Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/197058
LETTER TO THE EDITOR Cape Fear Valley: Nationally Recognized Neurosciences by MIKE NAGOWSKI and CHRIS AUL Dear Editor: Over the past five years, Cape Fear Valley Health has focused tremendous resources on growing our neurology and neurosurgery programs. Why do we feel this is so important to the residents of our region? The answer lies in the numbers. Every year, more than 140,000 Americans die from a stroke, making it the third-leading cause of death. Another 660,000 people suffer a stroke, but survive. Enough of them become disabled to make stroke the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Stroke is an even greater problem here in the South. Our area sits in what neurologists refer to as the stroke belt of the U.S. The region stretches along the Interstate 95 corridor, from Virginia to northern Florida. It is no coincidence that this region uses tobacco products and eats fried foods at a higher rate than the rest of the U.S. Stroke isn't the only reason, however. Approximately one in 15 people in the U.S. develop an aneurysm during their lifetime. And 30,000 people suffer a ruptured aneurysm every year, which can change or end their life in an instant. Add to that, disorders of the spine, trauma, epilepsy, and brain tumors, and you will understand why we are so proud that in a short period of time, Cape Fear Valley's Neuroscience Center has grown into a nationally recognized program. In March, Becker's Hospital Review named our program to its "100 Hospitals with Great Neurosurgery and Spine Programs" list. Cape Fear Valley's Neuroscience Center was specifically cited for its four full-time neurosurgeons, who "offer some of the most expansive treatments in the Fayetteville area for brain tumors, aneurysms, spine trauma, complex spine disorders, neurosurgical pain management, movement disorders and epilepsy, among others." That same month, we announced that Cape Fear Valley had achieved Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center under The Joint Commission's Disease-Specific Certification Program. This makes us one of a select group nationally and demonstrates our commitment to providing quality stroke care. In April, we opened our 10-bed Neuro Intensive Care Unit, the only one in the region and one of just a few in the state. The Neuro ICU houses all of Cape Fear Valley's neurosurgical and neurological intensive care patients in one location, providing a higher level of care for our patients. Patients in our Neuro ICU range from brain tumor and post-surgical patients, to head trauma and aneurysm patients. Our staff and physicians spent many hours getting ready to open our Neuro ICU and preparing for Joint Commission Certification of our stroke program. It's all worthwhile, however, when we see the smiles on our patients' faces as they leave the hospital with their families, free of pain, free of disability. Mike Nagowski Chief Executive Officer Chief Medical Officer Chris Aul, M.D. Family Physician 10% Off Coffee Products for Medical Personnel with ID badge Halloween Tea Party Low cost, hassle-free brand building that keeps your customers loyal! October 26th from 5PM until 8PM Halloween Costume Contest • Activities • Fun 3037 A Boone Trail Center • Fayetteville (Next to the Bordeaux Wynnsong 7 Theaters) (910) 484-4515 Fax: (910) 484-0644 DESIGNER CAKES www.applecratenc.com www.applecratenc.com Organic Foods • Gluten Free • Vitamins • Herbs • Essential Oils Live, Learn... Be Healthy Fayetteville 2711 Raeford Rd. #110 426-7777 M-Sat 9am-8pm • Sun 11am-5pm WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Hope Mills 5430 Camden Rd. #103 432-8800 M-Sat 9am-8pm • Sun Closed (910) 307-0312 Louis Feraca President of US Logoworks www.uslogoworks.com 4200 Morganton Road Fayetteville, NC 28314 OCTOBER 23-29, 2013 UCW 5