| "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they'll surprise you with their ingenuity." |
| - George S. Patton |
Ever read the inspirational story, “Acres of Diamonds,” told by Russell H. Conwell in Victorian times? A man went searching for riches all over the world, only to discover that the farm he had sold as worthless had a diamond mine hidden underneath it.
When we think of standout medical facilities in the United States, the Mayo Clinic comes to mind, but this month I discovered two gems right in Georgia’s back yard — the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta and the Emory University School of Medicine Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Center.
I entered the burn center with fears about what I might see and how much I might be able to understand. From the director down, the staff was enthusiastic, willing and able to explain what they do and why they do it.
Horrible accidents had happened to many of these patients, but the atmosphere in the burn center was competent, compassionate and hopeful — not to mention inspiring. Through the Southeastern Firefighters Burn Foundation and the Shirley Badke Retreat Center, families of burn victims find free housing, support and encouragement.
Because of its large number of patients, the center is also a top research unit. Dr. Still’s desire is not only to provide a much-needed facility for the Southeast, but to advance the treatment of burn patients everywhere.
One nurse remembered the year the facility got the hyperbaric medicine chamber for using pressurized oxygen to treat burn patients. “It cost millions and the treatment was still controversial,” said Lore Rogers, RN, BSN.
Some wondered why the burn center had it, but on Christmas Day a firefighter brought in the only survivor from a house fire, an 8-year-old boy, whose hemoglobin levels indicated that he was brain dead.
“I’ll never forget when he opened his eyes and began calling,” Rogers said. “It was our Christmas miracle. Two days later he was released. I realized then why we had that chamber. We got it for Alex and patients like him.”
For founding the burn center, his commitment to patients and research that has advanced the science of burn and wound care, Still received the Hardman Cup, the Medical Association of Georgia’s most prestigious award in 2002.
The Emory University School of Medicine Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Education Center celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Under the direction of Dorothy Doughty, MN, RN, FNP, CWOCN, FAAN, a recognized leader in the field, Emory’s center is one of seven certified programs in the country.
Students from all over the world come to Atlanta for classes and clinical experience, or take the courses online. Due to new surgical techniques and an aging population, there’s a growing demand and many opportunities for nurses with these skills. To learn more, see www.wocn.org.
I’m also finding that Georgia nurses looking for excellent education resources don’t have to search very far. If you’re searching for a new position, would like to network with other health care professionals or hear about new career innovations and earn continuing education credits through GNA-sponsored seminars, you won’t want to miss the Nursing and Allied Health Career Fair on March 8 at the Cobb Galleria.
For information, call 404-526-2596.