July 1, 2009

Charles T. Frock
CEO
FirstHealth of the Carolinas

Dear Charles:

I had the opportunity to participate in the North Carolina Prevention Partners Annual Meeting and Prevention Awards on June 3, 2009. I left the event inspired by your work with Prevention Partners. It is wonderful to see the progress being made with tobacco-free environments and improved nutrition.

Congratulations on receiving the 2009 Red Apple Award. It was great to see your hospital recognized during the awards ceremony.

Best regards,
Mary L. Piepenbring
Vice President
The Duke Endowment

Screening for a silent killer

A silent killer lurks among us: the aortic aneurysm. Through the services offered by FirstHealth Mobile Health Services, an unexpected and potentially life-threatening aneurysm was detected during my screening.

Literally, the aneurysm was approximately the size of a golf ball on my iliac artery, which is normally only one-half inch in diameter. Fortunately, mine was detected in time and a stent was surgically installed to correct the problem.

As in my case, symptoms of the problem can be detected only through the ultrasound screening process. Had the aneurysm ruptured at any time prior to the operation, there would not have been sufficient time to call 911 and receive treatment.

I have spoken to others who have related incidents of friends and relatives who have succumbed to this silent killer. I encourage everyone over the age of 60 who has not been screened for some time to do so at the earliest opportunity.

FirstHealth conducts regular screenings. Call the Community Health Services department to make an appointment for this life-saving procedure.

Sal Picard
Pinehurst

Preeminent health facility

My wife recently spent 11 days in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. I would like to share with you how we felt about our experience at your facility.

From the first interaction with your staff in the Emergency Department to the care provided by your Home Care services, we could not be more satisfied. Hospitalist Dr. Saul Salvador in the Emergency Department was very attentive, concerned and professional in his evaluation. Drs. Philip Mondi, David Hipp and Paul Jawanda were all thoughtful, caring, discerning and knowledgeable in their treatment of my wife.

The staff assigned to her room was outstanding. Nurse Joyce Pate has certainly set a high standard for nursing care. I can’t express my appreciation enough as to how she cared for and supervised my wife’s treatment when she was on duty. We also appreciated Rebecca Ainslie (from the Foundation of FirstHealth) who stopped by several times to see how we were doing.

After being discharged from the hospital, my wife was under the care of FirstHealth Home Care for 13 days. Rick Varney was the first attending nurse who instructed me on how to administer the antibiotic through the PIC line. The other nurses who provided services to her were Linda Lively and Arnold Rohrs. All were very accommodating, personal and professional.

Having served on boards and been in administrative positions, I know too well that the accomplishments of personnel doing stellar duties are often not reported to the appropriate administrator. Frequently, complaints overshadow the reports of outstanding service; thus, the reason for this letter. How fortunate we are to have such a preeminent health facility here in Pinehurst.

Sterling Breed
Pinehurst

Thank you for “superb care”

I would like to thank the many members of your organization who recently provided superb care for my mother-in-law at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital.

After an unpleasant episode that caused her to sustain a nasty forehead gash, she was the recipient of great kindness and very prompt and thorough care in your Emergency Department. After admission, she was made comfortable and her care, as directed by the Hospitalist team, was truly excellent.

Would you pass on my thanks to Drs. Jonathan Brower (emergency) and Patrick Simpson (cardiologist), both of whom were gracious enough to take time to call me with explanations and reassuring updates?

I wish you success as you continue your mission. I was very impressed with all aspects of your organization and I wish you the very best for the future.

Damian McHugh, M.D., FACEP
President
Raleigh Emergency Medicine Associates at Rex Hospital

Compassionate nurses

I am writing to express my sincere appreciation to the Intensive Care Unit nurses of FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital who cared for my mother during the final week of her life.

The nurses were compassionate and warm and helped my father, brother and me come to terms with the most difficult decision we have ever faced. The nurses who took care of my mother were Amanda Jefferies, Mandi Steed, Lisa Oldham, Kristen Strother, Wendi Vercher and Amy Decker. Please convey my warmest and most sincere thanks to each of them.

Deborah Davis
Chelmsford
Essex
United Kingdom

“So thankful” for new afib procedure

On Feb. 2, 2009, I entered FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital for heart surgery. I had been sick and out of work (which is rare for me) since November 2008. I had a terrible problem with atrial fibrillation. I was short of breath from just a short walk and had gotten to the place where my heart would actually stop and re-start itself. During the short time my heart would stop, I would suffer passing-out-type spells.

My blood pressure was very high off and on. I had been on numerous medications for the atrial fibrillation by my prior cardiology group, and these medications made me deathly sick. During November and December 2008, I was mostly confined to bed.

I found out about a procedure that Dr. Andy Kiser and Dr. Mark Landers perform. I contacted Dr. Kiser and Dr. Landers in January 2009 and underwent several tests and was scheduled for surgery—coronary ablation and Ex-Maze. I was so happy to discover Dr. Kiser and Dr. Landers and this new procedure, and I was actually their second patient (the first from North Carolina) to have this procedure done.

It has (at this writing) been four months, and I have not had any further heart problems, no atrial fibrillation at all. I can walk and walk and not get short of breath anymore. My blood pressure is very well controlled. I feel better than I have felt in years.

I am very blessed and thankful for Dr. Kiser and Dr. Landers. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital is very fortunate to have these doctors. Their staff was extremely efficient and helped me so much in getting prepared for the surgery as well as the ICU-Coronary Unit at the hospital. Also, my primary care physician, Dr. Joseph Hunter, was so wonderful in helping me with my recovery.

Carolyn Thompson
Mt. Gilead

An asset to FirstHealth

Recently, I had a procedure performed in the Ultrasound department at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. (Assistant Director) Joey Philips informed me about what to expect and techniques he would use to lessen the pain. It made the whole experience more tolerable.

Mr. Phillips is quite an asset to FirstHealth with his knowledge and kindness shown to the patients he cares for.

Kathy Whitaker
Pinehurst

Thanks for the great work

In June 2008, I visited and stayed in the Pinehurst area to play golf for a few days. After playing 18 holes of golf the very first day, I experienced back pain for several hours. I felt it was not from the strain of golf that day and suspected it might be a kidney stone. I arrived at the Emergency Department of Moore Regional Hospital that night.

The nurses, technicians and doctors on duty that night and into the morning were so attentive and gave me great care. Sometime during the night, I was given pain medication and a scan. The scan did not show a kidney stone, but did show a small tumor on the top of my left kidney. I was advised by the doctor to visit my family doctor when I returned home. I completed my golf trip and went home. My family doctor sent me to a specialist. He ran me through a few additional tests and indicated that the tumor was probably cancerous. The tumor was removed in October 2008 and verified as cancer.

I am doing fine now and just wanted to thank the doctors, nurses and technicians who worked those two shifts on June 1 and 2, 2008, for their great work.

Chuck Weston
Prince George, Va.

P.S.: I was able to play 36 holes on Tuesday, June 2, pain-free.

Care beyond expectations

My wife and I are volunteers in the Pastoral Care department at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. I have been a patient several times in your hospital, but my last stay—for a knee revision—was outstanding, beyond anyone’s expectations.

It started with their getting me ready in the Outpatient department and into the holding area where my blood pressure was so low it caused everyone concern. Everything went well, and Dr. John Moore, his physician assistant and the entire surgical staff and the anesthetist couldn’t have been better.

Then came the recovery room, where they had trouble trying to get my blood pressure up. I got concerned for my wife, so someone called and let me talk to her. Everyone went out of their way to care for me.

The nurses and staff on 2C, wow, they really went out of their way, not only for me, but also for my wife. Those nurses made sure my wife and I were very well taken care of. My medicines and meals were always timely. Of course, I have to say that Chaplin Beverly Jessup and the other clergy volunteers looked after my spiritual needs each day I was there.

(At the time of this writing) I am being treated at home by your physical therapists out of Rockingham, Bill Robins and Tanya Wilkerson. I believe with their help I am making a great recovery.

Too often, we want to express our thanks and then get too busy and forget to do it. The staff of people you have working for you, and the volunteers, too, are the greatest in the world.

William Cortright
Wagram