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Current WRHS News/Press Releases
For Information Contact:
Sheila Mace, Public Relations Coordinator
White River Health System
Phone: 870-262-6070
email: smace@wrmc.com
Fax: 870-262-3248
New CT Technology Installed at White River Medical Center
July, 2008 - Batesville, Ark. - CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional X-ray exams. It is one of the best tools for studying the chest and abdomen.
The scanner is beneficial for evaluation of emergency cases, especially for trauma cases when speed is of the essence. It allows WRMC to provide patients with a CT Angiogram, a diagnostic tool in the fight against heart disease. The scanner provides physicians with clear images of the coronary arteries and is smart enough to determine “brain tissue at risk” in patients with recent strokes.
Another feature of our CT scanner is the ability to diagnose pulmonary emboli. CT fluoroscopy available on the new Siemens scanner allows physicians to track, in real time, the placement of needles for biopsy or tumor removal. This allows a greater number of patients to benefit from these procedures.
The innovative design of our CT scanner provides a completely open environment, eliminating the closed-in feeling sometimes associated with CT. System speed and reliability mean patients spend less time in the scanner, and the new CT scanner provides clear, detailed images for accurate diagnosis.
WRMC offers a comprehensive range of imaging services, including bone densitometry, CT scanning, EEG, mammography, nuclear medicine, PET/CT scanning, ultrasound and X-ray.
WRMC is a 199-bed regional referral center and the flagship facility of White River Health System (WRHS). WRHS is a not-for-profit healthcare system serving residents throughout North Central Arkansas. The system includes hospitals, outpatient facilities, rural health clinics, primary care and specialty physician offices, home health and hospice care, long-term care facilities and a medical equipment company. White River Health System is a member of the Premier Alliance, the American Hospital Association, and the Arkansas Hospital Association and is licensed by the Arkansas Department of Health.
14th Annual WRHS Foundation Golf Classic Winners Announced
 June, 2008 - Batesville, Ark. –
The 14th Annual White River Health System Foundation Golf Classic was June 21st at The Course at Eagle Mountain. Tournament proceeds benefited patient care and technology advancements at White River Health System facilities. To remain on the cutting edge in healthcare, support for technology advancements is a vital part on caring for our patients.
More than 100 companies and individuals joined the Golf Classic major sponsors AFLAC – Randy Reichardt Insurance Agency, Consumer Collection Management, Cromwell Architects Engineers, Nabholz Construction, RehabCare Group and The Course at Eagle Mountain to support the tournament and raised more than $146,000. The team of Dick Bernard, Tommy Ford, Buddy Vinson and Steve Bell scored a 57 to win the four-person scramble in a field of 42 teams.
In its 14th year, the WRHS Foundation Golf Classic has raised more than $1,144,000 to benefit projects such as nursing scholarships, the WRMC Cancer Care Center, staff education and the Josephine Raye Rogers Center for Women and Imaging. The Foundation began in 1992 as a charitable organization dedicated to raising funds for capital projects, medical technology and scholarships to advance patient care at White River Health System.
“The generosity of the community and our corporate donors is instrumental to the success of our tournament and to our efforts to provide quality, efficient healthcare in an atmosphere of compassion, respect and dignity,” said Gary Bebow, WRHS Administrator/CEO. “We appreciate our sponsors, the golfers who played and the volunteers who made the tournament a success.”
For more information about the White River Health System Foundation and opportunities for giving, please call Larry Sandage, Director of Institutional Advancement at 870-262-6033 or via email at lsandage@wrmc.com.
White River Health System Receives
Funding for Free Mammography Service
 May, 2008 - Batesville, Ark. – White River Health System (WRHS) received a grant of $44,000 for its program entitled Project Every Woman, also referred to as the Komen Project, from the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. In its second year, the project provides free mammography services to women in the WRHS service area who are uninsured or underinsured. The program primarily serves women ages 40 to 64 who cannot afford mammography services and are not covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Arkansas BreastCare. Younger women may also qualify if they have a significant clinical risk or family history of breast cancer. Last year, 347 patients received screening or diagnostic mammograms, or breast ultrasounds through the program. As a result, 43 patients were referred for additional treatment when malignancies were discovered.
“We are grateful to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation for partnering with White River Health System to provide free mammograms,” said Angela Dugger, WRHS Project Development Coordinator. “This funding allows WRHS to make mammography available to women who may not have otherwise received this life saving screening.”
Women who wish to participate in this project must first make an appointment with a primary care physician for a clinical breast exam in order to obtain a physician’s order for a mammogram. Women without insurance benefits or a personal physician may visit one of White River Health System’s Rural Health Clinics to receive a clinical breast exam and physician order at no charge. Women who cannot afford a mammogram can ask their physician for a Komen mammogram. The physician’s office will make an appointment for each qualified woman to receive a Komen mammogram. White River Medical Center in Batesville and the WRMC North Complex in Cherokee Village are screening locations.
“The partnership between White River Health System and the Komen for the Cure Foundation is an excellent example of organizations working together to create healthier communities,” said Josephine Raye Rogers, WRHS Foundation Board member and women’s health advocate.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Arkansas Affiliate made history last year when, for the first time, it awarded grants totaling $1 million. That trend continued this year as the organization handed out checks to 28 Arkansas organizations totaling more than $1.2 million.
“We are thrilled that our grant program continues to grow after 14 years,” said Arkansas Affiliate Executive Director Sherrye McBryde. “This year we awarded $1,205,221 to 28 very worthwhile breast cancer projects around the state.”
“The support that Arkansans provide to Komen for the Cure through the Race for the Cure and other events continues to grow each year,” McBryde said. “It is because of that support that we are able to offer grants to worthy organizations dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.”
The affiliate also awarded its highest honor, the Hickingbotham Award for Service, to Vickey Metrailer, long-time Komen volunteer. The Hickingbotham Award is named in honor of executive Frank Hickingbotham and his family who were founding sponsors of the Arkansas Race for the Cure.
“Vickey has worked in the operations area of the Race for the Cure for a number of years and was race chair in 2001,” McBryde said. “She has been instrumental in the evolution of our grants process.”
The Komen Arkansas Affiliate also inducted Julie Bridgforth and Dr. Robert Fincher into its Pink Ribbon Society. The Pink Ribbon Society is an honorary membership based on community leadership in the area of breast health and breast health awareness and given to recognize significant contributions to the state to advance the mission of the Komen organization.
Bridgforth has served as race director for many years and as Arkansas Affiliate board president. She has been largely responsible for the awareness and screening programs in Pine Bluff and the Delta areas of the state, according to McBryde.
Dr. Fincher pioneered every breast imaging procedure in Arkansas, including needle localization and stereotactic and ultrasound-guided core biopsies. He is currently serving as the lead interpreting physician and the audit-interpreting physician for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences/Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute.
Komen for the Cure was established as the Komen Foundation in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, Komen for the Cure, with its Affiliate Network, is the world’s largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and donors, Komen for the Cure has raised nearly $600 million for the fight against breast cancer.
Stone County Medical Center
Progress Continues
 May, 2008 - Mountain View, Ark – CT (computed tomography) is available again at Stone County Medical Center according to Karen Craft, Administrator. The mobile unit installed today will remain at the hospital during rebuilding.
Laboratory equipment damaged during the February tornado is being replaced and installed this week. Essential laboratory equipment was immediately available after the storm. The equipment installed this week will expand the services of the laboratory, offering physicians and their patients shorter turnaround time for tests previously sent to a reference laboratory for analysis.
“The diagnostic value of CT scans cannot be understated,” said Barry Pierce, M.D., Emergency Room Medical Director.
CT scanning—sometimes called CAT scanning—is a noninvasive, painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. CT scans of internal organs, bone, soft tissue and blood vessels provide greater clarity than conventional x-ray exams. It is one of the best tools for studying the chest and abdomen. In the Emergency Department, CT scans allow physicians to identify injuries to the head, liver, spleen, kidneys or other internal organs in cases of trauma. It is also valuable in diagnosing spinal problems and injuries to the hands, feet and other skeletal structures because it clearly shows very small bones as well as surrounding tissues such as muscle and blood vessels.
The hospital, working closely with the Arkansas Department of Health, continues to provide healthcare services during rebuilding. Emergency care, inpatient hospital care and surgical services are available.
May is Mental Health Month
Mental Health Month was created to raise awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of mental wellness for all. This year’s theme is focused on an essential component of maintaining and protecting mental health and wellness: social connectedness. Visit the following website to find out more: http://www.healthfinder.gov/library/nho/nho.asp?year=2008#32.
Lyon College Sorority Donates to WRMC Pediatrics Department
April, 2008 - Batesville, Ark. - Jamie Moore and Jessica Cameron representing Alpha Xi Delta Sorority at Lyon College presented 40 movie gift bags to the Pediatric Department at White River Medical Center.
Pictured with Jamie and Jessica from White River Medical Center are Tonya Nicholson, RN, 3rd Floor Nurse Manager; Christy West, LPN and Audra Autry, RN.
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Advances
Radiation Therapy Treatment
Batesville, Ark. - White River Medical Center (WRMC) is improving its ability to treat cancer using Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT is an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy that utilizes computer-controlled x-ray accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor. The radiation dose is designed to conform to the three-dimensional (3-D) shape of the tumor by modulating—or controlling—the intensity of the radiation beam to focus a higher radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissues.
Because the ratio of normal tissue dose to tumor dose is reduced to a minimum with the IMRT approach, higher and more effective radiation doses can safely be delivered to tumors with fewer side effects compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques. As with traditional radiation therapy, patients are scheduled for IMRT sessions five days a week for six to ten weeks. Currently, IMRT is being used to treat prostate, head and neck and some breast cancers.
The WRMC Cancer Care Center opened in 2000 offering patients radiation therapy locally by reducing or eliminating the obstacles associated with traveling more than an hour each day for treatment. Radiation therapy is an important element of WRMC’s comprehensive cancer treatment services that include state of the art imaging for early detection, surgical treatments and chemotherapy. For more information about IMRT services or early detection and treatment contact the WRMC Cancer Care Center at 262-6200.
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