Archive for January 2019

ICYMI: Phoebe Volunteer of the Year named

Posted on January 25, 2019 by
Harold Harden (pictured above) was named the 2019 Volunteer of the Year at Phoebe Putney Health System’s Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, January 24.

(Photo courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. – Phoebe hosted its annual volunteer appreciation banquet Thursday night at Sherwood Baptist Church to recognize the hundreds of dedicated southwest Georgians who generously donate their time and talents to support Phoebe’s mission.  In the last fiscal year, 527 volunteers gave 52,545 hours of service at Phoebe locations in Albany and Sylvester.

“Our wonderful volunteers are so committed to our community and they have such compassion and concern for our patients.  They perform vital services in clinical and non-clinical departments throughout Phoebe that help us operate more effectively and efficiently.  Every day, our volunteers help us provide outstanding service to our patients, and we want them to know how important they are to Phoebe and how much we appreciate them,” said Suzanne Perrine, Director of Volunteer Services.

Longtime volunteer Harold Harden was named Phoebe Volunteer of the Year.  He has volunteered more than 9,000 hours over 10 years.  He volunteers Monday – Friday in Phoebe Surgicare and the Digestive Disease Center (DDC) where he arrives every morning even before the first staff member.  Sixty-nine members of the Surgicare and DDC teams signed a letter nominating Harden for the honor.

They wrote, in part, “Mr. Harold is always cheerful and willing to perform any task asked of him.  The services and support he provides are astonishing.  His dedication and work ethic are impeccable.  He is punctual and dependable.  He actually considers the needs of the departments before planning his own vacations and time off.  Mr. Harold improves our efficiencies.  He pre-assembles various packets that are needed for patients.  He ensures that the blanket warmer stays full and ready to provide that extra comfort for our patients.  Also, under his watch, the nourishment area’s refrigerator is stocked and fresh coffee is always available for patients, visitors and staff.”

The Volunteer Services Department also honored retiring Phoebe CEO Joel Wernick.  On behalf of the volunteers, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board of Directors Chairman Dr. John Culbreath presented Wernick with a commemorative pocket watch.

“Joel loves our volunteers and has been so supportive of them over the years.  He appreciates the valuable time our volunteers dedicate to Phoebe, and he has given so much of himself and his time to Phoebe and to our community, we felt this timepiece was a small but appropriate token of our appreciation,” Culbreath said.

Wernick is retiring this year after 30 years at Phoebe’s top executive.

Anyone interested in volunteering at Phoebe can learn more about opportunities and can get a volunteer application by visiting www.phoebehealth.com/volunteers.

###

Follow the Southwest Georgia Network on Twitter @swganetwork.

Comments Off on ICYMI: Phoebe Volunteer of the Year named Posted in Uncategorized

ICYMI: Phoebe receives HPV award

Posted on January 24, 2019 by

From L-R:  Angie Barber, Director, Phoebe Network of Trust School Health Program; Sherri Davis, LPN, Phoebe School Nurse & Asthma Educator; Tina Halverson, Director, Phoebe Physician Group Physician Operations/Quality/Clinical Services; Elena Roman, Executive Director, Phoebe Oncology; Jessica Davis, Senior Manager for Hospital Systems, American Cancer Society; Lori Nurmi, RN, Clinical Director, Phoebe Cancer Center.
(Photo courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System

Albany, Ga. – The American Cancer Society presented Phoebe with the 2019 HPV Award which includes a $2,500 grant to help educate families and physicians about the need to vaccinate children against human papillomavirus (HPV).

“The American Cancer Society is determined to protect the future of every boy and girl by preventing six types of cancer with the HPV vaccine. The American Cancer Society recommends that the 2-shot HPV vaccine series is best given to boys and girls at ages 11 or 12. HPV vaccination prevents an estimated 90% of HPV cancers when given at the recommended age, but cancer protection decreases as age at vaccination increases. It is important that you talk to your family doctor and your child’s pediatrician about on-time vaccination,” said Jessica Davis, American Cancer Society Senior Manager for Hospital Systems.

HPV vaccination is covered by most insurance plans, and there is often no cost to get vaccinated.  Phoebe is already tracking HPV vaccinations at its clinics and is working to increase vaccination rates.  Phoebe’s Network of Trust will educate students about the need to be vaccinated before becoming sexually active, and the grant will help provide Continuing Medical Education about HPV prevention for area physicians.

“The Phoebe Cancer Center truly provides world-class care.  We have great success at treating many types of cancer, but we consider it an equally great success when we can help southwest Georgians prevent cancer,” said Elena Roman, Phoebe Executive Director of Oncology.  “We are pleased to partner with the American Cancer Society on multiple prevention efforts, and we look forward to the outstanding results we are confident will come from this HPV Award.”

In 2018, Phoebe received a Colorectal Cancer Partnership Award from the American Cancer Society in recognition of Phoebe’s colorectal cancer screening efforts.

###

Follow the Southwest Georgia Network on Twitter @swganetwork.

Comments Off on ICYMI: Phoebe receives HPV award Posted in Uncategorized

ICYMI: Public Health raises increased awareness of measles

Posted on January 24, 2019 by

Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

ALBANY-Following two confirmed cases of measles in the Atlanta area, Public Health officials are urging healthcare providers to maintain heightened awareness for patients with measles. Both residents with the diseases are now out of the infectious stage, but the Georgia Department of Public Health is notifying others who may have been exposed between Jan. 7-14.

Public Health officials say the risk of becoming ill is low. However, anyone who becomes sick with measles symptoms or thinks they have been exposed to measles should:

*  Contact their healthcare provider immediately and let him or her know you may have been exposed to measles. If you don’t have a doctor, you should contact your county health department.

*  DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, hospital or public health office without FIRST calling to let them know about your possible contact with measles. Your healthcare provider or public health nurse will advise you about what to do.

  *  If you think you might have measles, stay at home and avoid contact with others especially babies less than one year of age or people with weakened immune systems.

  *  Healthcare providers who suspect measles should notify Public Health immediately.

Measles (Rubeola) Fact Sheet

What is measles?
Measles (rubeola) is a highly contagious vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus.

How is measles spread?
Measles is spread by air-borne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

What are symptoms of measles?

Measles typically begins with a fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and/or red, watery eye. After two to three days, the fever peaks and a rash appears at the hairline and spreads progressively downward covering the face, neck, trunk and extremities.

What kind of vaccine is given to prevent measles?

The MMR vaccine prevents measles and two other viral diseases—mumps and rubella. More than 95% of the people who receive a single dose of MMR will develop immunity to all three viruses. A second dose boosts immunity, typically enhancing protection to 98%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all persons be routinely vaccinated between 12 and 18 months of age and receive a booster between four and six years of age.

Who is at increased risk of becoming infected with measles?

  *  Infants who are too young to have been vaccinated (less than one year of age)
  *  Persons who have never been vaccinated
  *  Immunocompromised persons (these include persons undergoing cancer chemotherapy or other immune-suppressive treatments, transplant recipients or those with diseases that affect the immune system such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Who is at high risk for complications from a measles infection?

  *  Infants and children less than five years of age
  *  Adults greater than 20 years old
  *  Pregnant women
  *  People with compromised immune systems

What about older persons?

Persons born before 1957 are generally considered immune because they probably had the disease when they were younger.

Is it okay to go to public places (i.e., grocery store, work, day care, school etc.) if I have been exposed to measles and develop symptoms?
No, if you have been exposed and you become ill with symptoms of measles you should avoid public places and contact your healthcare provider immediately. DO NOT go to the doctor’s office, the hospital or a Public Health clinic without FIRST calling to let them know about your possible exposure to measles. Your healthcare provider or Public Health nurse will advise you about what you should do.

In the past 10 years, there have been seven confirmed cases of measles in Georgia, including one imported from another country.

For more information about measles, go to https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.

###

Follow the Southwest Georgia Network on Twitter @swganetwork.

Comments Off on ICYMI: Public Health raises increased awareness of measles Posted in Uncategorized

ICYMI: SWGA Health District provides tips on excessive rainfall

Posted on January 3, 2019 by

Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District

           ALBANY-Recent rainy weather has caused septic systems of some property owners to experience seasonal failure, but local Public Health officials have recommendations that can help.
            “There are a number of things a homeowner can do to alleviate the symptoms,” said Southwest Health District Environmental Health Director Justin Smith. “One is to reduce water usage. Another is to install a curtain or French drain to divert subsurface water.”
            Other tips include landscape alterations to divert surface water and pumping the tank to provide relief.
            For more information, contact environmental health specialists at your local health department.

###

Follow the Southwest Georgia Network on Twitter @swganetwork.

Comments Off on ICYMI: SWGA Health District provides tips on excessive rainfall Posted in Uncategorized
 
Skip to toolbar