3 minute read
HEALTH CARE
An Airbus EC135 medical transport helicopter operated by Carolina Air Care lands on the secondary helipad at Nash UNC Health Care. (File Photo)
By Amelia Harper
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There are two primary hospitals in the Twin Counties: Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount and Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro.
Nash UNC Health Care offers an extensive array of medical services and primarily serves patients in Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax and Wilson counties. Established in 1971, Nash General Hospital has served patients in the area for nearly 50 years.
In 2014, the former Nash Health Care became affiliated with the UNC Health Care system and changed its name to Nash UNC Health Care.
Nash UNC Health Care has roughly 400 beds available across several locations on the hospital campus. Through the years at Nash General Hospital and the added benefits of the association with UNC Health, Nash UNC Health Care now offers a growing number of specialty services.
“Our staff and employees work hard to make a difference in our community’s health,” said Lee Isley, president and CEO of Nash UNC Health Care.
In addition to the main hospital facilities, the health care organization boasts a separate emergency department with its own pediatric emergency unit and a total of 38 different treatment rooms. Some of these treatment rooms are especially designed for major traumas, minor surgeries, broken bones or special monitoring.
The health care system also includes Nash Day Hospital, a surgical pavilion, a heart center, a cancer center and a women’s center to meet specialized needs in updated medical environments.
In addition, Coastal Plain Hospital offers psychiatric and substance abuse care to the community and the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center offers rehabilitation services to patients who need additional therapies before returning home.
“We have been heavily focused on
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Nurses Ashley Waters, left, and Allison Chapel attend to a patient at Nash UNC Health Care. Contributed Photo
improving quality of care at Nash UNC Health Care,” Isley said.
Both of these freestanding facilities are located on the main Nash UNC Health Care campus on Curtis Ellis Drive in Rocky Mount easily reached from U.S. 64.
The relationship with UNC Health Care has also expanded the hospital’s connection to researchers and treatments available through that facility.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Nash UNC Health Care has been providing specialty care and cutting edge therapies in special rooms designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“As we continue to see cases rise in our community, we will continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff,” Isley said.
Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro was formerly known as Heritage Hospital before it became a part of the Vidant Health System. This smaller hospital has roughly 110 acute care beds but offers expertise in more than 20 medical specialties including a birthing center.
Vidant Edgecombe primarily serves patients in Edgecombe County. However, it also has its own onsite cancer center that provides chemotherapy and infusion services.
Nurse Practitioner Erica Mountjoy, left, checks patient Yvonne Murphy for jugular vein distention at the Heart Failure Clinic at UNC Cardiology at Nash. (File Photo)
Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Davis Miller, left, talks with Elaine Shingler about her son’s X-rays as Elisha Shingler, 10, watches television at the pediatric emergency department at Nash UNC Health Care. Photo by Alan Campbel
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