Three Rivers Medical Center Earns ACR Accreditation;

Louisa, KY – Three Rivers Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose x-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

“This accreditation indicates that our services are up to par with national guidelines for mammography services, and demonstrates our commitment to quality patient care,” said Leslie Wellman, director of radiology.
 

Three Rivers Medical Center is a 90-bed, acute care facility.  It is accredited by The Joint Commission.  TRMC offers cardiology, general/bariatric surgery, orthopedics, urology, gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, gastroenterology, podiatry, 24-hour emergency care, diagnostic radiology, sleep lab, rehabilitative services and mental health.

Rotary honors seniors with luncheon...

Louisa Rotary hosted honor students last night.


The Louisa Rotary Club held it's annual luncheon honoring the LCHS seniors who will be graduating May 24 Thursday.  The guest speaker was Bryan Hutchison, Athletic Director of Morehead State University.

Hutchison, who is from Fallsburg, graduated from LCHS  in 1992.  He spoke to the seniors about the importance of furthering their education, the college experience, and how life can take them to places they never dreamed of.

Morehead State University Athletic Director, Bryan Hutchison stresses the importance of higher education"If someone had told me I would someday be the Athletic Director of Morehead State University, one of 345 positions in the state, I would have laughed." Hutchison said. He asked the group how many planned to go to college, and stressed the importance of higher education.  

He explained that not only does college further academic education, but it also teaches skills such as time management, and living on your own.  Hutchison also advised the students to get involved in college organizations.  "Find something you're interested in," he said, explaining that this could also lead to potential job opportunities.

"I am very fortunate to do what I do." Hutchison said, "and none of it would've been possible, had I not went to college". He wished the seniors the best, and thanked the Rotary for hosting the event.

Superintendent Mike Armstrong tells students they can be anything the want to be.Rotary President, Chris Jobe,  also congratulated the seniors, and introduced Superintendent, Mike Armstrong who also spoke to the group.  Armstrong said there were some students this year who have great goals, and reminded them all that "you can be anything you want to be if you set your mind to it."

He said that for most of them, going to college will be the first time they have spent an extended period of time away from home.  He encouraged each student to make the most of their college experience.

Armstrong also commented on what a great organization the Rotary Club is, and the students should not hesitate to ask the club for help if they should need it. "If they can't help, they will put you in contact with someone who can."  

He said he had no doubt that in ten or twenty years, some of these graduates will be members of this club.  Armstrong  congratulated the seniors and said, "I look forward to shaking your hand as you walk across that stage next Friday night, as I hand you the diploma that has not been given to you, but that you have earned."

Smile Savers work to improve dental health of

the community

Smile Savers looked at an open mouth. (I will pass on this opportunity to add a name to it)LOUISA, Ky. -- Smile Savers, a coalition of dentists and other health professionals, including the Lawrence Co. Health Dept., met Monday evening to discuss dental health in the community, the needs of our residents, and upcoming projects.

Pat Machir, of the Lawrence Co. Health Dept. opened the meeting and talked first about some recent events in which Smile Savers participated in, one of which was Family Fun Night at the Stand Up for Children program last month.

Machir said there was a great turnout, and Smile Savers were set up handing out tooth brushes and tooth paste to kids, and speaking to people about dental health.

Machir said they also did a smoking cessation program at Karen's  Place, and have classes on the Cooper-Clayton Method to help people quit smoking.  This program also explains how tobacco affects a person's teeth and oral health.
Smile Savers was also present at the Health and Wellness Expo a couple months ago.

Dr. Lee Arrington and wife JudithDental health needs of the community were addressed, and Dr. Sammons said "We need more general dentists, not more specialists."  He explained that most all procedures can be done under the license of general dentistry.  "It makes it very difficult for families to have to take their kids to another town to get their dental needs met." He said.

From what all the members have seen, the kids in our county are not getting proper dental care.  Kids need to be seen at an early age.  Carolyn McGinn, from the health dept., said  she has heard people say that they didn't think children needed to see a dentist until their permanent teeth came in. "More education is needed." She said.  Pat Machir agreed and said " It's not just in this area, it's all through the state."

Dr. Charles SalmonsDr. Sammons said dental coverage just doesn't  buy what it used to.  He felt that oral health should be included in the general wellness category where insurance is concerned, and  should not be discriminated because it's in the mouth.  

Some suggestions for upcoming projects included initiating a correlation with the Board of Education for dental screenings by local dentists, working with the health department to develop more programs and education, set up meetings with mothers and children for dental education, recommendations for guidelines for healthy snacks and meals, have a working relationship for students interested in dentistry, and create opportunities for dentists, employees, the health dept., and others to engage in community outreach to better serve the people.

Members of the Smile Savers Program present at this meeting were Pat Machir, Carolyn McGinn, Faith Frazier, Dr Charles Sammons, Dr. Lee Arrington, and Judith Arrington.

If you would like more information on dental health for adults or children, available programs, or if you have any oral health questions or concerns, you may contact the Lawrence County Health Dept. at 638-4389.