial
for the procedure?
Georgia: No! [laughs]
Brio: How did you feel when we asked you to
star in the Nash Health Care commercial?
Georgia: I have to tell you, on the day of the
commercial, it was hard work! I got there at
9:00 am, I didn’t leave until 7:00pm, but it was
all about me. I felt like a movie star! It was
about my hair and make-up! I was treated like
a queen for the day, and I wouldn’t give that up
for anything. It was such a rewarding
experience. It was something that I’ll treasure
forever!
Brio: Were you nervous?
Georgia: Skydiving was on my bucket list for
when I turned 50, in January last year. That’s
Brio: Have you seen the commercial? Has
there been any reaction from family and
friends?
Georgia: Let’s see – texts, phone calls, friends
wanting my autograph! [laughs].
No one is shocked, because they know I love
life, but to know that I am out there and I am
impacting others…whether it’s friends or
maybe someone I’ll meet at Nash at one of the
sessions…if I can touch one person and
change their life the way that mine has been
changed, I would love to know that’s been
accomplished.
Being overweight can be sad and depressing.
Even though I had joy in my life, it kept me
from being the true person that I am. Along
the journey, the most rewarding time was
when my son walked into a room where I was
getting ready. He just looked at me and smiled
and said “oh Mom, you look like a princess.”
I know I make him proud.
Brio: Any advice for people who might be
considering surgical weight loss?
Georgia: My advice is to buy in to the whole
package. You have to be ready for a total lifestyle change. You have to constantly think
about healthy choices, working out. It’s a total
package that you have to commit to.
Brio: Is it worth it?
Georgia: One hundred percent!
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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PENDENC
DE
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DA
MY
IN
Meet Merry The surgical weight loss patient who is off to the races!
O
C
TO
10
09
Lost
Dress
Sizessizes
Merry
has10lost
10 dress
0
B E R 6, 2
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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Brio: Let’s talk about your weight loss story.
Where does it begin?
Merry: My mother had diabetes for forty years
before she passed away from complications.
I became diabetic in my thirties, and I was
headed for insulin injections if I couldn’t lose
enough weight. I tried weight watchers,
everything, but if I lost a few
pounds, I always gained it right
back. I tried hard, but nothing
worked.
I heard that surgical weight loss
would help, that they would teach
you how to eat healthy and they
would show you how to live well.
I kept seeing flyers for a free
seminar, so I went and met Dr.
Mann. He was later the surgeon
I chose. Everyone [at the group
discussion] was so nice. Some of the
people had lost weight already, and
some were like me, trying to figure
out what it was all about. They told
me the risks and benefits, they were
very thorough so that you can
make the right decision. After
listening, I went home and thought,
“this is what I want to do.”
Brio: How has the post-surgery
experience been?
Merry: Surgery is not for everyone,
there’s a lot of emotion when you
process changing so much so fast.
But I have a lot of grandchildren,
and I guess you could say playing
with them was my hobby. With the
excess weight, I had I gotten to the
point where I couldn’t do that
anymore. I could drive them to the
movies, or to skating, and drop
them off, but I couldn’t join them.
I couldn’t do what I wanted to do
because I didn’t have the energy.
I was worn out, I was out of breath.
I thought about the future, about
my mother’s condition and how
long she had suffered. I didn’t want a “couchpotato future,” that’s not a good life to imagine.
I like to ride motorcycles; I want to go ice
skating with the kids if they want to go; I want
to bring them to the pool and play with them.
Now that the oldest are a bit older – they were
the ones running in the commercials with me –
I want to be a good role model for them. Now
I’m down ten dress sizes. No diabetes. No sleep
apnea. I’ll be sixty this year and I feel like living!
Brio: How long have you been running Tough
Mudder Races? Tell me a little about them.
Merry: I love mud runs. There’s nothing wrong
with a little dirt. You feel good at the end. You
think about how far you’ve come, and how you
have become a better person because you feel
self-confident. I still have to try, I still have to go
for the cause and we were all pretty proud of
ourselves. All of us, even the grandchildren,
thought it was tough. There were obstacles,
a giant slide into a mud hole, but I’m not
a quitter. If I set my mind to do it, I know
I can. I’m not weighed down anymore!
Brio: What was the day of the
shoot like?
Merry: We were tired, it was a
challenge! The shoot was from 7:30
am to 3:30 and it was about 100
degrees. I wanted to prove
something to myself, I felt good at
the end, because we made it. I made
it. It was a milestone for me. And it
was hilarious!
[Surgical Weight Loss Patient]
Rick was there the same day I was.
I didn’t know any of the people [in
the commercials] until we were
together, but we ended up talking
so much. We had so many similar
stories, even though we were from
such different backgrounds. We
could have stayed there all night.
It was almost like we were family
because we experienced it together.
Brio: What would you like to say to
the people considering this surgery?
Merry: My saying has always been,
“if you are like you were, you will be
who you were.” I don’t want to be
like that!
Do it for yourself. Not for what
you look like, not to make anyone
else happy. Don’t listen to anyone
else; listen to what you want to be.
You might surprise yourself. I did!
to the gym but I want to do those things now,
because of who I am. I want to leave that sickly
person behind.
I started at the LoziLu mud run in Raleigh
three years ago. I didn’t know anything about it
at first, but it said it was a 5k and it was in
Raleigh and it was a charity event, so I decided
I wanted to go. I invited two coworkers, one of
their daughters, my granddaughters and a
friend. It was hilarious. We raised good money
Brio: The date of your weight loss
surgery, your “Independence Day”
was in 2009. How did it feel to be
in a commercial about it almost six
years later?
Merry: After I said yes, I wasn’t sure
I could do it. I can be really shy believe it or not,
and I thought, “why would they want me up
there?” If you had asked me to a TV
commercial before 2009, you could forget it.
I wouldn’t even have my picture taken.
Now I know it’s okay though. It looks like
I’m free! I’m free.
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PENDENC
DE
E
Y
DA
MY
IN
Meet Aaron The surgical weight loss patient who is diving into life!
12
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
01
NO
VE
1
Aaron has lost 175 lbs
M B E R 17 ,
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Brio: Hi Aaron! Tell us a little bit about
yourself.
Aaron: I’m from North Carolina. My mom
and dad – my dad is from New York my mom
is from Puerto Rico, but they moved here
before I was born. I work at BB&T; I do a lot
for a Home Health Agency doing their
accounts and payroll, and I am a full-time
student as well. I like to travel; I like to go
places. This weekend we are going hiking in
the mountains!
I did the surgery in 2011, mainly for my
health. It was not for looks at all. I was always
an obese child, so the looks didn’t bother me.
It was when I found out that it was causing me
health problems, that I was in danger, that I
decided to have it done.
Aaron: Excited! Nervous. It was surreal, I
guess you could say. Nothing like that has ever
happened [to me] before. Doing a commercial
for losing weight is not something you think
about when you go in to have the surgery.
It made me feel good to have someone
recognize the hard work I’ve put in. Contrary
Brio: Has that experience changed since the
weight loss?
Aaron: When you are that overweight you
have the fear of going underwater. You have
health issues, like asthma, that make you
worry about what being underwater is going
to do to your body. Now I feel more confident.
I can go under without worrying.
Brio: How did you feel when you got the call
to shoot the commercial? What was it like on
set that day?
Brio: How have your family and friends
reacted to seeing you on television?
Aaron: Excited! Somewhat shocked, because
I didn’t tell most of them. They were like
“dude that’s awesome!”
My mom of course, she shows everybody.
She sends everyone the YouTube link. Yeah,
they were all excited for me. It’s all positive.
Brio: Any advice people that might be
thinking about this surgery, or starring in a
commercial for that matter?
Aaron: [laughs] I don’t have as much
experience with commercials, but for [people
who are thinking about] surgery: follow the
plan your doctor tells you. Take your vitamins.
Start slow. Talk to your doctor about what
foods you can and cannot eat. Go to a
dietician – I try to go once a year, if possible.
And make sure you have a good support
group. Without the support group, you can’t
do anything really. They make it possible to
stay on track and not to deviate. To stay
conscious so that you don’t start to falling back
into your old habits. If you do that, it will
come right back.
Brio: Other than being asked to star in a
commercial, how has the post-surgery
experience been?
Aaron: I’ve always been active, my parents
always raised us outside. We were always beach
people – I was always an outdoors person;
I love the water; I love to walk…hiking…even
when I was obese. This gives me the energy to
do it more often, though. Before, I didn’t have
the energy. I was doing it, but I was tired. Now
my brother calls me the “energizer bunny.” It’s
helped, losing weight. It’s been a drastic
amount. 175 pounds since the surgery date.
Brio: How long have you been scuba diving?
What attracted you to it?
Aaron: I had only been twice before [the
commercial shoot], and always in the islands,
never off the coast of North Carolina. I like to
see fish and stuff underneath the water. It’s
really interesting when you go under; we only
know a small percentage of what’s under there,
so there’s a lot that is unknown. My
grandfather was a captain, so that’s made my
family love the water even more.
I first scuba dived before I had surgery, back
in 2011 or so.
before, but it made me realize just how
different scuba diving in the islands and scuba
diving in North Carolina is. I can see why
pirate ships went down here! [laughs].
Nash Health Care is a Blue Distinction
Center+ for Bariatric Surgery offering a full
range of surgical weight loss options including
Before
to what you might think, it is hard work [to
keep the weight off] after surgery. People can
think that you’ve taken the easy way out, but
it’s a lot of work to get where I am today. I’m
not one to toot my own horn, so being asked
to star in a commercial was a surreal feeling.
Brio: How was the day of shooting the
commercial? We heard you had some rough
seas!
Aaron: The water was really choppy, so bad
that it was actually hard to sink in it. The sun
didn’t want to cooperate – it would be out for
a few minutes and then go back in. A few
people from the crew got sick. It was pretty
intense! I’ve been on boats in water like that
in-patient care, post-operative care, outpatient
follow-up and patient education. If you or
someone you know is considering Surgical
Weight loss Surgery and would like to learn
more, contact 252.962.6503 or visit
www.YourIndependenceDay.org.
®
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First Person Perspective:
Clinical Coordinator and
Surgical Physician Assistant
Shannon Heuts, PA-C, Nash
Surgical Weight Loss Center
Witnessing first hand my mother’s and brother’s success
from surgical weight loss greatly influenced my decision to
take this role at Nash Surgical Weight Loss in 2007. While
surgical weight loss can be so rewarding, it may not be the best
choice for everyone. It
is not as easy as some
may think. e actual
surgery is just one
piece of the entire
equation. I truly feel
it takes a great deal of
personal reflection to
decide if this is the
right path for any
one person. Obesity is
such a complex subject
with multifactorial
cause. e surgery is
a “tool” so to speak-the bigger piece is
lifestyle change. In
order to be successful
long term a patient must make lifestyle changes and those
changes must start before the surgery, not once the surgery has
been done.
e Nash Surgical Weight Loss Team is here to help people
understand what changes need to be made and how to work
on them to make them routine for the patient. We start this
process by having every candidate come to an educational class
where they will be taught about each procedure that is offered
and what to expect along their journey. ey are also given
a guidebook to help them along the way. e education class is
just the beginning. After the class each candidate will be
scheduled a series of evaluations including but not limited to
meeting with our dietitian a few times prior to surgery as well
as after surgery. e process can take longer than one may
expect because each insurance company has their own criteria
in addition to what the program requires from the candidate
prior to surgery. While it may seem overwhelming at first, we
often hear from patients that it is well worth it. I love being a
part of restoring the health of our community.
Potassium-Rich Foods Offer Surprising
Health Benefits
You probably already know that getting plenty of calcium in your diet is good for your
bones, but it turns out that the mineral potassium might be just as important. Here’s why:
A normal drop in hormone levels as you age often causes bone loss, and the acid levels
in blood can leach calcium from your skeleton, possibly weakening bones and boosting
your risk of osteoporosis—even if you get plenty of calcium and vitamin D. In a decade,
that means you could lose 15 percent of your bone density as a result. But potassium—
which is probably best known for helping to regulate blood pressure and for preventing
muscle cramps—reduces the acidity in your blood. As a result, it locks more calcium in
your bones, recent research has found.
But you might not be getting
sufficient potassium. Most
women get just half of the
4,700 milligrams of
potassium per day that
is recommended by the
Institute of
Medicine. So
how can you boost
your intake? Make
sure that you eat
more potassiumrich produce, says
bone researcher
Katherine L.
Tucker, Ph.D.,
professor of
nutritional
epidemiology at the
University of Massachusetts at Lowell. The
phytochemicals, antioxidants, and
potassium that are in produce play a role in
protecting bones, she explains; vitamin K and
magnesium help, too.
Here are some smart strategies
for ensuring that you get your fill
of potassium:
Aim for five to nine servings per day of fruits and
veggies, says study author Helen Lambert, Ph.D., of
the University of Surrey in the U.K. (People with
kidney disease should eat less potassium, though.)
Potassium-rich foods include spinach (with 840
milligrams in 1 cup, cooked), a baked potato with
skin (800 milligrams), yogurt (490 milligrams per cup),
sweet potatoes (448 mg per cup), strawberries (460
milligrams per cup), and broccoli (460 milligrams per cup).
Add other deep orange, yellow, and green produce rich in
the antioxidants known as carotenoids to your diet as well;
people who ate the most had higher bone mineral density at
the hip and spine in another study by Tucker.
Source: Consumer Reports
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NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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Nash Health Care
Comfort Carts Rolling
in a new era of Patient
and Family Care
has seven fully-operational, standardized Comfort Carts for families to
use. Ginger Bruce, a now-retired employee at Nash Health Care played
an active role in the Comfort Carts, connecting the hospital with the First
Presbyterian Church and organizing them to make homemade afghan
blankets for the program. e Quality Services Department also lent a
hand – donating a large number of supplies to stock the carts.
“It was a fledgling idea until the Volunteers took it on. It’s really been
because of their support that we’ve been able to reach every patient that
needs the Comfort Cart service here at Nash” said Waugaman. “We had
the seed planted but they helped it to grow” agreed Sarah Heenan,
Executive Director, Heart Center.
Now a hospital-wide initiative, the Comfort Cart program has become
a special part of the regular
toolkit that nurses use to
support grieving families.
“e goal of the Comfort Cart
program is to support the
families” said Heenan. “We
know it’s very hard to watch
your family member at this
time of life, and to do it in a
hospital, not in your
environment or around your
people, makes it even harder.
We hope that the Comfort
Carts, in their small way,
make the families feel more at
home. ey often don’t expect
Area church representatives present blankets and the Vacation Bible School
it – it’s very special for them.
children’s funds to Amy Winham and her Nash Health Care Systems’ colleagues
It’s another way that we can
show that we care.”
e nurses at Nash Health
Care know how difficult it can
be to have a family member in
the last stages of life at the
hospital. Up until recently,
though, there was no standard
approach to support families
during this time. It was a
challenge for them to find
ways to show patient families
that they care). “Nurses are in
the business of fixing things”
said Danielle Waugaman,
Manager, Cardio-Pulmonary
Step-Down Unit, “but when a
patient is in the last stages of
life, there’s not a lot you can do
for the families that are with
them other than make sure the
patient and family members are comfortable. Families are in the room
with the patient for what can be long stretches of time. It’s a time of
intense loss for them, and they need a lot of care. Nurses wanted to find
new and better ways to support them, but we were struggling with how
best to do it.”
Struggling, that is, until a Nash Health Care fifth-floor nurse named
Tiffany Harrington read about a new “Comfort Cart” program that
another hospital had implemented to help care for grieving families.
Stocked with “comfort items” like blankets, tissues, beverages, children’s
puzzle books and crayons, stationery, and a music player and CDs of soft
music, personal hygiene products, and other small items, Comfort Carts
are brought in for families to use while they are attending to a dying loved
one. ey are constantly replenished so the items never run out.
“Tiffany was inspired and felt that Nash Health Care really needed to
champion a similar project here. She brought it to the management team,
and we thought it was a great idea” explained Waugaman. “Nash’s pledge
to provide patient and family-centered care means that we are always
trying to improve how we address patient and family needs and think
about their needs through their eyes. When it came to end-of-life care, we
knew that we needed a more formalized approach to support, and
Tiffany’s recommendation was a great fit.”
e only problem? ere wasn’t any money in the budget for a new
program. Determined, the nurses started with only one cart, stocked with
supplies and goods that the hospital and other team members were able
to donate. Immediately, it began to make an impact. “It changed the
caring process” said Waugaman. “Suddenly, we had an intervention that
we could use to help ease a family’s difficult time.”
Word spread, and within the first year, the Nash Health Care’s
Volunteer Auxiliary took a keen interest in the growth of the program.
ey pledged to fundraise enough to buy new Comfort Carts for every
floor of the hospital that needed them. With their hard work, Nash now
Did you know? Locals are Coming Together
to Help Sustain Nash’s Comfort Carts!
Five area churches, First Presbyterian Church, Lakeside Baptist Church, Church of
the Good Shepard, West Haven Presbyterian Church, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal
Church recently presented two large bundles of handmade blankets for use in Nash
Health Care Systems’ Comfort Carts, along with a check for $629.00 to the hospital.
The donated funds were made by children from the five churches, who decided to
raise money for future Comfort Cart-related programming and other hospital need
while at Vacation Bible School last June. The children also decorated foam crosses
to the hospital for patient use.
“The Comfort Carts are our way of demonstrating compassion for our patients
and their families at a time when they are struggling the most” said Amy Winham,
Administrative Director of Nash Health Care’s Emergency Department. “I am so
proud of this wonderful community partnership that we’ve created with these
churches, to have these beautiful blankets for our patients, and to see the
fundraising efforts of such a special group of children. It’s truly been one of the most
rewarding moments of my career.”
Nash Health Care Emergency Department Administrative Director Amy Winham
and Nash Health Care Foundation Annual Giving and Communications Coordinator
Erika Thompsen traveled to the Vacation Bible School at the Church of the Good
Shepard to thank the parishioners and their children for their contribution. Frances
Geary, Jeanne Shannon, and Reverend Mary Kathleen Duncan met with Amy
Winham and Stacy Jesso, Vice President of the Nash Health Care Foundation at
the Pediatric Emergency Department to formally present the blankets and children’s
donation.
If you would like to make a donation to the Comfort Cart program, contact the
Nash Health Care Foundation at (252) 962-8585 or at
www.nashhealthcarefoundation.org.
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Spotlight On: New Director of Hospice
Sherri Alligood
Sherri Alligood, RN,
recently joined Nash
Health Care as the
Director of Hospice
and Palliative Care.
Brio sat down with her
to talk about her life,
her work, and how it
feels to be the newest
member of our team!
Brio: Where are you from?
Sherri: I am from Little
Washington originally, but
I’ve lived in Tarboro for
over twenty years. We had
been away for a little while,
when my husband was in
the Air Force, but we
always knew that we
wanted to get back to
Eastern North Carolina. I
think North Carolina has
the best of everything, the
water, mountains, and the
seasons. It’s what I know!
It’s home.
Brio: For those readers who aren’t sure what Hospice and Palliative
Care does, can you describe it in a few words?
Sherri: Hospice is end of life care when a patient has been
determined to have a terminal illness. It involves a multidisciplinary
team of caregivers: nurses, nursing assistants, social workers,
chaplains, a medical director, and volunteers, and they all work
together to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional needs of the
patient and their family, right in their home.
Brio: What brought you to Nash Health Care?
Sherri: It was the opportunity to be the Director of Hospice. I
started working a long time ago as a critical care nurse, and did years
of intensive care in the emergency department. I then branched out
into outpatient nursing and did some patient experience work, too.
I took a break, owned a dress shop for about ten years, and then got
16
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
back into nursing in the home health and hospice arena. at’s
when I found my passion.
Last year, I took a break from doing Hospice and missed it
terribly. I saw this opportunity and felt like all my experiences
married and culminated in this position. It was the chance to bring
everything together. Everything I’ve done, I’ve felt would be a
benefit in this role. It seemed like the opportunity to pull it all
together and have it all make sense. I feel like my entire career has
been leading to this job!
Brio: You said you missed hospice work. What did you miss about it?
Sherri: It’s an honor to be invited into someone’s home and life
when they are navigating the illness and potential death of a loved
one. To know that you can make a difference at a time like that is
one of the most
humbling and
rewarding experiences
I’ve ever had.
Brio: What is the day to
day for you these days?
Sherri: Busy! It is very
busy. We are
experiencing lots of
referrals. e team is
eager and energetic and
we’re thankful for the
opportunity to serve a
lot of patients. We want
to do that well…and
continue to grow!
Brio: What excites you about this position? About working at Nash
Health Care?
Sherri: e patient experience is important to me, and I’m excited
to work somewhere where the organization values it, too.
I’m also excited to grow the Hospice and Palliative Care program
here! We want to serve as many hospice patients as possible, to be
available for hospice patients throughout the region. I’m excited to
find new ways of making sure that happens – to explore the
possibilities and maximize our ability to serve patients well.
Brio: If patients want to learn more about our hospice program,
how should they get in touch?
Sherri: Call us! Our number is 252 962 8124 and we are always
there to answer your questions!
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Lights of Love to Shine Brighter than Ever
e weather outside might be turning frightful, but thanks to “Lights of Love,” Nash Health
Care will be aglow through the Surgical Pavilion this year, decorated with lights that community
members can purchase to honor or remember a loved one. A Book of Honor/Remembrance will be
displayed by the trees and will list the names of each individual that is represented by a light.
A special tree lighting ceremony will be held on December 1st at 6:00 pm in the
lobby of the Heart Center. Larry Chewning, President and CEO of Nash Health
Care, will assist in reading the names of every loved one honored by the Lights
of Love project, and the ceremony will include a performance by First
Methodist Playschool Kindergarten Chorus and holiday
refreshments. It is free and open to the public.
If you would like to honor or remember someone that holds a
special place in your heart, purchase a light on a “Lights of Love”
tree by contacting Marian Haney at 252.443.9592 or the Volunteer
Office at 252.962.8118. Lights are only $5.00 each, and names
must be received by November 24th to be included in the Book of
Honor/ Remembrance.
A Special Tree in
Honor of Jackie
Paige Ward, Initiator
of Lights of Love at
Nash Health Care
For many of us at Nash Health Care
and in the community, Jackie Paige
Ward was a light in and of herself. A
volunteer at Nash Health Care
Systems for more than 42 years,
Jackie held a variety of positions for the Hospital Auxiliary including
Membership Chair, Publicity Chair, and Projects Chair. She served two terms
as President, Vice President, and Secretary. Jackie’s vision, leadership, and
dedication were the driving forces behind establishing “Lights of Love,”
“Lifeline,” and an annual Pediatric Christmas Party at Nash General
Hospital. She logged more than 18,000 hours volunteering at Nash Health
Care, and was honored by Governor Jim Hunt as an “Outstanding
Volunteer” in Eastern North Carolina for her service.
The Nash Health Care Volunteer Auxiliary will honor Jackie’s years of
service and friendship by displaying a special tree in her memory. Those
who would like to remember her are invited to contact Marian Haney at
252.443.9592 or the Volunteer Office at 252.962.8118. Remember to
specify that you would like to buy a light for Jackie’s tree.
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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Nash Health
Care’s
Telelink to
the UNC
Cancer
Network
Gives Community Members a
Chance to “Lunch and Learn”
Nash Health Care is more than
a hospital – it’s a community
classroom too! e Nash Cancer
Treatment Center has teamed up
with the UNC Cancer Network to
host special “Lunch and Learn”
education seminars on the last
Friday of every month. Covering a
range of patient-related subjects,
these “Lunch and Learn” sessions
Upcoming Lunch and
use video conference technology to
Learn Presentations:
live broadcast lectures and provide
a portal through which local
community members can interact
Friday, October 30, 2015
with experts in a studio at UNC.
Finding Meaning when Faced with
“We are so excited to see this
Difficult Situations
program
take shape at Nash
Theresa Raphael-Grimm PhD, CNS
Health
Care”
said Rich Jared,
12:00-1:00 pm
Supervisor, Employee Wellness.
Location: Conference Room 2 –
“Community members can
Nash UNC Health Care
experience the same lecture that
UNC and other affiliates
Friday, December 4, 2015
experience. ey can ask questions,
Staying Healthy After Cancer …
and the expert will see them. ey
Behaviors you can adopt to
can interact with the speaker, all
without traveling outside of Nash
improve your health
county.” Nash Health Care has
Mandy Holliday, MPH, RD, LDN, CNSC
reached out to community
12:00-1:00 pm
organizations to ensure that locals
Location: Conference Room 2 –
know about the series, and
Nash UNC Health Care
multiple senior centers have agreed
to participate as partners on the
project.
e sessions are free, open to the
public, and include a boxed lunch. ey are held on the last Friday of
every month, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, in Conference Room two on
the first floor of Nash General. Seating is limited but registration is
required; contact Rich Jared at 252.962.3473 for more information.
18
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
What is a Topping
Out Ceremony?
A “Topping Out” ceremony
is a traditional Scandinavian
builders’ rite with roots that
trace back thousands of
years. It is held when a
construction project safely
reaches its highest point,
and typically includes
raising aloft a steel beam
with an American flag and
an evergreen tree on it in
order to symbolize the safe
attainment of the topmost
member of the structure.
“Topping out” Ceremony Marks Construction
Milestone for the new Nash Women’s Center
It won’t be long now! Nash Health Care and Rodgers Builders, Inc.,
recently hosted a “Topping Out” ceremony to mark the completion of the
Women’s Center’s steel frame. Nash and Rodgers Builders team members
gathered under the employee parking deck to celebrate, listen to music and
sign the Women’s Center’s last steel beam before it was lifted into place by a
crane. Nash President Larry Chewning and Rodgers’ President and CEO
Pat Rodgers were on hand to congratulate the construction team on a job
well done, and attendees were treated to a Women’s Center t-shirt and a
barbeque lunch after the ceremony.
Since the ceremony, Rodgers’ Builders, Inc. have continued to work on
the interior, mechanical, electrical and plumbing portions of the project.
Once finished, the 47,048 sq. ft., $25 million Women’s Center will include
two floors of state- of-the-art spaces for obstetrical and women’s services.
e building will boast four Triage and Consulting Rooms, six Birthing
Suites, sixteen Postpartum Rooms, a dedicated room for cesarean sections,
and 12 private Special Care Nursery Rooms.
Construction is scheduled to be completed March 2016. Open houses
and occupancy scheduled for May.
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Hero Nurse Angela Stoddard
Saves Accident Victim
Nash Health Care
Support Groups
Nash Health Care offers a wide variety of support
groups to the community on topics ranging from
diabetes to lymphedema.
Please call the listed phone number for the latest
meeting information or visit our website at
www.nhcs.org.
The Emily Ellis Stroke and Brain Injury Support
Group This support group for stroke survivors and
their families meets every Thursday from 5 to 6 pm
at the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center. For
information, call 252-962-3711.
Surgical Weight Loss Support Group, for those
who have undergone or are considering bariatric
(weight loss) surgery, meets monthly in Nash Health
Care’s Mayo Surgery Pavilion. For information, call
252-962-6503.
L-r: Mary Strickland, Executive Director, Women’s Services, Angela Stoddard, Sheila Moore
Angela Stoddard, a nurse with the Nash Women’s Center provided life-saving assistance to a
community member injured in a single-motor car crash a few weeks ago.
Angela was on her way to Nash Health Care at 11:00 pm after volunteering to pick up an extra
shift, when she came upon a car overturned in a field on the side of the road. e motor was
running but the tail lights were dim; the car was badly damaged, and it was clear that the driver
had been ejected from the vehicle. e field was very dark, and no one seemed to be around.
Using the flashlight on her cell phone, Angela searched for the victim and found him – a
young man lying some distance from the car. She checked to see if he was breathing and called
911, staying with the young man until help arrived.
ere’s no way of knowing how long the driver had alone in that field before Angela found
him. He had a severe head wound and was transported to Nash’s Emergency Department and
later, to Vidant Health for treatment. Without Angela’s courageous and extraordinary act of
heroism, his outcome might have been entirely different.
Angela is a great friend, nurse, and Nash team member. She is always willing to go the extra
mile for our patients at Nash, and in our community, too. We commend her courage!
The Diabetes Support Group meets the third
Tuesday of each month at Nash General Hospital
at 6 p.m. For information, call 252-962-8854.
Alcoholics Anonymous meets Fridays and Sundays
at Coastal Plain Hospital from 6 to 7 p.m. For
information, call 252-962-5000.
Narcotics Anonymous meets Saturdays at Coastal
Plain Hospital. For information, call 252-962-5000.
The Breast Recovery and Support Group (BRAS)
meets monthly. BRAS is a group for newly diagnosed
breast cancer patients receiving care within Nash
Health Care or affiliated providers. For more
information, call 252-962-6100.
Paying Your Bill is Easier than Ever!
Now you can pay for your care online! Just visit https://billpay.nhcs.org to pay by credit card or electronic
check. Nash Health Care accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Want to explore other options? Nash Health Care has payment plans, self-pay discounts and other
assistance available, based on financial need. Financial Counseling is available Monday – Friday from 7:30
am to 6:30 pm by calling 252-962-8239, 252-962-8280 or 252-962-8006.
The Lymphedema Support Group meets quarterly
at the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center. For
information, call 252-962-3769.
New! Cardiopulmonary Connections, a group for
those interested in heart and lung health, meets on
the third Tuesday of every month at the Rocky Mount
Senior Center. For information, call 252-962-3473.
NHC / Living with Brio / Fall 2015
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Nonprofit Organization
US Postage
PAID
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Permit No. 297
2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
www.nhcs.org
“Now I’m enjoying
the ride of my life!”
AU
11
Y
DA
MY
IN
E
“For years, I endured joint pain and
diabetes – all due to excess weight. Then
I learned about surgical weight loss at
Nash Health Care. On August 12th, 2011,
I underwent weight loss surgery. That day,
I began freeing myself from the pain and started
living life to its fullest.”
PENDENC
DE
But there’s more to
Rick’s story.
“If I hadn’t lost that
Rick has lost 105 lbs
weight, I wouldn’t have
detected the tiny knot on
G
20
US
T 12,
my neck. The lump turned
out to be throat cancer. Fortunately, I found it in
time to undergo surgery and chemotherapy. Losing
weight literally saved my life.”
Today Rick’s thankful for his health – he’s even
competing in 100-mile bike races. But mostly he’s
thankful to be alive.
Call 252.962.6503 or visit YourIndependenceDay.org
at the heart of it all
®
Bariatric surgery is covered by most insurance providers.If you have Blue Cross Blue Shield, the procedure is covered when performed at a Blue Distinction® Center+.
In partnership with Southern Surgical Associates, P.A.