SOMC Names New Senior Medical Director of Vascular Surgery
August 31, 2011 » Marion Hochstetler, M.D., a physician specializing in vascular surgery at Southern Ohio Medical Center has been named Senior Medical Director of Vascular Surgery at SOMC.
Dr. Hochstetler joined the SOMC team in July 2009 as a vascular surgeon. He will now join the practice of the SOMC Heart and Vascular Associates.
Dr. Hochstetler received his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine in Rootstown, Ohio. He completed a residency in general surgery at Summa Health System in Akron, Ohio. Dr. Hochstetler completed a fellowship in vascular surgery at Greenville Hospital Systems in Greenville, SC. He is board certified in vascular and general surgery.
“I’m so excited to begin my new role and continue serving our community,” Hochstetler, said, “I’d like to thank the community, my patients, co-workers and SOMC for their continued support.”
Dr. Hochstetler can be reached at the SOMC Heart and Vascular Associates, 1711 27th Street, Braunlin Building, Suite 206 in Portsmouth, Ohio. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 740-356-8772.
Desco Donates To SOMC Endowment
August 29, 2011 » Desco Federal Credit Union board members recently attended the Southern Ohio Medical Center Nautical Adventures Fundraiser for the SOMC Endowment Fund. Desco opted to donate the $1,000 cash prize to the SOMC Endowment Fund- a fund that supports the future growth of health services provided by SOMC. Desco President Lee Powell (left) presents the prize check to SOMC President and CEO Randy Arnett.
SOMC To Host Drug Addiction Seminar
August 29, 2011 » Southern Ohio Medical Center will offer a free educational seminar titled, “The Disease of Drug Addiction: Communication Strategies for the Healthcare Team” from 12 to 3 p.m. or 6 to 9 p.m. September 8 at the Friends Community Center, located at 1202 18th Street in Portsmouth.
Keynote speakers are Ed Hughes, MPS, LICDC and Geneva Sanford, MSW, LSW, LICDC from the Counseling Center. The event is open to local healthcare providers and community members. Contact hours for nurses and social workers are available.
Registration is required and can be made by contacting 740-356-2733.
SOMC to Host Knit for Hope
August 26, 2011 » Knitters and crocheters of all skill-levels are invited to an evening of fun, food and to support a good cause as part of the Knit for Hope group at Southern Ohio Medical Center.
The group will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 30 at the SOMC Friends Community Center, 1202 18th Street in Portsmouth, Ohio.
Patterns for lap quilts, throws, shawls, hats and caps will be available, though attendees are asked to bring their own needles and yarn (of any color). Finished products will be donated to breast cancer patients of the SOMC Cancer Center.
For more information, please call the SOMC Volunteer Office at 740-356-8234.
SOMC Volunteers Spend The Day At Huntington Mall
August 26, 2011 » Southern Ohio Medical Center volunteers recently took a one-day shopping trip to Huntington, W.Va. SOMC Manager of Volunteer Services Jenny Lavender (right, back row) plans various outings, luncheons and activities throughout the year to honor and celebrate SOMC volunteers for their hard work and time. For more information or to become a volunteer at SOMC, please call 740-356-8236.
SOMC To Host 34th Annual Run for Your LIFE Event
August 18, 2011 » Local runners and community members are invited to compete in Southern Ohio Medical Center’s 34th Annual Run For Your LIFE competition. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 3 at the SOMC Life Center, 1202 18th St., Portsmouth.
Entrants may choose to participate in either a 5K or 10K event. Registration and packet pick-up will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2 and 7 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 with all events beginning at 8 a.m.
In addition to the 5K and 10K races, the Life Center will also host a Pump and Run event. A Runner’s race time is based on how many times he or she can bench press their body weight with 30 seconds per repetition deducted from final 5K time. Time deductions will be taken for a maximum of 30 repetitions. Registration for the Pump and Run will begin at 6:30 a.m. and is limited to 100 participants.
Awards will be presented immediately after the race to the top three finishers of each age division of the 5K and 10K. Awards also will be given to each male and female with the fastest times; however, male and female recipients will not receive duplicate awards.
Registration brochures can be picked up from the Portsmouth LIFE Center or can be accessed online by visiting www.somc.org/life/run. Participants can also register online at www.active.com. Cost of the race is $15 per person before Sept. 2 or $20 the day of the event. T-shirts will be given to the first 300 participants who register.
For more information, please contact Jim Kolar at 740-356-7566 or send an e-mail request to kolarj@somc.org.
SOMC Offers Stroke Support Group, August 24
August 17, 2011 » The Rehab Care Unit at Southern Ohio Medical Center offers a monthly support group for patients and family members suffering from a stroke.
The Moving Forward After Stroke Support Group will meet from 4 to 5 p.m. August 24 in the Rehab Care Unit Conference Room, located on the SOMC Main Campus, 1805 27th Street, Portsmouth.
SOMC Dietician Kim McCray will be the key speaker for the evening and she will present education on diets to help prevent strokes. Pre-registration is not required and the meeting is open to the community.
The SOMC Rehab Care Unit is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and recently earned Stroke Specialty accreditation by CARF reviewers.
For more information, please call Belinda Carter, program director of the SOMC Rehab Care Unit, at 740-356-8629.
SOMC to Offer Heart Support Program, August 23
August 16, 2011 » The Heart and Vascular Services at Southern Ohio Medical Center have formed a local chapter of the Mended Hearts program and will meet from 5 to 7 p.m., Aug. 23 at the SOMC Friends Community Center, 1202 18th St. in Portsmouth.
The Mended Hearts, Inc. is a national nonprofit support organization that includes heart patients, spouses, healthcare professionals and others interested in helping patients with the emotional recovery from heart disease. With 280 community-based chapters nationwide, Mended Hearts has 24,000 members, making it the largest heart-related patient support group.
“Members assist cardiac patients with an extensive accredited visitors program, support groups, health information workshops, social and special events and other volunteer activities,” Keri Imm, nurse manager of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation at SOMC, said. “Mended Hearts has been offering hope and encouragement to heart patients, families and caregivers for 50 years and the outreach and support is a proven benefit to the community.”
Imm adds that while heart patient-to-patient visits are the core of the Mended Hearts’ program, volunteers do not have to be a patient. Caregivers, family members of patients, physicians, nurses, other healthcare professionals and anyone else interested are invited to participate.
For more information or to reserve your seat, please call 740-356-7663.
SOMC Offers CPAP Education Clinic
August 15, 2011 » According to the National Institute of Health, sleep apnea affects more than twelve million Americans. SOMC’s Sleep Diagnostic Center offers a CPAP education clinic to provide sleep apnea patients with the ability to manage their disease process and to increase CPAP therapy compliance.
“Insurance guidelines are beginning to require documentation of compliance for patients to continue CPAP therapy,” Michelle Lyons, supervisor of Sleep Disorders at SOMC, said. “Our goal is to help patients better understand CPAP therapy so they will feel more comfortable and will be more likely to utilize the treatment.”
Donita Hackworth was diagnosed with sleep apnea a year ago and she struggled at first with the CPAP machine and couldn’t find a mask that would work for her.
“I found out about the CPAP clinic through a co-worker and I asked my doctor to order the clinic for me. Michelle was great and she worked patiently with me.” Hackworth said. “I tried several different CPAP masks at a time and it took a few months but I finally found one that worked for me. Before I was diagnosed, I had to save all of my energy just to go to work and now I’ve picked up long distance running like I used to do and I have enough energy to train for a marathon!”
Lyons added, “We tailor the CPAP clinic to meet the individual needs of our patients and we meet one-on-one to find the equipment that works best for them.”
There are several long-term health consequences of untreated sleep apnea such as high blood pressure, increased risk of stroke and heart attack, memory problems, headaches, weight gain and in some cases, diabetes. Untreated sleep apnea can result in sleepiness during the day that may be responsible for job impairment and motor vehicle accidents.
The educational clinic is open to any patient currently on treatment with mask fitting or toleration issues as well as newly diagnosed and those who have just begun treatment for sleep apnea. A physician order is required and SOMC offers an array of sleep studies. For more information, please contact the SOMC Sleep Diagnostic Center at 740-356-8822.
SOMC Donates to Clay Legacy Fund
August 15, 2011 » Southern Ohio Medical Center recently donated $1,000 to the Clay School Legacy Fund-a fund that provided 11 scholarships this year to Clay High School students. The recipient of the scholarship provided by SOMC is Bethany Coffey (center). She graduated from Clay High School in May 2011 and will attend Shawnee State University to pursue nursing. Pictured at Clay High School is (from left) Yodi Wilson, secretary of the Clay Alumni Association; Fred Reeder, vice president of the Clay Alumni Association; Dean Wray, vice president of Finance at SOMC; Coffey; Charles T. Leonard, president of the Clay Alumni Association and David Richard, treasurer of the Clay Alumni Association.
SOMC Welcomes Dr. Klepper
August 12, 2011 » Sean M. Klepper, M.D., a physician specializing in pathology, has been welcomed to the medical staff of Southern Ohio Medical Center. He is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology.
Dr. Klepper received his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn. He completed a residency in anatomic and clinical pathology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Mass. and a fellowship in hematopathology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tenn.
Dr. Klepper can be reached by calling 740-356-8280.
SOMC Offers Breast Cancer Support Group
August 11, 2011 » A breast cancer support group is offered by the SOMC Cancer Center and volunteers to provide ongoing support and fellowship to women diagnosed with breast cancer.
The group will meet at 1 p.m. August 17 at the SOMC Cancer Center, located at 1121 Kinneys Lane in Portsmouth. The support group meets on the third Wednesday of each month and guest speakers provide education and encouragement.
For more information, please call 740-356-7496.
Community Joins SOMC for a Nautical Adventure
Southern Ohio Medical Center and the SOMC Foundation hosted a Nautical Adventure fundraiser aboard the Belle of Cincinnati July 27. Shawnee State University was named the $5,000 winner of the event, and will use their grand-prize earnings to create a scholarship in the name of SOMC. Pictured at the check presentation are SSU President Dr. Rita Rice Morris (left) and SOMC President and CEO Randy Arnett.
August 9, 2011 » Community members set sail for an evening of entertainment and support of a good cause during the SOMC Foundation Board’s Nautical Adventure fundraiser, held July 27 aboard the Belle of Cincinnati riverboat.
More than 250 people attended the celebration to raise funds for the hospital’s Endowment—a long-term financial investment created to ensure that exceptional healthcare, training, technology and services are available to local communities for many generations to come.
“In an ever-changing environment, where healthcare funding is more uncertain than ever, organizations are building endowments to secure the stability and quality of community care,” Randy Arnett, president and CEO of Southern Ohio Medical Center, said. “SOMC is no exception, which is why we established our own Endowment in 2003.”
Since its creation, the fund has matured to $1.8 million and continues to grow through support during events like the Nautical Adventure, whose proceeds will be matched dollar-for-dollar by SOMC and added to the Endowment’s total.
“Though the Foundation Board and organization are committed to the growth of this fund, we would be nowhere without the continual support given to us by our local businesses, friends and residents during our annual celebrations,” Arnett said. “These events help better our community’s future and we’re always grateful for the generosity that we receive during them.”
In addition to dinner on the riverboat, many prizes were awarded during the Nautical Adventure, with Shawnee State University winning the grand prize of $5,000. The university will use their winnings toward the creation of a scholarship in the name of SOMC to benefit a Health Sciences student.
“SOMC is a vital part of this community and a valuable partner to Shawnee State, which is why we wanted to support the Foundations’ event,” Dr. Rita Rice Morris, president of Shawnee State University, said. “When our ticket was drawn, we were surprised and very excited. We feel that through this award the entire community has won because we are now able to help a health care professional complete his or her education.”
“It’s outstanding to know that our grand prize will go to a student who could potentially work at SOMC after graduation and we are honored that SSU would use their winnings in such a charitable way,” Arnett added. “It’s the icing on the cake to an exceptionally successful event and we thank everyone who donated toward our Endowment.”
SOMC Donates School Supplies to Benefit Community
Southern Ohio Medical Center employees donated more than 1,800 school supplies for local students during the 2011 United Way School Supply Drive. Pictured at the donation drop-off is (from left) Maureen Cadogan representing the Homeless Shelter, Mary Ann Peercy, United Way of Scioto County Executive Director, Beverly Stringer, SOMC United Way Champion and Emma Jean Adkins, SOMC Volunteer.
August 8, 2011 » Employees of Southern Ohio Medical Center donated more than 1,800 school supply items for area children during the 2011 United Way School Supply Drive, which took place August 5 at the hospital.
“Last year we collected a tremendous amount of school supplies and this year was no different,” Beverly Stinger, coordinator of the SOMC United Way campaign, said.
School supply lists were given to employees, with each item designated a point value, Stringer explained. For each point a staff member earned, they were given the chance to enter into one of the gift basket prize drawings.
“With the current economic times, it’s especially incredible to see the generosity displayed to our community by SOMC employees,” Mary Peercy, executive director of the United Way of Scioto County, said. “SOMC and its employees have always been supportive with their donations and we thank them for their continued dedication.”
SOMC Hospice Memorial Ride Raised $22,000
August 3, 2011 » SOMC Hospice held its Third Annual Memorial Bike Ride, July 30. More than 200 motorcycle enthusiasts revved up their engines for a 60-mile police-escorted scenic drive through Scioto and Pike Counties.
“This event was created in memory of motorcycling enthusiast Ricky Bryan,” Sheila Riggs, claims coordinator of Hospice Services, said. “Bryan began planning the ride before his death because he wanted to give back to our program and we felt it was important to follow through with his idea.”
Riggs said that the program decided to carry-on the tradition this year not only in memory of Bryan but also for all other bike riders and patients of SOMC Hospice Services.
The event and T-shirt sales collectively raised more than $22,000 for SOMC Hospice. Shown above is a portion of the participants lined up at the start of the ride.
SOMC Hospice would like to thank the volunteers, motor cycle participants, American Legion Post 23, the Scioto Ribber, R&R Tents, Southern Moon, ABLE Ambulance, Gypze Roze, Amanda Eaton, The Party Connection and Mac-A-Doos for their generosity and continued support of SOMC.
Cancer Patients Invited to Look Good…Feel Better Program at SOMC
August 1, 2011 » Southern Ohio Medical Center and the American Cancer Society (ACS) are helping to make female cancer patients feel more confident about their appearance through the Look Good…Feel Better support program-a national public service created by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, the National Cosmetology Association and the ACS to help patients who have recently completed or are currently undergoing cancer treatment.
The program meets the second Tuesday of every month, with the next session taking place at 5 p.m. August 9 at the SOMC Cancer Center, 1121 Kinneys Lane in Portsmouth.
During the two-hour, hands-on workshop, attendees will participate in skin-care and make-up application lessons, proper nail-care techniques and will learn how to wear and create headscarves and turbans to mask hair loss. Each patient will be given their own make-up kit and will also have the opportunity to try on and learn more about receiving wigs through the ACS wig-bank.
Participation is free but registration is required. To register or for more information, please call 740-356-7606 or 1-888-227-6446.
