Annually, close to 38,000 emergency room patients are served and 13,500 patients admitted. Frye Regional Medical Center’s main campus in downtown Hickory includes a comprehensive heart center, accredited cancer center, bariatric (weight loss) surgery program, orthopedics, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation and therapy services, neurosciences, and women’s and children’s services with a level III nursery, a neonatal transport team and pediatrics. In addition, located throughout the Catawba County region, are FryeCare Outpatient Imaging Center, FryeCare Pulmonology, Infusion Care, Vein and Wound Center, Piedmont Therapy (sports and industrial rehabilitation), the Frye Wellness and Education Center, Tate Surgery Center, Unifour Pain Treatment Center and two urgent care facilities—FryeCare Urgent Care in Conover and Hudson. The hospital’s website, www.fryemedctr.com, details all the services offered. Frye Regional Medical Center’s cardiology services were rated Best in the Charlotte Region in 2009 by HealthGrades, a leading health care ratings organization. The hospital received the Patient Safety Excellence Award, placing it among the top 5% in safety in 2010, and was recently recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as a Distinguished Hospital for Outstanding Inpatient Experience. 100 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP Overseeing these extensive healthcare services is Michael Blackburn, Frye Regional Medical Center’s CEO. Serving the hospital for the past two years, Blackburn’s love of history, and interest in the hospital’s legacy in particular, helped spark development of the 100th anniversary celebration. “I like history. My thought was there are not many hospitals that have a 100 year history, and I found that many people weren’t aware of this rich past,” Blackburn shared. “I spoke with our Board of Directors and Emeritus Board, and we decided we needed to do something at this 100 year mark.” Blackburn en-
Photos: Opposite page and on the cover– Michael Blackburn, CEO of Frye Regional Medical Center Above, from top to bottom– • Linear Accelerator, one of the latest weapons in the fight against cancer. • It sometimes takes more than medical treatment. 1313
HICKORY LIVING • OCTOBER 2010 HICKORY LIVING • OCTOBER 2010