• UNC Health Care & Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC announce joint venture:
“The state’s leading health insurer and the state’s health care system will collaborate to develop a completely new type of medical practice in which patients – not just their symptoms – are the focus of care. This advanced medical practice will extend beyond what is currently called the ‘medical home’ and will enable teams of health care providers to work collaboratively with patients and families in delivering high quality, coordinated care.” – [BCBSNC Press Release]
• Local acupuncture clinic offers free care at Jan. 29 open house:
“In honor of the Chinese New Year, Daoist Traditions College Clinic is holding an open house Saturday, January 29 from 1pm-4pm. Acupuncture interns will provide ear acupuncture, cupping, samples of Chinese herbal teas, and tips for staying healthy this winter. The event is free and open to the public. 222 S. French Broad Ave, Asheville” – [MX Blogwire]
• In three years, thousands in WNC have lost weight with Pardee Hospital’s ‘Lighten Up 4 Life’ program:
“More than 9,500 people have participated in Lighten Up 4 Life since Mission Hospital started the program in 2008. Today, the competition also takes place at Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. A combined 93,183 total pounds have been lost in Western North Carolina since the last challenge, which ended Dec. 17.” – [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• Park Ridge Health plans “Frostbite” run:
“Park Ridge Health will host the 19th Annual Frostbite 10K, 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Sunday, Feb. 20, starting at 2:30 p.m. The races take place on a flat to gently rolling course of varying terrain, and will begin at the Park Ridge Health campus and finish at the Lelia Patterson Center, located at the intersection of Howard Gap Rd. and Naples Rd. in Fletcher.” – [WHKP]
• Mission opens new orthopedic unit:
“A just-completed orthopedic unit opening at Mission Hospital’s J Wing on the Memorial Campus is designed to make the first days of recovery after orthopedic surgery as safe and comfortable as possible – for both the patient and family. At the same time, a spacious new 24-bed recovery unit for all surgery patients is opening, along with four more sophisticated surgical suites as well.” – [Mission website]
• Asheville-area health officials urge parents to get flu shot for children:
“Rachel Long used to be a mother who didn’t get her children vaccinated against the flu. But that was before the virus sickened one of her children and she started working at Mission Hospital. ‘When your child has influenza, it is like nothing else you have ever seen,’ said Long, who is the public health epidemiologist. ‘It is definitely something that gets your attention.’” – [Asheville Citizen-Times]
• New Quit-line to help North Carolinians stop smoking:
“A new program from the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund is helping people to quit smoking. Doctor Laura Gerald says the fund has launched the first-ever state mobile campaign aimed to help smokers quit for good. It’s called Quit-Line NC. […] To join the campaign, participants can text “COACH” to 44264. ” – [NCNN]
Please follow us on Twitter and submit WNC health & wellness info with the hashtag: #avlhealth or by email: mxhealth@mountainx.com
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