By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell You’ve probably seen folks, especially teenagers, sporting a new look that is definitely not flattering to their health: vaping. This is a popular term for e-cigarette use. An e-cigarette is a battery fueled system that delivers nicotine and other chemicals to the smoker. Vaping product manufacturers […]
Baby Owen was due to enter the world in August of 2016. His mother, Amanda Bauman, 35, of Waynesville, had experienced a healthy pregnancy, and all was going as planned…until an obstetrics appointment in late June led to an emergency C-section. Bauman’s August baby arrived, surprisingly, on June 21. A Sudden Turn of Events “I […]
By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell At Mission Hospital McDowell (MHM), we’ve made it a top priority to study how patients flow through our Emergency Department’s care process. There are many complex, unpredictable situations that happen simultaneously – and change constantly – there. As we study the experiences of our patients, I […]
Hearing the words “I don’t care” or “nothing matters” from your teen should be a red flag for parents. “While these comments could be chalked up to teen drama, they could also be a cry for help,” said Ashley Carver, DO, a pediatrician with Mission Pediatrics – McDowell. Teenage years can be tumultuous and fraught […]
By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell In this column, I’ve talked about a range of health conditions, from diabetes to mental health, in an effort to raise awareness and explain treatment options and the recovery process. This month, I want to talk about a condition that doesn’t get a lot of attention, […]
Bringing a baby into the world is one of life’s most joyful events. In western North Carolina expectant parents are enjoying the amenities and enhanced safety offered by Mission Hospital McDowell’s five new state-of-the-art birthing suites. Margaret Sullivan, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist at Mission Women’s Care – McDowell and service line leader of Women’s Services […]
School supplies aren’t the only back-to-school essentials. Childhood vaccinations also top the list of must-haves. Whether it’s your little one’s first day of preschool or your high school graduate is heading off to college, getting your children immunized on time will help them stay healthy long after the school year ends. Vaccines protect individuals from […]
By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell One of the things I’m most proud about at our new Mission Hospital McDowell (MHM) is how we welcome expectant parents and their little ones. Our five state-of-the-art birthing suites were constructed with the goal of providing a family-centric experience while promoting the healthiest of beginnings […]
By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell Before we start school again next month – yes, it’s July already – I want to remind parents that this month is the perfect time to review your child’s immunizations status, see what might be missing and take care of getting any required vaccinations well before […]
By Carol Wolfenbarger Chief Executive Officer, Mission Hospital McDowell Summer is full of sun and fun, especially for kids. With summer vacation finally here, they can enjoy everything from baseball and trips to the beach to barbeques and bike rides. During this active season, the Mission Hospital McDowell emergency department typically sees an uptick of […]
