Category: General News

Murray-Calloway County Hospital will halt all elective surgeries for a 30 day time period beginning close of business Wednesday, March 18. Our surgeons will determine which procedures are elective yet necessary to conduct. This step was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American College of Surgeons and the U.S. Surgeon General. All hospitals in our region are following the same guidance.

MCCH, which has asked surgeons to consider rescheduling elective surgeries, said the request is meant to help it to conserve medical supplies and blood, ensure resources are available to those most in need and to limit the number of patients and visitors coming into the hospital.

“We’re most likely to see patients with COVID-19, or possible COVID-19 (cases), at the hospital,” Jerry Penner, CEO said. “At the same time, we want to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.”

Elective surgeries that may be postponed include surgeries for gallbladder stones for patients experiencing no symptoms, some orthopaedic cases, bariatric surgeries or hernias with no risk of perforation.

Administration at MCCH said they will look to surgeons to help decide which surgeries should be considered urgent and be performed. Patients often schedule elective surgeries anywhere from weeks to months in advance, depending on the procedure.

MCCH is hoping to start rescheduling surgeries after the 30-day period, though that could change depending on the situation with COVID-19. Surgeons who typically perform the elective surgeries will still likely be busy handling other urgent and emergency surgeries.

Also, Murray-Calloway County Hospital is asking the community to limit visitation at this time to one visitor per patient. If you are sick or under the age of 16 we ask that you do not visit the hospital. Visitation may become even more restrictive in the future.

When visiting, remember to wash your hands with soap and water when entering and leaving patient rooms. Those with fever, runny nose, body aches, or respiratory symptoms should not visit.

We appreciate the cooperation of our community to maintain the safest possible environment for patients, visitors and staff.

We have seen a spike of cases in Flu and Strep and as a cautionary approach, we have opened the MMA Walk-In Respiratory Clinic located in the Medical Arts Building (SUITE 180 WEST). This clinic is OPEN for all patients experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath.

The Respiratory clinic will operate with the following hours: Monday – Friday – 8 am – 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 3 pm; and Sunday, 12 pm – 4 pm.

Please call ahead to 270.753.0704 for same day appointments.

Employees and providers in the clinic will be wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) in an effort to prevent any transmission of illness. Please do not be alarmed if patients and staff are wearing masks – this is for the protection of themselves and others.

For more information on the Walk-In Respiratory Clinic, call 270.753.0704.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Lisa Shoemaker as the Senior Philanthropy Officer of the Foundation.

Lisa has served since 2013 as member of the Board of Trustees. In her new role, she will work actively to develop donor relationships, primarily focusing on the Enduring Hope Campaign for a new $12 million Regional Cancer Center on the campus of MCCH.

As a three-year breast cancer survivor, and single mother Lisa knows all too well the importance of having the latest technology and the ability to have services available right here at home.

“I have a passion of providing our community with the highest level of healthcare possible and educating the public that this is their not-for-profit hospital. I’m excited to be a part of building a new cancer center that will impact families throughout our region,” said Lisa Shoemaker, Senior Philanthropy Officer.

Lisa is a Murray High graduate and she completed her finance degree at Murray State University. She has spent the last 28 years working in banking as a commercial and residential lender. Her most recent position was as the Market Manager for Cadiz Bank of Trust.

She has two daughters Kealy and Amber, a son-in-law Jon DuFriend, and one grandson Jackson.

Lisa is a community supporter of Playhouse in the Park and often provided the theatrical makeup for several different shows and participated in Fiddler on the Roof, Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Jeckyl and Hyde, and several others. She enjoys being outdoors and gardening. She also likes to fish and hike, as well, as crafting. She has a passion for interior design and he is a huge Murray State and Memphis Grizzlies basketball fan.

Lisa will be joining the Foundation department at Murray-Calloway County Hospital. If you have any questions, please contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital announces the retirement of Cadelia Turpin, Dietitian who has dedicated 28 years of service to the hospital.

Cadelia worked at Spring Creek in the nutrition assessment of residents and developing a treatment plan. She also worked as an outpatient nutrition counselor at MCCH and in the Bariatric Solutions office. 

“The best thing about working has been the people I’ve worked with and met. There’s really a lot of nice people in all the different places I’ve worked which gives me confidence the world is good,” she commented.

Cadelia has been married to her husband Bryan for 20 years. She has a daughter Amelia, and son-in-law Jack, daughters Michelle and Melissa along with one son Jay and nine grandkids.

After retiring, Cadelia has made some definite plans, which begins with a trip to Smyrna Beach in Florida with friends. Then, she and her husband plan to travel in the US to visit various places including Oregon and some national parks, as well as internationally.

She wants to spend more time doing some of the things she loves like gardening and raising flowers. She looks forward to cooking more and having more time to can as well. Cadelia enjoys reading books and yoga and wants to do more of both. She also says she loves the outdoors and is excited to be able to go anytime she wants to hike or kayak.

Pictured above: Cadelia Turpin with daughters Michelle, Amelia, and her grandkids

Employees raised awareness at Murray-Calloway County Hospital by wearing blue for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month GO BLUE day on March 6.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older.

If everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, 6 out of 10 deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. Communities, health professionals, and families can work together to encourage people to get screened.

For more information about colorectal screenings, call MCCH at 270.762.1381.

Pictured above: West Kentucky Gastroenterology staff.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Sleep Disorders Center in Murray has received program accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

To receive accreditation a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. These standards address core areas such as personnel facility and equipment policies and procedures data acquisition patient care and quality assurance. Additionally the sleep center’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine accredited a sleep disorders center for the first time in 1977. Today there are more than 2500 AASM-accredited sleep centers across the country.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional medical society for clinicians researchers and other health care providers in the field of sleep medicine. As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers the AASM improves sleep health and promotes high quality patient-centered care through advocacy education strategic research and practice standards.

For more information about the Sleep Disorders Center at MCCH, call the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381.

Pictured above, left to right: Dawn Henderson, Coordinator, Jamie Stewart, Registered Polysomnographic Sleep Technologist, RPSGT, and Dr. Rachel Korson, Neurologist.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital Tour Leadership Tomorrow Students

Members of the current Leadership Tomorrow group include juniors and seniors from both Murray High School and Calloway County High School who recently hosted their Health Day with a complete tour of Murray-Calloway County Hospital including Radiology, Lab, ER, Surgery, and the nursing floors while also listening to leadership share the vision of the hospital.

Pictured: Leadership Tomorrow students touring the Surgery Department at MCCH.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Urologist, Dr. Chris Stanczyk, is now utilizing the latest in lithotripsy treatment of kidney stones in Urology by using laser technology by the name of MOSES.^TM

For the last 30 years, holmium lasers and fibers have been clinically proven as the gold-standard modality for the treatment of urinary stones. Released by Lumenis a few years ago, MOSES is a revolutionary, patent-protected technology that optimizes holmium energy transmission using a unique pulse modulation. The benefits of MOSES for urinary stones treatment have demonstrated a 20% reduction in procedure time, 25% improvement in fragmentation efficiency, and 60% reduction in stone retropulsion.

This superior treatment technique has already demonstrated advantages of shorter procedure time, reduced anesthesia exposure, and more efficient stone fragmentation and dusting. Refinements in these variables will correlate to improved patient care.

“We are excited to enhance and expand the value of the MOSES Technology for our patients,” said Dr. Stanczyk. “Together with our partners in the professional community, we are committed to furthering the benefits of this breakthrough technology and improving the standard of care in urology.”

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is a 152-licensed bed medical center located at 803 Poplar Street in Murray, Kentucky.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Western Kentucky area for over 100 years.  Murray Hospital specializes in such major areas as women’s services, surgery, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, psychiatric services, emergency services and more. Murray-Calloway County Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  

Spring Creek Health Care Nursing & Rehab Center recently held their 8^th annual Sweetheart Dinner for their residents on Valentine’s Day. Residents enjoyed time together in a romantic dinner setting.

For more information on volunteering at Spring Creek or finding out more about long-term care and rehab services, call 270.752.2900 or visit www.springcreekhealthcare.org.

Spring Creek Health Care has proudly served our region since 1964.  They offer a 226-bed long-term care, Medicare-certified facility that provides comprehensive rehabilitation and restorative services.  Spring Creek has a highly skilled staff who focuses on providing our residents specialized quality care to live a full, healthy life.

Pictured above:  Gary and Phyllis Price

Murray Pediatrics offers a personalized approach to welcoming expectant parents and new families to the area with an opportunity to meet providers and tour the office. Caring for your family is important and choosing a trusted pediatrician is at the top of the list for parents. That is why Murray Pediatrics offers complimentary “Meet and Greet” sessions for new parents, families new to the area and parents exploring a change in pediatric providers. Information about the practice, routine examinations and immunizations, and many frequently asked questions can be discussed during this time. In addition, it is encouraged for parents to bring a list of any questions they might have. Also, parents are given the opportunity to speak with Jadi McBride, RN, IBCLC, about breastfeeding.

Jadi McBride, RN, IBCLC, board certified lactation consultant and office manager who completed over 1,000 clinic hours and 90 classroom hours to support new mothers trying to breastfeed who may have trouble and grow frustrated.

“Whether new parents have a question about milk supply or latching techniques, or need a full consult, I can always talk to them. Expectant parents can also reach out about touring the office,” Jadi says.

Murray Pediatrics offers routine checkups, immunization, acute illness needs, chronic illness needs, newborn care, and both sick and well child exams. Providers include Dr. Heath Cates, Dr. Jackie Milo, Dr. Mackenzie Lowery, Alysha Taylor, PA-C, and Lacy, McKeel, APRN.

Murray Pediatrics has been serving the community since 1961. The office is open 5 days a week. For more information on Murray Pediatrics or their services, call 270.759.9223.