Sometimes, you just need a little “pretty” to help you through a hard time.
Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital tells us about Feel Beautiful Today, a non-profit founded by Biviana Franco. Franco can be found all over Atlanta, making jewelry with cancer patients. She visits Winship at Emory Saint Joseph’s often and when she does patients really respond. Franco also helps infusion nurses make jewelry for their patients. To learn more about Feel Beautiful Today visit http://www.feelbeautifultoday.org/
Why they do it
Everyone who enters the medical profession has their reasons, but Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital reports that Fannie Harton, cardiovascular unit director and one of the nurses on her unit, Kim McMahon, both experienced tragic situations that led them to pursue careers in healthcare.
More than 30 years ago, Fannie and her best friend Philippa (a nursing student) were struck head on by a drunk driver. Philippa was killed instantly, and Fannie spent more than a year in recovery, learning how to walk again, enduring multiple surgeries, and therapies.
The ICU nurses that took care of Fannie medically also provided tremendous emotional support for her survivor guilt. She changed her area of study from respiratory therapy to nursing, honoring the nurses and in memory of her friend.
Kim was working as a real estate agent when she lost her husband suddenly to a heart attack. It took more than 45 minutes for an ambulance to reach her husband, and by that time, he had passed away. Kim entered nursing school at the age of 50, determined to help other cardiac patients and their families.
Northside’s Sports Medicine Network
Northside Hospital announces their new Sports Medicine Network and the addition of Dr. Vonda Wright as chief of Sports Medicine. According to Northside, the new network combines the expertise from three practices – Northside Cherokee Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Northside East Cobb Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, and The Orthopedic Sports Medicine Center of Atlanta – to provide comprehensive medical, surgical and concussion care in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Buckhead, Buford, Cumming, East Cobb, Holly Springs, Midtown, Roswell and Woodstock.
School news
Reinhardt University’s Cauble School of Nursing and Health Sciences has a new BSN program. According to Dr. Glynis Blackard, Dean of the School of Nursing, the program is currently the only one located in Cherokee County and they are growing!
Cancer support
Piedmont Healthcare is offering a breast cancer support group at Piedmont Mountainside Hospital in Jasper. The group meets the second Monday of each month from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. The meetings are held in the conference room adjacent to the cafeteria and are lead by Dr. Rosa Langella, Breast Surgeon. For more information, call 706-299-5564.
55 and more to come
Over at WellStar Cobb Hospital NICU, there are two dedicated nurses, Katy Hess, RN and Ann Anderson, RN with a combined 55 years of nursing experience! Together, they’ve impacted countless families by giving expert care to the tiniest and most fragile of patients.
Send us your stories
Don’t forget to send us your news. We love hearing your stories of inspiration, dedication and community outreach. We want to hear it all from parties to promotions and milestones to medical achievements. You can drop me an email at ajc.cindygrace@gmail.com. Thanks!
