Team Completes A First
BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital’s bariatric surgery team performed its first Laparascopic gastric banding procedure in early December, marking the end of 11 months of preparation and community education.
In addition to the staff training and specialized equipment procurement that occurs when a new procedure is introduced, the hospital forged a relationship with the medical practice of general surgeon Alae Zarif, MD, who performs the gastric banding procedures and joined Atlantic General’s medical staff in April 2006
“The surgical staff at Atlantic General Hospital was very excited to start at the beginning in preparation for this new procedure. Our multi-specialty team researched and addressed all requirements to perform the procedure safely and competently and we worked very closely with Dr. Zarif’s team of specialists including an office coordinator, dietary, exercise physiologist and psychological counselors,” said Shirley Spirk, Director of Surgical Services at Atlantic General Hospital. “Obesity has become an epidemic, and assisting patients in obtaining a healthy weight and adopting a healthy lifestyle is a phenomenal achievement.”
Hileman Top Agents
BERLIN – Bethany Drew has been named Hileman Real Estate’s November top listing agent. Associate Broker Sonia Zaffiris was recently named top sales agent.
Hospital Lab Accredited
SALISBURY – The laboratory and arterial blood gasses (ABG) lab at Peninsula Regional Medical Center have both been awarded accreditation for the “excellence of service provided” by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent on-site inspection.
Laboratory Administrative Director Kathy Hoffman and medical director Patrick O’Reilly, Jr., MD plus ABG Coordinator Tom Russ, Medical Director Jon Beacher, MD and department Director Mike Hewitt were all congratulated by the on-site inspection team for being among a select group of laboratories nationwide to meet the rigorous guidelines established to help ensure the highest standards for patient care.
Peninsula Regional’s labs are among an elite group of 6,000 CAP-accredited laboratories in the United States. The CAP designation has been continuously awarded to the Peninsula Regional lab for nearly 35 years. The ABG lab has received that honor for the past nine years it has been surveyed.
A team of inspectors examined the records and quality control of the laboratories for the preceding two years, as well as the education and qualifications of the total staff, the adequacy of the facilities, the equipment, laboratory safety and laboratory management to determine how well each lab is serving its patients.
Top Insurance Producer
WILLARDS – Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley has announced Nicole Brushmiller as the top producer for November. She is a property and casualty account executive, specializing in commercial and transportation insurance.