While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is designated as a day of service, this challenge asked team members to make an impact through a charity, community group or helping a neighbor, friend or loved one in need. As we continue to fight against COVID-19, even seemingly small gestures go a long way in helping others.
Vidant Experience Catalyst Whitney Watson led the challenge and said it was an amazing opportunity to call on team members who make great impacts in their communities through their work.
“Leading this initiative gave me the opportunity to present a paradigm shift to our system in how we honor Dr. King,” Watson said. “I wanted every team member to know that Dr. King’s dream is for all of us, regardless of our differences.”
Team members got involved through many different channels and eagerly took on the challenge. Team members volunteered at a number of locations, including food banks, senior living facilities, a ranch and even assisting in preparing the Greenville Convention Center to host Vidant and Pitt County’s large-scale vaccination effort.
Nancy Turner, program coordinator with Vidant Health Careers, was one of the many team members who accepted the challenge. Turner spent time volunteering at the Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program, where she has volunteered for nearly two years.
“I enjoy working with the horses, I enjoy working outside and most importantly, I love working with the special needs exceptional children population,” Turner said. “I was able to spend several hours working with the horses and also training new volunteers as we get ready to start our new spring session in February.”
She said it was a great way to spend time giving back to an organization she loves during the MLK Week of Service.
Watson said the efforts of Vidant team members in the community service space are critical to breaking down barriers.
“Serving the communities where we live and work gives us an even deeper connection to those we strive to care for in eastern North Carolina,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to join the fight in eliminating disparities and allows us to give every single person in our community a chance to not just survive, but thrive.”
It’s not too late to take up the challenge and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through service to others. You can always reach out to charities, food banks or those in need and lend a helping hand. Dr. King’s message was often one of love, caring and hope and through service we can live out his dream.
Hear more Martin Luther King Jr. Day messages from Vidant Health team members:
The 72-year-old lifelong eastern North Carolina resident was among the first in line at the large-scale vaccination clinic, organized by Vidant Health and the Pitt County Department of Health.
“I hope and pray that some other people will come to realize that this is what we need to do,” Joyner said. “We need to get this vaccine.”
Vidant teams have been working around the clock to prepare to vaccinate more than 4,000 people in the first week.
“We knew this was going to be a big deal, we knew we were going to need a lot of help and expertise to do it,” said Dan Drake, PhD, RN, president of ECU Health Physicians & Ambulatory Services.
“There is a lot of pride with being able to offer this to people who are vulnerable, and frail and at risk,” said Vidant Health Chief Experience Officer Julie Kennedy Oehlert, DNP, RN. “And none of us take it lightly.”
“Many of the patients that we have immunized have been so gracious; in fact, many of them have talked about it like it’s a life-saving intervention and for many of them it may be,” said Drake.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be unprecedented, so is the defense against it.
“This is the largest mass vaccination effort in the history of humankind; it’s the largest public health intervention we have ever faced,” said Drake.
“We all stood and watched these people that we’ve been preparing for, for a couple of weeks – and we were just like, ‘Yay! You’re here. We’re here for you! You’re here, we’re here. Let’s do this!’” said Oehlert.
It’s a rallying cry for a region – and a dose of hope for the communities Vidant serves.
Joyner, for one, agrees: “It’s a blessing, it’s a blessing that we’ve got this.”
The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus and when cancer starts in this area, it is called cervical cancer. Each year more than 350 North Carolina women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and over 100 die from the condition, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The majority of these deaths occur in women over the age of 45.
Although cervical cancer starts from the cells with pre-cancerous changes, only some of the women with pre-cancer of the cervix will develop cancer. For those that do, treating cervical pre-cancers can prevent almost all cervical cancers.
Dr. Grainger Lanneau, chief of gynecology oncology at Vidant Health/ECU Health Cancer Care said, “The two most important things to do to prevent cervical cancer are to get the HPV vaccine if you are eligible, and to be tested regularly according to American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines.”
Pre-cancerous changes can be detected by the Pap test and treated to prevent cancer from developing. The HPV test looks for infection by high-risk types of HPV that are more likely to cause pre-cancers and cancers of the cervix. HPV infection has no treatment, but a vaccine can help prevent it.
These tests are done in the same way with a special tool used to gently scrape or brush the cervix to remove the cells for testing. If pre-cancer is found, it can be treated, keeping it from turning into a cervical cancer. The result of the HPV test, along with past test results, determines your risk of developing cervical cancer. If the test is positive, this could mean more follow-up visits, more tests to look for a pre-cancer or cancer and sometimes a procedure to treat any pre-cancers that might be found.
For more information about the risks and prevention of cervical cancer, or if you do not have a primary care provider, please contact the Prevention Clinic at ECU Health Cancer Care (252) 816-RISK (7475).
Wooten became a home health patient and he worked closed with his clinical team to become stronger and more stable when ambulating. Understanding Wooten’s physical limitations was a key component to Mr. Wooten’s success. Vidant Home Health and Hospice was determined to help make his dream of living independently a reality. When Mr. Wooten’s homecare team became aware of the need for housing Vanessa Johnson, a medical social worker, reached out to the Pitt County Housing Authority. They provided contacts and information to help with Wooten’s request. Toye Branch, site manager for Crystal Springs and Life House of Greenville, responded to the inquiry and provided guidance for Mr. Wooten to realize his dream.
Vanessa Johnson and Ms. Branch collaborated to find a home to accommodate Wooten’s physical challenges where he could continue independent living. Johnson said, “As a social worker, I listen and help patients to identify their options. Then, I advocate to help them cross barriers to improve their life circumstances.” Johnson has found the county housing authority to be a great resource for many of her clients.
“When the community is considering information about the Pitt County Housing Authority, they should know there are more options than public housing,” Branch said. She was able to help Mr. Wooten with the necessary paperwork to help him become a resident of Life House.
Sarah Taylor, marketing manager for Vidant Home Health and Hospice said, “At Vidant, our patients always come first. We are thrilled to help patients like Mr. Wooten find a home that meets his needs.”
For more information about the resources and services of Vidant Home Health and Hospice, call 252-847-2000.
“I am a planner and I am living the unexpected. It’s like nothing – it’s nothing you could ever study for,” said Lillian Wooten, a staff nurse at ECU Health Medical Center. “Everything I learned in nursing school, out the window.”
Wooten joined Vidant last summer – in the middle of a pandemic.
“I think that’s what brings me back,” Wooten said, “hoping to make a difference.”
She’s spent nearly every day since joining caring for COVID-19 patients. Now, she’s catching a break as another nursing unit at ECU Health Medical Center has volunteered to tag in so Wooten and her team could step away.
“We offered a respite for them for four weeks and we are hoping it will help them enjoy the holidays a little bit better with their families,” said Tracy Hobbs, assistant nurse manager in 3 East at ECU Health Medical Center.
Hobbs and fellow nurses who serve the 3 East unit at ECU Health Medical Center have stepped in to care for COVID patients on the Medical Step Down Unit (MSU) for a four-week period during this holiday season. This will allow the nurses on MSU to rest, rejuvenate and reconnect with their loved ones.
It’s a welcome change of pace and the embodiment of Vidant’s values.
“We know that when the call is made that we are going to go, and help,” Hobbs said.
As these teams support one another they also hope the communities Vidant serves do their part too.
“Wear your mask, social distance, love from afar,” Hobbs said. “I think it’s important to remember that this is not going away and it actually is getting worse.”
Remember to follow COVID-19 protocols – wash your hands frequently, maintain a social distance from others and wear a mask when in public.
“If you could just come, sit and see how hard it is for some patients to even breathe,” Wooten said. “Something so little as wearing a mask, I know it’s uncomfortable but—it could save someone’s life.”
For more information, visit VidantHealth.com/COVID-19
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but in 2020, it can feel like there’s not much to celebrate.
As your holiday plans are canceled or altered because of the pandemic, Dr. Ashley Britton, an assistant clinical professor at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine, is reminding us all to be compassionate to ourselves and others.
Britton says the holiday blues are heightened this year because of increased levels of anxiety and depression caused by the pandemic. Many have experienced loss and isolation this year, which can take a greater toll during the holiday season.
If you notice changes in your sleep or appetite, lack of motivation, increased irritability, social withdrawal, or poorer focus/memory, you may be experiencing the holiday blues. If your symptoms persist into the spring but alleviate once the sun sticks around longer, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.
To manage these feelings, Britton suggests setting realistic goals for yourself and to pace yourself. She says you should prioritize important activities, work on being present, and to spend time with loved ones.
If you need to talk to someone, you can call any of the following crisis lines:
· Local Crisis Line: 252-413-1637
· Real Crisis Center: 252-758-4357
· Mobile Crisis 24 Hr X 7 Days A Week 1-866-437-1821
· Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
One of the most important actions to take to preserve your health is to know your risks and to get a lung cancer screening if recommended by your health care provider. The only recommended screening test for lung cancer is low-dose computed tomography, also called a low-dose CT scan or LDCT.
Dr. Mark Bowling, chief of pulmonary & critical care, and director of thoracic oncology program at ECU and ECU Health Medical Center, said, “Early identification is key and right now the best chance for a cure is early detection and surgical resection. Early-stage lung cancer may not remain early for long, so take action now.”
There are ways to reduce risk for lung cancer that should serve as a checklist to anyone concerned about their health. One of the primary causes of lung cancer is smoking and vaping. Quitting smoking makes a positive impact on lung health. Avoiding secondhand smoke is another factor in reducing lung cancer risks. It is important to have your home or residence tested for radon. This odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Finally, lower exposure to cancer-causing substances at work or in the home. These substances include asbestos, arsenic, nickel and chromium.
Advances in the therapies for lung cancer are encouraging. “Treatments for lung cancer, despite the stage, are advancing at an incredible pace,” Dr. Bowling said. “Hope and optimism for not only long-term control of the disease, but for a cure is in the realm of possibility.”
For more information about the risks and prevention of lung cancer, or if you do not have a primary care provider, please contact the Prevention Clinic at ECU Health Cancer Care (252) 816-RISK (7475)