Health News

Harris completes $8 million expansion

Harris Regional Hospital announces the completion of an $8 million expansion at Harris Regional Cancer Center featuring state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology to benefit patients and families across Western North Carolina.

Harris Regional Cancer Center is located at 14 Medical Park Loop on the Sylva campus.

Dr. David S. Thomas has been providing radiation therapy services at Harris Regional Cancer Center for more than two decades. Dr. Jarred Tanksley joined Dr. Thomas in July, having completed a residency in radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center, completing an internship in internal medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center, and receiving a medical degree from Vanderbilt University where he additionally earned a doctorate in cell and developmental biology.

“It is our privilege to serve the region with the latest technology in radiation therapy,” said Steve Heatherly, CEO of Harris Regional Hospital and Swain Community Hospital. “The new equipment and space at Harris Regional Cancer Center means we can care for patients with more advanced treatments, for more types of conditions, eliminating travel to distant locations.”

The completion of the expansion at Harris Regional Cancer Center will complement the hospital’s recent breast care initiative featuring the additions of specially-trained breast surgeon Dr. Allison Palumbo and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Ryan Marshall at Harris Surgical Associates, and 3-D mammography at Harris.

The renovation added more than 2,000 square feet to the building and included an aesthetic makeover of the existing 5,500 square feet.

Macon extends flu clinic

Macon County Public Health is extending its flu clinic through part of November. As part of the original fund that was allotted for COVID-19 emergency response, the county commissioners approved funding that will help to increase the coverage of citizens vaccinated against the seasonal flu by covering the cost of influenza vaccines for Macon County residents without insurance.

The flu shot clinics will be from 2 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, Nov. 9 and Nov. 18. No appointment is necessary to receive the vaccination.

Farmworker program gets grant

Vecinos Farmworker Health Program received a $35,000 grant from the Farmworker’s Pandemic Relief Fund that Hispanics in Philanthropy established with Justice for Migrant Women, to support relief efforts for farmworker families during the COVID-19 crisis.

Vecinos is a nonprofit health care organization addressing the wellness of farmworkers and their families with health care, education, community partnerships and advocacy across eight counties in Western North Carolina.

The grant funds will be distributed within the service region over a five-month period assisting farmworkers in paying bills, utilities and rent as well as basic supplies for families including food, diapers, formula and medical supplies.

The Vecinos medical and outreach teams have been working tirelessly to reach their regions farmworkers, providing education lessons and materials, medication, support supplies, and testing surrounding COVID-19 and other primary and behavior health care matters.

For more information, visit www.vecinos.org.

Enroll for diabetes prevention program

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) 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, yearlong program that gives participants the information and tools needed to maintain a healthy weight, prepare and eat healthy meals and be more physically active.

A new round of DPP classes will begin through Haywood County Health and Human Services (HHSA) on Oct. 27, 2020.

Thanks to a grant administered by NC State University, the classes are now free and will include incentives, such as food scales, resistance bands and cookbooks. Anyone interested in learning more about or participating in DPP can contact Megan Hauser at 828.356.2272. Clinicians are also welcome to refer patients who are either at increased risk or have been diagnosed with prediabetes to join DPP. Classes will be held using a virtual format.

Harris hires new neonatologist

Harris Regional Hospital recently hired board certified neonatologist Dr. Bernd Holler to the New Generations Family Birthing Center where he will lead inpatient neonatal and pediatric patient care.

Harris Regional Hospital is the only facility in the counties west of Jackson providing labor and delivery services. He attended the Christian Albrecht University in Kiel, Germany studying chemistry and medicine before coming to the United States. At Dartmouth/Hitchcock Medical Center he completed his pediatric residency.

He worked as a pediatrician in a rural setting in Northern Michigan for a number of years before returning for a fellowship in neonatalperinatal medicine at Michigan State University/Sparrow Hospital. Holler comes to Harris from San Antonio, Texas, where he worked at high acuity neonatal units for the past 16 years. Holler is certified by the American Board of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics.

For more information, view the New Generations Family Birthing Center information at www.myharrisregional.com.

Hospital urges flu vaccination

To minimize the spread of influenza this fall and winter, Haywood Regional Medical Center is encouraging all employees, medical personnel and community members to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older, with any age-appropriate flu vaccine. If you are considering a nasal spray flu vaccine, it is important to know that this option is approved by the CDC for use in non-pregnant individuals, ages two through 49, and that there is a precaution against this option for those with certain underlying medical conditions.

“There has never been a more important time to be proactive about protecting your health and the health of your family and loved ones,” said Susan Mahoney, chief nursing officer (CNO) at HRMC. “We know that getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent the flu and help you stay healthy this fall and winter.”

For more information about the flu and effective prevention methods, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

Haywood dietician has new certifications

Haywood Regional Medical Center dietitian Rebecca Rothwell recently completed courses to become certified in both celiac and FODMAP disorders. These certifications add to the skills available to patients utilizing HRMC’s nutrition services.

While celiac disease is relatively well known, the term FODMAP may be newer to the general public. FODMAP, or fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, are short-chain carbohydrates (sugars) that the small intestine absorbs poorly in some individuals. FODMAP diets are typically temporary; elimination diets to help patients determine which foods affect them poorly. It has also been shown to help with those that suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and that it can greatly improve those with GI symptoms related to IBS such as gas, bloating, pain or change in bowel habits.

For more information, call 828.452.8092 or 828.452.8084.

Harris adds staff to cancer center

Harris Regional Hospital recently hired Dr. Jarred Tanksley to Harris Regional Cancer Center.

Tanksley joins Dr. David S. Thomas in providing radiation oncology services to Western North Carolina. Tanksley completed a residency in radiation oncology at Duke University Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. He completed an internship in internal medicine at the University of Tennessee Medical Center after receiving his medical degree from Vanderbilt University where he additionally earned a doctorate in cell and developmental biology.

Harris Regional Cancer Center has served the region for decades, providing radiation therapy to patients facing a cancer diagnosis. The addition and renovation began in 2019 and includes new imaging and treatment modalities that will serve patients close to home with state-of-the-art technology.

Providers receive Medicaid support

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid) is extending temporary provider rate increases related to COVID-19 through the end of the federal COVID-19 public health emergency, which goes through Jan. 21, 2021.

This action will extend all COVID-19 rate increases currently in place, which means every Medicaid provider will continue to receive rates that are at least 5 percent greater than pre-COVID levels and some providers, such as nursing homes, who are experiencing very high additional costs due to COVID-19 will continue to receive even greater financial support.

Additional details and guidance are available at www.medicaid.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus.