Hickory Living June 2022

Complimentary June 2022

CREATING THE PERFECT

Smile page 19

On the Cover

Of Hickory and Lake Norman page 10 HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

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contents

JUNE 2022 FEATURES 10 •

COVER STORY Growing With Hickory Realty Executives Of Hickory And Lake Norman

MacAdam Smith Publisher mac@oasisluxuryhomes.com (484) 769-7445

16 • BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Brookdale Offers Options For Senior Living In Hickory

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26 •

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Be A Medical Hero Accellacare Hickory Seeks Participants For Clinical Trials

CREATING THE PERFECT SMILE

Kathy Wheeler Design & Advertising Sales kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

21 • Hamilton & Herring Orthodontics 23 • McKinney • Graham Dental Arts 25 • Brown & Neuwirth Oral & Cosmetic Surgery Center

IN THIS ISSUE

26 Hickory

LIVING 10225 Hickorywood Hill Ave., Unit A Huntersville, NC 28078 (484) 769-7445 HickoryLiving@gmail.com

www.HickoryLivingMagazine.com 4

HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

6 • Welcome To The June Issue June Events 8 • Happy Father’s Day!

Sharon Simpson Advertising Director sharon@lncurrents.com (704) 677-9159

28 • What’s Cookin’ Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Quiche

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

contributors

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Peter Eisenhauer • Kathy Wheeler Kathy Dicken

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY

by Shane Greene Photography

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Welcome to the

I

June Issue

n June we celebrate Father’s Day on the 19th and the first day of summer on the 21st. Let your dad know that you love and appreciate him. Fire up the grill, get out your swimsuits and sunscreen, invite some friends over for a cookout and a dip in the pool! There are a lot of outdoor concerts to attend, and we hope you enjoy some fresh produce from your local farmers’ market.

Our theme this month is Creating the Perfect Smile. From general dentistry and wisdom tooth removal to braces and implants, there is a way to achieve a beautiful smile. Check out the oral health professionals in our special section starting on page 19.

©iStockphoto.com | lkpho49

Our cover story this month features Realty Executives of Hickory and Lake Norman. Read their story on page 10. With so many great agents, you are sure to find someone to help you navigate the real estate market.

We have two business spotlights this month. Page 16 features Brookdale with two locations in Hickory. They offer many options for senior living for those who are independent as well as those who need more care. Page 26 features Accellacare.

Their clinical research trials help people with new treatments.

Thank you for reading the June issue of Hickory Living.

Enjoy!

JUNE EVENTS HICKORY

NEWTON

LENOIR

June 3, 17

June 2

2022 Sails Original Music Series Fridays @ 7:00PM

Music On Main Downtown Newton Amphitheater, N Main Avenue, Newton Band begins at 6PM • Food trucks, two beverage gardens, and Patriot Axe Throwing • Bring a lawn chair.

June 10

June 3: Reliably Bad (Funk/Soul) June 17: Alexa Rose Band (Americana) www.facebook.com/sailsmusic

VALDESE June 3, 10, 17, 24 Valdese Family Friday Night Concerts Held at Temple Field behind The Old Rock School • Bring a lounge chair • Music starts at 7PM. June 3: Little Johnny Trailer Trash (Americana, classic rock, and country) June 10: Southside Saints (Classic rock and variety) June 17: Super 60s (Everything 60s) June 24: FracXured (Classic rock and variety) townofvaldese.com 6

HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

Summer Music Madness 801 West Avenue, Lenoir 7PM-10PM • Bring a lawn chair.

June 10: The Night Move Band downtownlenoirnc.com/events

June 2: On The Border (Eagles tribute) facebook.com/newtondowntown

BLOWING ROCK

MORGANTON

Music On The Lawn The Inn at Ragged Gardens 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock Bring a lawn chair, no coolers, no pets • 5:30PM–8:30PM

June 3, 10, 17, 24 TGIF Summer Concerts Amphitheater Stage at the Courthouse Square • Bring a lawn chair • Food and beverage vendors open at 6PM • Music starts at 7PM. June 3: Extraordinaires (Variety) June 10: Sweet Revenge (Rock) June 17: The Legacy Motown Revue June 24: Urban Soil (Americana, rock, and soul) morgantonfest.org

June 3, 10, 17, 24

June 3: Soul Benefactor (Soul, funk and rock) June 10: Continental Divide (Variety) June 17: Smokin’ Joe Randolf Band (Blues, rockabilly, surf, and soul) June 24: Supa Tight (Funk and reggae) www.ragged-gardens.com

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You have a CHOICE for Rehab Ask for Conover Nursing & Rehab!

Our goal is to get you back to those you love and the life you love living.

You are in good hands at Conover Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. After an illness, surgery or injury, our team is dedicated to your recovery and safe transition back home!

• Rehab Wing with Central Gym and Indoor Track • Results Oriented Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapists on Staff • Family Owned & Operated

Conover Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 828.695.8282

www.ConoverNursingandRehab.com

920 4th Street SW • Conover, NC 28613

©iStockphoto.com | Prostock-Studio

HAPPY

Father’s Day!

Sunday, June 19th we will celebrate and honor those men in our lives who have supported us, nurtured us, offered their wisdom, and protected us. Show your dad what his influence and love have meant to you.

If you are looking for some gift ideas, consider his interests.

Green fees would be a good gift for the golfer. Choose a new golf course that he hasn’t played before. Is he an avid hiker? A new backpack, boots, binoculars, or a compass would make a good gift. Those who love to ride motorcycles might enjoy new gloves, saddlebags, or a new helmet. For the hobbyist, give him something that would support his interest such as a tool, supplies, or even a class. Maybe Dad could use a makeover or a trip to the spa. Gift certificates are always a great idea!

The best gifts of all will be the simplest to give—your expression of love and admiration, your time, his favorite meal, and a day off from his responsibilities spending time with his children!

At Hickory Living, we are grateful for all the male role models that influence our children positively and shape our community. Your hard work is appreciated, and you are truly one of life’s greatest treasures. Happy Father’s Day!

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on the cover

Growing with Hickory

Of Hickory and Lake Norman

By Peter Eisenhauer | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Sitting on a mountaintop, Chris Spencer is taking an expansive view of the area real estate market and the role of Realty Executives of Hickory and Lake Norman. In an interview via Zoom, Chris said, “We are striving to be the biggest and best company in the Catawba Valley. We’ve got over eighty agents now, so we’re experiencing tremendous growth.” Chris, who is the broker in charge for the company’s Lake Norman location, points to huge growth in our area all along the Highway 16 corridor. Noting that you can now go from Newton to Denver in just twenty minutes, he says the company wants to make the most of the close proximity of these thriving communities. “The Highway 16 expansion has made it possible to live, work, 10

HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

and partake in the best of what both areas have to offer.

Meeting the market demand for housing from Hickory to Lake Norman and beyond was the inspiration for expanding the name Realty Executives into the Lake Norman real estate market.”

Back at the office in Hickory, office manager Katie Keisler, on the same video call, expands on what Chris is saying. “We have been the leader in number of units sold among all the Catawba Valley firms, year-to-date,” Katie said. “But actually, just this month we crossed over to be #1 in sales volume, as well. So it’s no stretch to say we are the biggest and the best.” She noted that the company has consistently been voted Best of the Catawba Valley in the Hickory Daily Record’s readers’ poll. Katie believes the company’s reputation for integrity is a major factor in its success.

“We have a motto here that we pursue service over sales. And sales are the by-product of good service.

If you look us up online, we’ve got triple the number of five-star reviews than any other firm in town. Our reputation for integrity and quality is paramount for us.

That reputation has been thirty years in the making,” Katie said.

Kevin Spencer, who with his wife Debbie, is owner of the firm. He said the bedrock of that success is literally family. Of Debbie, he said, “I’ve been lucky to have the same business partner with the same goals and beliefs for over 47 years. Both of our sons, Chris and Ryan, have become integral parts of the success. Adding to that foundation,” he said, “we have been fortunate to have excellent business associates who have also become very good, long-term friends. In the early 2000s, we were blessed with an intelligent young lady, Katie Keisler, whose passion and dedication to our firm has contributed greatly to our growth over the last 17 years.

She and Chris are becoming the face of Realty Executives, and I am confident Realty Executives will continue to thrive and prosper and continue as the #1 firm in the Catawba Valley.”

Chris Spencer has seen firsthand the response from those returning to the region. “I can’t tell you the number of people I’ve shown lake property to, who say ‘Man, this city is amazing compared to what it was 20 years ago.’ It’s a reflection of resilience in our community leaders, business owners, and residents to see our area go from being one of the hardest hit by the recession, to being one that has come out of it the strongest,”

Photos:

Opposite Page–Realty Executives has been a trusted name in Catawba Valley for over 30 years, and is #1 in production—both for sales volume and units sold.

Above, top to bottom–Executive Brokers / Realtors: • Robin Whitener • Jade Isenhour • Sarah Metcalf HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

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says Chris. “Hickory has gone from being a stopping point, to being a destination. Lake Hickory is now an incredible family-friendly alternative to Lake Norman.

With less boating traffic, Hickory’s lake often provides a safer and quieter day on the water. The development of our downtown Hickory area has caused people to say, ‘I don’t need to go to Asheville or Charlotte for the social scene. Hickory has all of that now.’”

And the company has been working hard to grow with the area. “We’ve had very consistent growth,” Katie said.

A key to that growth is the professional development of agents. “A big part of our role is investing in new licensees. We pour into them every bit of knowledge that has helped every top producer along these halls reach their goals. The culture here is such that you’re more than a quota or a dollar sign. We value our agents and provide them with support, including weekly training, coaching opportunities, and shadowing. We focus on developing them professionally and helping them to provide the level of service that people have grown to associate with our name.”

Katie noted that in the year 2020, adding 20 agents was an appropriate number. “We’ve had steady growth because word gets out that we have an ideal environment for agents here. We have somebody there to answer calls day or night. Between myself, Kevin, Debbie, and Chris, plus support staff, Aimee Broos and Alex Locke, we have a tremendous team backing up our people. And that, I think, is the key to our success and why we have had agents who have been with us for decades.”

Realty Executives is ready to meet the challenges of today’s market. “The market is constantly evolving,” Katie said. “That’s why we feel the emphasis on education is really important at our firm. Of course, what everybody is reading right now is limited inventory, so houses are moving very, very quickly. Realty Executives’ brokers are go-getters who are proactive in this fast-paced market— because that’s what it takes. By mid-April, we already had 265 sales. This very well could be a 1,000-unit year for our firm.”

Photos:

Above, top to bottom–Executive Brokers / Realtors: • Alan Long, Dolly Frye, and Gina King • Dawn Kilby and Rachel Knox discuss the Working with Real Estate Agents brochure • Kay Sigmon

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“For buyers and sellers in the market today, my advice would be to seek out experienced and knowledgeable representation,” Katie continued. “In today’s market, you need somebody in your corner. Whether you are selling or buying, you are at a severe disadvantage if you try to go it alone. Do your research, look up reviews, see who’s going to be a good fit for you, who’s going to be respon-

sive and communicate quickly. That’s a big deal here. We answer the phone because the market doesn’t wait.”

“The big thing that we’re known for, and want to be known for, is the quality of our agents and the supportive office environment,” says Katie. “From Internet marketing to secure e-signatures and cloud-based forms, we’re a very tech-oriented, forward-leaning company. We are always looking toward the horizon of our industry, prepared to adapt to what’s next—much like when we were the first to go paperless.” Alongside taking full advantage of advancing technology, it is clear that this firm values its established office presence.

Katie added, “We are the best of both worlds: the conveniences of cloud-based technology but still a trusted brick and mortar company right in the heart of Hickory.

Buying a home is the biggest purchase most people will ever make, and I don’t think they want to do that in a Starbucks. Our clients appreciate the significance of a home purchase and enjoy having an office to come to.”

So whenever you are ready to buy or sell in the area, you know where to go. “We just signed a long-term agreement with Realty Executives International to secure all of the Catawba Valley and Lake Norman areas of Lincoln County,” Kevin said. “We plan to be around for a long time, helping people with their real estate and investing needs.”

785 U.S. Hwy 70 SW STE 100, Hickory (828) 328-8900 www.realtyexecs.net

Photos:

Above, top to bottom–Executive Brokers / Realtors: • Steven and Stephanie Mora and Romi McCurry • Carolyn McMurray • Cynthia Tupman and Kelly Burris Left–Summer Grimaldo, Executive Broker / Realtor

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Fun in the Sun

can leave you dehydrated & sunburned!

V-Infusion offers Hydration Therapy for Your Health Whether you need vitamins, electrolytes or hydration, intravenous therapy is the quickest delivery to feeling better.

828.322.1498

74 8th Street SE, Suite 112 • Hickory V-Infusion-Hydration-Center

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business spotlight

Photos:

Left–The large private apartment is one of seven floorplans available at Brookdale Hickory Northeast. The community also offers semi-private and large suite floorplans allowing residents to maximize their budget range.

Offers Options for Senior Living in Hickory

By Peter Eisenhauer | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

As part of the largest of senior living providers, Brookdale Falling Creek and Brookdale Hickory Northeast offer assisted living options for seniors in the area.

Dan Swan, sales manager for Brookdale Hickory Northeast, said, “While we are located in Hickory, we have the support of our company nationwide. We have over 600 communities offering all levels of care in 41 states, from independent living up to skilled nursing.”

Dedra Shumaker, senior sales manager for Brookdale Falling Creek, said, “We provide the same care program at each of our communities in Hickory. You can be independent or need more hands-on care, and our program and regulations allow us to meet our residents’ needs individually.

Each community has their own personality, and Northeast has a 16

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somewhat larger capacity.”

“Between both communities, we offer 13 different floor plans that accommodate price points to fit within almost any budget,” Dan said.

Dan said assisted living is a great benefit to families. “It allows the son or daughter to be the son or daughter again.” Melody Keener, health and wellness director at Falling Creek, said that monitoring residents’ health care needs is a priority. “If we see that care needs increasing, we have avenues we can pursue to keep them here,” she said. “If that means we have to bring in a higher level of care via a third party, we do that.” That can include hospice or palliative care when needed.

Both communities offer plenty of activities for residents—with

Above, from left to right Brookdale Hickory Northeast’s management team: Front row–Dan Swan, sales manager; Bao Yang, resident programs coordinator; Jordan Lail, executive director; Jennifer Zeak, dining services coordinator.

Back row–Amy Parker, LPN, health and wellness director; Brad Turner, maintenance technician; Rhonda Adams, business office coordinator.

entertainers, crafts, games, and outings. Brookdale communities also offer trademark wellness programs to engage body and mind. Dan stressed that orientation of new residents is a priority at Brookdale. “It’s one thing to move into assisted living. It’s another thing to move in and actually be engaged,” he said.

Both Dedra and Dan describe Brookdale as a great place to work. “This work does take a commitment to want to care for our population. In any healthcare setting, you want associates who are compassionate,” Dedra said.

“Part of our mission is to enrich the lives of those we serve, and that includes associates as well. Brookdale offers a great plan for associates who want to grow in the company and in their career,” said Dan. Both communities also offer educational events on topics such as elder law. Hickory Northeast also hosts a Veterans’ breakfast the third Thursday of each month. At this writing, there are no Covid restrictions on visits other than a screening on entry and masking in common areas.

These exemplary senior living facilities can help families navigate a decision-making process that

Photos: can sometimes be overwhelming.

They can work with long-term care insurance, government programs, and some Veteran’s benefits.

Dedra said, “We welcome all inquiries. We’re more than happy to have people just give us a call and ask questions. We’re happy to be a source of information on their

options, even if we might not be the solution.”

Brookdale Hickory Northeast 2530 16th St NE • 828.324.5400 dswan@brookdale.com Brookdale Falling Creek 910 29th Ave. NE • 828.328.6090 dshumaker1@brookdale.com

Left–The Richmond Apartment at Brookdale Falling Creek is one of the six floorplans offered. All floorplans are private with kitchenettes, large spacious bathrooms, walk-in showers, and some with walk-in closets.

Above, from left to right Brookdale Falling Creek’s management team: Front row–Gabby Houston, resident programs coordinator; Heather Hicks, dining services coordinator; Angela Heard, business office coordinator; Dedra Shumaker, senior sales manager for Hickory.

Back row–Chris Snyder, maintenance manager; Amber Minton, executive director; and Melody Keener, RN, health and wellness director.

LANDSCAPES,LLC

Transforming Landscapes into Scenic Views!

• Creative and innovative design • Impeccable reputation • Meticulous attention to detail • Integrity as business professionals • Quality that exceeds client expectations

Visit us online at www.ScenicViewLandscapes.net Owner and Landscape Contractor, Kevin Sipe

• Landscapes • • Hardscapes • Water Features • • Outdoor Lighting • Garden Maintenance •

For Your Landscape Transformation, Contact Kevin Sipe and the Scenic View Team

828-256-2517

HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

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CREATING THE PERFEC T

Smile

When you are self-conscious about your smile, you hide your joy. It affects your confidence and your success.

With today’s technology, you can have a beautiful smile. On the pages that follow, you will find oral health professionals who can help you achieve your perfect smile!

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Dr. David Hamilton, Jr., started his orthodontic practice in Hickory in 1982 and has earned a reputation for providing top quality patient care and creating beautiful smiles ever since.

Dr. Jason Herring joined Dr. Hamilton’s practice in 2006, and our partnership as Hamilton & Herring Orthodontics began.

Jason T. Herring, DDS, MS David C. Hamilton, Jr. DDS, MS

Hamilton & Herring Orthodontics

322 10th Avenue Drive, NE Hickory, NC 828.324.4535 www.HickorySmile.com

At Hamilton & Herring Orthodontics, our mission is to provide excellent orthodontic care and exceptional customer service in a warm, caring, and fun office environment. Our staff is composed of wonderfully skilled individuals who share the doctors’ vision and values. We strive to make patients feel like they are special and a part of our orthodontic family.

Drs. Hamilton and Herring both received their dental and orthodontic training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which is recognized as one of the top dental

schools and orthodontic residency programs in the world. In addition to their formal university training, the doctors pursue robust continuing education programs every year to ensure that they are able to provide the most sophisticated and appropriate treatment for our patients. Recently, the doctors have participated in the Aligner Intensive Fellowship, a rigorous course of study for orthodontists seeking to become exceptionally proficient in the use of clear aligners, like Invisalign.

Orthodontics is a remarkable profession that combines both art and science.

Our work is extremely gratifying as we help our patients attain the health benefits and beautiful smile they desire.

We get to witness first-hand the way that improving a person’s smile can boost their self-esteem. A great smile has a lifelong impact on the quality of our patients’ lives, and we love being able to provide our patients with the very best in orthodontic care.

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One of the things we believe sets us apart in the world of cosmetic dentistry is our approach to smile design. Here at McKinney-Graham Dental Arts, we take both traditional and state-of-theart technology techniques and bring them together to develop the best smile design game plan for you.

Dr. Bryan D. Graham, DDS Dr. Kyle M. McKinney, DDS

221 13th Ave. PL NW • Hickory 828.328.5581 mckinneygraham.com

When you visit our Hickory office for cosmetic dentistry, we first discuss your goals and important questions such as, “What do you see about your smile that you would like to transform?”

“What do you like and do not like?”

“What is the smile you’ve always dreamed of?”

What’s really cool about the smile design process is we take your vision for your dream smile, paired with what we know works well, and create a customized plan that works uniquely for you.

“So, how does the smile design process work at McKinney-Graham Dental Arts? What can I expect?”

First, we’ll start by taking some photos of your smile, then we use our CEREC® Primescan Technology to scan your teeth. The images from the scans are put on a computer, and we sit down together to design the smile you’ve always wanted.

We use the latest and the greatest dental technology here at McKinneyGraham which makes the process much easier and less time-consuming for you, allowing for your smile transformation to flow smoothly and seamlessly.

Our advanced, state-of-the-art design process will save you a ton of time, so you’ll spend more time showing off your gorgeous new smile and less time sitting in our dentist chair. Good news, right? We think so too.

Give us a call, we’d love to talk to you.

We look forward to walking with you on your transformation journey.

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Photo by Shane Greene

Just thinking about oral surgery can make most people squeamish. But for Brown & Neuwirth Oral & Cosmetic Surgery Center, with offices in Hickory, Morganton, and Statesville, patient comfort and surgical excellence are top priorities. Drs. Brown and Neuwirth are as committed to their patients as they are their profession.

Christopher Brown, BS Dent, DDS PA Bryan Neuwirth, DDS, MD, PA

Since opening in 1992, their services have focused on the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Common procedures include wisdom tooth extraction, dental implants, and reconstructive surgery due to trauma.

Both surgeons completed specialized graduate and doctoral education in oral surgery, and they are also board certified – which means they keep current with additional training and education each year. When you visit their practice, “you’re getting highly trained surgeons who know the best procedures,” according to Dr. Brown.

The NEW Statesville Office

One of the most performed procedures at the practice is wisdom tooth removal,

which is recommended for most young adults around the age of sixteen. “Oral surgeons in general have the most handson experience with wisdom tooth extraction,” Neuwirth says. “The more you do something, the more efficient you become with fewer complications. Typically that equates to quicker recoveries and fewer problems.”

“With extractions, there are things we do now that cause less trauma,” says Brown.

“The less time we are in surgery, the fewer problems patients have afterwards. We provide medications during surgery to keep swelling down and reduce postoperative pain. That’s the advantage of seeing an oral surgeon for these types of procedures.”

Drs. Brown and Neuwirth deliver results that shatter the misconceptions often associated with oral surgery. By combining experience with quality care, the practice provides the most advanced services and technologies available in the region.

Written by Amy McCauley

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business spotlight

Photos:

Left, from left to right Dr. John Earl, Jennifer Lail CRC-II, Briana Ferguson CRC-A, Nicole Everhart CRC-II, Dr. Scott Polster Opposite page, left to right Dr. Scott Polster consulting with Jennifer Lail regarding patient safety criteria.

Dr. John Earl and Nicole Everhart discussing upcoming Research Trials for Accellacare Hickory.

Nicole Everhart collecting vital signs.

Be a Medical Hero HICKORY

Seeks Participants for Clinical Trials

of any treatment. Every medication and treatment available on the market today has gone through stringent steps and rules before it can be available for use. Accellacare research sites follow strict guidelines to ensure that the rights, safety, privacy, and welfare of participants are protected at all times.

What are the benefits of participating? By joining in clinical research, participants actively advance modern medicine and improve the lives of millions of people by helping bring safe and effective medications to market.

From a personal view, participating in clinical research

By Peter Eisenhauer | Photos by Shane Greene Photography can allow you to find a treatment that works for you when other treatment options haven’t brought relief. Clinical Volunteers often have to travel long distances to medical coltrials can give you early access to the newest treatments. leges and research hospitals for a chance to participate in clinical research trials. In Hickory, we are lucky to have the benefit of local During the course of the study, participants also receive research clinic Accellacare of Hickory, formerly PMG-Research of regular health visits and monitoring by physicians at no Hickory, which has been conducting trials here for over a decade. cost. And participants can receive financial compensation for their time and travel.

Accellacare of Hickory has successfully helped bring diagnostics and treatments to the market for cancer screening, weight loss, Accellacare of Hickory currently has five office staff and arthritis, diabetes, vaccines, endocrinology, and more. six principal investigators that oversee the clinical data and patient safety: Dr. John Earl, Dr. Scott Polster, Dr. Eric It is important to know that trial participation is not like “being a guinea pig.” Medications go through several phases of research, Hart, Dr. Dennis Payne, Dr. Jill McClory, and Dr. Ronald Caldwell. The medical professionals involved are excited each building on the other. Clinical trials do not proceed before about the work. pre-clinical research has investigated the safety and effectiveness 26

HICKORY LIVING • JUNE 2022

“Clinical research is the most efficient, safe, and effective way that we can get new therapeutics to our patients,” said Dr. Earl, a family physician affiliated with Frye Regional Medical Center. “It is exciting for me to be on the ground floor in the development of these new entities. Being an investigator in the Pfizer program for the Covid-19 vaccine, I felt we were part of something quite history making.”

Dr. Polster, who is affiliated with Catawba Valley Medical Center, agrees: “Clinical research allows me to be a part of the future of medicine. I get to be a pioneer in looking for new treatment modalities and preventative measures for my patients.”

Accellacare of Hickory is currently enrolling for studies focusing on hypothyroidism, gout, Covid-19 vaccines, as well as e-cigarettes. New studies are

consistently available throughout the year focusing on almost any condition and disease. To learn more about Accellacare of Hickory and how you can join a current or future clinical trial, call 828-345-5060 or e-mail hickory@accellacare.com. Learn more at https://www. accellacare.us/join-a-study.

Accellacare of Hickory 221 13th Avenue Place NW, Suite 201, Hickory, NC

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What’s Cooking?

Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Quiche Servings: 6 • Prep time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS 5 eggs 1 cup heavy cream or half & half 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1/2 tsp garlic salt 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp black pepper 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard 1 cup steamed broccoli – chopped 3 green onions – chopped 4 slices bacon – cooked and chopped 1 1/2 cup shredded Sharp Cheddar cheese Optional: 1 refrigerated (or frozen) deep dish pie crust DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. If using, roll out refrigerated pie crust in a glass pie pan, crimp edges all the way around – set aside. If not, spray a glass pie pan with non-stick spray.

In a medium size bowl, mix together eggs, cream, mayo, garlic salt, onion powder & black pepper until combined.

Fold in chopped broccoli, green onion, bacon and 1 cup of shredded cheddar – pour into the pie shell. Sprinkle the top with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

The Perfect Quiche For Brunch Kathy Dicken lives in Huntersville and is the author of the food blog, The Tasty Bits. For more meal ideas that are simple and delicious, you can follow her blog at www.thetastybits.com or on Instagram @thetastybits.

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On the weekend, I am all about a good Brunch. No need to get up too early, it’s acceptable to have alcohol (hello mimosas!), and I truly love all brunch eats! So, if you are looking for a goto recipe for brunch, then look no further than this decadent, delicious Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Quiche!

This recipe packs an extra creamy factor from the addition of heavy cream and mayonnaise, giving it that luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth taste! It can be made with or without a pie crust, and still sets up perfectly. This one is definitely a must-make-recipe!

Bake for 50-60 minutes if using pie crust, or until the center is set when gently shaken. Check the crust during the last 10-15 minutes – cover with aluminum foil for remaining cook time to prevent crust over-browning. If preparing without crust, quiche should be set after 45 minutes.

Leftover quiche reheats beautifully in the microwave!

NOTES • You can replace heavy cream or half & half with milk. It may just be a little less rich.

• For easy cleanup, cook your bacon in the oven. Place bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan and bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

• When baking quiche, place on a baking sheet.

It makes it easier to handle and mitigates any spillage!

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