Michael Mead is White River Medical Center's February Employee of the Month. Michael works inEnvironmental Services and is being recognized for his commitment to safety. He is responsible for linen and trash service to patient care areas. Michael has also worked in floor care and laundry and been assigned to environmental services for other buildings on campus. He takes pride in his work and enjoys being around people.
Michael and his wife Joann have been married for 34 years. He has five children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He is a Razorback fan and enjoys hunting, fishing, antiques and honey do's.
Posted: February, 01 2012
WRMC Registered Nurse, Johanna Rea, is the January/February recipient of the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses. Johanna works in the Recuperative Care Unit at WRMC. The Daisy Award is a bi-monthly award that recognizes nurses for excellence. Daisy Award Recipients are first nominated by patients and ultimately chosen by the WRMC Staff Nurse Advisory Council (SNAC).
The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses was established by the family of J. Patrick Barnes to recognize the care and compassion nurses demonstrate every day caring for patients. Since the award was established in 2000, it has grown to more than 500 hospitals across the nation.
Posted: January, 20 2012
Most fairytale stories include a dashing prince, a castle, and an enchanting wedding. However, Cherokee Village residents Jane Huddleston and Chuck Danyaw composed their fairytale in a more untraditional manner on the fourth floor of White River Medical Center, in her hospital room--and they wouldn't have had it any other way. The two were united in marriage while she was a patient at WRMC.
Rewinding to earlier in 2011, Chuck walked through the doors of a small restaurant in Mammoth Springs where Jane was having a meal with her friends. They immediately locked eyes and both agree it was "love at first sight."
"I wasn't looking for anyone and neither was Jane, but when our eyes met, that was it," said Chuck. After running into each other time and again at this restaurant, Chuck finally got up the nerve to invite her over to sit with him. "I'll never forget it. I invited her to sit with me, but when she came over my legs wouldn't let me get up," he said, describing the moment he knew he had been struck by love.
They immediately developed a connection, which led to a strong relationship over the coming months.
After being injured from a fall, Jane, 73, was admitted to WRMC. Fortunately, she had the unfailing support of Chuck, also 73, everyday while she was in the hospital. Then he gave her a surprise she will never forget—he walked into her hospital room with a county clerk and a marriage license. "I just felt the timing was right," said Chuck.
"We have been talking about marriage for a long time, but this was a nice surprise," said Huddleston. Touched by the couple's devotion, nurses and staff at WRMC pulled together to give them a wedding ceremony. WRMC Chaplin Doc Spurlin was called in the room to officiate. A team of nurses got together and quickly ordered a flower bouquet, then gathered in the room to witness the ceremony.
Sitting on the side of her hospital bed, dressed in her yellow hospital gown and wrapped in a blue blanket, Jane Huddleston clutched her bouquet in one hand, her smiling groom's hand in the other, and right there in her hospital bed, became Mrs. Chuck Danyaw.
"I said I wasn't going to cry, and I really tried hard not to, but I just couldn't help it. I was so happy," she said. And she wasn't the only one in tears.
"They had us all crying," said Lisa Crumley, Orthopaedic Liaison. "I have never witnessed anything like this. I am so proud of our staff who went through great lengths to help fulfill their wishes."
After the small ceremony, the couple was serenaded with a harmonica tune from hospital maintenance employee, Steve Moody. A few of the nurses then brought coconut cake from dietary to serve as the wedding cake.
Although the wedding was far from traditional, Chuck and Jane both agree that if they had it to do all over again they wouldn't change a thing. "The entire experience was just wonderful. It was better than if we would have had it in our home or somewhere else," said Jane. "We just can't say enough how thankful we are for the staff at WRMC and how wonderful they were to us."
The Danyaws have since returned home to Cherokee Village, where, as in fairytales, they plan to live happily ever after. However, they will never forget their experience where they came to WRMC for healing, and came out newlyweds.
Posted: January, 20 2012
Batesville, Ark. – Tony Lamkin, M.D. recently achieved the highest level of wound care certification, Wound Specialist Physician, from the American Academy of Wound Management(AAWM). Lamkin is one of four physicians working at White River Medical Center's Wound Healing Center. Lamkin and his colleagues, Ted Shields, M.D. , Jason Paxton, M.D., and, Craig Pickren, M.D. previously achieved AAWM Wound Specialist certification and American Wound Care Association fellow status making the WRMC Wound Healing Center physicians among the most highly credentialed in Arkansas.
Certification displays a commitment to professional growth and development in the practice of wound care and recognizes professional standards for knowledge essential to the development of a successful wound care program. Physicians are required to complete specialized training and successfully pass several tests to achieve certification.
The WRMC Wound Healing Center specializes in the treatment of non-healing wounds caused by illness or injury. Healthy individuals can expect routine cuts or sores to heal in days. However, individuals with diabetes or other complex medical conditions may treat a wound for weeks or months without success. In the most extreme cases a non healing wound may result in amputation. At the WRMC Wound Health Center, experienced physicians and wound care nurses offer a progressive approach to wound healing focused on treatment of the wound and the underlying medical condition that may prevent adequate healing. The staff uses a wide range of treatment strategies including hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The staff's commitment to clinical excellence and patient education lead to results. On average 94% of patients' wounds are healed in less than 16 weeks, higher than the national average.
The WRMC Wound Healing Center also treats patients at the WRMC North Complex in Cherokee Village in an effort to provide care to residents living in the Sharp County area. The Wound Healing Center is located inside White River Medical Center and is open Monday-Thursday 8-4 and Friday 8-12.
Posted: January, 17 2012
Despite the fact that the number of births at White River Medical Center are higher than ever, a rare occasion took place on New Year's Day--the first baby of 2012 was not born on January 1. WRMC's first baby of the year, Aaron Russell Thomas Crisp, decided to make his appearance in the world on January 2, 2012, a bit later than most New Year's babies.
Born to Tamara Faulkner and Nicholas Crisp of Cherokee Village, this 7 pound, 4 ounce bundle of joy's arrival was a surprise to his parents. While he may have made a late entrance being the first baby of the New Year, he was actually born weeks before the due date. "He wasn't actually supposed to be born until around January 20th," said mother, Tamara. "But I felt like he would be here earlier than that."
Her feelings were confirmed when, on New Year's Day, she began to have contractions. They were just slight at first, but as time when on, they became stronger and more painful. The next day, the couple decided it was time to go to the hospital. "After we arrived, it didn't feel like it was 20 or 30 minutes before he (Aaron) was here," said Dad, Nicholas.
A first time father, Nicholas admits that he wasn't sure what to expect, "Dr. Harville and the nurses here at WRMC made it an enjoyable experience; especially for a nervous first time father such as myself. I really want to give a big thanks to everyone at WRMC for making us feel so comfortable."
Tamara has two younger girls, Melaine, 4, and Jessie, 3, who can't wait to see their new sibling. "I spoke to them on the phone and they just kept asking, 'when are you bringing my baby brother home?'" said Nicholas.
What are their thoughts on having the first baby of the New Year? Both parents agree, "We're just thrilled to have a happy, healthy baby regardless of the time of year."
"Oh, and a boy," Nicholas adds with a grin.
Posted: January, 10 2012