March 2014
The first of a three-part guide to the lives and people of Wilson and surrounding areas for 2014.
Wilson Medical Center turns 50
WCS trains in CPR & AED
I Am Wilson Spotlights
2001 Downing Street, Wilson, NC 27893 www.wilsontimes.com
Publisher
Morgan Paul Dickerman, III
____________________ Advertising Director Shana Hoover (252) 265-7858 Fax (252) 243-2999 shana@wilsontimes.com
Account Executives Cynthia Collins (252) 265-7826 ccollins@wilsontimes.com Lisa Pearson (252) 265-7827 lpearson@wilsontimes.com At Land of Learning Child Care on Airport Rd., in Wilson, Sekreta Rawls reads to children in the 4 year old class. Land of Learning offers a curriculum emphasizing school readiness. Activities are based on the first half of kindergarten so students are prepared for entering school. Photograph by GéRaRD lanGE
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I am WIlson: Carol abrams
Teacher of the Year is a team player
WCs trains in CPR & aED
Wilson County schools initiates training program for emergency management I am WIlson: Roy Henderson
Principal of the Year
I am WIlson: Jennifer Clark
WCs Classified Employee of the Year I am WIlson: Richard Groskin
Criminal Justice & Criminology Professor at Barton college I am WIlson: Jordan lee
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Wilson medical Turns 50
Hospital staff reflect on growth and change over the past half century
WmC/Duke lifePoint merger
The north Carolina attorney General approves the merger of the two hospitals
Ten new doctors added in 2013
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I am WIlson: michelle Brown
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I am WIlson: Reggie Branch
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new Doctors in Wilson
City planner moves from Ca to Co to nC Police sergeant gives back to Wilson
Barton business student on the move Information on area schools, medical and governement contacts
An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
Wilson in pictures: snapshots of the people and places that make up Wilson.
Beth Robbins (252) 265-7849 brobbins@wilsontimes.com
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Contributors Writers Janelle Clevinger, LaMonique Hamilton Amanda Jenkins Jon Jimison, Gérard Lange Photography LaMonique Hamilton, Gérard Lange Amber McDaniels, Matt Shaw Keith Tew, Gray Whitley Graphic Design Gérard Lange
____________________ On the cover Toisnot Middle School Principal Ronnia Cockrell gets a lesson in CPR from Wilson County EMS Cpt. Brenda Dew. Photograph by GéRARD LANGe March 2014
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Between Wilson County Schools, Barton College, Wilson Community College and other private institutions, there are over 15,000 students in Wilson County — all of them learning and growing, for the benefit of themselves and for the future of Wilson. Photograph by Keith tew Barton College
Carol Abrams, Teacher of the Year, Credits Teamwork for Success HeR TeAM MAy NoT HAve A quARTeRBACK, A PoINT GuARD, AN oFFICIAL MASCoT, A FIGHT SoNG oR SCoRe A SINGLe PoINT oN A FIeLD, CouRT oR RINK, BuT FIFTH-GRADe SCHooL TeACHeR CARoL ABRAMS KNoWS HeR TeAM AT WeLLS eLeMeNTARy HAS A WINNING SeASoN eveRy yeAR
Carol Abrams Abrams, named Wilson County Schools 2013-14 Teacher of the year, is quick to point out that she is uncomfortable with that title, feeling that it should have been a team award to be shared with fellow Wells fifth-grade teachers Sandy Morgan, emily Beaman, and Natalie Mercer (who now serves in another capacity). “I really do wish this was a team teacher of the year award,” Abrams said. “My colleagues pick me up every day and because of this team and its passion, I am able to keep my passion. We brainstorm and collaborate constantly, so I really can’t take credit for this by myself.” Abrams also credits the school’s administration, Wendy Sullivan, principal, and Tonja Harris, assistant principal, with keeping all the teaching teams energized. “We are encouraged to be unique,” Abrams said. “our administrators really help teachers keep that creativity piece in our lives.” Abrams’ career has spanned 24 years with school systems in Texas, Durham and Wilson. She has seen many changes not only in curriculums, but in the teaching profession itself. “I recently attended a conference in Raleigh and we talked about elevating the teaching profession as a whole,” Abrams said. “We have noticed that the teaching profession isn’t as respected as it used to be. We need to make an effort to recruit new teachers and retain the teachers we have.” In keeping with her appreciation for teamwork, Abrams is excited to see a trend toward more collaboration between teachers. “Gone are the days when we go into the classroom and shut the doors, rarely speaking to other teachers,” Abrams said. “Now we constantly discuss what can be changed and what we can do to improve our teaching strategies. We need to find out what has worked and what hasn’t, and to do that you’ve got to be able to talk to other teachers.” Abrams teaches language arts and says that today’s students’ biggest struggles often revolve around reading comprehension, but it’s a problem An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
by Janelle Clevinger that has started long before fifth-grade. “I think that students coming to the fifth-grade unprepared are a problem, but they are also coming to kindergarten not ready,” Abrams said. “All teachers are struggling, and the new Common Core curriculum levels are set really high, which is great, but very difficult to achieve when the students are not even ready to start school.” Abrams’ dream is to see every student develop a love for reading. “our kids need to be reading books at all times,” Abrams said. “We need to have life-long readers so we work really hard to find books that the kids like to read and hold their interest.” “My students are used to me walking around the classroom and always asking, ‘What are you reading, what are you reading,’” Abrams added. When not working with her teammates at Wells elementary, Abrams and her husband Stan, an attorney in Durham, are involved in many other teams. All three of their children play various sports and the family attends North Carolina Tar Heel athletic events whenever possible. Son Jonathan, who now attends college, played three varsity sports in high school. Their oldest daughter Caroline, a junior in high school, plays volleyball, and eighth-grader Anna Grace plays soccer for the Capital Area Soccer League, which means extensive travel in order to watch her play. Looking back, Abrams can’t imagine working in any profession other than teaching. “Teaching is incredible,” Abrams said, “And I can’t believe I’ve been able to do it for 24 years.”
Carol Abrams
5th grade teacher Wells Elementary School
Carol Abrams 5th grade teacher,
Wells Elementary
March 2014
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WCS trains in CPR & AED
By Gérard Lange
wilson County Schools has trained over 150 employees in CPR and AeD In light of increased dangers to students across the country, the Wilson County School system has teamed up with Emergency Management, the Wilson Police Department and Wilson Community College to train employees to respond to dangerous situations. Some of this training has come in the form of lockdown, evacuation and shelter drills. Looking after the health and wellbeing of students the Safety Impact Team, led by WPD Major Scott Biddle has since launched an initiative to train staff in emergency management protocols including CPR and AED use. At this time between 150 and 200 employees are certified in these life-saving tools making the schools safer places to be. 6
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Training began in January 2013 in a general effort to make schools safer. Each school in the district prepares for worst-case scenarios in an effort to be prepared for anything. The result is an emergency management plan at each school. Of these plans, CPR and AED use are key components. “It is critical that there are people at each school that are certified,” said Eric Davis, assistant superintendent of Wilson County Schools. “Each school is required to have certified staff members and the principals identify individuals to be trained.” In fact a few principals
have had their entire staff trained with multiple certifications. Roy Henderson at Jones Elementary is one of those individuals. He initially became certified when serving as an assistant principal at Hunt High School. Tragically, a young basketball player suffered a heart attack and died on campus. This event raised his awareness on the need to have CPR certified staff at the school level. Mr. Henderson’s awareness paid off in his organization of a first response team at Jones. Recently a student experienced a cardiac event and stopped breathing. The
At Toisnot Middle School, Wilson County EMS officers demonstrate CPR techniques to school staff. Appearing here are Principal Ronnia Cockrell, left, Head Custodian Maria Valdez, EMS Cpt. Carlton Page, Toisnot Exceptional Children’s Teacher Veronica Brown, EMS Cpt. Brenda Dew, Toisnot School Resource Office Deputy Pete Cazares and Rodney Dancy, Community Preparedness Coordinator of Wilson County Emergency Management. Photograph by GéRARD LANGe
first responders on the scene saw to the child’s basic health and safety until the paramedics arrive. “There was nothing more that they could have done better,” Henderson said. Luckily the child survived the incident. “Afterwards, the staff came together to support each other,” Henderson continued, “this way they and the students were able to cope.” Training has now been facilitated through a partnership with Wilson Community College. Billy Langston, EMS Programs Coordinator arranges dates for instructors to conduct sessions with school staff on their campuses. This is done with the assistance of off duty EMS and public safety officers. “The program is a four hour course with video instruction, question and an-
swer sessions and practical exercise with a CPR mannequin,” Langston explained. When the course is completed Wilson County Schools employees earn an American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR and AED certification. Topics covered in the course include clearing obstructions from the airway of someone choking, CPR and AED use. The AED, automated external defibrillator, is a portable electronic device that diagnoses cardiac events and treats them through applied electrical currents in the effort to restart a normal heartbeat. During the event at Jones Elementary, Mr. Henderson, through his training, was able to use the AED machine to help save the student’s life. Each school now has an AED machine on site to as-
sist when necessary in the aid of students’ wellbeing. This is part of the operational emergency management plan the Safety Impact Team has implemented in each school. “Part of the program has been to establish the same protocols in each school,” said Davis. “This creates a common language from school to school and system to system. It is better if a group of people can work together to respond to a single incident.” Additionally, Wilson County Schools is striving to certify all of its bus drivers and bus monitors in CPR and AED use as well. Langston and his team will be conducting sessions during the summer bus training. This effort will continue to make Wilson County students safer should incidents arise.
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Roy Henderson, Principal of the Year, Coaches Staff Towards Student Success WILSoN CouNTy SCHooLS PRINCIPAL oF THe yeAR, Roy HeNDeRSoN HAS A vISIoN FoR STuDeNT GRoWTH, BuT PuTS THIS vISIoN INTo THe HANDS oF HIS TeACHeRS To MAKe THAT DeSIReD GRoWTH A ReALITy.
by Gérard Lange
Roy Henderson First and foremost the Jones elementary School principal sees himself as the champion of his teachers. “My job is to support them,” Henderson said. “When I get a call on the radio, my answer is always, ‘what do you need,’” Henderson said. “My teachers bring me their problems because they feel like they can talk about them, that their concerns matter.” Through an open leadership style Henderson creates an atmosphere where teachers can bring their own ideas to the table and see them come to fruition. “I try to always put their needs before my own and to provide them with what they request,” he continued. After receiving a BS in elementary education from Barton College in 1998, Henderson went on to teach math and science at Wells elementary in Wilson. In 2006, he earned his Masters of School Administration from eCu as part of the Principal Fellows Program. This program consisted of one year of coursework followed by a one-year internship. Since that time Henderson went on to serve as an assistant principal of Hunt High School and principal of Lee Woodard elementary. Now in his second year at Jones, Henderson is crafting innovative methods of fostering a desire to learn in the minds of his young charges. one way Henderson is fostering success is by looping and blocking different grade levels to streamline the education process. For younger students in the 2nd and 3rd grade the same teacher follows classes up the levels. “Looping” was not something that Henderson originated, but inherited from the former Jones principal. However, he has expanded the system to all grade levels. Initially there was some push back from the seasoned teachers. Now they embrace this idea because they see how beneficial it is for the students. The biggest benefit of this programming is that it allows teachers to collaborate with each other, building on their joint efforts. This model is supported by extensive team building exercises allowing teachers to grow together. Henderson explains this as, “vertical planning that focus efforts on long term planning for student growth.” In learning communities, pairs and teams, teachers work on curriculums that span grades levels (i.e. K, 1, 2 and 1, 2, 3), streaming up and down the ladder. “This pushes teachers out of comfort zones,” Henderson said, “But it helps them grow in their profession.” Repetition plays a key part of this process as concepts are introduced at earlier levels, then repeated at upper levels.
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Also in this model older students have the opportunity to help teach their younger peers. one of Henderson’s teachers has students take turns wearing an “ask me” visor. If a student needs help with a problem they are first directed to ask the “ask me” student, before the teacher will answer them directly. “Having students repeat their knowledge to others is a strong method of remembering,” Henderson said. Henderson believes in an up and active learning environment. “If the students are sitting still there must be a reason for it,” he added. Another approach Henderson has fostered at Jones is the grouping of students by common yet varying skill levels. In this instructional method, students with common problems are moved into the same classroom. When individuals have mastered the topic, they get moved into a different group. Individualizing instruction in this way encourages students to grow while not being intimidated. Current projects Henderson is engaging are a community outreach for dads and their children, teaching students to communicate through writing and focused emphasis on science. For this latter part Jones has a dedicated science teacher that works with the regular classroom teachers. ultimately, Henderson is after forming his school into as positive an environment as possible. Following in the footsteps from an old principal Henderson served under, he wants his people happy. “I want my teachers happy, I want my staff happy, I want my kids happy.” extending this happiness to both students and teachers makes everyone want to contribute and have ownership over the entire school. Leading by example Henderson is not afraid to push a broom, climb a ladder, teach a class or answer a phone. “It is important for my staff to see that I am willing to do their job,” Henderson said. “There is no one person in this school that is more important than any other.”
Roy Henderson
Principal, Jones Elementary School
Wilson County PubliC sChools BARNeS eLeMeNTARy, 1913 MARTIN LuTHeR KING, JR. PKWy e, WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7875 BeDDINGFIeLD HIGH, 4510 oLD STANToNSBuRG RD., WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 3997880 DANIeLS LeARNING CeNTeR, 723 eLvIe ST., WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7900 DARDeN MIDDLe, 1665 LIPSCoMB RoAD WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 206-4973 eLM CITy eLeMeNTARy, 5544 LAKe WILSoN RD. eLM CITy, NC 27822 (252) 236-4574 eLM CITy MIDDLe, 215 e. CHuRCH ST. eLM CITy, NC 27822 (252) 236-4148 FIKe HIGH SCHooL, 500 HARRISoN DR. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7905 FoReST HILLS MIDDLe, 1210 FoReST HILLS RD., WILSoN, NC 27896 (252) 399-7913
GARDNeRS eLeMeNTARy, 5404 NC 42 HWy. eAST eLM CITy, NC 27822 (252) 399-7920
SPRINGFIeLD MIDDLe, 5551 WIGGINS MILL RoAD LuCAMA, NC 27851 (252) 239-1347
HeARNe eLeMeNTARy, 300 W. GoLD ST. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7925
STANToNSBuRG eLeMeNTARy, 409 S. MAIN ST. STANToNSBuRG, NC 27883 (252) 238-3639
HuNT HIGH SCHooL, 4559 LAMM RD. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7930 JoNeS eLeMeNTARy, 4028 HWy. 42 W. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 265-4020 Lee WooDARD eLeMeNTARy, 103 CHuRCH ST. BLACK CReeK, NC 27813 (252) 399-7940 LuCAMA eLeMeNTARy, 6260 BLALoCK RD. LuCAMA, NC 27851 (252) 239-1257 NeW HoPe eLeMeNTARy, 4826 PACKHouSe RD. WILSoN, NC 27896 (252) 399-7950 RoCK RIDGe eLeMeNTARy, 6605 RoCK RIDGe RD. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7955 SPeIGHT MIDDLe, 5514 oLD STANToNSBuRG RoAD WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 238-3983
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ToISNoT MIDDLe, 1301 CoRBeTT Ave. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7973
Winstead Elementary students and staff celebrated “Dream Day,” on Monday, January 20, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Farmington Heights hosted and sponsored activities, games and food for all involved as part of their partnership with the school. Photograph contributed by WIlson CounTY sCHools
vICK eLeMeNTARy, 504 N CARRoLL ST. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7886 vINSoN-ByNuM eLeMeNTARy, 1601 TARBoRo ST., SW, WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7981 WeLLS eLeMeNTARy, 1400 GRove ST. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7986 WILSoN eARLy CoLLeGe ACADeMy, 902 HeRRING Ave. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 246-1418 WINSTeAD eLeMeNTARy, 1713 DoWNING ST. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 399-7990
Twenty-two Wilson County Schools teachers attended a week-long North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) seminar, “Teamwork and Leadership from the Edge: Turning Challenge into Opportunity”, in Ocracoke, NC. The group of teachers, most of which are current or former school-level Teachers of the Year, participated in a variety of activities to strengthen their leadership in the classroom. Attendees included Tomekia Brown, Barnes Elementary; Mara Springs and Amber Godwin, Beddingfield High; Jennifer Parker, Darden Middle; Misty Parris, Elm City Elementary; Melodie Bullock, Elm City Middle; Dulce Rodriguez Wester, Fike High; Ashley Mata, Gardners Elementary; Tanya Arrington, Hearne Elementary; Nancy Dickerson, Hunt High; Renee Brown, Jones Elementary; Brenda Kirby, Lee Woodard Elementary; Melissa Wilber, Lucama Elementary; Esperanza Chavez, Rock Ridge Elementary; Nicole Hunt, New Hope Elementary; Christine Baugh, Speight Middle; Deedra Wood, Stantonsburg Elementary;Veronica Brown, Toisnot Middle; Sarah Ramos,Vick Elementary; Pam Currie,Vinson-Bynum Elementary; Carol Abrams, Wells Elementary; and Cynthia Godwin, Winstead Elementary. Photograph contributed by WIlson CounTY sCHools March 2014
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Wilson County Private sChools CoMMuNITy CHRISTIAN SCHooL 5160 PACKHouSe RD. WILSoN, NC 27896 (252) 399-1376
WILSoN CHRISTIAN ACADeMy 1820 AIRPoRT BLvD. WILSoN, NC 27893 (252) 237-8064
GReeNFIeLD SCHooL 3351 NC HIGHWAy 42 WeST WILSoN, NC 27895 (252) 237-8046
GARNeTT CHRISTIAN ACADeMy 4747 LAKe WILSoN RD. eLM CITy, NC (252) 237-8668
Harrison Barnett, a kindergarten student at Wilson Christian Academy, poses with the Chargers cheerleaders at a fundraiser students organized on his behalf. Harrison, who was born with hypoplastic kidneys, contracted a rare infection in November. A highpower antibiotic Harrison was given resulted in him losing his hearing. The event raised over $13,000 for Harrison’s family.
Wilson Times file photo by GRAy WHITLey
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It’s not hard to see why Jennifer Clark was named Wilson County Schools Classified Employee of the Year. Her warm spirit and bubbly character connects with children. by LaMonique hamilton
Jennifer Clark FoR THe PAST FouR yeARS, JeNNIFeR CLARK HAS BeeN eNRICHING THe LIveS oF CHILDReN AT RoCK RIDGe eLeMeNTARy SCHooL AS AN ASSISTANT TeACHeR. SHe WAS A voLuNTeeR FoR SeveRAL yeARS PRIoR To HeR GoING INTo THe CLASSRooM FuLL TIMe. WHeN HeR THRee SoNS GoT oLDeR, SHe TooK THe LeAP INTo eDuCATIoN. The thing one notices right away about Clark is her genuine love and concern for the children. She says that the most rewarding part of being an educator is, “knowing that these kids come to us, and we’re preparing them for their future.” Children spend more of their waking hours in school than at home, and the impact of that is not lost on Clark. “We have an important role, not only for academics, but also for social development. It is important for them to know that we care.” Clark says that she loves to see her former students do well. “Even when they move on, we can see the tools we’ve given them empower them to want more.” They are excited to tell her about their grades, their friends, and their activities. “They know I care about what they are doing. Even as adults, we want to know that somebody is thinking about us who really wants the best for us.” Clark’s passion for education and desire to see all children succeed has prompted her to An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
Jennifer Clark
Assistant Teacher Rock Ridge Elementary
go back to school to earn her teaching degree. She wants to be a part of the growth and development of Wilson County Schools. She believes wholeheartedly that all children have the ability to learn, and is a proponent of individualized instruction. Her dedication to Wilson County Schools is personal. Not only are her sons in the school system, but she is also a product of Wilson County Schools. “It’s nice to be able to give back to the same school system that has given to me. It’s one of the nice things about growing up in a place like Wilson.” It’s not hard to see why Jennifer Clark was named Wilson County Schools Classified Employee of the Year. Her warm spirit and bubbly character connects with children. One of her students said it best. “Ms. Clark is nice, nice nice!” March 2014
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barton College information What will it take to achieve your dreams? A strong academic foundation. Leadership opportunities. Hands-on experiences. Honest advice. Valuable resources. Professional contacts. Personal connections. Look no further than Barton College. Whether your goals are clear or still a little undefined, Barton delivers the best combination for success. Need proof? Consider our graduates. They’ll be the first to tell you just how well Barton prepared them for the work they’re doing…and the lives they’re living…right now. Barton inspires.
WWW.bArton.EDu
vital stats
Photograph courtesy of BARToN CoLLeGe
President: Dr. Norval C. Kneten Status: Private, co-educational, liberal arts college Campus size: 65 acres Mascot: Bulldogs Fall enrollment 2013: 1122 Full-time Faculty: 69 Student/Faculty Ratio: 12:1 Average Class size: 15 Church Affiliation: Christian (Disciples of Christ) Athletic Affiliation: Member NCAA Division II Conference Affiliation: Conference Carolinas
major Programs ACCouNTING ART & DeSIGN ART eDuCATIoN (K-12) ATHLeTIC TRAINING BIoLoGy BuSINeSS ADMINISTRATIoN CHeMISTRy CRIMINAL JuSTICe AND CRIMINoLoGy eDuCATIoN oF THe DeAF & HARD oF HeARING (K-12) eLeMeNTARy eDuCATIoN (K-6) eNGLISH FITNeSS MANAGeMeNT GeRoNToLoGy HeALTH AND PHySICAL eDuCATIoN (K-12) 12
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HISToRy MASS CoMMuNICATIoNS MATHeMATICS MIDDLe SCHooL eDuCATIoN (6-9) NuRSING PoLITICAL SCIeNCe PSyCHoLoGy ReLIGIoN & PHILoSoPHy SoCIAL STuDIeS SeCoNDARy eDuCATIoN SoCIAL WoRK SPANISH SPeCIAL eDuCATIoN (K-12) SPoRT MANAGeMeNT THeATRe vISuAL CoMMuNICATIoNS
degrees BACHeLoR oF ARTS BACHeLoR oF FINe ARTS BACHeLoR oF LIBeRAL STuDIeS BACHeLoR oF SCIeNCe BACHeLoR oF SCIeNCe IN NuRSING BACHeLoR oF SCIeNCe IN SoCIAL WoRK MASTeR oF eDuCATIoN IN eLeMeNTARy eDuCATIoN
aCCelerated Programs
A perfect complement to Barton’s traditional full-time academic program, the College’s Accelerated Professional Programs (APP) now provide expanded options for our adult students, specifically designed with the working adult in mind. Barton’s Accelerated Professional Programs now include online and evening courses in addition to weekend classes, giving adults more choices in completing their degrees.
APP offerings include Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in: Accounting, Business Administration, Birth-Kindergarten education (B-K), elementary education (K-6), Special education: General Curriculum (K-12), and Gerontology; an R.N. to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree; and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (B.S.W.) degree. For additional information, please contact the office of Accelerated Professional Programs by phone, at 1-800-345-4973, email: accelerate@barton.edu, or visit on the web: www.barton.edu or through the app: http://www.barton.edu/app
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Criminal Justice and Criminology Professor imparts both his expertise and his jovial nature onto his students. by LaMonique hamilton
Richard Groskin DR. RICHARD GRoSKIN SAyS THAT He HAS HAD A CAReeR IN ReveRSe. He STARTeD IN ACADeMIA IN HIS eARLy TWeNTIeS, AND WAS SooN MADe A DePARTMeNT CHAIR AT LeBANoN vALLey CoLLeGe. He HAS HeLD NuMeRouS IMPReSSIve TITLeS DuRING HIS CAReeR IN CRIMINoLoGy AND CRIMINAL JuSTICe – INCLuDING CHIeF INveSTIGAToR FoR THe HouSe JuDICIARy CoMMITTee’S SuBCoMMITTee oN CRIMe, DIReCToR oF CRIMINAL JuSTICe AT THe uNIveRSITy oF ToLeDo, AND FoRMeR DeAN oF THe SCHooL oF BeHAvIoRAL SCIeNCeS AT BARToN CoLLeGe. HoWeveR, THe TITLe He MoST TReASuReS IS THe oNe He NoW HoLDS AS A FuLL PRoFeSSoR AND DIReCToR oF CRIMINAL JuSTICe AND CRIMINoLoGy AT BARToN. IN SHoRT, GRoSKIN LoveS BeING A TeACHeR. Groskin’s enthusiasm for Criminology is infectious. It doesn’t take much for one to be drawn in to his stories, which are at the same time lecture and history lesson. He imparts both his expertise and his jovial nature onto his students. “This is how I become immortal. Immortality is what you pass on to your students, because they will pass it on to the community.” Barton and the Wilson community have a lot to do with the success of the Criminal Justice and Criminology program, says Groskin. “There is a high level of professionalism here. You don’t find that very often.” He says the accessibility of the Wilson Police Department and the Juvenile Justice program allow his students to have access with people that they would never be able to develop relationships with in a metropolitan area or a larger school. The community has not hesitated to come into his classroom as guest speakers or lecturers. Groskin believes that this ability to learn within the Wilson community while in the program is why many of his graduates choose to stay in Wilson post14
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graduation, even if they originally lived out of state. His department boasts an impressive 93% retention rate. “The atmosphere at Barton is like being a part of a big family. I believe the students feel that as well. Being able to work so closely with the students and the community goes a long way in creating student leadership development.” A member of several boards and committees in Wilson, such as the Wilson Gang Task Force and Wilson Youth United, Groskin believes in pouring into the community. He feels that Wilson is a wonderful place to raise a family, and his daughter is a Barton College graduate. “You can get traction in a community like Wilson.” He is excited to see his students coming back to teach. He knows that he has instilled high standards in them, and feels that they will pass those standards on to those they teach. In this way, Dr. Groskin has achieved immortality.
Richard Groskin
Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology Barton College
After graduation Barton College student Jordan Lee plans to move to Palm Springs, Florida, where she has already accepted a position with a Fortune 500 company. by Janelle Clevinger
Jordan Lee JoRDAN Lee HAS TAKeN FuLL ADvANTAGe oF THe “BARToN exPeRIeNCe” AND AS A ReSuLT HeR FuTuRe IS veRy BRIGHT. AN ACCouNTING AND BuSINeSS MAJoR, AS WeLL AS AN ATHLeTe WHo PLAyS BoTH voLLeyBALL AND BASKeTBALL, SHe THRIveS oN STAyING BuSy. Lee describes her years at Barton with genuine fondness. “The family atmosphere that you experience here, and professors who really take a personal interest in their students, give you the opportunity to succeed and achieve.” Lee counts it among the benefits of attending a small college that she has received one-on-one attention, and feels that she could have easily gotten lost at a larger university. As a student athlete, she has very little, if any, down time. Lee admits that she had to learn time management skills in order to get everything done to the best of her ability. “I became a post-it note freak.” At one time, she even managed her rigorous academic schedule, her athletic schedule, and two jobs. Lee says, “It’s the hardest I ever had to work, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” Somehow, she still manages to fit in quality time with her friends. She is very close with the girls on the volleyball team, and meets with them once a week. They eat pizza and watch movies. She also has a job An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
Jordan Lee
Business Student Barton College
working for an accounting firm in Wilson. Lee credits her mom with holding her accountable. Her family is close knit and loving. “If I were to need anything at all, anyone in my family would do it for me.” She is the first member of her immediate family to complete a four-year degree. After graduation, Lee plans to move to Palm Springs, Florida, where she has already accepted a position with a Fortune 500 company. She says the opportunity is a “dream come true.” She also plans to begin training as a bodybuilder upon moving. “Fitness is a priority for me. I love anything sports-related.” Last year, Lee was Chief Marshal for the junior class. This year, she hopes to maintain her straight-A status so she can graduate at the top of her class. In the next five years, she plans to earn her CPA license, MBA, and eventually a JD in Taxation. She knows that she is blessed, and says, “If you work hard, and do the things you need to do, things will fall into place. Life comes at you, but what is meant to be will be.” March 2014
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Wilson Community College information 902 HErrinG AvEnuE P.o. box 4305, Wilson, nC 27893 252-291-1195 | FAx 252-243-7148 WWW.WilsonCC.EDu ADuLT HIGH SCHooL/GeD 246-1253
CuRRICuLuM PRoGRAMS 246-1351
PuBLIC ReLATIoNS 246-1293
ADMISSIoNS 246-1285
FINANCIAL AID 246-1274
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Wilson Community College provides accessible, studentcentered academic and personal enrichment opportunities. Wilson Community College enhances lifelong learning through college transfer, technical, vocational, and adult education programs. Wilson Community College meets the needs of the community through innovative leadership. Photograph courtesy of WIlson CommunITY CollEGE
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The names have changed and so have some of the faces since Wilson Medical Center opened its doors nearly 50 years ago. What remains the same is their commitment to patient care. Join Wilson Medical Center as they celebrate 50 years of caring for the Wilson community on September 1, 2014. Photographs contributed by wiLSon MeDiCAL CenteR
Peggy Bunn, left, and Carolyn Whitley experienced the transition to the new hospital in 1964. Photograph by GRaY WHITlEY
Opposite Nancy Duncan, R.N. and Nancy Baldree answer telephones at the 2nd floor nurses’ station.
Photograph contributed by WIlson mEDICal CEnTER
Wilson Medical Center turns 50 By Amanda Jenkins
The last 50 years at Wilson Medical Center has seen babies born, loved ones passing, sick bodies healed, and friendships made. The hospital employees probably realize this more than most people because they see it every day they go to work.
An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
Two ladies that worked at Wilson Medical Center when it first opened 50 years ago sat down and reminisced about their experiences over the years. Carolyn Whitley worked as a nurse, retiring in 2005, and Peggy Bunn worked in administration, retiring in 2007. They both agree that there was a lot of humor to offset the stress during the transition of moving into the new hospital in 1964. “That hospital has impacted many lives over the years. It’s historical,” said Bunn. Both employees worked at Woodard Herring Hospital when the three local hospitals merged into one, which is now Wilson Medical Center. The other two local hospitals that merged were Carolina General and Mercy Hospital. “It was an absolute community effort,” said Whitley of the move into the new facility. She helped to move the patients from Woodard Herring to Wilson Medical. Woodard Herring had reduced their census, and the remaining patients were re-admitted to Wilson Medical, which was called Wilson Memorial
at one time. Even local drug representatives came in and counted every pill that was transferred to the new hospital pharmacy. She said it was a well arranged move, and all patients were served lunch on their first day open. There were so many changes to adapt to with the merger. Mercy Hospital served the African-American population in Wilson. Some nurses had never taken care of an integrated patient base until the merger. African American nurses from Mercy transferred to the new facility also, but the hospital was still segregated until 1966. Whitley and Bunn remember the new facility’s amenities. One advantage was the elevator system. They enjoyed only having to push a button to go to another floor. At Woodard Herring, the elevator ran on hydraulics. They had to pull a chain to get the hydraulics to work and could hear water moving around when they were in the elevator car. Sometimes the car didn’t level off with the floor when March 2014
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The original hospital nursing staff. EDICal CEnTER
Photograph contributed by WIlson m
they were ready to exit. Bunn recalls that the registrar took patients up to their rooms when the new hospital first opened. She registered a patient and took him to his room. When she was en route back to her desk, the elevator opened to a dark dietary section of the hospital. She recalls with humor that she had lost her way in the new and vast facility. The structure of the administration process changed dramatically too. In the past, bills were individually tabulated by hand with the charges being done on a tape and picked up by courier. Every chart was figured by hand. At the new facility, the charges went on a reel tape, and everything didn’t have to be figured by hand. Another advantage was the appearance of the new hospital lobby which made a lasting impression on Whitley and Bunn. They both talked about how pretty it was with its beautiful lamps and a nice divider. And the hospital cafeteria was “almost like a new restaurant� in town. The dining room was full on Sundays. And doctors brought their families there for lunch after church. Not long after its opening, the hospital opened a
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Betsy King
(252) 291-3824 blbk53bc89@yahoo.com
coffee shop that was open late at night after the cafeteria closed. It was a gathering place for Emergency Medical Services providers, policemen, and county workers. Some of the other amenities included a central call system with an intercom, good lighting, and a phone for every employee. There were challenges that went along with the advantages of the move. The needs were too demanding for everything to be done because the hospital was short-staffed. The procedures for ordering medicines were different, so it took a little longer to get stat medicine from the hospital pharmacy instead of the cabinet in the nurses’ area. Prisoners were the launderers at the hospital. There were guards that watched them as they worked. Notes were found in bed sheets from the prisoners, and special attention was then focused to remove any notes that may have been folded into the laundry. Food trays were delivered by the nurses at first, taking up valuable time. The trays were later delivered and picked up by a group of ladies hired to take care of that. Bunn remembers the first night that she worked at the hospital, and administration was looking for a can opener for some reason. “It took everybody to accomplish the mission,” she said. The hospital brought unity to the employees, the medical staff, and the community. Whitley added that everybody pitched in to make sure the patients were safe and fed. “There was always a bond that might not have been with people that came later.” And there was a relief when the hospital was opened. “It was a whole building of new toys: centralized supplies, a pharmacy, and built-in suction and oxygen,” said Whitley. The students at Wilson School of Nursing benefited from the new facility also. A new building on the hospital property housed the students, and they moved around the same time that the new hospital opened. The An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
last class graduated in 1973. Whitley and Bunn have seen lots of changes and have lots of memories over the years. And healthcare in itself has changed dramatically. Bunn said that for the last several years, patient care at Wilson Medical has been at its best. It’s no reflection on the past, just great advances in technology, procedures, and services. Whitley remembers the transition to packaged syringes from metal syringes that required sterilization after each use. Since then, different advances have greatly influenced patient care. There are different specialties and advanced surgical procedures that require less healing time. And nursing home expertise, rehabilitation facilities, skill care, and care in assisted living situations that were not available before, shorten the length of stay for the patient in the hospital. Services have triaged into special care. And medical technology is almost beyond imagination. Even nurses’ notes are computerized now, and bedside computers with the patients’ medicine use, laboratory results, and x-rays are used for patient treatment. “We were blessed to have this hospital,” said Bunn, who lost her husband last October. They spent a lot of time at the hospital and were grateful for doctors that specialized and visited the hospital from other hospitals. Whitley said that the hospital has united people. Friendships have been made not only between the staff but with patients too. Marriages have even resulted from friendships made. She summed up the years saying, “There was sadness. That’s life. There’s birth and death and a lot of pleasure in between.” With talk of more changes coming for the hospital, it could be about to experience a new beginning. With a large percentage of buyout by Duke LifePoint, the future is a clear slate. Looking back, Wilson Medical will always have a past that has made a difference in the Wilson community. It’s a new era once again.
Top Jeanne Lafferty, R.N. and social worker Jane Brinson at work in the nursery. Above Occupational therapist Barbara Robl works with patient Bob Watson. Photographs contributed by WIlson mEDICal CEnTER
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Wilson mediCal Center ContaCt info GEnErAl inFormAtion & sWitCHboArD 252-399-8040 Photograph by Gérard Lange
CEntrAlizED sCHEDulinG 252-399-8900 tHE GroWinG trEE 252-399-8438 HEAltH inFormAtion/ mEDiCAl rECorDs 252-399-8120
nEW HoPE PrimAry CArE FAmily mEDiCinE NADINe SKINNeR, M.D., BeCKy BuCKNeR, PA-C 4845 NASH ST NW, SuITe A 252-243-0053 onColoGy nursE nAviGAtor 252-399-7470
HosPiCE/HomE CArE oF Wilson mEDiCAl CEntEr 252-399-8924
outPAtiEnt imAGinG CEntEr 252-399-7430
HumAn rEsourCEs 252-399-8136
PAstorAl CArE 252-399-8959 PAtiEnt FinAnCiAl sErviCEs MAIN NuMBeR 252-399-8151 ADMITTING oFFICe 252-399-8152
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PulmonAry AssoCiAtEs oF Wilson SAyeeD HoSSAIN, M.D. 1700 TARBoRo ST., SuITe 200 252-399-5308 rEHAb sErviCEs 252-399-8147 visitor AssistAnCE 252-399-8107 voluntEEr sErviCEs 252-399-8770 WilmED nursinG CArE & rEHAbilitAtion CEntEr 252-399-8998
Wilson Ent & sinus CEntEr KeN JoHNSoN, M.D. 1700 TARBoRo ST., SuITe 100 252-399-5300 Wilson GAstroEntEroloGy LouIS ANTIGNANo, M.D. 2605 FoReST HILLS RoAD 252-243-7977 Wilson nEuroloGy BeNJAMIN THoMAS, M.D. 1700 TARBoRo ST., SuITe 200 252-399-5306 Wilson rADiAtion onColoGy 252-399-7400
Wilson rEGionAl CAnCEr CEntEr 252-399-8822 Wilson WounD HEAlinG CEntEr 1701 MeDICAL PARK DRIve, WILSoN, N.C. 252-399-5302
Wilson Medical, Duke LifePoint Hospital Merger Approved The North Carolina attorney general’s office has signed off on the Wilson Medical Center-Duke LifePoint merger. Clearing this last major hurdle allows Duke LifePoint to acquire 80 percent of Wilson Medical Center. State law required hospital officials to notify the attorney general of the proposed transfer of assets from Wilson Medical Center and WilMed Generations Inc. to DLP Healthcare LLC to form a joint venture. Specifically, Wilson Holding Co. will own 20 percent of the joint venture and Duke LifePoint will own the remaining 80 percent. Special Deputy Attorney General Phil Telfer of the Consumer Protection Division said regulators considered the initial information submitted, additional information provided in follow-up requests, information provided in a Jan. 22 meeting and information provided by other sources. Wilson Medical Center CEO Rick Hudson said WilMed officials are pleased the process has come to a successful conclusion. The hospital received word of the decision late Wednesday. “We are looking forward to the partnership and growing and strengthening the hospital for the future,” Hudson said. The process has been long, Hud-
An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
son noted. “We have been in that holding pattern for a long time, and it has been a great relief,” Hudson said. Hudson officially retires as CEO on Feb. 28, the day of closing. But he’ll stay on for six months to help with closing and post-closing work. After that is completed, he’s looking at leadership and consulting work. “This wraps up our review of the proposed sale,” said Noelle Talley, spokeswoman for Attorney General Roy Cooper and the N.C. Department of Justice. Duke LifePoint officials weighed in on the completion of the Attorney General’s review. “We are very pleased that the attorney general of North Carolina has completed his review of the joint venture transaction between Duke LifePoint Healthcare and Wilson Medical Center,” said Diane Huggins, vice president of corporate communications for LifePoint Hospitals. “With the completion of this milestone, we are moving forward quickly to complete the transaction. We look forward to the opportunity to work together to strengthen and enhance health services to the community.” An interim leader will come to Wilson Medical Center on Feb. 27 for the first 30 to 60 days, Hudson said. Officials haven’t named that person. “I feel very comfortable they have given it a thorough review,” Hudson said, noting aspects of the transaction were similar to the Duke LifePoint joint venture with Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson.
REGULATORS WEIGH IN Attorney general officials said they considered the valuation conducted by CBIZ Valuation Group, LLC. “You have represented that this valuation was not shared with DLP during negotiations,” a letter from Telfer to hospital attorney Thomas Stukes said. “Further, you have represented that the valuation was completed before any documents binding WMC to the joint venture were signed. We note that CBIZ had access to WMC’s annual reports and internal financial statements when it conducted its valuation.” Regulators noted hospital officials said that the transaction was conducted at arm’s length and that no present board members or highlevel WilMed employees will benefit personally from the transaction. “With regard to the continued provision of medical care to the entire community, including indigent care, you have assured us that such care will continue,” Telfer said. “Specifically, the agreements between the parties provide that the hospital’s current indigent care policy will continue and the reverter required by the county requires non-discrimination in serving the public, provision of Medicare/Medicaid services and continued hospital services in medical-surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, outpatient and emergency treatment. Further, the reverter provides that the joint venture will not dissolve without a successor corporation to carry out the requirements of the conveyance.” State regulators noted the transaction does not affect the Wilson Medical Foundation Inc. and that
By Jon Jimison
none of the proceeds will flow to the foundation. “WMC has represented that it is unknown at this time whether the Foundation will continue and, if not, how its proceeds would be distributed,” Telfer said. “However, should the Foundation be dissolved, you have represented that any surplus assets would be donated to successor nonprofit charities.” Telfer said the attorney general’s office does not object to the transaction proposed provided: • “The assets from the transfer are used in accordance with the representations made to our office on the use of the funds and in a manner consistent with the nonprofit status of WMC.” • “The parties provide medical services and, in particular, indigent and charity care services, to those currently served by WMC.” • “The joint venture provide to the attorney general’s staff an annual accounting showing the dollar value of indigent and charity care services provided by the joint venture along with a comparison of the dollar value of such services currently provided by WMC and WilMed Generations, Inc.” • “WMC notify the attorney general’s staff regarding any decisions with regard to the continuation of the Wilson Medical Foundation, Inc. or the distribution of its assets.” • “The joint venture notify the Attorney General’s staff at least 30 days prior to any change in the ownership structure of the joint venture.” “We’ll continue to monitor the items laid out at the end of the letter,” Talley said.
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New Doctors in Wilson
Wilson Medical Center welcomed 10 new faces to its staff of physicians in 2013
Amber Allen, M.D. Wilson Surgical Associates 130 Glendale Drive West (252) 399-7557 Medical degree: University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Fellowship: in minimally invasive surgery at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. Dr. Allen is board certified in general surgery. Residency: UNC Hospitals.
Alvin Antony, M.D. Carolina Sports and Spine 2401-J Wooten Boulevard (252) 442-4024 Medical degree/internship: University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Antony is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain medicine. Residency: UNC Hospitals. Fellowship in Sports and Spine Medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC.
Lauren Bollenback, D.M.D. Wilson Pediatric Dentistry 2401-F Wooten Boulevard (252) 291-4300 Medical degree: University of Florida College of Dentistry‚ Residency: in pediatric dentistry at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Dr. Bollenback is board certified in pediatric dentistry.
Lillian Burke, M.D. Eastern Institute of Medical Sciences, 2080 W. Arlington Blvd., Suite B, (252) 321-1803 Medical degree: University of Minnesota School of Medicine‚ Internship/residency: University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Burke is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology.
Benjamin Coulter, M.D. Eastern Carolina Pathology 2693-B Forest Hills Road SW (252) 234-2841 Medical degree: Wake Forest University School of Medicine‚ Residency/fellowship: Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Coulter is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology.
Rollin Desauguste, M.D. Vidant Medical Group at Wilson Medical Center‚ 1705 Tarboro Street SW (252) 399-8040 Medical degree/internship: State University of Haiti. Dr. Desauguste is board certified in internal medicine. Residency: Brox-Lebanon Hospital Center. 24 March 2014
Nirav Jasani, M.D. In practice with Will Bynum, M.D., 1700 Tarboro Street, Suite 103, (252) 293-9898 Medical degree: Pramukh Swami Medical College in India. Dr. Jasani is board certified in internal medicine and nephrology. Internship/Residency: Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey, Fellowship in Nephrology at East Carolina University.
Cyrus Manavi, M.D. Eastern Carolina Pathology 2693-B Forest Hills Road SW (252) 234-2841 Medical degree: Brody School of Medicine‚ Residency: in anatomic and clinical pathology at Wake Forest University. Dr. Manavi is board certified in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology and hematopathology. Fellowship in general surgical pathology and hematopathology at Wake Forest University.
Cassandra Moore, M.D. Southeastern Medical Oncology Center‚ 2410 Montgomery Drive‚ (252) 293-0777 Medical degree: University of New Mexico‚ Internship/ residency: University of Massachusetts. Dr. Moore is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology. Fellowship: Duke University.
Indira Velasquez, M.D. Vidant Medical Group at Wilson Medical Center‚ 1705 Tarboro Street SW‚ (252) 399-8040 Medical degree: Instituto Tecnologico de Santo Domingo‚ Dr. Velasquez is board certified in internal medicine. Residency: Mount Sinai School of Medicine in NYC.
Dr. Talks Dr. Talks began as a way for Wilson Medical Center to educate the public about physicians practicing in the area, trends in health care treatment and services they offer at the hospital. It is one of the hospital’s community benefits. Dr. Talks is a free and open educational forum and is held on Tuesdays each month at 7 p.m. in the Wilson Medical Center auditorium. For more information or to pre-register, call Marketing & Development Assistant Sue Barnes at 252-399-8478.
March 11 – Louis Antignano, M.D. Wilson Gastroenterology April 8 – Kenneth Johnson, M.D. Wilson ENT & Sinus Center May 13 – Ben Thomas, M.D. Wilson Neurology
Clockwise from top-right: Drs. Louis Antignano, Ben Thomas, Jobe Metts III, James Rounder, Kenneth Johnson and Scott Smith
September 9 – Jobe Metts III, M.D., and James Rounder, M.D. Wilson Urology October 14 – Nirav Jasani, M.D. In practice with Will Bynum, M.D. November 11 – Scott Smith, M.D. Southeastern Medical Oncology Center
Blood Drives
Held in the Wilson Medical Center auditorium from noon to 6 p.m.
March 19 May 14 July 16 September 10 November 19 An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
SATURDAY, MARCH 8 10 am to 5 pm
Wilson Recreation Center 500 Sunset Road, Wilson
JUST FOR KIDS! Children’s area designed
Photograph contributed by MAtt ShAw, CitY oF wiLSon 26
March 2014
City planner Michelle Brown finds her way to Wilson
by Janelle Clevinger
Michelle Brown AFTeR GRoWING uP IN SuNNyvALe, CA AND THeN LIvING IN CoLoRADo FoR 10 yeARS, MICHeLLe BRoWN IS NoW PuTTING DoWN RooTS IN WILSoN. AND RooTS ARe IMPoRTANT To BRoWN AS SHe IS A TRAINeD FIeLD BIoLoGIST. Brown now works as a planner for the City of Wilson and it’s not as much of a career stretch as you might think. “My college degree is in natural resources planning and I was working with federal lands and doing a lot of NePA (National environmental Policy Act of 1969) work,” Brown said. “I was familiar with planning work on a very rural county level and the City of Wilson was looking for someone with a natural resources background.” When her job ended with the u.S. Forest Service in 2010, a friend of Brown’s who had moved to the area told her about the job opening with the City of Wilson. “I love it here,” Brown said. “I love the genuine politeness of the people and I find it very comforting to have that ‘open arms’ welcome. Wilson is very neighborly and doesn’t have that big city coldness you often find.” “I love that people say ‘yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, ma’am,’” Brown continued. “We need to keep that going because we could all use more respect like that.” one of the reasons Brown finds it fitting that she ended up working here is because Wilson is known as the “City of Trees.” She is currently involved in creating more greenways in the area, including a self-guided walking trail on Dendrology Drive, off of Herring Ave. “We are working on a wooded lot with 75 acres total, with active trails on 25 of those acres,” Brown said. “The city is actively working on getting it up and running and getting information out to the public.” Brown has also jumped into various volunteer opportunities in the community, including working An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
on the city’s American Heart Walk committee and volunteering with the Wilson County Humane Society. A team of city employees, including Brown, helps raise money for the American Heart Association through various internal events and then leads a city team that walks in the actual Heart Walk. This year’s walk will be held on April 26 at the Wilson Recreation Center. “I encourage people take care of their hearts and be nutritionally fit as well as physically fit,” Brown said. “Heart disease is a silent killer. you can’t feel prevention but you can certainly make it happen.” Brown has a special place in her heart for animals, especially those that find themselves homeless or in shelters. “I volunteer for the Wilson County Humane Society and all the animals in our foster program are housed in volunteers’ homes because we don’t have a shelter building,” Brown said. “Donations are certainly needed, but even more so are new foster homes. It is so very rewarding to see these little animals get their forever homes.” Brown said that Wilson’s Humane Society adopted out 78 cats and 149 dogs in 2013. The Humane Society hosts adoptions events at Wilson’s PetSmart location and you can often find Brown volunteering there on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month. Dogs and cats that need permanent homes are featured at these events from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. “My message to Wilson residents is to please spay and neuter your pets,” Brown said. “There are so many beautiful animals out there already who need their forever
homes. There is no need to make any more; there are plenty out there and they all want a place to call home.” Right now, Brown has one cat in her life and she describes it as the “princess and old lady of the house.” But there may soon be room for more furry friends. “I just bought a cute little house in Wilson, so now I can really pack the foster animals in,” Brown said with a laugh.
Michelle Brown
Planner for the City of Wilson
March 2014
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City of Wilson QuiCk referenCe numbers WWW.WilsonnC.orG For All EmErGEnCiEs , DiAl 911 ALL BILLING queSTIoNS 252-399-2200
PARKS & ReC PRoGRAMS 252-399-2285
APPLIANCe, DeBRIS oR LIMB PICKuP 252-399-2485
PLANNING SeRvICeS 252-399-2219 oR 399-2220
BuSINeSS/PRIvILeGe LICeNSe 252-399-2640 DeAD ANIMALS IN RoAD 252-399-2485 FIRe, NoN-eMeRGeNCy 252-399-2880 GReeNLIGHT CuSToMeR/ TeCH. SeRvICe 252-399-2200 JoBS HoTLINe 252-399-2246 LANDLoRD/TeNANT DISPuTeS 252-399-2308
PoLICe, NoN-eMeRGeNCy 252-399-2323 PoTHoLe/STReeT/SIDeWALK 252-399-2480 STReeT LIGHT ouTAGe 252-399-2424 SToRMDRAIN CLoGGeD uP 252-296-3413 oR 296-3403 TALL GRASS/RuNDoWN HouSeS 252-399-2219 oR 399-2220 voLuNTeeR FoR CITy BoARDS oR CoMMISSIoNS 252-399-2302
MISSeD GARBAGe PICKuP 252-399-2485
WATeR/SeWeR LeAD, BReAK oR BACKuP 252-296-3403
MISSING SIGNS 252-399-2467
WILSoN eNeRGy ouTAGe 252-399-2424
PARADe/FooD veNDoR PeRMITS 252-399-2323
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other City & County numbers CouNTy oF WILSoN 252-399-2803 PARKS & ReCReATIoN 252-399-2261 (ADMINISTRATIoN) WILSoN CHAMBeR oF CoMMeRCe 252-237-0165
WILSoN DoWNToWN DeveLoPMeNT CoRPoRATIoN 252-399-2395 WILSoN eCoNoMIC DeveLoPMeNT CouNCIL 252-237-1115 WILSoN vISIToRS BuReAu 252-243-8440
WILSoN CouNTy PuBLIC LIBRARy 252-237-5355
getting around Wilson AMTRAK 252-246-1060 401 e. NASH STReeT Purchase tickets at station, by phone or via the Internet: www.amtrak.com
eNTeRPRISe 1-800-736-8222
BLue STAR CAB CoMPANy 252-237-1134
RoCKy MT/ WILSoN AIRPoRT 800-428-4322
BuDGeT CAR AND TRuCK ReNTAL 252-243-7600
SAFeTy CAB CoMPANy 252-243-2356 / 291-7749
GReyHouND & TRAILWAyS 252-243-3279
WILSoN TRANSIT SySTeM 252-291-2850
He sees the need, and wants to spend his life doing his part to give back to the Wilson community that has given so much to him. by LaMonique hamilton
Sgt. Reggie Branch LAST JuLy, SGT. ReGGIe BRANCH oF THe WILSoN PoLICe DePARTMeNT WAS IN A CoMA. HIS MAIN ARTeRy HAD SPLIT IN HALF, AND DoCToRS HAD LITTLe HoPe oF HIM ReCoveRING. HoWeveR, PeoPLe WeRe PRAyING FoR HIM, AND CHILDReN WeRe CouNTING oN HIM To PuLL THRouGH. “WHeN I CAMe BACK AND LooKeD oN My FACeBooK PAGe, THeRe WeRe So MANy KIDS THAT SAID, ‘you GoTTA MAKe IT. I’M NoT GoING To HAve A CHRISTMAS IF you DoN’T MAKe IT.’” Seventeen years ago, Sgt. Branch started the Christmas in the South toy drive, making sure children receive presents who may otherwise have nothing under the tree on Christmas morning. That first year, there were 25-30 kids who benefitted from the drive. In December, 2013, there were close to 400. “The kids will stand in the pouring rain the night before to make sure they get their presents. That goes to show the need in our community.” The idea for the toy drive was born out of a personal pain. As a child, Branch grew up on Pender St. He was one of six children, and his mother was a single parent. His mother worked constantly to support the family, but money was scarce. Many years, he went without receiving any Christmas presents. “I’d have to lie about getting presents just to fit in. I’d tell them I got a bike, and they’d ask where it was. I’d tell them I was on punishment. The next week they’d ask if I was still on punishment. And I’d tell them my bike was stolen. I didn’t want to see another child have to go through what I went An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times
Reggie Branch Sergeant, Wilson
Police Department
through.” Branch credits his “praying mother” for helping him to escape the traps of his neighborhood – gangs, drugs, and peer pressure. “She worked a lot, but she made sure we had all the right rules. We had to be in when the street light came on. We had to do our work. We had chores.” upon graduating from Hunt High School, he enlisted in the military. From there, he joined the Wilson Police Department in 1995. He advises young people who are growing up in similar situations, and youth in general, to have a dream. “No matter how far-fetched it seems, find a dream of something you want to do. Then your actions will be geared toward making that dream come true.” Sgt. Branch will not give up on his community or himself. He sees the need, and wants to spend his life doing his part to give back to the Wilson community that has given so much to him. He has fought to regain his health, and on January 1, 2014, completed a 5K run. “That just showed me that anything is possible.” March 2013
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Wilson PoliCe dePartment WILSoN PoLICe DePARTMeNT HeADquARTeRS 120 N. GoLDSBoRo ST. | MoN – FRI, 8 A.M. – 6 P.M. MAIN PHoNe: 252-399-2323 MAIN FAx: 252-399-2346 CeNTRAL DISTRICT- FIve PoINTS 1001 GoLDSBoRo ST. | MoN – FRI, 8 A.M. – 5 P.M. 252-296-3099 NoRTH DISTRICT- BARToN CoLLeGe MoN – FRI, 8 AM. – 5 P.M. 252-246-1107 SouTH DISTRICT- HWy 301 N 700 N. WARD BLvD. | MoN – FRI, 8 A.M. – 5 P.M. 252-399-1358 WPD CRIMe SToPPeRS 252-243-2255 DRuG HoTLINe 252-293-5333
GANG HoTLINe 252-296-3359
Wilson fire dePartment and resCue serviCes FIRe STATIoN #1 307 W HINeS STReeT 252-399-2845
FIRe STATIoN #4 109 FoReST HILLS RD 252-399-2897
FIRe STATIoN #2 1807 FoReST HILLS RD 252-399-2895
FIRe STATIoN #5 3530 AIRPoRT BLvD 252-399-2898
FIRe STATIoN #3 6111 WARD BLvD 252-399-2896
30
March 2013
Santa’s helper, Police Maj. Craig Smith, delivers a smile to this young girl’s face during Christmas in the South. Police officers collect money and toys to provide a joyful holiday to many families who might not otherwise have one. Photograph by maTT sHaW, City of Wilson.
Wilson County sherrif’s offiCe SHeRIFF CALvIN L. WooDARD, JR. 100 e GReeN ST. WILSoN 252-237-2118 WILSoN CouNTy ANIMAL eNFoRCeMeNT LT. ToDD o’NeAL 4001 AIRPoRT RD. WILSoN 252-265-5971 WILSoN CouNTy DeTeNTIoN CeNTeR CAPTAIN ToNy HARDy 100 e GReeN ST. WILSoN 252-237-2522
Wilson County sheriff’s offiCe substations: SARAToGA SGT. JeReMy ReNFRoW 6902 uS ALT 264 eAST SARAToGA 252-237-2118 LuCAMA SGT. TReNT HoWeLL 111 MAIN ST., LuCAMA 252-237-2118 SIMS SGT. AJ o’BRIANT 6402 uS ALT 264 WeST, SIMS 252-237-2118 eLM CITy SGT. STeveN BoSWeLL 115 RAILRoAD ST., eLM CITy 252-237-2118
inspire
“ Barton’s theatre major comes to life in the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre and, with Broadway and regional talent backing this program, the stars are the limit. We will be adding a musical theatre concentration this year in addition to our concentrations in design, management, and performance. Come be a part of something big; share with us, and the world, this thing you do called theatre.” -Adam Twiss, director of theatre, assistant professor of theatre
INSPIRING FACULTY | At Barton, you are not another no-name face in a crowded classroom. With an average class size of 15, your
professors not only become your teachers, but also your mentors, advisors, and partners for your academic goals. Our 71 full-time faculty members bring their educational backgrounds and experiences from schools such as Yale, Duke, and other prestigious universities. Even with their wealth of knowledge and real world experience, they are not out of reach for the students. At Barton, the student/faculty ratio is 12:1. This means your professors are always accessible. Professors here are even known to give out their cell phone numbers! They set high expectations in the classroom, and they challenge you to do your best.
/bartoncollege NEED MORE INFORMATION? 1-800-345-4973 | enroll@barton.edu