Check Out The New and Enhanced Services at Angel Medical Center

I believe that each of us has a purpose, and we never feel truly complete unless we find that purpose. I feel the most balanced and happy when I am helping and caring for others. That is the reason nursing and healthcare has always been my passion and purpose.

I believe that Angel Medical Center is full of people like me who are dedicated to this community and serving others — and this benefits our community tremendously. This is true despite the fact that the future is filled with unknowns and that healthcare is widely debated. 

The past few months have created more conversation and controversy. As the buzz grows, rumors and stories rooted in fear become louder, and information that may not necessarily be based in fact can create undue stress.

Every community’s economic growth and future actually hinge on just a few core services: strong education in our schools, a committed and invested workforce, a community that embraces growth, and top-notch healthcare are several. The team at Angel, with the backing of HCA Healthcare, is deeply committed to Franklin and Macon counties, and to providing excellent service with a focus on growth so we can meet the community’s healthcare needs in the years to come.

We also greatly value the support of the community and do not ever take it for granted. That is the reason we want to open up a conversation about opportunities to better serve our community. We are proud to be the community hospital that is growing confidently to meet its needs — today and tomorrow. 

An integral part of our growth is being able to expand our services by bringing the latest diagnostic exams and clinical procedures to our community, as well as offering entirely new services. Over the last year, I’m excited to report that we have enhanced or added to our current offerings. Some examples include the addition of:

• Robotic orthopedic surgery
• Cardiac CT angiography (technology that enables us to view the vessels around the heart for possible occlusion, or blockage)
• Calcium scoring (image testing that provides information on your risk for heart disease)
• Minimally invasive general surgery
• Breast MRI
• Contrast-enhanced mammography (for women with dense or fibrotic breasts, this test can detect lesions early)

As our services grow, so does the need for well-trained staff. We are fortunate to have excellent, dedicated community partners, such as Franklin High School, Southwestern Community College, and Western Carolina University. These institutions understand the continuous, urgent need for highly trained workers who can embed themselves in our community and serve us over the long term.

Supporting the health of the Franklin community is very important to us. Because of this, we are committed to communicating relevant, up-to-date information on how to improve your health and overall wellbeing. This column, which I so enjoy writing, is one of the ways we do that.

In addition to sharing details about our evolving services at AMC this month, it’s also a great time to focus on community health through keeping current with immunizations. The start of the school year is upon us, so parents, make sure your child is up to date on the vaccinations that are recommended for them. This is more important than ever, especially considering the worrisome resurgence of preventable diseases like measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis (whooping cough), and polio.  And adults, don’t forget to talk to your provider about what boosters you may need, or if you’re at the age where you need to get your shots to protect you from shingles, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

I understand that the debate is ongoing and emotional at times, about this sensitive but timely issue. I do request that readers ask themselves, does skipping vaccines for you or your child outweigh the risk to your family’s future health and the health of our community? I cannot answer this question for you, of course, but I urge you to become as informed as possible about the benefits of being vaccinated — and the very real risks that exist for you and others should you decide to forgo them.

Clint Kendall, FACHE, MBA, MSN, BSN, RN, is Chief Executive Officer/Chief Nursing Officer of Angel Medical Center. He started his career as a nurse, and that perspective still informs his work and passion for the patient experience. Clint holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Nursing, and Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Western Carolina University. Clint has also earned the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) certification, and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), and the American Nurses Association (ANA).