Southwest Georgia Network

(Press Release courtesy of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission)

ALBANY, GA.– Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and her Coalition for Economic Development will host a public forum on Wednesday, May 9 focusing on the area’s workforce needs and hiring criteria across Albany-Dougherty County’s five major industry sectors.

“Albany-Dougherty County is fortunate to have a broad industry base with five target industry sectors in manufacturing, defense, distribution and logistics, call centers and healthcare,” said Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard. “It’s important that our citizens know what opportunities are available to them here, professionally, and that they know how and when to begin preparing themselves to capitalize on these opportunities in order to gain employment at one of our local industries.”

The town hall-style event will feature five panelists, each presenting information on behalf their organization, as well as their respective industry sector. Panelists include P&G Plant manager Werhner Washington on manufacturing, Deputy Commander at Marine Depot ‎Maintenance Command Trent Blalock on defense, Southern Ag Carriers President Hugh Nall on distribution and logistics, Webstaurant Customer Solutions Team Leader Chris Mathis on call centers and Phoebe Health System Vice President of Human Resources Tracy St. Amant on healthcare.

The event will offer information on what these major industry sectors routinely look for in an employee and how community members can best prepare themselves to become an ideal candidate.

The program is an edition in a series of forums organized by the Mayor’s Coalition for Economic Development designed to increase public awareness of matters relating to economic development or economic impact in our community.

The May 9 forum is free to the public and will be held from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. in room 100 of the Government Center, located at 222 Pine Avenue in downtown Albany. Light refreshments will be served in the lobby following the event.

For more information, please call (229) 434-0044 or visit the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission at facebook.com/choosealbany.

(Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District)

ALBANY – During STD Awareness Month, Southwest Health District is maintaining ongoing efforts to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by offering free testing and education and dispensing free condoms.

According to the National Centers for Disease Control, STDs are at a record high in the United States.

Southwest Health District is seeing higher rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea than other sexually transmitted infections (such as syphilis and HIV), noted Southwest Health District Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins. However, she said, all STD infections are worrisome.

“HIV/AIDS is of significant importance to Public Health due to its continued rise in certain populations, and its clustering in the rural South,” she said. “Because of our high rates, social stigmas and the advancement in treatment and prevention option, heightening awareness of HIV/AIDS is a priority in our area.”

Jenkins said youth ages 13 through 18 and young adults 19 through 24 are a priority for all sexually transmitted infections. “Young black and Latino males who have sex with males are a priority for HIV/STDs,” she said.

“The only way to be sure about your HIV and STD status is to get tested,” added Remy Hutchins, Southwest Health District’s Infectious Disease Program Director. “HIV testing and condoms are provided at no cost at local health departments.”

Further, STD testing (other than HIV) is available at county health departments at little or no cost, she said. “Or you can contact your local healthcare provider,” Hutchins said.

Hutchins said Southwest Health District is working with partners during April to help protect college students against STDs.

“We have collaborated with Albany State University Student Health Services and Project STOP to provide HIV and STD testing at ASU East and West Campus this month,” she said.

“In addition, we are working with local area night clubs to set up free condom dispensers to increase access to condoms in the community.”

Correct use of condoms provides a high level of protection against contracting most sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infections. In addition to HIV/AIDS, STDs can result in infertility, pregnancy complications, pelvic abscesses, abdominal pain and recurrent skin sores.

The good news is that there are ways to interrupt the spread of STDs, said Southwest District Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis. “Three powerful ways are through abstinence, monogamy and condom use.”

Other ways include:

Talk—Talk openly about STDs with your partner and healthcare providers

Test—Get tested. It’s the only way to know if you have an STD.

Treat—If you have an STD, work with your provider to get the right medicine for yourself and possibly your partner.

To learn more about STDs, go to https://www.cdc.gov/std/hiv/.

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Pictured from L-R: Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission Chairman Jay Smith, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Barbara Rivera-Holmes, Miller-Coors Albany Vice President Maurice Short, Phoebe Putney Health System President and CEO Joel Wernick, Major General Craig Crenshaw, Marine Corps Logistics Command, Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard, and Albany-Dougherty EDC President and CEO Justin Strickland

(Photo by Walter L. Johnson II)

By Walter L. Johnson II

The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission presented its annual awards to several prominent companies and organizations at a luncheon held as part of Industry Celebration Week at the Hilton Garden Inn Wednesday.

Awards were presented in the following categories: Global Commerce, Excellence in Innovation, Economic Impact, and Only One Albany.

The award winners were as follows:

Global Commerce: Procter & Gamble

Excellence in Innovation: MillerCoors

Economic Impact: Marine Corps Logistics Command

Only One Albany Award: Phoebe Putney Health System

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(Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District)

ALBANY—Community members are preventing type 2 diabetes together with the Prevent T2 lifestyle change program offered by Southwest Health District. Guided by a lifestyle coach, groups of participants are learning the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight and being more physically active.

“People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose (sugar) levels — are five to 15 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many people with prediabetes can be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within five years, said Southwest Health District Epidemiologist Jacqueline Jenkins. She manages the Prevent T2 program for the district.

“One in three American adults has prediabetes, so the need for prevention has never been greater,” Jenkins said. “The PreventT2 program offers an effective program to preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes through modest lifestyle changes made with the support of a coach and one’s peers.”

Participants learn how to eat healthy, add 150 minutes of physical activity per week to their routine, stay motivated, and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. PreventT2 groups meet for a year — weekly for the first 6 months, then once or twice a month for the second 6 months to maintain healthy lifestyle changes, explained Jenkins.

“The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes,” she said. “Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles.”

PreventT2 is part of the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). PreventT2 is based on research that showed that people with prediabetes who lost 5 to 7 percent of their body weight (10 to 14 pounds for a 200-pound person) by making modest changes reduced their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“Nationwide implementation of the program could greatly reduce future cases of type 2 diabetes, a serious condition that can lead to health problems including heart attack; stroke; blindness; kidney failure; or loss of toes, feet, or legs,” Jenkins said.

“Small changes can add up to a big difference,” she added. “Working with a trained lifestyle coach who provides guidance, Prevent T2 participants are making lasting changes together.”

People are more likely to have prediabetes and type 2 diabetes if they:

• Are 45 years of age or older
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Are physically active fewer than three times per week
• Have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds

To learn about participating in the Prevent T2 program, contact the Southwest Health District at 229-352-4275.

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(Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Albany, Ga. – The Chapel at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital celebrated 20 years of serving the community yesterday during a special ceremony. Chaplain Dick Denson, Phoebe’s first chaplain, was the keynote speaker. He worked at Phoebe for eight years and stated it was the best ministry work he had ever done.

The chaplaincy program at Phoebe began in 1996. Chaplain Denson assembled a group of five key ministers from the community to provide consultation and support for the new department, and its ministry to the hospital and community.

With the help of 18 key community leaders and lay persons, more than $300,000 was raised to remodel the existing space, furnish the chapel, and develop programs of the chapel. On March 10, 1998, the hospital chapel was dedicated and for the past two decades has provided comfort for patients, families and staff members.

The focus of the Spiritual Care Department is to provide ministry to patients, family members and employees with the help of volunteer chaplains.  Phoebe’s interfaith chapel is available 24 hours a day for prayer and meditation. Outside the chapel there is a prayer board for prayer request. The prayer requests are read aloud during the Sunday worship service.

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The County Health Rankings for 2018 are out, and most of the counties in our coverage area finished at or near the bottom of the list.

In fact, Lee was the lone county in Southwest Georgia to finish in the top 40 in terms of health outcomes, finishing 12th overall. That was the same position it finished in last year (2017).

On the other hand, Dougherty finished 153rd in the 2018 rankings. That’s down from #148 in 2017. In contrast, Lowndes fared far better, finishing 80th overall.

Other counties in the region that were ranked include Baker (76th), Calhoun (100th), Colquitt (129th), Mitchell (114th), Terrell (149th), Thomas (77th), and Worth (87th).

For a complete list of health rankings in all Georgia counties, please visit the County Health Rankings website at countyhealthrankings.org.

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(Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Albany, Ga. – Nationally, almost one million patients suffer falls in hospitals each year, often sustaining injuries that lengthen their stay and complicate their recovery. To help reduce the number of falls and injuries, Phoebe has implemented new technology, the AvaSys TeleSitter, which allows medical staff to both observe and talk with patients who are at a high risk of falling.

“This new system emphasizes our commitment to quality and safety for our patients,” said Chief Nursing Officer Evelyn Olenick, DNP, RN. “It is the first line of defense for patients at risk, allowing staff to immediately and directly intervene when a patient is at risk of self-harm.”

Many falls occur when patients try to get out of bed, either to use the restroom or walk around independently. Fall injuries range from scrapes and bruises to broken bones or serious head injuries. The AvaSys TeleSitter is equipped with an infrared camera and two-way audio.  The Telesitters are set up in rooms of patients identified to be at high risk for falls.  Trained staff monitor live feeds from those rooms at a central station 24 hours a day 7 days a week. If a patient tries to get out of bed, the observer can interact with the patient with a gentle reminder to wait for assistance or can sound an alarm for immediate staff attention.

“On the first day we were able to effectively alarm staff of a near miss that could have been a potential fall for one of our patients. The extra layer of safety the system provides is exactly what our vulnerable patients need,” continued Olenick.

Patients in imminent danger receive a STAT alarm, which signals staff to head quickly to the patient’s room. During February, the system’s first full month of use at Phoebe, our trained observers initiated 309 STAT alarms that helped prevent potential falls.

The cameras do not record, and there are privacy options to temporarily block visibility when necessary. Phoebe, the only Georgia hospital outside Atlanta that has implemented this technology, currently has 12 AvaSys TeleSitters monitoring patients at Main and North campuses.

The new technology does not replace any of the current safety measures Phoebe uses. All at-risk patients are identified with yellow or red arm bands, and they wear skid-resistant socks.  The clinical staff creates the safest possible environment for patients by keeping personal items and call buttons within reach, setting beds in the lowest position and making sure rooms are uncluttered.

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(Press Release courtesy of the Southwest Georgia Public Health District)

ALBANY – While the sting of a shot may last a second or two, diseases last much longer. That’s the message of Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week, March 12-16, which reminds parents to talk with preteens and teens about getting immunized against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Preteens are at an age where they have new and booster vaccine recommendations,” said Rebecca Snow, Southwest Health District’s Immunization Coordinator. “Preteen vaccinations should begin at the age of 11, according to recommendations from the CDC. Parents should make it a priority to vaccinate your preteen against preventable diseases.”

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health Rule (511-2-2), the following students are required to have proof of vaccinations protecting them against meningitis AND pertussis (also known as whooping cough):

·         all students born on or after January 1, 2002

·         students entering or transferring into seventh grade and

·         any “new entrant” into eighth-12th grades in Georgia.

This law affects all public and private schools including, but not limited to, charter schools, community schools, juvenile court schools and other alternative school settings (excluding homeschool).

Snow said many vaccine-preventable diseases can be serious, even deadly. Vaccines can help avoid expensive therapies and hospitalization needed to treat infectious diseases like influenza and meningitis. Immunizations also reduce absences both at school and after school activities and decrease the spread of illness at home, school and the community.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control currently recommends Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for preteens and teens. The HPV vaccine is effective in preventing certain cancers as well as venereal warts.

“Georgia Preteen Vaccine Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise awareness through schools, health care providers and the media regarding preteen immunizations, particularly Georgia’s pertussis and meningococcal requirements for incoming seventh-grade students,” Snow said. “Speak with your physician or local health department today to find out if your preteen is up-to-date.”

For more information about preteen and teen immunizations, contact your county health department or your healthcare provider.

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(Press Release courtesy of Phoebe Putney Health System)

Albany, Ga. – Phoebe proudly announces its approval of accreditation status by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for the hospital’s Accelerated Sleep Program.

“We are very proud to receive this recognition for our sleep program,” said Trina Marsh, manager, Neurodiagnostics and Sleep Center. “A good night’s sleep is vital to one’s physical and mental health. This accreditation reflects our commitment to ensure patients with sleep disorders receive the highest quality care.”

Achieving accreditation is a process where healthcare organizations demonstrate compliance with national standards. Accreditation by ACHC reflects Phoebe’s dedication and commitment to meeting standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care.

ACHC is a not-for-profit organization that has stood as a symbol of quality and excellence since 1986.  ACHC’s consultative approach to accreditation is designed to improve the quality of patient care while enhancing business efficiencies through service-specific standards and industry-based best practices. Throughout the entire accreditation process, ACHC is dedicated to delivering the best possible experience.

Sleep disorders that shorten sleep time or disrupt sleep can put one at a higher risk for health problems. Phoebe Sleep Center uses the latest technology and equipment to assess, diagnose and treat various sleep disorders. Our specialists work closely with patients’ primary care physician before, during and after diagnosis to ensure the best outcomes.

For more information about Phoebe Sleep Center, call 229-312-1220.

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