For Life!
Summer 2013
First Patient Seen at New
Meadows Regional Cancer Center
Meadows Obstetrics and
Pediatrics Continue Expansion
Full-time Nephrology Care
Now Available in Vidalia
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For Life!
New Meadows Regional Cancer Center
S e e s Fi r s t Pat i e n t
It’s only fitting that as Meadows Regional Medical Center
begins its second 50 years serving the people of Vidalia and
surrounding communities, the new age is ushered in with
the opening of a state-of-the-art cancer center. Radiation
oncology, or phase one, of the cancer center was completed
this spring.
“We saw our first patient April 23,” says Terry Thompson,
Vice President of Operations at Meadows. “We had the
opportunity to work with a local contractor, Harry Moses
Construction, and the structure has turned out to be a great
complement to our campus.”
The technology and clinical expertise available to the
people of Vidalia will be extraordinary, made possible in
part by a partnership with First Radiation & Oncology Group
(FROG), one of the most prestigious oncology groups in
the country. Recently, Meadows announced the addition of
Henry Cline, MD, a radiation oncologist from Northside
Hospital in Atlanta, to serve as the center’s Medical Director.
Many people can invest money in technology, but it’s the
human capital that makes the difference and having that
talent in our cancer center has really been a big
advantage for us,” Thompson says.
“Of course, technology also plays a vital role in effective
cancer treatment. And the technology at the cancer center
will be on the leading edge of the industry. The cancer center
recently took delivery of an Elekta Linear Accelerator which
can focus radiation more precisely on the size, shape and
depth of a tumor so that damage to healthy tissue
surrounding a tumor is minimized,” says Thompson.
When patients return for subsequent visits, the computer will
recognize them and make sure they are placed in the proper
position for treatment. Dr. Cline says, “Visits for a patient for
the average tumor treatment can take from five to 15 minutes
and they are right back out the door. It’s great technology and
it’s convenient for the patient.”
The technology at the cancer center is on the leading edge of the industry.
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“This cutting-edge diagnostic and treatment technology is
among the newest in Georgia. It signals a new era for
cancer patients,” according to Meadows CEO Alan Kent,
“continuing our mission of providing extraordinarily highquality medicine locally.”
For all the technology and expertise available at the new
cancer center, the greatest advantage for some patients in
the local community may well be the convenience of cancer
treatment right here at home.
Medical oncology services will continue to be offered on
the hospital’s main campus until phase two of the cancer
center construction project is complete. According to Patrick
Byrne, MD, medical oncologist for Meadows Regional Cancer
Center, “Our mission in oncology treatment and care is to
give our patients and their loved ones every advantage
we can.” In an ongoing effort to continue serving this
community, a second medical oncologist, Stephen Tiley, MD,
will be joining Dr. Byrne at the medical oncology center
on August 1.
“This cutting-edge diagnostic and
treatment technology is among the
newest in Georgia. It signals a new
era for cancer patients.” Alan Kent, CEO
Senior Vice President Howard Holman adds, “We have been
working to provide this region with advanced cancer care
since 2004. This is a historic moment for the people of this
area. We now can offer this community three highly skilled
oncologists with technology to match.”
Terry Thompson sums it up well. “Just about everyone has
either been affected by cancer or known someone who has
been, so no one is untouched by this particular disease. We’re
fortunate to be able to bring cancer treatment to Vidalia and
serve people for whom we provide so many other services.
It helps us feel more complete as an organization that we
can meet more of our patients’ needs in an area that has
traditionally been underserved in many medical specialties.”
Meadows Regional Welcomes
New Cancer Center Physicians
Radiation Oncologist Henry Cline, MD, FACRO
Meadows Regional Medical Center welcomes Dr. Henry
Cline to Meadows Regional Cancer Center and the hospital’s
medical staff.
Dr. Cline completed his medical degree at Medical College of
Georgia in Augusta, Ga. and his internship and residency in
radiation oncology at the Medical College of Georgia. He is
board certified in radiation oncology
and is a Fellow of the American
College of Radiation Oncology.
Previously, he practiced radiation
oncology in Atlanta for more than
25 years, where he has built a
reputation for innovation and
utilizing new treatment techniques
Henry Cline, MD, FACRO in his practice. Dr. Cline was
involved with oncology research as
an investigator for both the National Cancer Institute and
Northside Hospital Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.
Dr. Cline is affiliated with the American College of Radiation
Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American
Society for Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, American
Brachytherapy Society, Medical Association of Georgia,
Medical Association of Atlanta and Florida Medical
Association.
Hematologist/Oncologist Stephen Tiley, DO
Meadows Regional welcomes Dr. Stephen Tiley to Meadows
Regional Cancer Center and the hospital’s medical staff.
Dr. Tiley received his doctorate in osteopathic medicine from
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia,
Pa., and completed his residency in internal medicine at
University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey in
Stratford, N.J. He is board eligible
in hematology/oncology and
received his fellowship in
hematology/oncology at East
Carolina University—Vidant Medical
Center in Greenville, N.C.
He is affiliated with the American
Society of Clinical Oncology,
American Society of Hematology, American College of
Osteopathic Internists, American Medical Association and
Physicians for Human Rights.
Stephen Tiley, DO
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Meadows Regional Cancer Center is located
on Highway 280, adjacent to the hospital. For
information, call 912.535.8888 or our toll free
number, 866.565.6260.
Dr. Tiley has authored several cancer articles and conducted
cancer research at Lankenau Institute for Medical Research.
Summer 2013
3
Meadows Obstetrics and
Pediatrics Continue Dramatic
EXPANSION
In recent years, Meadows Regional Medical Center has
expanded to meet the growing needs of the community.
Statistically, there is little doubt that mothers and
children have been the greatest beneficiaries. No areas
of specialty reflect this growth any more so than
obstetrics and pediatrics.
Deliveries at Meadows have increased from more than 500 a
year to almost 800 each year. Pediatric expansion has been
nothing less than astonishing, increasing from virtually zero
a few short years ago to more than 20,000 office visits
this year.
“The growth is 100 percent a result of the Meadows system’s
recruitment of very strong physicians,” states Howard Holman,
Senior Vice President at Meadows. “Physicians drive
everything we do here, and in the case of pediatrics and
OB-GYN, we’ve assembled a top-notch seven-physician
OB-GYN group and five-physician pediatric group.”
Holman credits not only the doctors, but the new facilities at
Meadows for growth in deliveries. The new Women’s Pavilion
holds tremendous appeal for new moms and their families. The
(L-R) Stanley C. Morgan, MD, Karen McColl, MD, H.M. Suber, MD, Anju Sinha, MD,
Tracey Leaver-Williams, MD, Susanna Meredith, MD and G. Bradford Cabe, MD
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Labor and Delivery suites in particular, with flat-panel
televisions, sleeper-sofas and hotel-like amenities, are drawing
rave reviews.
“The Labor and Delivery suites are huge,” Holman says.
“Amenities at surrounding hospitals can’t compare to what
we offer new moms and their babies.”
For pediatric office visits, Holman says the doctors are the
driving force for Vidalia and beyond. “We just remodeled
8,000 square feet in downtown Vidalia, which is home to our
pediatric practice with five physicians. More and more parents
are bringing their children here from 25–30 miles away
because of our pediatricians.
“When we bring physicians here to visit, they are literally
blown away by the quality of physicians that we’re bringing to
Vidalia. Our doctors are some of the best physicians anywhere.
We do not have a physician employed by Meadows Regional
who cannot literally put a dart on the board anywhere in the
United States and find a job. No doubt about it, our quality of
physicians is a driver,” he says. “Other doctors recognize it.
Apparently, patients do as well.”
(L-R) Caryn Masterman-Smith, DO, Marjorie P. Turner, MD, Timothy C.
Horton, MD, FAAP, Tiffanie Noonan, DO, FAAP, Craig Horton, MD
Dr. Flexon Brings
Surgical Experience
and Innovation
to Vidalia ENT
D
r. Phillip Flexon practices general
otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat) at
Vidalia ENT Associates with an area of emphasis
in head and neck surgery, thyroid surgery and
parathyroid surgery.
“As a thyroid surgeon, I’ve
performed over 2,000 of
these operations, probably
more than anyone else in
southeast Georgia,” he says.
With experience, Dr. Flexon
also brings a wide range
of expertise. It’s evident
in his use of electronic
Phillip Flexon, MD
nerve-monitoring
equipment, which adds a
level of additional safety in performing procedures
without damaging the vocal cords of the larynx.
In addition, techniques used by Dr. Flexon in
parathyroid surgery allow for the use of less-invasive
procedures to identify abnormal growths and reduce
the need for repeated surgeries.
Dr. Flexon has also adopted techniques for certain
head and neck surgeries from Dr. Wolfgang Steiner,
a German surgeon, who pioneered the preservation
of the voicebox through laser surgery. “I’ve started
using a transoral laser technique which is a lessinvasive surgery with better functional results
for removing certain head and neck cancers,”
Dr. Flexon says.
Women and children in our community have
greatly benefitted from our expansion and
recruitment of top-notch doctors.
Dr. Flexon attended medical school at Case Western
Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. He
completed his residency at Harvard Medical School
and is a Diplomat of the American Board of
Otolaryngology and fellow of the American College
of Surgeons.
Summer 2013
5
Dr. Karen McColl Named New Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Karen McColl has been named Vice President of Medical Affairs and Chief Medical
Officer at Meadows Regional Medical Center. Among other duties, she serves as a
liaison between the medical staff and the administration to ensure that physicians have
a voice in hospital policies and decisions.
“When we make decisions, we want to make sure we are
considering all the information that affects our hospital, our
doctors, our patients and our community,” says Alan Kent,
Meadows Regional President and CEO. “In addition to her
extraordinary medical training, Dr. McColl is a member of
the Meadows Regional Board of Directors and she is highly
respected by administration, medical staff and the
community.”
Mildred Barker
Karen McColl, MD
According to Ronnie Stewart, Chairman of Meadows’
Board of Trustees, “She is a great doctor and would be an asset to any medical facility in
this country.”
Dr. McColl earned her doctorate of medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics
and gynecology at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. She has been a member of the
Vidalia community since 2002 and began practicing with Vidalia Women’s Center in
2007. Her practice is limited to office and operative gynecology. She is married to Dr.
Kurt Hofmann and they have three children.
Auxilian Exemplifies the
Spirit of Volunteerism
Ms. Mildred Barker, MRMC Auxilian,
recently received a pin for volunteering
over 20,000 hours to Meadows Regional.
She has provided over 5,000 handmade gifts
to Meadows’ patients over the years.
Thank you, Ms. Mildred, for your years of
dedicated service to Meadows Regional
Medical Center.
New Physicians Join Meadows Regional
Hospitalist Nancy A. Shaw, MD
Dr. Nancy Shaw recently joined Meadows
Regional Medical Center as a hospitalist.
Dr. Shaw graduated magna cum laude from
Brown University in Providence, R.I. before
earning her medical degree from Brown
University Medical School. She performed her
residency in internal medicine at Hospital of
Saint Raphael in New Haven, Conn.
Dr. Shaw is board certified by the American
Board of Internal Medicine. She is a member
of the American Medical Association.
Prior to moving to Vidalia, Dr. Shaw developed
a hospitalist program at a North Carolina
hospital and at one of the largest and
oldest multi-specialty physician practices
in North Carolina.
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Obstetrician/Gynecologist Stanley C.
Morgan, MD, FACOG
Meadows Regional Medical Center welcomes
Dr. Stanley Morgan to Vidalia Women’s Center
and the hospital’s medical staff.
Dr. Morgan earned his medical degree from
Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga.
He performed his internship and residency in
obstetrics and gynecology at Memorial
University Medical Center in Savannah, Ga.
Dr. Morgan is board certified in obstetrics and
gynecology and is a Fellow with the American
Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
He is a member of the Medical Association
of Georgia.
Previously, he served as Chairman of the
Department of OB/GYN Surgery at East
Georgia Medical Center where he was a
member of a multi-specialty OB/GYN practice.
Anesthesiologist Candace McAlpine, MD
Dr. Candace McAlpine recently joined Meadows
Regional Medical Center as an anesthesiologist.
Dr. McAlpine graduated magna cum laude from
Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark.
She completed her medical degree at the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and
her residency in anesthesiology at Wake Forest
School of Medicine.
Dr. McAlpine is board certified by The
American Board of Anesthesiology. She is
a member of the American Society of
Anesthesiologists.
Sweet Onion Classic
Highlights Successful Fundraising
Efforts for Cancer Center
The Sweet Onion Classic golf tournament was held this past September and was
a tremendous success for everyone involved. The charity had originally pledged
$75,000 over a three-year period to Meadows Healthcare Foundation.
“The tournament was very successful. They were able to give the foundation the
entire $75,000 at one time at our hospital board meeting in January,” says Melissa
Hightower, director of the foundation.
The Sweet Onion Classic has since committed to a $250,000 pledge and will be
naming the radiation treatment center. “We are so grateful to have the SOC
step up with such a large donation. We are gearing up now for their 2013 golf
tournament,” adds Hightower.
In addition to the Sweet Onion Classic pledge, Meadows Healthcare Foundation
has received several other very significant gifts. The Conner/Bedingfield family
has pledged $100,000 and will be naming the radiation oncology lobby. The medical
oncology lobby has been named by Benny and Susan McClendon with a pledge of
$100,000.
Meadows Regional Auxilians have matched the contribution of the Meadows
Regional employees in the amount of $300,000. “The Auxilians are on the front
lines of our hospital. They do more for this organization than we could ever
imagine. I ask that the community and our employees make an effort to participate
in all Auxilian fundraisers. They will be giving all proceeds to the foundation for the
next three years to help build the cancer center,” says Hightower.
The foundation will continue its campaign through this calendar year. With all
of the recent donations, the foundation is now able to focus its efforts on the
functionality of the cancer center to truly provide a holistic approach to treatment
by funding the positions for a nutritionist and patient navigators.
The Meadows Healthcare Foundation has created a number of committees
designed to reach out to various interests in the community, both inside and
outside the hospital.
The Physician Committee is chaired by Dr. Kurt Hoffman, and accommodates giving
by Meadows physicians. Meadows Business Investors solicits gifts from the Vidaliaarea business community and is chaired by B.J. Davis. The “For Life” Society is
chaired by Marsha Temples. Members of “For Life” pledge gifts of $10,000 or more
over a three-year period. Annual Gifts is chaired by Brian Bishop. Its members
annually give $100 or more. Last, but not least, the Signature Gifts Committee is
chaired by Dennis Ingley. A gift of $50,000 or more provides access to significant
naming opportunities such as a memorial or honorarium.
The Foundation Board, chaired by Karon Durden, oversees all fundraising activities.
There are a number of ways that you can help ensure our community’s healthcare
needs are met now and in coming years. All gifts to Meadows Healthcare
Foundation are tax deductible.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
VNS Corporation
VNS is committed to supporting
community healthcare. President and
CEO Gary Campbell stated, “Every
family is touched in one way or another
by cancer and having a facility in our
community to treat it where people
don’t have to travel is a true blessing.
I have seen in my own family how
difficult and painful it can be to travel
for needed care. Therefore, everyone in
this community should find some way
to support this cause.”
VNS Corporation, a Vidalia-based
buildng products and construction
services company, is proud to have
employed local citizens in our
community since 1947. VNS sells to
general contractors throughout the
Southeast, who build single family,
multi-family and commercial projects.
VNS has four divisions and two wholly
owned subsidiaries: Choo Choo Build-It
Mart, Wholesale Building Products,
Bestline Sash & Door, Charlie’s
Discount Building Materials, ProCon
Construction Services, LLC and
TrussMart Building Components,
LLC. Divisions of VNS are located in
communities throughout Georgia and
now in Jacksonville, Fla. With three
company divisions, plus the corporate
office in the local community, VNS says
that Meadows Regional is an important
partner, supplying quality healthcare to
its associates and family members. With
the addition of Meadows Regional
Cancer Center, VNS employees now
have local access to this high quality
care and service.
“The medical community has been
a tremendous economic driver, in
addition to the valuable medical service
they provide. As such, our company has
been a direct beneficiary of this growth
and we want to find meaningful ways to
support the hospital and medical
community,” says Campbell.
If you are interested in making a gift or would like more information, please
contact Melissa Hightower at the Meadows Healthcare Foundation at
912.277.2139.
Summer 2013
7
For Life!
Summer 2013 Edition
For Life! is published as a community
service by Meadows Regional Medical Center.
Meadows Regional Medical Center is located
at One Meadows Parkway in Vidalia, GA,
online at www.meadowsregional.com and
by phone at 912.535.5555.
You are receiving this information because it
is mailed to members of the community.
If you do not wish to receive further
newsletters, contact Elizabeth Harvill,
Director of Marketing and Community
Relations at Meadows Regional Medical
Center, at 912.538.5892.
NONPROFIT
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PAID
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One Meadows Parkway
Vidalia, GA 30474
If you have specific concerns about your
health, please contact your doctor.
©2013, Meadows Regional Medical Center
A division of Meadows Healthcare Alliance, Inc.
Meadows Regional Welcomes
Area’s First Full-Time Nephrologist
Meadows Regional Medical Center is
pleased to welcome Dr. Payson ObergHiggins to Southeast Regional Kidney and
Hypertension Specialists and the hospital’s medical staff.
Dr. Oberg-Higgins is the area’s first
full-time nephrologist; that is, a physician
who has been trained in the diagnosis and
management of kidney disease, by
regulating blood pressure, regulating
electrolytes,
balancing fluids
in the body, and
administering
dialysis.
“It’s important
that Vidalia
have a full-time
Payson Oberg-Higgins, MD nephrology
practice
because patients who have diabetes and
hypertension very often have kidney
disease as well,” Dr. Oberg-Higgins says.
“Nephrology is a practice that overlaps
quite a bit with primary care and is
integral to many adult patients’
medical management.
“Many of these patients see multiple
specialists in addition to their primary
care physicians. And to be able to
decrease travel time is significant for
them,” she says. “They can come and see
me rather than spend half a day traveling.
“I work very hard to be available to
patients both for office appointments and
returning phone calls, and really try to
take the time to listen and understand
what they need in terms of patient
education and help with management
of their chronic health problems.”
Dr. Oberg-Higgins earned her medical
degree from University of Vermont
College of Medicine in Burlington,
Vermont. She performed her internal
medicine internship and residency as well
as a nephrology fellowship at Maine
Medical Center in Portland, Maine. She is
“It’s important that Vidalia have a full-time nephrology
practice because patients who have diabetes and hypertension
very often have kidney disease as well.” Dr. Oberg-Higgins
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For Life!
board certified in nephrology. Dr.
Oberg-Higgins was in private practice for
10 years before joining Meadows
Regional.
“I also have a very strong background in
kidney transplantation, to which many
nephrologists have not been exposed,”
she says.