Pictured Dr. Edward “Ted” Copeland discusses the latest evolving treatments of Breast Cancer to area physicians and others during a medical symposium at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.

Approximately 50 of the area’s retired, semi-retired and active physicians, heard the latest on cardiology and breast cancer last week at a special medical symposium held at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital (HCH).

Sponsored by the HCH Foundation, the symposium featured presentations by distinguished physicians and lecturers Drs. Byron R. Williams, Jr., Chief of Medicine at Emory University Hospital, and Dr. Edward Copeland, Retired Chief of Surgery at the University of Florida. 

Williams, who has been a member of the consulting medical staff at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital in cardiology, spoke on the topic of “Advances in Cardiology” and Copeland discussed the “Evolving Treatments of Breast Cancer”. Discussions of recent advances in both diagnostic and treatment procedures were the dominant themes of both presentations.

“We are very pleased to have these two highly respected physicians come to Highlands to speak,” said Don Mullen, MD, organizer and HCH Board Director. “The lectures that have been presented recently and over the last several years have all been outstanding, and I think physicians who have taken the time to attend one or more events have found them both interesting and informative. We hope even more physicians will decide to take advantage of this opportunity in the future.”

Mullen explained that the yearly symposiums were created to keep retired physicians around the area familiar with Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and the medical services offered locally, develop comradeship among all area physicians, and facilitate continuing educational opportunities for physicians.

Two symposiums are planned for next year at the hospital. They are open to any physician, active or retired, and offers a certificate to be used in filing for medical credit in continuing education to qualified participants.

While visits to the emergency room at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital have increased virtually every year in the busy season, this summer has seen a major jump in the number of patients seeking treatment for everything from snake bites to cardiac arrest.

“As the population increases in the surrounding communities, the hospital reaps additional patient visits,” said Board Certified Physician, Dr. Baumrucker.  “During the summer months, from late March to about October, our emergency room will sometimes see over 35 patients per day, about a 25% increase.  But despite the increased utilization, patients have still experienced minimal waiting times.”

Unusual to this summer, the hospital has seen an increase in the amount of snakebites compared to other years.   “Hot, dry weather and an influx in economically savvy vacationers could be major cause for recent snake bites,” said Dr. Baumrucker.  The Highlands and Cashiers’ area is full of hiking trails and outdoor entertainment, and sometimes we forget it’s also home to many different snake species.   Dr. Baumrucker said he’s seen about 5 snakebite victims in his last forty years practicing medicine, but recently he has treated 3 patients with snake bites within one week.  

 “Until now, every snakebite patient I treated was bitten by a copperhead; oddly this year, all three bites were from rattlesnakes.”  Copperheads are usually spotted during the rainy seasons and thrive in wet climates and Dr. Baumrucker believes it’s the lack of precipitation and increased extreme heat that is responsible for the boost in rattlesnake activity.   

“Snakebites require different methods of treatment some not requiring antivenoms at all,” said staff ER Registered Nurse, Sonya Black.  “Identifying the type of snake which inflicted the bite is extremely important. Minor snakebites, in which the victim receives a low dosage of venom, typically require around two vials of antivenom; severe snakebites can receive up to ten vials.”

Black explained that when a patient arrives at our door, complaining of snakebite, treatment begins immediately. “Diagnosing the type of snake, the severity of the bite and giving the antivenom is standard protocol for initial treatment.  The patient will be monitored for cardiac arrhythmias and blood pressure levels every 15 minutes until symptoms of the bite subside. Depending on the severity of the bite, most patients will be back on their feet fairly quickly. 

Snakes bites have just not increased in the Highlands-Cashiers area, places such as Franklin and Clayton have also experienced raised numbers of snakebites.  “Dr. Baumrucker stressed that community residents need to be aware that there are potential dangers when enjoying the outdoors, and if events arise, seek medical treatment as soon as possible.”

Richard M. Stewart, MD

With the constant, above average temperatures, even in the Highlands-Cashiers area, heat exposure concerns are not to be taken lightly.  Many people may experience serious problems associated with the warm temperatures.    

Exposures to excessive heat can become dangerous when our bodies do not properly cool down to a sustainable temperature. Under circumstances when the body’s temperature rises rapidly, our system will compensate and cool down by sweating.   Sometimes though, sweating isn’t enough.  When one’s body temperature reaches extreme levels, brain damage or damage to vital organs can occur. 

“Age can play a major role in how our bodies deal with the heat,” said Dr. Richard Stewart, Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician.   “Our senior residents are more susceptible to temperature extremes.  This can be attributed to decreases elasticity of blood vessels, certain medications, and an increased risk of dehydration,” said Dr. Stewart. 

The older we get, the less our blood vessels dilate, meaning the less heat the body releases.  Beta blockers found in blood pressure medications and nitrates for cardiac control also effect the constriction of blood vessels while diuretics, cause the body to rid salts greatly affecting the probability of dehydration. 

Humidity is another major factor.  “When humidity is high, sweat does not evaporate as quickly, in turn preventing the release of heat,” said Dr. Stewart.  Other factors include obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, prescription drug and alcohol use. 

The best defense is to be knowledgeable and prepared.   Prevention is the key said Dr. Stewart.  “Several things to remember during extreme heat conditions are: drink plenty of fluids and increase with exposure, make sure to replace the salt your body loses when sweating with minerals from a sports drink, wear appropriate clothing (light weight and light colored), apply sunscreen as directed, and try enjoy time spent outdoors early in the morning and late in the evening.”

Recognition of heat exhaustion will also prevent negative health effects from extreme heat exposure.   Symptoms of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting or fainting.   If these symptoms arise, immediately take action to cool down the bodies’ temperature.  “Individuals can take a cool shower or move to an air conditioned location.  If symptoms continue, seek medical attention,” said Stewart. 

For more information visit www.cdc.gov.

Yearly, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and its Board of Directors offer area physicians, active and retired, the opportunity to attend a continuing educational seminar by the way of medical symposiums.  This summer’s seminar, on August 13th, focused on “Advances in Cardiology” and “Evolving Treatments of Breast Cancer.” 

Dr. Don Mullen, Hospital Director and Program Coordinator says “I am very pleased with the continuing education activities we are able to offer the active, semi-retired, and retired physicians in our area.  “In addition, we are also opening the educational program to anyone with interest in either of the two healthcare topics.” 

On the agenda for the seminar was Dr. Byron Williams, Jr., Chief of Medicine at Emory University Hospital, who discussed the latest information involving advances in Cardiology and Dr. Edward Copeland, Retired Chief of Surgery at the University of Florida, spoke about the evolving treatments of breast cancer. 

“This is certainly a wonderful way in which we can have a significant impact on the quality of medicine that which we all have a great appreciation for,” said Mullen. “It’s a wonderful benefit to our medical community and I am thankful we can offer.”

The event was held on August 13^th on the first floor of the Jane Woodruff Clinic in Suite 103 and a buffet breakfast was served.

Pictured: Front Row (L-R) John Weichel, Walter L. Allen, Ted Steinmeyer, John W. Rouda, Jr., and Walter H. Alford.

Back Row (L-R) John Byrne, William R. Blank, James D. Zoller, Brian McClellan, Robert Garrison, Lester Freeman, Henry Durham, Joe Parrott, and William C. O’Kelley. 

Sigma Chi Fraternity, Blue Ridge Alumni Chapter Members contributed over $12,000 to replace the voicemail system for communications at HCH.  Subsequent to learning the hospital was in critical need of a new system, Henry and Jo Law Durham pledged a major gift and then issued a challenge for the Sigma Chi’s to raise additional funds.  “On behalf of our entire staff here at HCH, I would like to thank the Durham Family and the Blue Ridge Sigma Chi’s for their meaningful contribution and efforts supporting our community hospital,” said Robin T. Taylor, Executive Director of the Foundation.

For nearly two decades, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation’s MasterKey Club members have provided vital support to assure that quality healthcare is always available to our surrounding communities.

“Our MasterKey members are the core support for hospital and physicians services,” said Robin Taylor, Executive Director of the Foundation.  “This giving program was developed by Foundation leadership and board members back in 1991 and is one of the most effective I’ve ever seen .  Our MasterKey members become a part of our hospital family.  Member benefits include a MasterKey membership card, physician-supervised health screenings, flu shots, and discounts at HealthTracks, Healing Touch Massage and the hospital cafeteria.  But we feel these are small tokens for their wonderful generosity in supporting our hospital on a continuing basis.  The best part is that we get to know our MasterKey members.”

The MasterKey Club is a generous group of donors committed to continuing quality healthcare both now and for the future.  MasterKey members pledge a minimum of $5,000 payable over a period of one to five years.  Jolene Niblack is one of the Charter members of the MasterKey Club.  “As a long time supporter of HCH, I know the true value of healthcare in our community.  I believe that growing the MasterKey program is vital to assuring the future of the hospital,” said Niblack.  The hospital is essential and it gives me great fulfillment to give back to my friends and neighbors by supporting this treasure,” she added.

“The Hospital’s mission is to continue to be a benchmark hospital for healthcare in small communities.   That takes exceptional board certified physicians, a highly trained staff, and state-of-the-art equipment,” said Craig James. “Thanks to the generosity of area residents we’ve been able to make substantial progress in keeping pace with the health care needs of our communities. However, that will require the continued support of everyone.”

Mr. James explains that two of the biggest challenges driving the need for charitable support of our hospital relate to the seasonality of our population and the increasing costs of sustaining our state-of-the art equipment and facilities.   Together, hospital management, board leadership and the Foundation are focusing on solutions.  The Foundation is in the early stages of its “Campaign for Community HealthCare Excellence” to raise $20 million over five years for three priority areas of need:   1) Physician & Hospital Services Support  – $1 million per year  2) Capital Improvements and Medical Technology  -$ 1 million per year  3) The Heritage for Health Endowment to provide a secure financial future – $10 million over five years.

“Growing our MasterKey membership is a key initiative of the Foundation’s five year ‘Campaign for Community Healthcare Excellence’ to sustain our hospital’s future.  Every donation received by the Foundation is greatly appreciated and means that HCH can serve our community in ways that truly affect quality of life,” said Taylor.

For information on the MasterKey Club or to make a gift, please contact the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital Foundation at 828-526-1435.