Category: General News

Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently celebrated National Hospital Week and National Nurses week with a variety of activities.

Nurses enjoyed a luncheon in their honor and all employees celebrated with the annual Pancake Breakfast, Wellness Wednesday, and a Friday cookout that ended the week.

“This year’s hospital week has provided us an opportunity to express our sincere appreciation to our more than 1,000 employees and physicians,” said Jerry Penner, CEO. “This week’s celebrations are just a small way for us to give back and celebrate their unwavering commitment during a challenging year.”

Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently renovated a new Clinical Laboratory Department on the first floor of the North Tower. The new Lab area will provide additional space for offices and storage, and a larger lab area giving staff the ability to do more tests efficiently. This gives our physicians the timeliest information to aid them in the diagnosis and treatment of their patients, which is crucial to the patient’s plan of care. Approximately 70% of medical decisions are based on lab results.

The Laboratory consists of Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, and Pathology Departments all staffed with dedicated employees utilizing the most up-to-date instrumentation available to provide the most accurate and timely results.

There is a week each year that the nation takes to celebrate and recognize the incredible work of our nurses. Though a week is far too short to pay homage to the incredible work they do every day, Murray-Calloway County Hospital is excited to celebrate National Nurses Week this May 6 to 12.

We all remember this time last year quite vividly. We paid close attention to the news and our healthcare organizations as we watched for more information in a time of such uncertainty. Last year, we were unable to celebrate Nurses Week with the sweet treats and group celebrations like we wanted to. Instead, our nurses were faced with difficult circumstances, some with even longer hours and, often times, tears and group air hugs for comfort.

During the past year, we faced challenges affecting our personal lives we’ve never encountered before: supply shortages in grocery stores, closures of favorite restaurants, limited access to services we took for granted, remote and hybrid schooling for grades K- 12 and constraints on family gatherings. There were also restrictions imposed on domestic and international travel. Nurses Week is a time to pause and reflect on the lived experiences of nurses.

Rising to the Challenge

At work, nurses encountered limitations on supplies. Personal protective equipment became a scarce commodity. The level of care increased to address preventive measures. Patients testing positive for COVID-19 needed higher levels of treatment and interventions from multiple professionals. Plus, restrictions were placed on visitors. No visitors for patients and residents required virtual electronic visits adding to a nurse’s responsibilities. During end-of-life care, nurses became the patient care provider and family support for patients and their loved ones. Many healthcare workers self-isolated from their families to prevent exposing loved ones to the virus.

Miraculously, nurses rose to the challenge. Nurses demonstrated flexibility to adapt and overcome these hurdles. Screening and testing for the virus became a new standard. Appointments for healthcare transitioned from office appointments to telehealth engagements. Triage nurses became skilled at screening care needs and promoting technology. Family visits became scheduled times with iPads and cellphones. Cleaning and disinfecting were taken to a whole new level. Additional precautions were implemented to halt the spread of the virus.

MCCH Nurses will be recognized in 2021 with a luncheon, scrub sale and chair massages, as well as, a gift to show appreciation for the dedication to our patients and families.

Paula Shaw, Laboratory Secretary retires from Murray-Calloway County Hospital after 49 years and five months of service. She was recently celebrated at a retirement party and presented with a coin of excellence for her dedication and service to the hospital. During her first four years at MCCH Paula performed EKGs and then transitioned to the Secretary position in Lab where she retired.

“I just keep telling myself that I’m on vacation so I can handle retirement,” she said. “I have loved working with a great group of people throughout the years.” “The biggest change has been the computer system – when I first started I didn’t even have a typewriter.”

“Also I can’t wait to have more time and help Coach Cal with my UK basketball team!” she laughed.

Paula is married to her husband Don of 40 years and they have one son, Tyler, who lives in Murray and is employed by Kingdom Trust. During her retirement, Paula plans to have a big flower garden, enjoy her humming birds and spend time in her pool. She would also like to travel when conditions get safer.

Dr. Richard Blalock, II has been with Murray Orthpaedics since 2016. His specialty is focusing on the sports medicine side of orthopaedics.

He graduated from Murray High School prior to graduating Murray State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He continued his education at Vanderbilt School of Medicine in Nashville, TN, where he received his medical degree. His orthopaedic surgery residency program was completed at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Blalock continued his medical training by completing a specialty fellowship program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery.

He has been working as the Racer Athletics Team Physician at Murray State University since he returned. He works with athletes who are facing injuries or other conditions in their:

• Bones
• Joints
• Ligaments
• Tendons
• Muscles
• Nerves

“If you’ve ever injured a bone, joint, or muscle, you know it’s a serious injury – and that your treatment can mean the difference between disability and independence. It’s best to seek out excellent care right away to ensure the injury heals correctly,” Dr. Blalock said.

“Some bone or muscle conditions may just need simple treatments, such as medications and therapy. Others may require surgery, physical therapy, and time off. The sooner you work with an orthopedist – a physician who specializes in bones, muscles, and joints – the better your outcomes will be,” he concluded.

The focus in sports medicine is to develop a treatment plan tailored to relieve pain, build back strength and coordination, and get patients back to their regular routine as quickly as possible.

Murray Orthopaedics offers a wide range of preventive care and treatment options for injuries and conditions related to competitive and recreational athletics. Sports-related injuries require specialized care to promote optimum healing. We focus on promoting and maintaining an active lifestyle through non-operative rehabilitation programs and minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical procedures.

Using the most up-to-date arthroscopic techniques, our surgeons are specialists in repairing joint damage to the knee, ankle, shoulder, hip, or elbow. Our team works with patients to minimize disabilities resulting from sports injuries and conditions and to maximize quality of life.

Dr. Blalock has also expanded his practice to include the use of a NanoScope™ and is the only orthopaedic surgeon in the region currently offering this technique. The NanoScope™ operative arthroscopy imaging system from Arthrex® is the first medical-grade, 3-in-1, chip-on-tip, single-use camera system. It is a diagnostic and treatment tool advancement allowing surgeons to directly visualize and treat common joint conditions in a less invasive, more convenient, and more efficient manner.

For more information on sports medicine orthopaedics, call the Marketing Dept. at 270.762.1381 or for additional information.

The Murray Regional Vaccination Clinic is administering vaccines to the community by scheduling online appointments for first doses.

• Appointments are now available for Prime Doses (first doses) at the Murray Regional Vaccination Site located at the CFSB on the campus of Murray State University:

Thursday, April 15 – 11:45 am – 6 pm
Friday, April 16 – 8 am – 2:15 pm

Appointments currently available for those 18 years of age and older.

Please visit http://www.MurrayKYvaccine.org to schedule. Make sure you select April 15^th or 16^th to see available appointments. (Moderna Vaccine, age 18 yo. and older) The Murray Regional Vaccine Site is now available for appointments.

If you, or a loved one, are homebound – please contact the Calloway County Health Department at (270) 753-3381. The Calloway County Health Department is receiving a small weekly allocation of vaccine to administer to those who are homebound, do not have internet access, or who are otherwise vulnerable.

For media requests about the Covid-19 vaccine availability at MCCH, call the Marketing Dept. at 270.762.1381 or for additional information.

Murray Regional Vaccination Collaboration is administering vaccines to the community by scheduling online appointments for both second and first doses.

• Appointments are now available for Prime Doses (first doses) at the Murray Regional Vaccination Site, Wednesday and Thursday, April 7^thand 8^th, 8AM – 2:00 PM.
• We will be receiving an increased allocation of Moderna vaccine for at least the next three weeks.
• Priority is being given to Phases 1A-1C and those age 50 and older.
• Please visit https://govstatus.egov.com/kentucky-vaccine-survey to determine your eligibility.

Due to the number of appointments currently available at local pharmacy locations, the Regional Site at KY Dam Village, and the increased allocation to the Murray Regional Vaccination site; those 18 years of age and older will be allowed to schedule in order to ensure we meet the Governors goal of 90% of all vaccines allocated are administered within 7 days. 

Please visit http://www.MurrayKYvaccine.org to schedule. Make sure you select April 7^th or 8^th to see available appointments. (Moderna Vaccine, age 18 yo. and older) The Murray Regional Vaccine Site is now available for appointments.

Please visit http://www.kyvax.com/KYdam to schedule appointments for the Regional Site at KY Dam Village State Park Convention Center (Pfizer Vaccine, age 16 yo. and older)

Utilize http://www.vaccinefinder.org to find local pharmacies with available appointments in the area. This site allows you to search by vaccine manufacturer. Vaccine Finder does not include regional sites.

If you, or a loved one, are homebound – please contact the Calloway County Health Department at (270) 753-3381. The Calloway County Health Department is receiving a small weekly allocation of vaccine to administer to those who are homebound, do not have internet access, or who are otherwise vulnerable.

***If you have previously registered with the Calloway County Health Department, but have not received an appointment, please schedule an appointment using this link.

For media requests about the Covid-19 vaccine availability at MCCH, call the Marketing Dept. at 270.762.1381 or for additional information.

Jerry Penner, CEO, FACHE, of Murray-Calloway County Hospital reaches 10 Year Milestone in his leadership of the hospital on April 1, 2021.

“My wife, Jamie, and I are extremely proud to be part of this community.  I am truly blessed to be at the helm of a wonderful hospital, nursing home organization and hospice facility.  MCCH has a tremendous cadre of professional physicians, caring nurses, support staff and directors along with an engaged Board of Trustees and leadership team.  With their ideas and talent leading the way and motivating me on a daily basis, I suspect there will be many more great things to come in Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s future.  To be honest, most people might search the entire lives to find their dream jobs — I get to live mine every day,” said Jerry Penner, CEO.

He finished his term as the Kentucky Hospital Association Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2018 and served on the Chamber of Commerce Board for five years and for six years with the Murray State University Alumni Association culminating as President in 2017-2018.

During his tenure at MCCH, Mr. Penner has led many initiatives and overseen the addition of new providers, new service lines, the acquisition of new physician practices and led the construction and fundraising efforts of the Anna Mae Owen Residential Hospice House. Most recently, he piloted the Hospital Incident Command System team through the COVID-19 global pandemic all while establishing a new, highly successful Interventional Cardiology program that completed 300 procedures in 2020.

Mr. Penner previously served as the CEO of the U.S. Army’s Madigan Healthcare System in Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington.

A 1978 graduate of North Hardin High School in Radcliff, he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology at Murray State University, a master’s in healthcare administration from Baylor University in Waco, Texas and an M.S. in strategic studies, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

Penner retired from the United States Army as a colonel after 29 years of service.  He now has 42 years in professional healthcare and has served as the MCCH CEO since April 1, 2011.

He has been married for 34 years to Jamie Penner formerly of Gideon, Mo., who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from MSU in education and guidance and counseling, respectively.

Murray Regional Vaccination Collaboration is administering vaccines to the community by scheduling online appointments for both second and first doses.

• • Wednesday, March 31st, we will be giving 1,100 Booster Vaccines (2nd Doses Only)

THESE WERE PRESCHEDULED DURING FIRST VACCINATIONS AND NO APPOINTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE

• • Appointments are now available for Prime Doses (first doses) at the Murray Regional Vaccination Site, Thursday and Friday, April 1^st and 2^nd, 8AM – 2:00 PM.
  • We will be receiving an increased allocation of Moderna vaccine for at least the next three weeks.
  • Priority is being given to Phases 1A-1C and those age 50 and older.
  • Please visit https://govstatus.egov.com/kentucky-vaccine-survey to determine your eligibility.

Due to the number of appointments currently available at local pharmacy locations, the Regional Site at KY Dam Village, and the increased allocation to the Murray Regional Vaccination site; those 18 years of age and older will be allowed to schedule in order to ensure we meet the Governors goal of 90% of all vaccines allocated are administered within 7 days. 

Please visit http://www.MurrayKYvaccine.org to schedule. Make sure you select April 1^st or 2^nd to see available appointments. (Moderna Vaccine, age 18yo and older) The Murray Regional Vaccine Site will begin opening scheduling by Thursday for available appointments the following week.

Please visit http://www.kyvax.com/KYdam to schedule appointments for the Regional Site at KY Dam Village State Park Convention Center (Pfizer Vaccine, age 16yo and older)

Utilize http://www.vaccinefinder.org to find local pharmacies with available appointments in the area. This site allows you to search by vaccine manufacturer. Vaccine Finder does not include regional sites.

If you, or a loved one, are homebound – please contact the Calloway County Health Department at (270) 753-3381. The Calloway County Health Department is receiving a small weekly allocation of vaccine to administer to those who are homebound, do not have internet access, or who are otherwise vulnerable.

***If you have previously registered with the Calloway County Health Department, but have not received an appointment, please schedule an appointment using this link.

For media requests about the Covid-19 vaccine availability at MCCH, call the Marketing Dept. at 270.762.1381 or for additional information.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Katelyn Fletcher, PA-C, to Murray Orthopaedics.

Ms. Fletcher completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Pensacola Christian College and her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Bethel University. She has completed over 700 hours during her practicum experience in family medicine, women’s health, internal medicine, emergency medicine, general surgery, orthopaedics, dermatology and interventional radiology.  She is also a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Ms. Fletcher will join Murray-Calloway County Hospital and the practice of Murray Orthopaedics alongside Dr. Richard Blalock II.  If you have any questions, please contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org.