Category: General News

The Center for Health & Wellness will have a grand re-opening for their pool in September 2021. The pool is in the process of being completely re-surfaced and updated.

The indoor heated pool is a 5-lane 25-yard lap and exercise pool. It is the only public indoor pool available for community use. As a promotion when the pool opens, non-members will have the opportunity to take advantage of a free guest pass to utilize the pool.

The pool offers swim lessons, aquatic fitness classes including Pure Energy and Aqua Fit, as well as, open swim time. The Wellness Center also provides heated aquatics in the smaller therapy pool for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia and other health issues.

For more information on how you can join the Center for Health & Wellness, contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently welcomed Katie Hoover as the newest Social Worker to the team at MCCH Hospice. Hospice social workers help clients and their families navigate planning for end-of-life care; understand their treatment plan and be vocal about their needs; manage the stresses of debilitating physical illnesses, including emotional, familial and financial; overcome crisis situations; and connect to other support services. This position also serves the role as the Volunteer Coordinator and works alongside the Hospice Chaplain with bereavement services that follow families from 13 months after a patient has passed.

Katie will be working with Charlotte Rhodes, Social Worker who has over 10 years of experience at MCCH Hospice and worked for 5 years in mental health prior to that. She plans to retire later this year.

For more information about MCCH Hospice services or the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House, contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381

Left to Right: Katie Hoover, Social Worker, Charlotte Rhodes, Social Worker, Sherri Boyd, Hospice Director

Samantha Burnett, COTA has recently attended The Complete Lymphedema
Certification Course. The course is an intensive 135-hour certification training medical professionals to successfully treat and manage lymphedema affecting different parts of the body, as well as other related conditions. Ms. Burnett is available to provide Lymphedema Therapy at the Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine at the Wellness Center.
Lymphedema refers to swelling that generally occurs in one of your arms or legs. Sometimes both arms or both legs swell. The most common cause in America is breast cancer related surgery involving the removal of lymph nodes. It results from a mechanical insufficiency of your lymphatic system, which is part of your immune system. The insufficiency prevents lymph fluid from draining well, and the fluid buildup leads to swelling.
While there is presently no cure for lymphedema, it can be managed with early diagnosis and Complete Decongestive Therapy of the affected limb.

For more information on the treatment for lymphedema or to find out more, call the Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine at 270.762.1854.

The Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine offers outpatient Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy services to our community. We treat a wide variety of diagnosis such as patients who suffer from back strain/sprains, and degenerative changes associated from wear and tear and bulging discs. The Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine also offers services for patients recovering from major surgery, strokes, heart attacks, neurological and orthopedic conditions, as well as other illnesses, injuries, chronic conditions and other disabilities.

Robin Blake, Physical Therapist, is retiring after 35 years as a PT with 28 years of service at Murray-Calloway County Hospital. Robin has served the organization in many ways including her role as the Rehabilitation Services Director for 17 years.  She is a certified Lymphedema Therapist and has worked in acute care, the inpatient rehab facility, home health and in both outpatient and long-term care settings.

“I loved the teamwork in provided outstanding patient care. I never had to compromise my morals or ethics. It has been a very rewarding place to work and I will miss everyone at MCCH,” said Robin Blake.

Robin and her husband, Gary have been married 35 years. They have one daughter, Samantha and three grandsons; Ty 8, Caleb 5 and Gabriel 3 who live in Stuttgart, Germany where Samantha’s husband, Forrest Carver is a Navy Lt., Principal Engineer and Assistant Pastor at their church.

Samantha worked as a high school Spanish teach but now works as a stat at home mom and serves as worship leader at their church. Robin is very proud of her family and love her grandchildren very much.

Robin and Gary are retiring to live in the cabin they built together on the Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas. Retirement plans include traveling the US, building teardrop travel campers, spending time with family and friends and enjoying life on their own schedule.

Photo: Robin Blake with Pam Smith and Rita Peal

Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently held the Groundbreaking for the new Regional Cancer Center. Many gathered including cancer survivors, donors, and community members. An official ribbon cutting was held in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce. The program included remarks from Jerry Penner, CEO, Dr. Ghanem, Oncologist, and the future of the Cancer Center by Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer.

The building project will take approximately 18 months and is expected to begin in September. The Regional Cancer Center at MCCH will continue to offer radiation oncology and infusion therapy treatments from Dr. Zuhair Ghanem. The Center represents a major investment in technology-offering the very latest in cancer treatments. If chemotherapy is required, specialized oncology nurses- under the direction of a medical oncologist- administer treatments in a comfortable, soothing environment. The Cancer Program at Murray-Calloway County Hospital was recently granted a three-year accreditation by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons (ACoS).

Receiving care at a CoC-accredited cancer program ensures the patient will have access to comprehensive care, a multi-specialty team approach to coordinate best treatment options, information about ongoing clinic trials, access to cancer-related information and support, a cancer registry that collects data on type and stage of cancers and treatment results with lifelong patient follow-up, ongoing monitoring and improvement of care and, most importantly, quality care close to home.

“We certainly can’t say enough about this building project and want to thank our donors for their continued support. Cancer impacts most everyone in some way and building a new center will be beneficial for our community and those we serve for years to come,” said Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer.

The Enduring Hope campaign continues to raise money for this new $12 million Regional Cancer Center which will bring the oncologists, social workers, pharmacy, and infusion area under one roof. The centerpiece of the new Regional Cancer Center’s equipment will be a state-of-the-art linear accelerator that can deliver stereotactic radiation therapy.

For more information on how you can support the building of a new Regional Cancer Center in Murray, or for naming opportunities please contact Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer at 270.762.1291.

The Murray-Calloway County Hospital is the only nonprofit healthcare facility in our county. The Foundation at Murray-Calloway County Hospital is a 501C3. All donations are tax deductible according to Federal and State laws.

To give by mail:
The Foundation at MCCH
803 Poplar St.
Murray KY 42071

Two ways to give online:

Automatic Bank Draft

https://www.themurraybank.com/community/the-foundation-at-mcch

DEBIT OR CREDIT CARD:

https://murrayhospital.networkforgood.com/projects/109439-enduring-hope-cancer-center-campaign

Pictured left to right:
Dr. Ghanem, Oncologist, Mr. Steve Owens, Board Chair, Gina Winchester, Donna Herndon, Enduring Hope Campaign Chair, Jerry Penner, CEO, Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer.

Patricia Duff and her daughter, Sherri Dickerson have been knitting hats for cancer patients and for newborns at Murray-Calloway County Hospital for several years. As a cancer survivor since 1994, Patricia saw a need for patients going through treatment to have hats and wanted to give back. Her daughter also crochets and enjoys making the caps for newborns delivered at MCCH.

“I’ve been crocheting all my life and after seeing patients during my own radiation treatment have a need, I decided to crochet hats and donate them for cancer patients going through treatment,” said Ms. Duff.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Ambulance Service was recently recognized for receiving the 2021 KYEMSC Voluntary EMS Pediatric Recognition Program by the KY EMS for Children Advisory Committee and the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services.

“We are excited that our Ambulance service was recognized for going beyond what is required by the state in pediatric care for the third consecutive year. It’s a great recognition for our group,” said Marty Barnett, Director of Ambulance Service.

KYEMSC developed the Voluntary EMS Pediatric Recognition program to acknowledge EMS agencies who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to meeting the additional program requirements.

To be recognized, an agency must designate a pediatric emergency care coordinator to ensure integration of the unique needs of pediatric patients into all aspects of emergency care, comply with national recommendations for pediatric equipment carried on the ambulance and engage in pediatric-focused community outreach activities. There are also requirements for additional pediatric-related continuing education and annual demonstration of pediatric skill competency for all EMTs and paramedics.