Community Almanac

Swain hospital earns blue ribbon

Staff caring for patients at Swain Community Hospital have won the Blue-Ribbon Award presented to departments receiving the highest scores on patient satisfaction surveys. The patient surveys are part of the National Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems measurement administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The care team at Swain Community Hospital accomplished an overall score of 85% in patient satisfaction.

“Every day, with every patient, we focus on providing a safe and high-quality experience,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “The entire staff at Swain Community Hospital, from behind the scenes to the patientengaging care teams, excel at engaging patients and families and caring for the patient as if they are the person, they love the most.”

Family Day at the Greenway

Harris Regional Hospital invites everyone out for a Family Day on the Greenway from 3 to 5 p.m. April 17, at the Jackson County Greenway in Cullowhee.

Through the Ascent Partnership, Harris Regional Hospital, Swain Community Hospital, and Western Carolina University collaborate in training the next generation of health care workers, support athletics and the arts in communities in the region. They create opportunities for community engagement on wellness and expand local availability of needed health care services. This event is one of the ways students within the Partnership engage the community in wellness activities.

Walk the Greenway and enjoy various activities located around the trail. Some of the events include rock painting, yard games, and an ecology scavenger hunt. Harris EMS, PT Solutions, and Harris Pediatrics will all have tents set up for park-goers to interact with and learn more about their services.

For more information, visit the “Events” tab of Harris Regional Hospital’s Facebook page or go to https://fb.me/e/5bsISXP9D.

Register for diabetes program

The Diabetes Prevention Program is a lifestyle change program dedicated to preventing type 2 diabetes through a series of 24 one-hour group classes. Taught by a trained health educator/lifestyle coach, DPP is a fun program that gives participants the information and tools needed to maintain a healthy weight, prepare and eat healthy meals and be more physically active.

Thanks to a grant administered by N.C. State University, the classes are now free and will include incentives, such as food scales, resistance bands, and cookbooks. Haywood County Health and Human Services recently reported that its program is now fully recognized by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Anyone interested in learning more about or participating in DPP can contact Megan Hauser at 828.356.2272. Clinicians can refer patients who are either at increased risk or have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes to join DPP.

Classes are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Both telephone and video options are available to participants. Internet access is not required.

Visitors at Harris Women’s Care

Harris Women’s Care has opened the office back up to the public at all locations, including their Sylva, Franklin, and Swain County locations.

The clinic’s waiting areas are up and running. Patients are invited to bring a support person to any appointment. COVID-19 Guidelines are still in effect. Mask wearing is required at all times. The clinic practices social distancing and will offer temperature checks and COVID-19 screening questions at the door. This is to ensure the safety of all patients and staff.

Haywood Health collecting data

Nebraska, will conduct phone surveys with approximately 200 individuals in the area between March and June of this year. The confidential survey will ask questions about residents’ health status, behaviors and experiences. The households asked to participate will be selected at random, and the survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Interested community members can give their input, even if they aren’t part of the random selection. The survey is available now at www.prcsurvey.com/begin/WNC2021 and on the HHSA Facebook page.

For more information on Haywood County, visit www.wnchn.org/wnc-healthy-impact/reports/haywood or call Hauser at 828.452.6675.

Mountain Pediatric in Canton reopens

Mountain Pediatric Group’s Canton location, temporarily closed during the pandemic, has now reopened and is accepting new patients.

Dr. Anna Mooney, Dr. Traci Lombard and PA-C Brandi Moziak will continue to offer care at both the Canton and Clyde locations.

Mountain Pediatric Group offers care for infants, children, and adolescents up to age 18. Available pediatric care services include well child checks, vaccinations, management of acute and chronic conditions, sports physicals, and same day sick appointments.

The Canton office is located at 125 Park Street, Canton. Appointments may be made for either office by calling 828.452.8878. Visit www.mountainpediatric.com.

WIC assistance available

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all Haywood County WIC services are conducted over the phone and at curbside pick-up.

Call the WIC Office at 828.356.2222 or 828.356.2221 for more information. New applicants may self-refer by visiting www.nutritionnc.com/wic/wic-referral.asp.

If a store is out of the product type/size issued in food benefits, the following items are allowed: bread (100% whole wheat or whole grain, any size 16-24 oz.), milk (when issued skim/non-fat or 1%, you can get 2%) and yogurt (when issued skim/non-fat or 1%, you can get whole-fat).

WIC, also known as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, provides supplemental nutritious food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to heath care and community resources to participants.

HRMC receives ADA recognition

ADA believes that this service offers highquality education that is an essential component of effective diabetes treatment.

Education Recognition status is verified by an official certificate from ADA and awarded for four years.

Cardiology services expand in Macon

Harris Regional Hospital, a Duke LifePoint hospital, is opening of a new office within Harris Medical Park of Franklin for Harris Cardiology.

The practice opened its doors in Franklin on March 12 as a full-service cardiology practice to serve Macon County residents. The hospital also established cardiac catheterization and monitoring clinic as part of the hospital’s expansion. To accommodate this growth and expansion of services, Dr. Scott Westermeyer will head the Franklin clinic.

Call 828.586.7654.

Mission children’s dental program

Mission Health, an operating division of HCA Healthcare based in Asheville, recently announced the transition of Mission Children’s Dental to Blue Ridge Health effective April 1.

This transition includes a donation from Mission Health of two dental buses for the continuation of the Toothbus program which offers education, prevention and complete dental care to patients who may experience issues accessing quality and affordable dental care.

Like other BRH dental clinics, patients at this location and those who utilize the Toothbus program will receive full-spectrum dental care services including preventative services and restorative treatments.

Call 828.692.4289 for scheduling and additional information.

Dr. Motts joins Harris Family Care

Harris Regional Hospital recently hired Dr. Jonathan Motts to join Harris Family Care – Cullowhee, a primary care practice located in Western Carolina University’s Health and Human Sciences Building.

Motts received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston before completing his family medicine residency at the Swedish Cherry Hill Rural Training Track based in Seattle and Port Angeles, Washington.

With Dr. Motts leading the clinic, Harris Family Care — Cullowhee will offer multiple service options to serve the Catamounts and surrounding community by providing quality care at the flexibility and convenience patients want. The clinic offers walk-in appointment availability, online scheduling, and telehealth options.

Call 828.631.8800 or visit www.myharrisregional.com to schedule an appointment.