Local businesses recently purchased and donated teddy bears to MedWest-Harris. The bears, which were sold as part of an Avon "Curly the Bear" fundraiser by local Avon salesperson Melissa Raynor, will be given out to new babies and children who are patients at MedWest-Harris.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the New Generations Family Birthing Center, a renovation project scheduled for 2013.

College of American Pathologists recognizes local laboratory

The Harris Regional Hospital laboratory recently received national recognition for quality through accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). The accreditation means the laboratory is ensuring the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients and was granted based on the results of a recent onsite inspection. Dr. Larry Selby, a pathologist, is the medical director for the laboratory.

During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.

Flu season is in full swing around the country, and residents in Macon County are certainly not exempt. According to Dianne Lakey, with Angel Medical Center's Infection Prevention, from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, Angel Medical Center received a number of positive lab confirmations of the flu.

“There have been a total of 76 positive lab confirmed cases seen in our ER,” said Lakey. “This number does not reflect the cases being seen in MD office practices, Angel Urgent Care or patients with symptoms who may not have been tested.”

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Angel Medical Center announces the appointment of Bob Bednarek to its board. Bednarek has more than 35 years of hospital administration experience and is the President/CEO of Transylvania Regional Hospital in Brevard, N.C.

Bednarek continues to serve as President/CEO of Transylvania Regional Hospital, a position he has held since 1997. Prior to joining Transylvania Regional, Bednarek was vice president of Operations at Port Huron Hospital in Michigan. He has also served as vice president at Catholic Health Corporation in Nebraska and vice president at St. Benedict’s Health System in Utah.

“Bob’s commitment to communitybased healthcare is well known in our region. He will be a great supporter of Angel’s mission of dedicated professionals providing compassionate and superior healthcare to all,” said Jim Bross, CEO Angel Medical Center. “We are fortunate and truly excited to have Bob become part of our board.”