White County Medical Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Wes Thorpe to the medical community as the newest member of the WCMC Hospitalist Group.

 Dr. Thorpe comes to WCMC from his internal medicine residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Greenville, Penn. Prior to his service there, he completed medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences. He and his wife Catherine, daughter Alice, age 3 and son Jude, 6 months, are already enjoying the family-friendly atmosphere Searcy offers.

Dr. Thorpe

 “We love to be outdoors spending time with our family; we are greatly blessed,” Dr. Thorpe said. “We love exploring new places, whether it’s around our neighborhood or in a new city. We love the Lord, a strong community and good coffee! We are thankful and honored to be living in such a great city.”

 His passion for life and family also extends to his work as a physician. “Having a Hospitalist Group like the one we have at White County Medical Center is a tremendous asset to such a healthcare facility,” Dr. Thorpe said. “Physicians throughout the medical community can refer patients to us during their hospital stay, which provides a service to primary care physicians. Also, the Hospitalist Group gives us the flexibility to see many patients in the hospital as we strive to provide excellent care to our patients. I truly try to approach every single patient as if they were my own family member.”

 What is a Hospitalist?

“Hospitalist” is a term commonly used to describe doctors who specifically practice medicine in the hospital. WCMC is fortunate to have five Hospitalists on staff, with the addition of Dr. Thorpe. WCMC’s Hospitalist Group includes Drs. Jayton Lim, Scott Dicus, Noel Tancinco and Rob Camferdam, all of whom specialized in internal medicine during residency training.

 “Our Hospitalist Group has a broad and extensive background in acute care,” Dr. Lim said. “We all enjoy getting to know and caring for our patients from White County and the surrounding counties.”

 The primary task of a Hospitalist is to provide a continuum of care for patients who are admitted to the hospital by their primary care physicians (PCPs). The WCMC Hospitalist Group serves to benefit physicians in the local medical community, as well as patients in the hospital.

 By participating in the WCMC Hospitalist Group, PCPs are able to enhance patient care in their clinics while temporarily entrusting care of their hospitalized patients to the Hospitalist Group. A Hospitalist is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide medical attention for each patient in his care.

 “We specialize in treating diseases and caring for hospitalized patients,” Dr. Dicus said. “Our medical practice is fully based in the hospital; essentially, the hospital is our office, which allows us to focus solely on the health and well-being of individual patients.”

 Communication between the Hospitalist and PCP is a critical component in the continuation of care for every patient. Hospitalists are in constant communication with PCPs to ensure patients receive the best medical attention possible. Hospitalists prescribe medications and order necessary medical tests for patients during their hospital stays. After a patient is discharged from the hospital, medical information Hospitalists acquire during the patient’s stay is relayed to the PCP when the patient returns to the care of his or her regular doctor for follow-up visits.

 Growing Trend

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, Hospitalist programs are common in healthcare facilities throughout the country. A 2007 study published in the medical journal revealed that Hospitalists’ care can reduce a patient’s length of stay in the hospital.

 “It gives me great satisfaction to watch the transformation of our patients from the time they are admitted until they leave the hospital,” Dr. Dicus said. “Being able to take people who are ill and return them to their usual state of good health, and in some cases better health, is very satisfying.”

 There are many benefits of having a Hospitalist Group. At least one Hospitalist, often two, is in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions about medical care for an average of 50 patients. With a vast knowledge about common acute disorders, Hospitalists have a keen ability to recognize and diagnose diseases. Also, since they are based in the hospital and see patients on a consistent basis throughout the day, they can anticipate issues that may arise in the well-being of the patient and respond to them quickly. The constant presence of the hospitalists allows for a smoother transition between the day and evening nursing shifts. That presence also contributes to greater efficiency in patient care and safety.

 “As always with our clinic, the care of our patients is the first concern we have,” said family practice physician Dr. David Staggs, who is part of Family Practice Associates, an outpatient department of WCMC. “When Drs. Dicus and Lim agreed to join the WCMC Hospitalist Group, the concerns I had for my hospitalized patients subsided. Dr. Lim and Dr. Dicus are world-class physicians who have chosen to stay and practice here in Searcy. The addition of Dr. Thorpe has enhanced the level of excellence in patient care the Hospitalists provides. We are grateful for the addition of this fine physician to our patient care team.”

Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement asking Arkansans to share their views on President Obama’s decision to kill thousands of Keystone XL pipeline jobs:

 “The President says he wants to get Americans back to work, but it’s hard to take him seriously when he recently killed thousands of new Keystone XL pipeline jobs.  Little Rock’s own Welspun Tubular has already laid off 60 employees because of the President’s delays, but even more paychecks are in jeopardy.  That’s why I’ve launched a page on my website – http://Griffin.House.gov – where people can tell me how the President’s decision is impacting them.”

Title: Danny Glover & Felix Justice present An Evening with Martin and Langston Feb 09
Location: Reynolds Performance Hall on the UCA Campus 201 Donaghey Avenue
Description: Danny Glover and Felix Justice star in this powerhouse performance that draws audiences inside the worlds of two of the greatest orators of the 20th century: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Langston Hughes. The evening begins with Justice’s critically acclaimed portrayal of Dr. King through the words of his most memorable speeches. Glover brings to life the words and poetry of Langston Hughes through readings of his work. A question and answer session completes an experience that is memorable, heart-felt and not to be missed.
7:30 pm
Admission:$10 – $40

Start Time: 193000
Date: 2012-02-09

 The staff and management mourn the loss of a friend and contract engineer of KFFB 106.1.

Mr. Jack L. Oyler of Fox, memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, February 4, 2012 at SkylandBaptistChurchin Fox, Arkansas.

Roller Crouch Funeral Home, Mtn. View is in charge of the arrangements. Memorial Service will be Saturday February 4, 2012

Jack Oyler Obituary

(Left to Right) Bob Connell Owner of KFFB, Jack Oyler Engineer for KFFB, Wesley Wallace of Wallace Tower Service, and Matt Monin Engineer for KFFB, look over the tower that fell in the 2009 ice storm.

State Senator Jason Rapert (R-Conway), Chairman of the Fayetteville Shale Caucus, today released the following statement praising the passage of resolutions opposing a proposed raise of the natural gas severance tax and opposing the Obama administration’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline:

“I am proud to see the bipartisan Fayetteville Shale Caucus stand together unanimously to oppose the proposal to raise the severance tax on Arkansas’s natural gas industry, which would threaten the energy-related jobs that have kept Arkansans working during the nation’s economic downturn.  I am also pleased of the near unanimous vote to stand publicly with the Arkansas workers who have been negatively affected by President Obama’s decision to reject the Keystone XL pipeline.

“Supporting Arkansas jobs and Arkansas-made energy is not a partisan issue. It is why the Fayetteville Shale Caucus exists, and I am proud to serve as its chairman.”

To read the Severance Tax resolution, click here.

To read the Keystone resolution, click here.

Title: Nutritious Low Cost Meals for a Healthier You Cooking School Feb 4
Location: 1st United Methodist Church located at 1610 Prince Street
Description: Low Cost Meals for a Healthier You Cooking School Feb 4
Location: 1st United Methodist Church located at 1610 Prince Street
Conway, AR

Description: Conway Interfaith Clinic which provides medical and
dental services to the uninsured residents of Faulkner County area
will host “Low Cost Meals for a Healthier You Cooking School” on
Feburay 4, 2011 starting at 2:00 pm at the 1st United Methodist Church
located at 1610 Prince Street Conway, AR.

The classes are free to the public.
Start Time: 140000
Date: 2012-02-04

Carolyn Owen had a heart attack in September 2009 while on vacation. In the middle of the night, she experienced severe pain in her arm and chest and knew these were warning signs of a heart attack. She woke her friend who called 911 and gave her an aspirin.  At the hospital, she received a stent to restore blood flow to her clogged artery.

“After returning home I changed my diet and began to live a heart healthy lifestyle,” Carolyn said. “I’m trying to be more physically active, I’m eating a healthy diet and lowering salt consumption, and I’m working toward a healthy weight.”

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, but most start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Carolyn was lucky, because almost two-thirds of the women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease have no previous symptoms. Even if you have no symptoms, you may still be at risk for heart disease. Unfortunately, 36 percent of women did not perceive themselves to be at risk for heart disease in a 2005 survey.

Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a “man’s disease,” around the same number of women and men die each year of heart disease in the United States. In Arkansas, one out of every four deaths comes as the result of a heart attack, making heart attack the leading cause of death in the state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attack victims have a better chance of surviving if their symptoms are recognized and emergency medical treatment begins early.

National Wear Red Day, February 3, has been set aside this year to help raise awareness of heart disease among women. Wear red in February for American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day (the first Friday in February) to help raise awareness about heart disease, but don’t stop there. Make sure you know the signs of a heart attack, questions to ask your doctor about heart health and how to lower your risk for heart disease.

Only 39 percent of Arkansas adults can correctly identify the most common symptoms of a heart attack:

• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck or back
• Feeling weak, lightheaded or faint
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
• Shortness of breath

When a heart attack occurs, the blood supply to the heart is reduced so that some heart muscle cells do not receive enough oxygen and begin to die.  The longer it takes for a person to receive treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart.

If you are a smoker, the most important thing you can do to prevent a heart attack is to quit
smoking. Having high blood pressure or high blood cholesterol, smoking, and having had a previous heart attack, stroke, or diabetes can increase your chances of having a heart attack. It is important to keep blood pressure less than 120/80 or total cholesterol less than 200 mg/dl.

Of course, anyone who has been diagnosed with a heart condition should be under a physician’s care and receive regular evaluations. But there is much that any adult can do to make sure they aren’t at an increased risk. For more resources on exercise, diet and other ways to improve your odds against heart disease, go to the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention page on the Arkansas Health Department’s website: http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov and the Women and Heart Disease webpage at http://www.cdc.gov/women/heart/ .

Title: BAAC’s Annual Souper Bowl Saturday Feb 4
Location: at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Heber Springs, AR
Description: BAAC’s Annual Souper Bowl Saturday will be held on Saturday, February 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. A variety of soups from the best kitchens in Batesville will be available for $8 per quart without tickets, however, advance tickets are $7 per quart. For ticket holders only, an opportunity to obtain soup is open during a special VIP hour from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Ticket holders can still get soup between operational hours as well. Tickets are available at Carlee’s Hallmark, Citizens Bank Main Branch, Eagle Mountain and Southside) and BAAC Art Gallery on Main or BAAC Board Members.
Start Time: 100000
Date: 2012-02-04
End Time: 140000

Title: Friends of the Stone County Library Book Sale Feb 4
Location: 326 West Washington Street Mountain View, AR 72560-6393
Description: The Friends of the Stone County Library will be having their first Book Sale of 2012 on Saturday Feb.4 at the Library, Hours 9:30am – 1:00pm. They have a good selection of new and used books

for sale including the following: fiction, romance, non-fiction, mystery, crafts, history, biography, puzzles, books on tape and other miscellaneous categories.

Many of the prices have been reduced, and the books are organized for display in an orderly manner. Come early for best selections.

Start Time: 093000
Date: 2012-02-04

Title: Indian Rock Village Auxiliary Benefit Pancake Supper Feb 4
Location: at the Lions Den, Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay, AR
Description: The Indian Rock Village Auxiliary is offering
a Benefit Pancake Supper
FEBRUARY 4, 2012
5:00p.m. To 7:00 p.m. Donations will be $6.00.
at the Lions Den, Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay, AR

The proceeds will go to the IRV Auxiliary to make life in the Health Care Center and the Village Garden Assisted Living more comfortable and less lonesome.

Get your tickets from one of the Auxiliary Volunteers, or pay at the door. There will live entertainment for your dining pleasure.

Start Time: 170000
Date: 2012-02-04