Latest News from CabellHuntington.org

Ground broken Friday for the Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

From left to right: David Graley, VP & COO of the CHH Foundation; CHH President and CEO Brent Marsteller; Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin; U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and Jeffery A. Hoops, President and CEO of Revelation Energy and the Hoops Family Foundation, were joined by children to mark the beginning of construction on the Hoops Family Children's Hospital.

Ground was broken today during a celebration along Hal Greer Boulevard at Cabell Huntington Hospital on the first phase of the Children's Hospital project that has raised more than $11 million toward the campaign goal of $12 million from community businesses, individuals and state leaders.

U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin joined Cabell Huntington Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer Brent Marsteller and Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation David Graley, along with donors, area physicians and hospital employees, to mark the beginning of construction on a new entrance that will eventually lead to newly reconstructed pediatric care areas of the hospital.

When completed by 2015, the Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital will include an easy-to-access new entrance that will be created during construction beginning this June and to be completed by the end of 2012. During phase two, set to begin in 2013 on the hospital's fifth floor, the 26-bed Pediatric Medical/Surgical Unit and the 10-bed Pediatric Intensive Care Unit will both be reconstructed.

Phase one will also include child-friendly areas and colorful and inviting spaces that make the hospital more welcoming to children and their families. A separate elevator and corridor will create an entry for children that will be set apart from other patient areas within the hospital.

"At Cabell Huntington Hospital, every day we meet ill and injured babies and children in need of hope and healing, and their families entrust us with their care," Marsteller said. "This is an enormous responsibility that we embrace with compassion and commitment, and it has been the driving force behind the Children's Hospital project since its inception."

Funding for the new entrance was made possible, in large part, by a $650,000 federal appropriations grant secured by Congressman Rahall.

"Our children's health is a national priority. Cabell Huntington's focus on our most precious resource and the future of our country is right on target, and I was pleased to have had a hand in securing federal funds to assist that effort," said Congressman Rahall. "The federal investment I helped secure joins a broad spectrum of community support including the tremendous generosity of Mr. Hoops. The collective support for the children's hospital project reflects an entire community's hopes. It is no overstatement to say all of southern West Virginia is counting on its success."

Gov. Tomblin reiterated the important role of the Children's Hospital and praised the community support.

"As a parent and as Governor, I am grateful the Tri-State region can rely upon Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine to provide the care and specialists our children need," Gov. Tomblin said. "This care would not be possible without community financial supporters like Jeffery Hoops and the Hoops Family Foundation. Their donations create an environment where young patients and their families can feel at ease while receiving the care they need."

On Friday, The Hoops Family Foundation, Jeffery and Patricia Hoops, their children and grandchildren were thanked for their generosity in pledging the $3 million lead gift for the project, and Cabell Huntington Hospital officials recognized that gift by naming the Children's Hospital for the Hoops family.

"My prayer every morning is for wisdom and for God to allow me to make a positive difference in the world," said Jeffery A. Hoops, President and Chief Executive Officer of Revelation Energy and the Hoops Family Foundation. "This project is contagious, as it makes you give money you do not have to build a building you cannot see to help people you will never know on this side of Heaven."

Fundraising for the project began in 2007 and has brought together individual donors of all ages and corporate donors of all kinds. Young children have participated in fundraising projects and have pledged their birthday money to the project and businesses with far-reaching influence on the community have committed to creating a modern healthcare facility for children in the Tri-State.

"Today we witness the birth of the Hoops Family Children's Hospital. Tomorrow, with the community's help, we need to begin to nurture it and watch it grow and thrive and mature," Graley said. "We need to dream new dreams for the benefit of our children and give sacrificially to those that can't help themselves."

Cabell Huntington Hospital's pediatric service, supported by the pediatric specialists at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, provides treatment for children with a wide range of needs from minor illnesses to life-threatening injuries from throughout southern West Virginia and counties throughout eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio.

"Today we witness the birth of the Hoops Family Children's Hospital. Tomorrow, with the community's help, we need to begin to nurture it and watch it grow and thrive and mature," Graley said. "We need to dream new dreams for the benefit of our children and give sacrificially to those that can't help themselves."

Cabell Huntington Hospital's pediatric service, supported by the pediatric specialists at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, provides treatment for children with a wide range of needs from minor illnesses to life-threatening injuries from throughout southern West Virginia and counties throughout eastern Kentucky and southeastern Ohio.

Eagle Distributing pledges $50,000 to Children’s Hospital

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Guy Spriggs of Eagle Distributing Company

Eagle Distributing Company, a beverage distributor based in the Huntington-Ashland-Ironton area that serves customers throughout the Tri-State region, has pledged $50,000 toward the Children’s Hospital project at Cabell Huntington Hospital, a regional leader in healthcare for children. This pledge helps move fundraising for the Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital closer to the project’s $12 million campaign goal. So far, more than $11 million has already been pledged or donated to the project.

“This pledge is a testament to the generosity and compassion of our company owners, Guy and Lisa Spriggs,” said Casey Hill, co-owner and general manager of Eagle Distributing. “We couldn’t pass up this opportunity to support such a worthwhile cause that will enhance critical healthcare services for the children of our region. We look forward to seeing this project completed and are honored to be a part of such a great community effort to make this dream a reality.”

The Children’s Hospital project at Cabell Huntington Hospital will reconstruct the fifth floor of the hospital, and the design will include features to make it more welcoming and child-friendly for pediatric patients and their families, along with a new, dedicated entrance.

“Each time we receive a pledge, such as this very generous donation from Eagle Distributing Co., I am amazed by the generosity of this community’s individuals and businesses,” said David Graley, Vice President and COO of the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation. “The caring spirit of Eagle Distributing’s employees and leadership shines through with this commitment to our project.”

For more information or to find out how you can become involved in the Children’s Hospital project, please contact Velma Workman at 304-526-6314 or velma.workman@chhi.org.

ECCC earns national award from the Commission on Cancer

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of only 106 facilities in the nation to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. The award is based on the results of surveys and an on-site evaluation by a physician surveyor performed during 2011. The Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes cancer programs that strive for excellence in providing quality care to patients. It is granted to facilities that demonstrate a commendation level of compliance with standards that represent six areas of cancer program activity, including committee leadership, data management, clinical management, research, community outreach and quality improvement.

“Receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award is a well-deserved honor for the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center,” said Gerard Oakley, MD, gynecologic oncologist and Chairman of the Cancer Committee at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center. “It places us among many of the premier cancer programs nationwide. It is a testimony to the skill and dedication to excellence that is exhibited throughout the center.”

There are currently more than 1,500 Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer programs in the US and Puerto Rico, representing 30 percent of all hospitals. These facilities diagnose and/or treat more than 70 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer patients each year.

Junior Woman’s Club and CSX donate $5,500 to Children’s Hospital

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Johnna Cheetham of the Woman’s Club of Huntington Junior Department presents CHH Development Outreach Coordinator Velma Workman (left) with a donation.

Last December’s Soup with Santa event hosted by the Woman’s Club of Huntington Junior Department raised more than $500 for Cabell Huntington Hospital's Children’s Hospital project. CSX donated an additional $5,000 to be given to the Children’s Hospital in conjunction with the donation from the Soup with Santa event, which took place at Mountwest Culinary Arts School in Huntington. When the donation was presented, organizers announced their plans to make the holiday fundraiser an annual event.

“It is because of the continued support from volunteer groups like the Junior Department of the Woman’s Club and companies like CSX that our Children’s Hospital fundraising campaign has come so far,” said David Graley, Vice President and COO of the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation. “We thank each of the members in the Woman’s Club Junior Department for their hard work and dedication to making their Soup with Santa event a success. And CSX’s additional funding to further support this event shows a great commitment to this community.”

The Children’s Hospital project at Cabell Huntington Hospital has received pledges and donations totaling more than $11 million toward the $12 million goal. The groundbreaking will take place May 11, 2012.

For more information about the Children’s Hospital project or to find out how you can help, please call Velma Workman in the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation at 304-526-6314.

Free Skin Cancer Screening April 24

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

A free skin cancer screening will take place at the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center Tuesday, April 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. Local dermatologists and physicians will be performing screenings by appointment only. This screening is recommended for anyone who has not been examined by a dermatologist in the last year. With the summer months approaching, dermatologists advise patients to be screened before spending long days out in the sun. Because the number of people who can be screened is limited, you must make an appointment by calling 304-526-2379.

The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center shares the campus of Cabell Huntington Hospital. Free parking is available.

Regional Cancer Nursing Symposium April 19 & 20

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:37:02 -0700

Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center will present the 2012 Regional Cancer Nursing Symposium for nurses and allied health professionals involved in the care of cancer patients, from 7:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. April 19 and 20 at the Pullman Plaza Hotel in Huntington.

The cost of the event is $25 per day, which includes handouts and refreshments, and 5.0 contact hours will be provided each day. The agenda includes:

Geriatric oncology
Pharmacy update for cancer care
Cancer care: issues in sexuality
Colon cancer and the role of surgery
Prostate cancer: screening and surgery
Ostomy care and management
Issues in survivorship

More information can be found in the brochure or by calling Margaret Wagnerowski, RN, MSN, CNS-BC, AOCNS at 304-399-6884.

New Programs for Patients at Huntington's Kitchen

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:52:13 -0700

To help Tri-State patients prevent and manage chronic disease, Cabell Huntington Hospital has partnered with Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Inc., and Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine to expand the curriculum at Huntington's Kitchen by at least ten new courses. Until now, Huntington's Kitchen has offered only two cooking courses, Jamie Oliver's Basic Steps to Healthy Cooking and Cooking Matters for Adults. The new curriculum will include those two courses and phase in these new courses:

Cooking Matters for Seniors
Cooking Matters for Kids
Cooking Matters for Diabetics
Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease
Dean Ornish Spectrum for Preventing Heart Disease
Cooking for Caregivers of Cancer Patients
Cooking to Help Prevent Cancer
Post-Bariatric Surgery Cooking
Low-Salt Cooking (Hypertension)
Gluten-Free Cooking (Celiac Disease)

Other courses will be added as needed. The courses will be taught by Huntington's Kitchen Chef Holly Tomblin, with guidance and assistance provided by physicians, dietitians, support staff and volunteers from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Cabell Huntington Hospital and Ebenezer Medical Outreach, Inc. To facilitate the addition of the new courses, Cabell Huntington Hospital will increase its annual contribution to Huntington's Kitchen from the $50,000 it has annually contributed over the past three years to $75,000 per year.

Additionally, faculty and students from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine will collect outcome data to track the effectiveness of the new course offerings in changing behavior and improving health.

"There is clearly a link between chronic disease and diet. And one of the most effective ways we can avoid the ravages of chronic disease in our community is to arm our people with good information and training in the preparation of foods that properly nourish their bodies." said Robert C. Nerhood, MD, interim dean of Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

"Huntington's Kitchen has done a tremendous job of educating our community about the importance of healthy food preparation at home," said Brent A. Marsteller, president and chief executive officer of Cabell Huntington Hospital. "But the staff at Huntington's Kitchen has received a lot of community feedback about the need to offer additional courses that address the management and prevention of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure and high cholesterol through cooking education, and we have taken that feedback very seriously."

"We are all excited by the possibilities this partnership offers to bring to an even higher level our shared commitment to healthy eating and healthy lifestyles" said Stephen Petrany, MD, president of the board of Ebenezer Medical Outreach and professor of family medicine at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. "We will be providing education and support programs that very few places offer, and I have no doubt this effort will be a great source of pride for the greater Huntington community."

A schedule of upcoming courses is currently being developed and will be released in the next few weeks. For more information, please call Huntington's Kitchen at 304-522-0887 or visit the Huntington's Kitchen website.

CHH offers da Vinci Surgical System Test-Drive

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:49:32 -0700

Cabell Huntington Hospital and Intuitive Surgical will bring the latest technology from the OR to the Huntington Mall Saturday, March 17 to give mall-goers an opportunity to test-drive the da Vinci Surgical System. CHH was the first hospital in the region to offer the da Vinci Surgical System, a state-of-the-art surgical tool that has changed the way some gynecologic, urologic, abdominal and general surgery procedures are performed. At this event, the public will be given a unique opportunity to place themselves in the surgeon’s seat and test-drive the same system being used in CHH’s operating rooms. Physicians who use the CHH da Vinci Surgical System will be available to explain what patients and procedures it’s appropriate for and describe the potential benefits, including less pain, less time in the hospital and a faster recovery.

Physician presentations and Q&A sessions are scheduled for the following times, but the robot demonstrations will be ongoing from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

11:15 a.m. – James Jensen, MD, urologic oncologist

12:15 p.m. – Wade Douglas, MD, surgical oncologist

1:15 p.m. – Yolanda Campbell, MD, obstetrician/gynecologist

For more information about the da Vinci test-drive event, please call 304-399-6742.

Experts share information about Alzheimer’s disease

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:49:21 -0700

Anyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease as a patient, caregiver or family member is invited to attend a panel discussion on the topic Monday, March 19 from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. in the Harless Auditorium on the campus of Cabell Huntington Hospital. William Thies, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of the National Alzheimer’s Association, will moderate the discussion, which will feature speakers from Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Cabell Huntington Hospital and the University of Kentucky. The event is free and open to anyone who would like to learn more about the latest in treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as how it affects family members and caregivers.

“The Alzheimer’s Association is truly lucky to have a resource like Dr. Bill Thies,” said Jane Marks, Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association, West Virginia Chapter. “As the medical and scientific director of the largest private funder of Alzheimer’s and dementia research in the world, Dr. Thies has a bird’s eye view of all facets of Alzheimer’s disease research. In addition, he is able to articulate complex scientific research in a way that anyone can understand.”

Topics and presenters include:

Dementia and Cognitive Impairments: Epidemiology and Risk Factors by Richard J. Kryscio, PhD, Professor and Chair of Biostatistics, University of Kentucky
Alzheimer’s Disease 2012: Diagnosis and Treatment by Shirley M. Neitch, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine and Chief of Geriatrics, Joan, C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University
Alzheimer’s Treatment: What's in the Discovery Pipeline? by Richard Egleton, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology and Toxicology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University
Alzheimer’s Disease: The Psychosocial Effects on the Family and Caregiver by Joy Pelfrey, RN, MSN, FNP, Director of Senior Services, Cabell Huntington Hospital

This event is presented by Cabell Huntington Hospital and Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, with support from The Alzheimer’s Association, West Virginia Chapter.

"We are thrilled to have Dr. Thies as our keynote speaker," said Dr. Richard Niles, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Medical Education at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “He is one of the nation's leading experts on this growing health crisis and we invite everyone in our community to hear him speak.”

For more information, please call 304-399-6742.

CHH hosts Better Breathers Club for chronic lung disease

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:48:09 -0700

Tri-State residents with chronic lung disease now have another resource for information and disease management education. The Center for Lung Health at Cabell Huntington Hospital has partnered with the American Lung Association to host the Better Breathers Club, an educational support group for anyone with chronic lung disease. The group meets the third Tuesday of each month, and the first meeting is March 20 at 4:30 p.m. The speaker will be CHH respiratory therapist Janet Armstrong, RRT, and the topic is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The group meets in the Center for Lung Health at 1305 Elm Street, beside the Cabell Huntington Hospital helipad. Participation is free and convenient parking is available. For more information, please call 304-526-2529.