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Tri-Cities to host second
Remote Area Medical clinic
BRISTOL – In an effort to meet the needs medically underserved patients, Tri-Cities organizers are preparing to host the region’s second Remote Area Medical clinic.
Tri-Cities RAM will take place this year on April 14 and 15 at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Medical, dental and vision services will be provided at no cost to individuals who are present for care. There are no eligibility requirements for patients, and no health insurance information is required or requested.
“People might be surprised by how many people in this region need the services of RAM because of their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Joseph Smiddy, a pulmonologist with Pulmonary Associates of Kingsport and one of the original organizers of the first Tri-Cities RAM event in October 2010. “I’ve gained a greater appreciation of how fortunate I have been when I see how many people come to RAM because they have no other option for their health care.”
The medical, dental and vision care offered at RAM events is provided by an army of volunteers, both clinical and non-clinical. This year’s clinic is still in need of dentists, as dental care is the most sought-after service at RAM events.
“We are also seeking monetary donations from the community to help cover the expenses involved in operating the clinic,” said Helen Scott, chair of the Tri-Cities RAM committee. “We need financial assistance to purchase medical supplies, provide food for patients and volunteers, and rent essential equipment like tents and chairs.”
The first Tri-Cities RAM provided $537,401 worth of medical services to 1,307 people over the course of three days. This year, organizers expect to serve approximately 2,000 people, seeking primarily dental and vision services. Many services can be provided on the spot, including dental extractions and fillings; mammograms, X-rays and cervical screenings; and the creation of prescription eyewear. If a patient requires a service that can’t be performed during the clinic, volunteers will help the patient connect with regional resources to get the necessary care.
Pharmacists from the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University will be on hand to answer patients’ questions about their prescription medications and help them find affordable ways to manage their prescriptions throughout the year. ETSU’s audiology department will provide screenings and assistance with hearing aids for those who need them.
“It’s very touching to see all of the volunteer caregivers who are committed to improving the quality of life for their fellow residents of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. This event shows the compassion of our region at its best,” said Smiddy.
For more information on Tri-Cities RAM, visit http://ramusa.org or call Helen Scott at (423) 652-2516. An information line is also available for patients at (423) 573-0695. Donations may be made online at www.crossroadsmedicalmission.org or mailed to Tri-Cities RAM c/o Crossroads Medical Mission, PO Box 16852, Bristol, Va., 24209-6852. Make checks payable to Crossroads Medical Mission and mark them for Tri-Cities RAM.
Remote Area Medical clinic
BRISTOL – In an effort to meet the needs medically underserved patients, Tri-Cities organizers are preparing to host the region’s second Remote Area Medical clinic.
Tri-Cities RAM will take place this year on April 14 and 15 at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Medical, dental and vision services will be provided at no cost to individuals who are present for care. There are no eligibility requirements for patients, and no health insurance information is required or requested.
“People might be surprised by how many people in this region need the services of RAM because of their financial circumstances,” said Dr. Joseph Smiddy, a pulmonologist with Pulmonary Associates of Kingsport and one of the original organizers of the first Tri-Cities RAM event in October 2010. “I’ve gained a greater appreciation of how fortunate I have been when I see how many people come to RAM because they have no other option for their health care.”
The medical, dental and vision care offered at RAM events is provided by an army of volunteers, both clinical and non-clinical. This year’s clinic is still in need of dentists, as dental care is the most sought-after service at RAM events.
“We are also seeking monetary donations from the community to help cover the expenses involved in operating the clinic,” said Helen Scott, chair of the Tri-Cities RAM committee. “We need financial assistance to purchase medical supplies, provide food for patients and volunteers, and rent essential equipment like tents and chairs.”
The first Tri-Cities RAM provided $537,401 worth of medical services to 1,307 people over the course of three days. This year, organizers expect to serve approximately 2,000 people, seeking primarily dental and vision services. Many services can be provided on the spot, including dental extractions and fillings; mammograms, X-rays and cervical screenings; and the creation of prescription eyewear. If a patient requires a service that can’t be performed during the clinic, volunteers will help the patient connect with regional resources to get the necessary care.
Pharmacists from the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University will be on hand to answer patients’ questions about their prescription medications and help them find affordable ways to manage their prescriptions throughout the year. ETSU’s audiology department will provide screenings and assistance with hearing aids for those who need them.
“It’s very touching to see all of the volunteer caregivers who are committed to improving the quality of life for their fellow residents of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. This event shows the compassion of our region at its best,” said Smiddy.
For more information on Tri-Cities RAM, visit http://ramusa.org or call Helen Scott at (423) 652-2516. An information line is also available for patients at (423) 573-0695. Donations may be made online at www.crossroadsmedicalmission.org or mailed to Tri-Cities RAM c/o Crossroads Medical Mission, PO Box 16852, Bristol, Va., 24209-6852. Make checks payable to Crossroads Medical Mission and mark them for Tri-Cities RAM.
BLUEGRASS SERIES
KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 25
IN JONESBOROUGH
JONESBOROUGH — The Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series will officially kick off its second season of presenting the best in bluegrass concerts when it brings banjo legend J.D. Crowe to the Jonesborough Visitors Center on February 25th.
Joining J.D. Crowe will be his band, the New South, singer/songwriter Brandon Rickman and South Carolina-based Cane Creek Bluegrass Band. The series is produced by Mountain Music Entertainment..
KICKS OFF FEBRUARY 25
IN JONESBOROUGH
JONESBOROUGH — The Historic Jonesborough Bluegrass Series will officially kick off its second season of presenting the best in bluegrass concerts when it brings banjo legend J.D. Crowe to the Jonesborough Visitors Center on February 25th.
Joining J.D. Crowe will be his band, the New South, singer/songwriter Brandon Rickman and South Carolina-based Cane Creek Bluegrass Band. The series is produced by Mountain Music Entertainment..
Loveless makes President’s List at Clemson
CLEMSON, SC —Laura Gant Loveless of Kingsport has been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall 2011 semester.
Loveless is majoring in Psychology.
To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.
Ranked No. 25 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success.
CLEMSON, SC —Laura Gant Loveless of Kingsport has been named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall 2011 semester.
Loveless is majoring in Psychology.
To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all As) grade-point average.
Ranked No. 25 among national public universities, Clemson University is a major, land-grant, science- and engineering-oriented research university that maintains a strong commitment to teaching and student success.
James Miller named VP of ortho/neuro/trauma
JOHNSON CITY – Mountain States Health Alliance has named James Miller its new vice president of ortho/neuro/trauma services. Miller joined MSHA in December.
Miller previously served as a health care leadership consultant in Arden, N.C., and as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Ephraim McDowell Health Inc. and Ephraim McDowell Health Resources Inc., Danville, Ky.
He received master’s degrees in business administration and health care administration from Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, N.C., and completed the Executive Leadership Fellowship through The Advisory Board, Washington, D.C.
Miller is involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way and the American Red Cross, and has served on several community boards.
JOHNSON CITY – Mountain States Health Alliance has named James Miller its new vice president of ortho/neuro/trauma services. Miller joined MSHA in December.
Miller previously served as a health care leadership consultant in Arden, N.C., and as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Ephraim McDowell Health Inc. and Ephraim McDowell Health Resources Inc., Danville, Ky.
He received master’s degrees in business administration and health care administration from Pfeiffer University, Charlotte, N.C., and completed the Executive Leadership Fellowship through The Advisory Board, Washington, D.C.
Miller is involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, United Way and the American Red Cross, and has served on several community boards.
Three from Kingsport make VMI’sI Dean’s List
LEXINGTON, VA -Three Kingsport resi-dents have been named to the Dean’s List at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a cadet must have a term grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and no grade below C.
Those making the list from Kingsport are:
- Daniel W. Emery - A recent graduate from Kingsport, TN who majored in Mechanical Engineering. Cadet Emery’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Mark W. Emery.
- Tyler W. Garvin - A sophomore from Kingsport, TN is majoring in Civil Engineering. Cadet Garvin’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Garvin.
- William B. Loring - A senior from Kingsport, TN is majoring in International Studies. Cadet Loring’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Loring.
LEXINGTON, VA -Three Kingsport resi-dents have been named to the Dean’s List at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Va.
To be eligible for the Dean’s List, a cadet must have a term grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and no grade below C.
Those making the list from Kingsport are:
- Daniel W. Emery - A recent graduate from Kingsport, TN who majored in Mechanical Engineering. Cadet Emery’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Mark W. Emery.
- Tyler W. Garvin - A sophomore from Kingsport, TN is majoring in Civil Engineering. Cadet Garvin’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Thomas W. Garvin.
- William B. Loring - A senior from Kingsport, TN is majoring in International Studies. Cadet Loring’s parents are Mr. & Mrs. Michael L. Loring.
Dr. Justin Digby joins MSMG General Surgery
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Dr. Justin Digby, general surgeon, has joined Mountain States Medical Group General Surgery, Elizabethton.
Digby received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency and rural surgery fellowship at East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
Digby won the Servant’s Heart Award for Medical Staff Members (the highest honor given by Mountain States Health Alliance) in 2010. He and his wife, Rebecca, a pediatrician, have three daughters.
MSMG General Surgery is located at 1497 W. Elk Ave., Suite 10, Elizabethton. For more information, call 423-542-7440.
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – Dr. Justin Digby, general surgeon, has joined Mountain States Medical Group General Surgery, Elizabethton.
Digby received his medical degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery residency and rural surgery fellowship at East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine.
He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons.
Digby won the Servant’s Heart Award for Medical Staff Members (the highest honor given by Mountain States Health Alliance) in 2010. He and his wife, Rebecca, a pediatrician, have three daughters.
MSMG General Surgery is located at 1497 W. Elk Ave., Suite 10, Elizabethton. For more information, call 423-542-7440.
Daniel Price honored for outstanding academic achievement at the Citadel
CHARLESTON, SC— Cadet Daniel Keith Price of Kingsport, TN, was recently honored for outstanding academic achievement at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the fall semester of the 2011-2012 academic year. Price earned one of the college’s top academic honors, a Gold Star.
Gold Stars are presented to students who achieve a 3.7 grade point average or higher during a semester’s course work. In addition, Price also will be placed on the Dean’s List, a recognition that is given to those cadets and active duty military students whose grade point ratio is 3.2 or higher with no grade below a C for the previous semester’s work.
Price is seeking a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.
Gold Star and Dean’s List students will be recognized during The Citadel’s Jan. 27 military dress parade, which begins at 3:45 p.m. on Summerall Field.
The Citadel, founded in 1842, is a public, coeducational military college in Charleston, S.C., that offers a classic military education for young men and women seeking a college experience that is intense, meaningful, academically strong and is focused on educating principled leaders for a strong military and a global workforce.
CHARLESTON, SC— Cadet Daniel Keith Price of Kingsport, TN, was recently honored for outstanding academic achievement at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, during the fall semester of the 2011-2012 academic year. Price earned one of the college’s top academic honors, a Gold Star.
Gold Stars are presented to students who achieve a 3.7 grade point average or higher during a semester’s course work. In addition, Price also will be placed on the Dean’s List, a recognition that is given to those cadets and active duty military students whose grade point ratio is 3.2 or higher with no grade below a C for the previous semester’s work.
Price is seeking a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History.
Gold Star and Dean’s List students will be recognized during The Citadel’s Jan. 27 military dress parade, which begins at 3:45 p.m. on Summerall Field.
The Citadel, founded in 1842, is a public, coeducational military college in Charleston, S.C., that offers a classic military education for young men and women seeking a college experience that is intense, meaningful, academically strong and is focused on educating principled leaders for a strong military and a global workforce.
Wilson joins new family medicine practice
BIG STONE GAP, Va. –Dr. James Matthew Wilson will be pro-viding primary care services at a new physician’s office, Community Physicians Big Stone Gap, which opened recently.
Wilson grew up in Wise. He received his medical degree at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and completed a family medicine residency at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, S.C. He had three years of surgical training at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Spartanburg, S.C.
Wilson is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.
His professional interests are in the areas of preventive medicine, care of elderly patients, office-based and emergent medical procedures, and medical education.
He and his wife, Jessica, have a son, Andrew.
Wilson’s hobbies include antique car restoration, military history, marksmanship and outdoor recreational sports.
Community Physicians Big Stone Gap is located at 310 Cloverleaf Square, Suite B3. For more information, call 276-523-0419.
NEWS OF AREA STUDENTS
NEWS OF AREA PROFESSIONALS