NOVEMBER 2024
Welcome to the November Issue
By Kathy Wheeler
Thanksgiving is November 28th and we have so much to be grateful for in the Hickory area. Though we had some damage in our community, it was nothing compared to what those in Western North Carolina suffered. My two downed trees and four days without power was a minor inconvenience compared to the devastation others suffered from Helene. No matter how prepared you are, if floods wash away all that you own, you have to depend on raw survival skills, neighbors, community, and the goodness of others to get you through such a disaster.
It warms my heart to see the outpouring of support from not only those in our state but across our nation for the people in Western North Carolina. From folks who own helicopters donating their time and resources to rescue people and fly supplies in, to those on the ground hiking to remote areas and
organizing supplies, you are the true heroes in this world. Thank you. See the article on page 23 for ways you can contribute to the mountain region. They have a long road ahead to rebuilding their community.
We are tallying the votes for The Best of the Foothills, Hickory Living’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, and will announce the winners in our December issue.
For the next two months, we are featuring our Shop Local pages. Hickory Living is filled with advertisers that offer services, gift cards, and items for those on your holiday list. By shopping local this season, you are supporting our community and local economy.
Our November cover story features Catawba Valley Health System. Read their story starting on page 10 to learn
about all the exciting services and improvements going on at Catawba Valley Medical Center! They received the only ‘A’ rating for quality and safety in the Unifour area and received 10 awards from Women’s Choice, including being named a Top 100 U.S. Hospital for Patient Experience.
Our business spotlight this month features Carolina West Wireless. They have been a local wireless communications provider for 30 years. Read their story on page 16 about how they supported their customers through Hurricane Helene, what new services they offer, and their holiday specials!
Thank you for reading the November issue of Hickory Living. We wish you a safe, joy-filled holiday season with family and friends. May we hold them close and count our many blessings this Thanksgiving.
on the cover
Pictured–Catawba Valley Medical Center in 2024 earned the only ‘A’ rating for quality and safety in the Unifour and was named a Top 100 U.S Hospital for Patient Experience from Women’s Choice.
A Banner Year for
To say that 2024 has been remarkable for Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) would be an understatement. Additions, expansions, hiring many new providers, acquiring state-of-the-art technologies, and earning several awards and recognitions all comprise a list of achievements that is unprecedented for the organization.
Perhaps most visible among these is a dual project three years in the making. A new Heart Center and updated and expanded Emergency Department have been joined together within the medical center to serve the overwhelming demand of the region. Opened just months apart from each other, these two projects represent the newest and most advanced of their kind, respectively, in the region. The expanded Emergency Department features a more efficient process of treating patients, additional rooms, new
technology, and accommodations for bariatric and psychiatric patients, all of which are hallmarks of the new facility. A striking feature of this upgraded and expanded Emergency Department is the welcoming atmosphere. Lighting, décor, and comfortable waiting areas cannot be underestimated when considering the needs of patients and their families.
“The theme of my message to our region is to say that while we internally are obviously proud of what’s been built, all of this was done with our community in mind,” said Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of CVHS. “As we planned strategically for our future, we realized that the Emergency Department is our front door. And our patients who are experiencing what might be their worst deserve our very best.” The Heart Center, made possible in part by the generosity of Bob and Michele McCreary, establishes CVHS as a leader
Photos provided by Catawba Valley Health System
in the community for comprehensive cardiology services. Because it adjoins the expanded Emergency Department, the Heart Center can now save crucial minutes in a patient’s life during a traumatic heart-related event.
“Proximity to invasive labs internal to the ED improves heart attack response from ‘door to procedure,’ which supports our Chest Pain Accreditation standards,” said Chuck Scronce, CVHS assistant vice president overseeing the Cardiac and Emergency service lines. “Other changes include the relocation of our existing invasive labs, which will improve diagnostic services. The new Heart Center also has a dedicated care team with prep and recovery patient bays to better accommodate patient safety.”
Expansion at CVHS in 2024 also means the addition of new providers and specialty practices. Bringing in over 40 new members to the medical staff during the last 18 months means growing the CVHS team that gives life-saving care. Notable new practices that are now part of the CVHS medical group include Catawba Valley Surgery & Cancer Center (formerly known as Carolina Surgery & Cancer Center), as well as Catawba Valley Vascular Surgery – Horizon in Lenoir (formerly known as Horizon Surgical Specialists).
Johnson said, “We are in growth mode and we could not have found two more extraordinary specialty practices to bring into the fold. Outstanding providers with outstanding reputations. And with the addition of a practice in Lenoir, it shows we are geared to be an even more regional organization. More growth is planned in the family practice and urgent care areas, too. It’s really an exciting time in the life of CVHS.”
The brand promise CVHS makes to everyone it serves is ‘Where Compassion Meets Innovation,’ and the health system has committed to extending that promise by keeping its technology on the cutting edge. In addition to the upgrades in the Heart Center and Emergency Department, several other noteworthy technologies are now in place.
In October, CVHS acquired a new da Vinci 5 robot, the first of its kind in Catawba County and the Unifour region. The robot’s unprecedented capabilities allow surgeons to perform a wide variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures through one or a few small incisions—with precision, flexibility and control. Procedures performed with the da Vinci 5 often lead to shorter stays in the hospital, faster recovery times, and less complications and post-surgery pain.
Other groundbreaking capabilities added this year include the ION robot that better detects lung cancers, 3D hip replacement technology called HipInsights, and new MRI and
Photos:
On the cover–Members of our Heart and Vascular team–left to right: Angela Cheek, Dr. Vincent Pompili, Hailey Dancy, and Drew McLain (Photo by Shane Greene Photography)
Pictured above:
• A renovated and expanded Emergency Department was made possible in part by a gift from Bob and Michele McCreary.
• Vincent Pompili, MD, interventional cardiologist, currently serves as the Medical Director of Catawba Valley Cardiology.
• New Heart Center features include updated invasive labs and improved diagnostic services.
breast cancer detection equipment. Additionally, CVHS performed Catawba County’s first robot-assisted spine surgery.
The superlatives have followed. Catawba Valley Medical Center is the county’s only 4-star rated hospital and is also the only hospital in the Unifour to achieve an ‘A’ rating for safety and quality. U.S. News and World Report named the medical center a “High Performing” hospital for Maternity Care as well as hip and knee replacement surgery, with only 311 hospitals in the U.S. (out of over 3,000) receiving the Maternity Care distinction.
Also, Newsweek ranked Catawba Valley Medical Center among the Best Hospitals in North Carolina, coming in at 11th out of 113 hospitals within the state. And CVHS received a record 10 Women’s Choice Awards and was named a Top 100 U.S. Hospital for Patient Experience. Other awards from Women’s Choice included “Best” designations for Outpatient Experience, Patient Safety, Obstetrics, Bariatric Surgery, Cancer Care, Orthopedics, Stroke Care, Minimally Invasive Surgery, and Mammogram Imaging.
Photos
: Pictured left:
• The new da Vinci 5 surgical robot is the first of its kind in the region.
• The da Vinci 5 robot allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive procedures through one or a few small incisions, with precision.
• Linear accelerators allows CVMC more accuracy in pinpointing tumor volume, increases treatment efficiency.
Dennis Johnson beams when he recounts the year gone by. “All of these great achievements, which add to an already high-performing system, are both humbling and gratifying,” he said. “Existing features of our medical center like having the area’s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit also contribute to making CVHS one of the outstanding organizations in North Carolina. I’m extremely fortunate to be a part of such a dynamic place.”
He adds that it also is heart-warming to have learned earlier this year that Catawba Valley Medical Center was voted “Best Hospital” by the readers of three local publications. “And we’re still growing,” he said. “We’re always looking for the best to join our team and be a part of something special.”
Applicants can learn about job opportunities at CatawbaValleyHealth.org/Careers.
Catawba Valley Health System
Catawba Valley Medical Center
810 Fairgrove Church Road, SE • Hickory, NC 28602 CatawbaValleyHealth.org
business spotlight
Photos: Left to right
Matthew Stamper is the Senior Director of Sales. Anel Yanez (front) is the Field Sales Representative for Clearstream. Caroline Coley (right) is the Area Business Pro Sales Representative.
Opposite page:
• Jared Brooks, Area Sales Manager, and Andria Lycoff lead a sales team ready to service the wireless needs of the greater Hickory area.
• Andria Lycoff is the Retail Store Manager in Hickory. She and her staff are hyper focused on delivering a great customer experience.
A Part of The Community
By Amy Casil | Photos by Shane Greene Photography
Talking recently with Todd Elledge, Director of Marketing, at Carolina West Wireless, the role of a local wireless communications provider became crystal clear. Carolina West Wireless has been responding to the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene with every resource they have.
“We wanted to make sure our customers could stay connected in such a time of need. For customers who may not be on an unlimited plan, we waived all overage charges for unlimited talk, text, and data. We also waived connection fees and payment fees for Bark Mobile – our prepaid brand for the first week of October,”
Todd said. “We have customers and family who have lost everything.” Carolina West Wireless opened their stores to local residents as soon as possible following
the storm, providing WiFi connectivity to anyone who needed it.
Todd also said they shipped charging stations to provide free charging for anyone’s device, and have been offering free food and coffee at their stores, including Hickory, for local residents, first responders, and anyone else in need of refreshments, device charging, and wireless connectivity.
New Services and Products
Carolina West Wireless has added some new products and services over the past year. Some of the most popular, according to Todd, are trail cameras and outdoor surveillance. Carolina West offers two trail cameras with different functionality. They also offer a security camera for outdoor surveillance that’s popular with
property owners, whether they’re looking to secure an entryway or parking lot for a business, or ensure that land they own remains trouble-free. These services are offered through Carolina West’s highspeed network, ensuring reliability and continuous coverage. Carolina West Wireless has also added features for international calling options, including popular services for international roaming for travel around the globe.
Three Decades of Service and Counting
“We’re a better local alternative to the big carriers,” said Jackie Mallory, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer. Serving 11 local counties, including Catawba, Carolina West Wireless also provides service to Allegheny, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Rutherford, Surry, Watauga, and Wilkes counties. With a workforce of over 130 employees, they are able to provide service and respond to customer needs.
Carolina West’s Hickory store is managed by Andria Lycoff, and is
open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can visit the store, and they will be glad to assist you with Clearstream Wireless Internet, business services, and more. The business representative for the Hickory area is Caroline Coley. For Clearstream Wireless, customers can contact Anel Yanez, who is available to help them with their wireless connectivity and needs.
Holiday Specials and Ongoing Support
Todd said that Carolina West Wireless is offering holiday specials this year, including a deal for a free iPhone 16, which comes with the latest iPad and Apple watch for free, providing over $1,700 in value. There are additional
deals for Samsung Galaxy phones, and a $25/line per month special that includes hotspot data. Many deals also come with one month of free service for new customers.
Throughout the area following Hurricane Helene, customers have been dealing with flooding and disruption of power, water, and wireless services, but Carolina West Wireless has responded to the utmost of their ability. While there will be months of recovery to come, Carolina West Wireless is in the community and available for help and service.
1710 US Hwy 70 SE Hickory, NC 28602 (800) 235-5007 www.carolinawest.com
Carolina West Wireless
Wishing You and Your Family a
Helping to Restore Western North Carolina
By Kathy Wheeler
As I write this article in mid-October, I realize that by the time you read it, Western North Carolina’s needs could have changed. However, I don’t want to let this issue of Hickory Living pass without offering support for our neighbors.
Initially, those citizens who responded to Hurricane Helene with supplies, volunteering, and relief were a life saver. From helicopter pilots who donated their time and funds to fly in supplies and rescue survivors, to those on the ground who hiked supplies into remote areas, cleared trees, and organized donated items, they are all heroes! So many were supported and lives were saved due to compassionate citizens coming to the rescue.
Recovery efforts continue to take place for those who lost their lives and support is still needed in the areas hardest hit. Each location has unique needs, and sometimes only those in the thick of it know what those needs are.
As the recovery moves forward, I think a more organized effort is prudent. Impacted areas have collected so many supplies that they are having problems storing them. Likewise, they have so many volunteers that it is hard to organize them all. It is suggested that
you reach out to larger organizations to get firsthand information on what is needed and how you can help. We are past the stage of loading up a truck full of supplies with a general destination in mind and are now in the restructuring and rebuilding stage.
Our hearts are in the right place, but the bottom line is we don’t want our efforts to cause more problems than they help. People have donated clothing, because let’s face it, it’s getting cold in the mountains, but all used clothing and blankets have to be washed before being distributed. These types of donations have overwhelmed volunteers and take too much time to process.
I spoke with Mark Bumgarner, Executive Director of Catawba County United Way, and he agreed that, at this point, donating funds to non-profit organizations that are well connected in the area and knowledgeable about the needs in a community is the way to go.
“Organizations like Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Salvation Army, and United Way are all good places to put your donations,” said Mark. “There are lots of other organizations, but these are some of the ones we have vetted,” he continued. Mark also said that you are welcome to give to Catawba County
United Way, but if you want your donations to go to Western North Carolina, donate to United Way of North Carolina where you can specify the county you want your donation to go.
Be smart about where you put your funds. Mark said that you can verify non-profit organizations through Guide Star at www.guidestar.org.
Here are some links where you can direct funds to Western North Carolina: Red Cross of North Carolina www.redcross.org/donate/donation. html/
Samaritan’s Purse
www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/ nam/
Salvation Army of Asheville https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/ asheville-buncombe-county/ I would contact the Salvation Army in the county you want to donate to.
United Way of North Carolina www.unitedwaync.org
With giving hearts and a strategic plan, we can provide what our fellow Carolinians need to rebuild their beautiful communities! Thank you for all of your help.
©iStockphoto.com | SeanPavonePhoto
What’s Cooking?
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.
Roasted Rainbow Carrots
with Whipped Feta
For a colorful side dish or starter for any fall meal, try this recipe. Roasting the carrots enhances their slightly sweet flavor, and the creamy and tangy whipped feta dip is the perfect complement. While whipped feta dip sounds fancy, it is so simple to prepare and can be made up to three days ahead. It also makes an amazing dip for your vegetable platter and the perfect addition to your holiday table.
Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Whipped Feta
Servings: 4 • Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
ROASTED CARROTS:
1.5 lbs. small to medium rainbow carrots (12-14)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. paprika
1.5 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Optional — chopped parsley and pistachios for garnish
WHIPPED FETA
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
8 oz. feta block (in brine for best flavor)
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 garlic cloves
1 Tbsp. honey
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat an oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Next, combine the ingredients for the whipped feta in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pulse or blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Whipped feta can be made up to 3 days in advance.
To prepare carrots, scrub well (no need to peel) and remove the tops. Rinse the carrots, then pat dry and place on the prepared baking sheet. Next, whisk together the olive oil, honey, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Drizzle the mixture over the carrots and turn them in the mixture to ensure they are well coated. Roast for approximately 20 minutes, until fork tender.
To serve, spread the whipped feta onto a serving plate and top with the roasted carrots. Garnish with chopped parsley, pistachios and a sprinkle of sea salt. Adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze or hot honey makes them extra delicious!
