“Music therapy is not a new science,” said Vidant Chief Experience Officer Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert. “We know that music can calm anxieties and ease pain. Music from internationally renowned musicians provides a soothing experience for community members in the observation area after they receive their dose of hope.”
Four Seasons Artistic Director Ara Gregorian values the partnership they have built with Vidant. “Four Seasons is committed to bringing great music and musicians to as many people as possible, and I can think of no better way to do this during the pandemic than bringing musicians from around the world to regularly perform at the Large-Scale Vaccine Clinic,” Gregorian said.
“The beautiful, healing music gratefully provided by Four Seasons will forever be a part of the memories of those that receive their vaccine,” Dr. Oehlert said. Vidant and Four Seasons have partnered for years to bring musical experiences to patients at ECU Health Medical Center via live performances and video recordings featuring acclaimed Four Seasons musicians.
Dr. Oehlert said, “This collaboration is yet another demonstration of how our community comes together to support each other during this pandemic and other times of need.”
Vidant has vaccinated over 10,000 people thus far. For more information about vaccination appointments, visit www.Vidanthealth.com/vaccinate or sign up for email updates on Vidant’s vaccine efforts as new information becomes available.
Pediatric neurosurgery is the surgical treatment of diseases of the brain and spine in children. This includes a wide variety of conditions, from ones that children are born with, to others that children acquire later in life.
Dr. Kathleen Knudson, a pediatric neurosurgeon with Vidant Neurosurgery, shares her experiences and her process for working with patients and their families.
“When I am trying to decide on the best plan for the patient, I look at the entire person,” she said. “I talk to them and find out what they are concerned about and get a detailed neurological exam. I often get an imaging study, depending on what their concern is. Then, I use all this information together, (the history, exam, and imaging) to make a recommendation on surgery. I don’t just look at the imaging alone to make a recommendation.”
In this process, Dr. Knudson works together with the patient and their families to come up with the right treatment for the child.
“It is a team effort,” she said. “I work closely with other Vidant team members, including pediatric oncologists, pediatric neurologists, general surgeons, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, and many other providers to help take care of the patient.”
Dr. Knudson added, “Often, there is more than one surgical option for patients. I go over these different options with the family to decide what is the best plan for everyone. I often recommend minimally invasive surgery, so the child will have a smaller incision and a faster recovery.”
Pediatric neurosurgery patients are seen and treated at the Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville. If your child may require neurosurgery, talk to your provider for a referral to Vidant Neurosurgery. If you do not have a Primary Care Provider, Vidant Health can help you find one by calling 1-800-472-8500. You can also learn more on the Neurological Care page.
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