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THE DARRYL WORLEY CANCER TREATMENT CENTER BREAKS GROUND IN SAVANNAH, TN ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3
Country Singer's Dream of Cancer Treatment Center Moves to Next Phase

Nashville, TN, February 23, 2010 ... Platinum-selling country artist Darryl Worley's vision and dream of one day opening a cancer treatment center in his hometown is finally coming true. On Wednesday, March 3, the groundbreaking ceremony of The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center is set to take place in Savannah, TN.

In 2005, Worley and representatives of Hardin Medical Center and Hardin County Community and Healthcare Foundation in Hardin County joined forces to put a plan into action to open The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center.

The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center will afford both radiation and chemotherapy treatment for cancer patients. The building will be located on the campus of Hardin Medical Center and is envisioned to allow cancer patients to receive therapy without the long drives currently required of many who need these treatments.

It’s been our dream to build this cancer treatment center here in Hardin County for several years now, and the people of Hardin County and the West Tennessee area have done a lot to help make this dream a reality,” states Worley. "We have a really high cancer rate in our general area and all of our lives have been affected by the dreaded disease so there is a lot of passion in this for everyone."

"Having the capability to provide additional therapies here in Hardin County will save so many hours of traveling for patients who least need to be driving long distances," says Hardin Medical Center CEO, Charlotte Burns. "I know it is this human side of combating cancer that has touched Darryl's heart so deeply."

Worley, who lost both of his grandfathers and one of his aunts to cancer, knows all too well the emotional and physical tolls it takes when a loved one has the disease. "I know what it cost when they had to go out of town for treatment. I don't want anyone else having to make those trips, adding to what they are already going through," Worley says.

After his loss, Worley knew he was in a unique position to put his vision to help others into action. "Both my mom's dad and my dad's dad died with cancer. One of them would not even try to make the long, back and forth, out-of-town trips for radiation therapy," Worley explains. "People just shouldn't have to go through that kind of stuff, and I'm really excited that this center will help so many. This is going to be an emotional day for us all when we break ground. It's been a long time coming."

The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center has received a guaranteed maximum price of $2.0 million for construction of the building. The Hardin County Community and Healthcare Foundation, Inc. has taken on a mission of raising the construction costs, already raising over $1.6 million to date through donations and pledges. “We are getting down to the wire now,” commented Jack Adams, the Foundation’s president. “We are encouraging everyone to help us raise the remaining $400,000 as soon as possible so that the center can open debt free.” Of the money already raised, the singer's own charity, The Darryl Worley Foundation, has made a $600,000 donation to the cause.

"No one is exempt from this disease," Worley says. "Although a cure has not yet been found, we must do what we can to treat cancer patients with the technology available to us."

The treatment center has hopes of opening its doors by early 2011. In the meantime, Worley will continue his fundraising efforts through his annual Tennessee River Run non-profit organization where proceeds also benefit charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Donations to The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center can be sent to Hardin Medical Center, 935 Wayne Road, Savannah, TN 38372.

For more information on The Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center or The Darryl Worley Foundation, please visit his website, www.darrylworley.com.

Hardin Medical Center Announces New
Tobacco-Free Policies

Hardin Medical Center (HMC) has announced plans to implement a new campus-wide, tobacco-free policy beginning February 14, 2010. HMC currently prohibits smoking within the facility, but does allow smoking in specially designated areas.

The new policy will ban the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco, on all Hardin Medical Center properties, including its buildings and parking lots.

Hospital leaders say the new policy reflects the facility’s interest in advancing healthy lifestyles in Hardin County. “We are eliminating tobacco-use on our property to provide a healthier, safer environment for our employees, patients, and visitors and to promote positive, healthy behaviors,” said Charlotte Burns, CEO at HMC.

Although the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office in 1964 declared that smoking is hazardous to health, smoking remains the number one cause of preventable death and disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

HMC views tobacco-use as a major health concern for employees and patients. “We can no longer turn a blind eye to on-campus smoking when we know that continued tobacco-use can cause problems for a patient,” said Dr. Chad Smith, HMC Chief of Staff. “Smoking slows wound healing, increases infection rates in surgeries, and is the most common cause of poor birth outcomes.”

The majority of all tobacco-users say they want to quit. Burns recognizes the challenges of breaking the addiction to nicotine and respects an individual’s quitting process. “We are not telling anyone they must quit smoking,” said Burns. “We’re saying don’t use tobacco products at Hardin Medical Center while you are a patient or visitor. We can suggest ways to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms, and if you are ready to quit, we have trained professionals and community partners who can help you.”

HMC has created a committee of employees, including current smokers and those who have successfully quit smoking, to help facilitate becoming tobacco-free. In implementing the new tobacco-free policy, the hospital plans to offer tobacco-cessation assistance to employees and patients.

HMC hopes hospital employees will help inform visitors and patients about the upcoming policy change. “This will not be easy,” Burns stated, “but it’s central to our continuing efforts to make Hardin Medical Center a great place to work and to receive health care.” HMC will also participate in outreach programs, along with other local organizations, to educate the community on the advantages of a healthy lifestyle.

Hardin Medical Center Pharmacy Staff
Honored for Innovation

NASHVILLE, TN - The Pharmacy Staff at Hardin Medical Center in Savannah, Tennessee was recently presented with the Innovative Health-System Pharmacy Practice Award by the Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists (TSHP) in an awards ceremony held during the 122nd Annual Convention of the Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

The award is given annually to a hospital pharmacy department staff in recognition of efforts which advanced the level of pharmacy services within the past twenty-four months.

Under the leadership of Pharmacy Director Nancy Hurt, Pharm.D., the pharmacy department at Hardin Medical Center implemented technological improvements including the addition of a unit based automated dispensing system, twenty-four hour pharmacist review utilizing remote order entry, and an electronic medication administration record. She has also added a protocol for electrolyte replacement after chest pain, an innovative move for small, rural hospitals.

The pharmacy staff also provides clinical services and disease management activities including pharmacokinetic dosing services and participation in development of protocols for management and treatment of community acquired pneumonia, heart failure, chest pain and anticoagulation.

The pharmacy staff consistently work with nursing, performance improvement, and ancillary departments to develop action plans to improve the patient care process. Hardin Medical Center’s pharmacy hours are from 8 to 5, Monday through Friday, but pharmacists are on-call 24/7 for emergency retrieval of medications from pharmacy and for consultation to physicians and nursing. The pharmacy department has a genuine sense of ownership and desire for the hospital’s success in caring for patients.

The Tennessee Society of Health-System Pharmacists is a statewide professional organization for pharmacists whose practice is in an institution or health-system. It is affiliated with the Tennessee Pharmacists Association and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Back Row L-R: Catina Thompson PhT, Tonya Branner PhT, Nancy Hurt PharmD, Sonja Shultz PhT, Brenda White CPhT
Front Row L-R: LeighAnn Cagle D.Ph., Candace Frazier, PharmD

Take Advantage of Us - We Want You To
HMC End of Summer Health Fair

Each August Hardin Medical Center and the Hardin County Community and Healthcare Foundation, Inc. have been proud to invite our community to our “End of Summer ‘Back to Health’ Fair.” This year’s event will be Saturday, August 22, from 8:00 a.m. until noon. A variety of valuable tests and health screenings will be offered absolutely free of charge. All you need to do is show up. Hardin Medical Center and the Foundation share a common mission of improving the delivery of healthcare and promoting healthy lifestyles in our community. The annual health fair helps achieve this mission through education and health screenings.

The fair is designed for adults and has something to offer for everyone. You can have your blood pressure and blood oxygen level checked. Laboratory staff will be drawing blood to check cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Tests results are more accurate if you refrain from eating after midnight before the fair . Results will be sent to you in the mail so that you may discuss them with your physician. Our Radiology department is offering electrocardiograms (ECGs ) and aortic aneurysm screenings, also free of charge.

HMC’s registered dietitian will conduct body fat analyses and offer nutritional counseling. Worried about your hearing or eyesight? Screenings for both will be available, conducted by hearing aid providers and the local Lions Club.

You will also have an opportunity to meet and talk to local physicians and pharmacists. You might even get to see an AirEvac Lifeteam helicopter up close and personal. And as always, there will be free refreshments, prize drawings, and promotional items for everyone.

Make your plans now to be at Hardin Medical Center on August 22 at 8 a.m. It will be a morning filled with healthcare education and doing something positive for your health. This especially makes good sense this year with the state of the economy and more people not having health insurance. This is a great opportunity to spare your wallet while getting valuable services. That’s another reason we’re looking forward to seeing you at our “End of Summer ‘Back to Health’ Fair.”

So take advantage of us! Let us save you some money and maybe even do a little more than that! See you at the fair!

HCHS Youth Leadership Group Tours Important CountyFacilities - January 2009

The Central Bank Hardin County Youth Leadership Group made up of 21 leaders from Hardin County High School was on the road again in Hardin County recently to complete the annual tour of county government and health facilities. The day began with an extensive tour of the Hardin Medical Center. Hosted by center administrators Charlotte Burns and Diane Deberry, the group was given the red carpet treatment as they were treated to breakfast and taken to practically every corner of the health services facility. Afterward, the group traveled to the Hardin County Courthouse where they were the guests of Hardin County Executive Kevin Davis. The group was entertained and informed by several county department heads and elected officials who described their roles in local government. Later in the day the group made a visit to Shackelford Funeral Directors. Funeral director and group sponsor Joseph Thomas led the group on a tour of the funeral facility and fielded questions about the operation of the business and the services provided. Following the tours brief meeting of the group was held at school to finalize plans for the 2009 community project that will be announced in the next few weeks.

The group will next travel to Nashville in early March to visit state government at the state capitol.

Show below is the group at the Hardin Medical Center with Director Charlotte Burns and Assistant Administrator Diane DeBerry.

HMC New Year's Baby Arrives

Caleb Charles Luong was the first baby born in 2009 at Hardin Medical Center in Savannah. Caleb, the son of Chun and Ruth Luong of Savannah, arrived at 12:21 p.m. on January 2 nd, weighing 7 pounds 7 ounces and measuring 20 inches long.

Caleb, HMC’s Baby New Year, and his mother were presented with a large basket of supplies and gifts donated by community businesses, including Bodies in Motion, Connie Williams, Cooper Reese, Greene’s, Hardin County Bank, Hardin Medical Center, Spa- Licious, Spoiled Rotten and Wal-Mart.

The Luong’s 5-year-old son Benjamin also eagerly waited for the birth of his baby brother. Benjamin recently announced that he and his mother would have the job of playing with the baby, while daddy Chun would be responsible for changing diapers! Grandparents are Chieu and Janie Luong and Chuck and Susan Staggs, all of Savannah.

In recent years the number of babies delivered at Hardin Medical Center has increased from less than 30 in 2005 to 338 in 2008, and Caleb is the first of approximately 350 babies expected in 2009. Jane Anna Cummings, obstetrics unit manager, noted that three physicians currently deliver babies at the facility, which keeps everyone busy on the unit. “Our mothers are very happy with the personal care we provide during their stays with us. And they are pleased with the labor-delivery-recovery rooms that allow them to stay in one room throughout the birth experience. We regard each baby as very special, and we treat them that way.”