With start of school year approaching, its time for 2nd meningococcal vaccination – The Robesonian

July 03, 2020

With the upcoming school year seven weeks away, it is time to recognize that no matter what the classroom and the class schedule may look like, completion of the immunization requirements is still going to be in force. Besides the battery of vaccinations due upon entry to school, there is a requirement for children entering the seventh grade, or age 12, to receive their second meningococcal vaccine.

A plan had been developed between school officials, school nurses and this department to hold immunization events at the end of the school year and summer to ensure that this population received their immunization. Obviously those plans got derailed along with just about every persons personal and professional plans. All that is to say, parents are encouraged to access their health provider sooner rather than later as one really does not know what later summer adventure may surface, which may have more priority.

This department has completed one of five drive-through COVID testing events. It was recognized that Lumberton, St. Pauls and Pembroke had already had drive-through testing events and so the goal was to go to the outlying towns of Parkton, Red Springs, Maxton, Rowland and Fairmont. As there are at least five separate stations per site, facilities needed ample parking and a lengthy driveway to allow for good flow and not to interfere with highway traffic.

Several sites were investigated and the determination was made to use First Missionary Baptist Church in Parkton; St. Joseph Miracle Revival Center, Red Springs; Mill Branch Baptist Church, Fairmont; and Rowland Depot and RB Dean/Townsend Middle School, Maxton. With Parkton being completed, beginning July 10-11 we are in Red Springs, followed by Rowland July 17-18, Maxton July 24-25 and finishing with Fairmont July 31-Aug. 1. Staff have roughly been divided between the five sites and they will man most of the stations, with church volunteers assisting.

These efforts are coordinated by Community Organized Relief Efforts, are free to the public, use a self-administered oral/saliva swab and do not require preregistration, although preregistration (http://robesoncovidtesting.com) helps the flow. Details and registration information can be found on the Health Department and Robeson County Facebook page or by calling 910- 671-3220 for assistance.

During a similar time period, the Lumbee Tribal Government will be sponsoring an event in each of their districts that will make use of their community centers. For more information on their testing plan you will need to go to their information site.

June 27, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Health recently celebrated the graduation of 23 residents across three residency programs.

The virtual ceremonies, which were held June 19 in the Medical Education Auditorium at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, recognized residents who had completed their residencies at Southeastern Health in either emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine.

Some of the programs residents, attending physicians and nurses with which they worked were also recognized with special awards during the graduation ceremony.

Receiving awards were:

Emergency Medicine Resident of the Year: Field Austin Davis, DO;

Family Medicine Resident of the Year: Brandon T. Wei, DO;

Internal Medicine Resident of the Year: Dennis David Jow, DO;

Emergency Medicine Attending of the Year: Joseph Earl Deese, MD,

Family Medicine Attending of the Year: Charles Almond, MD;

Internal Medicine and Transitional Year Attending of the Year: Godfrey Onime, MD;

Emergency Medicine Nurse of the Year: Kayla Harvey, RN;

Family Medicine Nurse of the Year: Regina Scott, RN;

Internal Medicine and Transitional Year Nurse of the Year: Sharon Saunders, LPN.

Since 2015, Southeastern Health and its affiliates have been a major clinical campus for Campbell Universitys Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine. Residents in the family medicine, internal medicine, and emergency medicine began three-year or four-year residencies that year.

June 20, 2020

The COVID-19 drive-through conducted by the Health Department and the Lumbee Tribe had 80 positives out of 2,000 tests conducted. Typically, 6% to 8% of a population tests positive, so 4% is on the low side. However, testing was done on people without symptoms (asymptomatic), which reduces the percent testing positive. As far as people seeking testing, 43% were American Indian, 29% were African American, 19% were white (including Hispanics), 8% were multiracial or other, and 1% would not provide the information. As the emphasis is on testing populations considered traditionally to be in the minority, it can be noted that 90% of the people tested were clearly in the most affected populations, realizing that more than half of those listed as white were Hispanic.

So what is the composition of the total Robeson County population that has tested positive so far? Using the figures through June 1, 25% have been African American, 17% have been American Indian, 9% have been white (non-Hispanic), 41% have been white (Hispanic) and 8% were not identified. Clearly the processing plants employees have made up the bulk of the affected, but it has gone far beyond that as more and more people are being noted as acquiring the virus in community settings rather than workplace.

Following up on the drive-through at Robeson Community College and Lumbee Tribal Housing Authority, another round of drive-throughs will be provided. Utilizing Community Organized Relief Effort resources and funding from the Health Department and Robeson County government, drive-through testing will be provided in five of our towns: Parkton, Red Springs, Maxton, Rowland and Fairmont. They will occur Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting in Parkton on Friday and ending Aug. 1 in one of the other sites. An announcement will have all the particulars. This is in response to requests received from the public to take testing into more areas of the county.

And finally, I get asked from time to time what I think the outcome is going to be. I am afraid the general population has decided that for the good of the economy and to be able to do as one pleases, elderly and affirmed beings will be naturally sacrificed. Many individuals are exhibiting the symptoms of a teenager irrespective of their true age being invincible to the cause and being impervious to the ultimate outcome of their exposure on others. It is where we are in 2020.

June 13, 2020

LUMBERTON An orthopedic spine surgeon has joined Southeastern Healths Southeastern Orthopedics.

Dr. Jordan M. Glaser will begin seeing patients there on Wednesday. He will perform surgical procedures at both Southeastern Regional Medical Center and The Surgery Center at Southeastern Health Park.

Glaser is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Manhattan, N.Y., where he also served as an instructor of orthopaedic surgery.

He was trained in and applies both traditional and minimally invasive surgical techniques in his practice in order to speed postoperative recovery. And, he incorporates advanced surgical technology, including 3-dimensional image-guided navigation to foster patient safety and operative success. He also guides and provides his patients with nonsurgical care, including spine interventional procedures and injections, to improve symptoms and quality of life.

Glaser completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the Department of Orthopaedics at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he received orthopedic surgical experience ranging from the community setting to the Level I trauma center. He has authored multiple textbook chapters on spine surgery and has contributed to published spine surgical research during his career.

He received a medical degree from Universidad Central del Caribe School of Medicine. The doctor completed his premedical sciences and received his bachelor of arts degree from Dartmouth College. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Glaser is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a member of the North American Spine Society and the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

Call 910-738-1065 for more information or to schedule an appointment with Glaser at Southeastern Orthopedics, which is located within Southeastern Health Park at 4901 Dawn Drive, Suite 2300, in Lumberton.

June 06, 2020

The drive-through testing conducted at Robeson Community College and the Lumbee Tribe Housing Authority proved to be very successful on several fronts.

First, it was a cooperative service delivery that was spawned by a private organization called Community Organized Relief Effort, who was willing to commit their resources if the service could be provided. In essence this was two governmental bodies that delivered a product that was devoid of any racial overtones the service was available to all area residents at two locations. Second, augmenting the agency staffing was a host of volunteers, including the nursing students from the university and college. Without this manpower the event could not have happened. Third, it was anticipated that it would take 20 days to exhaust the test kits that were supplied, but it only took a little more than 12 days. Finally, we found that with a preregistered population, nearly 80 people could be served in an hour this is important to know as we get ready for mass vaccinations sometime in the future.

The only drawback that I am aware of was that by using the self-administered saliva testing kits, the kits had to be sent to a laboratory in Los Angeles for analysis. Some results took way too long, and it is a lesson learned. At any rate, a tip of the hat to the Robeson County governmental agencies, the Lumbee tribal government, the businesses that donated supplies and for the many volunteers, including site managers and coordinator.

There has been an ongoing debate about raising the minimum wage to a living wage. The current $7.25 was set by Congress in 2009 and I believe it was inadequate at that time. There has been little interest in moving it by that body. I find it interesting, that during the pandemic, Congress approved a $600 per week supplement to whatever the states were providing for unemployment compensation. Lets see, $600 divided by 40 hours equals $15 per hour, which has been the stated goal. So what Congress has said is that during a pandemic you need a more livable wage than when things are normal. It is hoped that they remember this effort and alter their stance.

The positive cases in Robeson County for COVID-19 have become staggering. They are the highest for any rural county in North Carolina except for Wayne County, which had a massive issue in the prison. By having such a volume, it allows for more areas to be a part of the issue. One cannot blame the meat processing plants as our problem when cases have shown up in other businesses, nursing homes, group homes, prison, other health-care facilities, etc., much less from personal activities such as going to church, shopping, attending funerals, visiting sick friends, etc. Robeson has 13 outbreaks listed when they talk about community acquired they are describing Robeson County.

We are all a part of the problem which means we all have to be part of the solution.

May 30, 2020

WILMINGTON The American Red Cross has sent out a plea for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-733-2767 or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As part of the effort to prevent a shortage a blood drive for 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The blood drive will take place on the first floor of the hospital located at 300 W. 27th St. in Lumberton. Blood will be drawn from donors by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call 910-671-5000.

In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid the rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.

All those who give Monday through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email.

Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day, said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesnt stop. We need the publics help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.

Its important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days. So, they must constantly be replenished. There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

May 23, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Wound Healing Center once again has been awarded a national award for clinical excellence.

The Center is a recipient of the Center of Distinction award by Healogics, the nations largest provider of advanced wound care services. There were 601 centers eligible for the award and 367 achieved the honor.

To win the award, the Wound Healing Center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for 12 consecutive months, including patient satisfaction higher than 92%, and a minimum wound healing rate of at least 92% within 28 median days to heal. There were 601 centers eligible for the award and 367 achieved the honor.

I am so proud of the amazing doctors and nurses here at the center, said Kathy Hansen, SWHC program director. Their patient-first attitude ensures great clinical outcomes, which, in turn, means our patients can get back to their lives sooner.

The Center is an affiliate of Southeastern Health and a member of the Healogics network of more than 600 Wound Care Centers and provides access to benchmarking data and proven experience treating about 2.5 million chronic wounds.

The center offers highly specialized wound care to patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, pressure ulcers, infections and other chronic wounds that have not healed in a reasonable amount of time.

Leading-edge treatments at the center include negative pressure wound therapy, total contact casting, bio-engineered tissues, biosynthetic dressings and growth factor therapies. The center also offers hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which works by surrounding the patient with 100% oxygen to help progress the healing of the wound.

May 16, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Healths The Surgery Center at Southeastern Health Park will reopen on Monday, and the center will be open for surgeries on Mondays and Wednesdays.

We are excited to be able to offer outpatient surgery again at this location which offers so much convenience for our patients, said Southeastern Health COVID-19 Incident Commander Jason Cox, who also serves as Southeastern Health vice president and Southeastern Regional Medical Center chief operating officer. We will be implementing all of the same safety protocols that are in place at SRMC to ensure that our patients can get the surgical care they need and want in a safe environment.

Visitors will be limited and patients will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms and given a mask before entering the surgical facility, which is located on the first floor of the Southeastern Health Park on Dawn Drive in Lumberton.

Employees of the center also will be screened before being allowed to report to work, and wear masks and personal protective equipment, or PPE, throughout their shift. Hand hygiene reminders will be in place for both patients and employees.

Anyone interested in having outpatient surgery performed at the center should consult with his or her surgeon.

Call 910-887-2361 for more information.

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May 16, 2020

LUMBERTON A registered nurse who works in Southeastern Regional Medical Centers Intensive Care Unit recently received Southeastern Healths highest honor.

Tess McNeill was presented Southeastern Healths 2020 Baker Nurse of Excellence on Tuesday. She was named this years honoree during a virtual ceremony hosted by the organizations Professional Growth Council as part of National Nurses Week.

Tess is the perfect example of what a leader should be, wrote the anonymous co-worker who nominated McNeill for the award. She not only provides excellent care, but she also plays a vital role in making the ICU an excellent work environment.

McNeill lives in Lumberton with her husband, Justin. She has worked for Southeastern Health since 2016 in the ICU at SRMC and in various other nursing departments as needed.

Being a nurse allows me to help those in need and possibly be the difference in life or death for some patients, McNeill said. It requires more than advanced knowledge and skill set. It also takes patience, dedication, respectfulness, and reliability. I am honored to be a nurse and to have the ability to make such a positive impact in my patients lives.

The other 2020 finalist nominees were Merita Bullock, Marsha Davis and Mary Ivey. The winner was selected by a panel based on nomination applications submitted by peers and on interviews.

Past Baker winners are Don Jake Jacobs, 2019; Deborah Peterson, 2018; Sharon Smith, 2017; Cynthia Kinlaw, 2016; Tammy McDuffie, 2015; Elizabeth Moore, 2014; and Melissa Britt, 2013.

The Baker Nurse of Excellence Award was established in 2014 through an endowed gift by Stephanie and Wil Bass, of Clayton. The award is named in honor of Stephanies late grandparents, Dr. Horace Baker Jr., a surgeon who was a member of the medical staff at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, and his wife, Dorothy, a former Army nurse. Dr. Horace Baker Sr., Bass great-grandfather, was founder of the Baker Sanatorium in 1921, which later merged with Thompson Hospital to form what was known as the Baker-Thompson Memorial Hospital in Lumberton in 1946. These two older facilities were replaced by a new hospital known as Robeson County Memorial Hospital in 1953, which later became Southeastern Regional Medical Center.

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May 16, 2020

LUMBERTON Southeastern Healths Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic, and Southeastern Health Heart and Vascular have a new cardiologist.

Dr. Alan Zhu will provide general cardiology and electrophysiology.

Zhu received his medical degree from Tongji Medical University, in China, in 1982. He received a master of science degree in biometry from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1991. He completed an internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota Medical School in 2003.

He competed a fellowship in cardiology at Loma Linda University Medical Center, in Loma Linda, California, in 2006, and an electrophysiology fellowship at University of Minnesota in 2007. He is a fellow of the America College of Cardiology.

He is board certified in both cardiovascular disease and clinical cardiac electrophysiology. Since 2011, he has worked as a cardiologist at Mercy Cardiology, Mercy Medical Center, in Sioux City, Iowa.

Southeastern Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinic is located at 2934 North Elm St., Suite 103 in the Southeastern Health Mall on the campus of Biggs Park Mall. Call 910671-6619 for more information.

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May 15, 2020

Many times broadcasters have used the expression cabin fever when they state there is an overwhelming desire for people to get outdoors, move about more freely or attend more functions. But is that really an appropriate expression for the way people have responded to the coronavirus stay-at-home request?

The definition of cabin fever is irritability, listlessness and similar symptoms resulting from long confinement or isolation indoors during the winter. While this could describe conditions for long-term care residents, it does not apply to most of the population. Long confinements do not include endless trips to the grocery stores, hardware stores, restaurant drive-throughs, home and yard stores, variety stores, out of county to wholesale stores, visits to the strawberry farms, and on and on. Judging by Roberts Avenue or Fayetteville Road, traffic does not appear to be much lighter than normal although the interstates are significantly less traveled as one would expect. While one might be interested in a return to what passes for normalcy, it certainly is not relief from cabin fever for most around here.

Drive-through testing for COVID-19 is ramping up this week throughout the state. While the hospital tried one early on, restrictions on who could be tested at that time decreased its effectiveness. Recognizing that so many asymptomatic people are unaware that they are infecting others, testing this population is an important step to getting a handle on the breath of the problem. Locally, using Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) resources under the purview of the Health Department and the Lumbee Tribe, drive-throughs will be held at the Robeson Community College and The Turtle. Please see the websites that have all the information for registration and dates/times of operation. There is no cost for this service.

A question often asked is how much does the test cost usually? All Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) in N.C. have received funding to provide COVID-19 testing. Other entities are also testing, such as hospitals, health departments and private clinics. There is a federal program that allows for reimbursement if a patient does not have insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, but not every private provider is going to want to go through that system. So the answer is there could be no cost to the patient. However, only the FQHC got federal funding specifically for testing. There is nothing wrong in knowing if there is a charge prior to obtaining the service.

As N.C. heads toward tripling the number of tests done daily, this might be a good opportunity to get tested.

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With start of school year approaching, its time for 2nd meningococcal vaccination - The Robesonian