Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation provides two grants for development of Cane River Park

Press release

From Mission Health:

SPRUCE PINE, N.C. (Sept. 4, 2013) – Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation provided two grants totaling $10,000 to support the development of Cane River Park in Burnsville, N.C. In partnership with Graham Children’s Health Services and Yancey County, the hospital contributed $5,000 for new playground equipment and $5,000 for new fitness equipment.

“Cane River Park is the perfect place for our community to enjoy the outdoors and live healthy and active lifestyles,” said Nancy Lindeman, Director of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation. “At Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, we want our patients and community to live long and healthy lives. Investing in preventive wellness initiatives like the Cane River Park is a critical step toward achieving our goal of improving the health and wellness of the people we serve.”

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has invested in numerous health and wellness programs to better serve the community. Blue Ridge Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Clinic recently relocated to a new facility at 11728 South 226 Highway to offer improved technology and expanded services. The new clinic features an improved X-ray system and an expanded bracing program that includes on-site, custom fitting. The clinic will also soon house two athletic trainers to provide a variety of healthcare services for the Mitchell County high school and middle schools and Yancey County Youth League, and medical assessments and injury care at local recreational events.

Blue Ridge Fitness and Rehabilitation at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital consulted on the new fitness equipment and will be organizing several community events at Cane River Park.

“We are dedicated to promoting fitness and health throughout our community. Providing new playground and fitness equipment to a community park is the perfect opportunity to do that in a meaningful way,” said David Reed, Director of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Fitness and Rehabilitation Services. “Both childhood and adult obesity are major health issues in the United States. We wanted to support a cause that promotes health and fitness to both age groups. At Cane River Park, children will now have the opportunity to be active on new playground equipment, and adults can use the fitness equipment for a workout in a beautiful setting.”

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital partnered with Graham Children’s Health Services for the donation to the park. Graham Children’s Health Services is a community-based, community-led volunteer coalition that believes every child in the Toe River Area should have the opportunity and access to achieve the best possible health.

“Our partnership with Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and the donation to the Cane River Park directly align with our mission to give children access to initiatives that help them live healthy lifestyles,” said Amy Sheele, Director of Graham Children’s Health Services. “Our children are the future of this community, and it is imperative that they have the resources to play and be active during their early years.”

About Blue Ridge Regional Hospital
Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, based in Spruce Pine, N.C., is a not-for-profit hospital and serves Mitchell, Yancey, lower Avery and upper McDowell counties. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital has provided excellent healthcare services for the region since 1955. Cleverley & Associates has recognized Blue Ridge Regional Hospital as a Community Value Five-Star Hospital for 10 consecutive years. Medical specialties offered by Blue Ridge include emergency services, OB services, critical care, rehabilitation services and fitness center, cancer services, orthopedics, general surgical services, pain management, pediatrics, family medicine, sleep disorders and wound care. In addition, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital offers clinics for the following specialties: allergy and asthma; cardiology, dermatology; ear, nose and throat; gastroenterology; ophthalmology and kidney care (nephrology). Blue Ridge Regional Hospital employs 450 people and is a member of Mission Health, recognized in 2012 and 2013 as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. For more information, please visit blueridgehospital.org.

About Mission Health
Mission Health, based in Asheville, N.C., is the state’s sixth-largest health system and the region’s only not-for-profit, independent community hospital system governed and managed exclusively in western North Carolina. Mission Health was recognized as one of the nation’s Top 15 Health Systems in 2012 and 2013 by Thomson Reuters and Truven Health Analytics, respectively. Mission Health is one of only two medium-sized health systems to receive this recognition in 2012 and 2013, and the only health system in North Carolina to achieve that distinction.
Mission Health, which traces its roots in the region back to 1885, operates five hospitals, numerous outpatient and surgery centers and the region’s only dedicated Level II trauma center. Its medical staff consists of more than 1,000 physicians and is certified in more than 50 medical specialties and sub- specialties. Mission Health has seven Centers of Excellence: Cancer, Heart, Mission Children’s Hospital, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Trauma and Women’s Health. Mission Hospital, located in Asheville, is the system’s flagship hospital and is licensed for 795 beds. It is the regional referral center for tertiary and quaternary care. It also includes Mission Children’s Hospital – the region’s only children’s hospital. Other Mission Health member hospitals include Angel Medical Center in Franklin, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, McDowell Hospital in Marion and Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard. With approximately 9,500 employees and 700 volunteers, Mission Health is dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the people of western North Carolina. For more information, please visit mission- health.org.