NEWS BRIEFS: Pharmacy professor honored for research

The Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences honored Vanthida Huang, Pharm.D., of Lawrenceville with its 2007 Excellence in Research Award. The award is given to a faculty member who has made a significant contribution to research within the college.

Huang is an assistant professor in the clinical and administrative services department. Four manuscripts written by Huang were published last year in peer-reviewed journals for research of infectious diseases. She also has received a grant from Elan Pharmaceuticals Inc., as a primary investigator.

ALL TIED UP: For the first time, Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Health System in Gainesville had a tie for its employee of the year award. Toni Arrendale of laboratory services and Lewis McDonald of plant operations were honored at the organization's 36th annual Employee Service Awards banquet in June.

"Both employees were nominated because they are key employees who significantly impact their departments and our health system through their dedication to doing their jobs with distinction," said Jim Gardner, president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Medical

Center and Health System, who presented the award to Arrendale and McDonald.

ACADEMY AWARD: Dianne Appling, Lifeline coordinator at Northeast Georgia Health System in Gainesville, has been recognized by Philips Lifeline as a member of the Philips Lifeline Academy.

"The Philips Lifeline Academy, established in 2001, represents a membership of our best 200 community partners, out of 2,500 nationwide, who continue to demonstrate an extraordinary level of commitment to helping more seniors and their families benefit from Lifeline, while, at the same time, serving the goals of their organizations," said Ronald Feinstein, Philips Lifeline CEO and executive vice president of Consumer Healthcare Solutions.

NEW NURSE MANAGER: MCG Health Inc. in Augusta has named Beatrice Badger nurse manager of cardiac care. She will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the coronary care unit, cardiac intervention unit, the telemetry control room and the medical and cardiac inpatient telemetry units.

Badger, RN, has 28 years of health care experience.

NEW AMSN CHAPTER: The Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses approved the organization's Southeast Atlanta Chapter 230 in April. The chapter will meet on the second Tuesday of each month in room 101 of the Emory Building, 49 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive S.E., in Atlanta.

Any professional nurse is eligible to join. Annual chapter dues are $40.

For information about the organization, call 404-616-4687 or 404-616-5228.

STROKE CARE EXCELLENCE: At an awards dinner in May, Thomson Healthcare honored Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville with the Insight Award for clinical quality excellence in stroke care.

The facility is certified by the Joint Commission — a national accrediting agency for medical facilities — as a primary stroke center and offers comprehensive stroke care from the time of diagnosis to rehabilitation.

"We are proud to recognize the hard work and dedication of Gwinnett Medical Center and share in their success," said Terry Cameron, executive vice president, provider decision support, Thomson Healthcare. "GMC has used Thomson Healthcare solutions to positively impact clinical quality in stroke care."

VHA WINNERS: VHA Inc., a national health care alliance, honored two metro Atlanta hospitals at its May conference.

WellStar Cobb Hospital in Austell won a 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Clinical Excellence. The hospital was honored for its efforts to implement rapid-response teams.

For its efforts to provide health care that matches the needs of its community, Gwinnett Medical Center won a 2007 VHA Leadership Award for Community Benefit.

VHA Inc. comprises more than 2,400 health

care organizations nationwide, including 1,400 hospitals.

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