CEO gives update on Highlands-Cashiers Hospital

Each year I like to give our community members a status report on how Highlands-Cashiers Hospital (HCH) is doing on several fronts. I believe it’s important for our community to understand all the exciting things that are happening at the hospital, from welcoming new and talented physicians to outlining the facility improvements that are possible, building and strengthening our hospital team, and making capital investment, thanks to HCA Healthcare.

I’ve said many times that it’s our people that make this hospital outstanding — without them and their passion for patient care, we’d be little more than bricks and mortar. I have to start by sharing that I continue to be impressed with their compassion, dedication, and professionalism.

I’m happy to share that we have welcomed several talented providers to the HCH family. Dr. David Jarrett is an accomplished orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in lower extremity procedures, such as hip and knee replacement. He holds office hours in both Highlands and Franklin. Dr. James Post is another highly skilled orthopedic surgeon who has joined our staff, and he specializes in upper extremity procedures, like shoulder and hand surgery. His office hours are still to be determined, but he will be in the Cashiers Clinic and have Operating Room days here at HCH as well. We’re also fortunate to have recently added Robert Merck, Surgical Physician Assistant, to our Cashiers Clinic, where he holds office hours daily. He will be supporting our orthopedic surgeons and our general surgeons.

Our new plastic surgeon is Dr. Chris Wenzel, who offers face lifts, brow lifts, and chin lifts among other cosmetic procedures. Dr. Wenzel has performed more than 10,000 cosmetic and reconstructive procedures during his career. He has the experience and technical acumen to achieve natural-looking, beautiful results for his patients and takes pride in his work, combining artistry, technical skill, and surgical precision while devoting his attention to every detail of patient care. Dr. Wenzel sees new patients at Suite 304 in the Jane Woodruff Clinic on our campus, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (828) 550-3344.

HCH is also proud to welcome Comprehensive Pain Consultants to our medical staff. The doctors offer specialized pain management, dedicated to management of chronic pain that can be debilitating. They specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with painful neuromuscular and spinal conditions and are committed to individualized whole-patient care. They will start taking new patients in Highlands in July, and you can schedule an appointment by calling (828) 419-1460. They will be located in Suite 209 of the Jane Woodruff Clinic on the hospital campus.

And though they’re not new to our team, we are also fortunate to have general surgeons Dr. James Osborne and Dr. Zachary Phillips continuing to serve our patients. They also provide colonoscopies at HCH. 

Our physician recruitment efforts are ongoing, and we are currently engaged in growing our primary care providers to be located in Cashiers and Highlands. We recently hired a new nurse practitioner for our Highlands clinic. Dr. Hannah Hough, DNP, RN, FNP-C will be joining Dr. Patti Wheeler later this summer.

I have mentioned our Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program in a past column, but this is a great 6-week, state-approved program that allows those wanting to enter the nursing profession an amazing opportunity. Students are paid while they study in the classroom, simulation lab, and clinical areas. They also receive reimbursement for test fees and uniforms, and qualifying students also receive referral sign-on and referral bonuses. Those wanting information on the program can call (828) 526-1301.

Last month, I announced some of our DAISY Award winners, and now I can share the names of our PETAL Award winners. The PETAL (Performing Exceptional Tasks and Affirming Lives) Award recognizes the compassionate and excellent care provided by our dedicated patient care technicians and nurse externs. Our newest recipients are Carlos Otero-Estrada at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and Terry Gibson of Eckerd Living Center. The teamwork and support they give to our nurses allow patients to receive the very highest level of care.

These team members, along with all their colleagues at HCH and ELC, grace our patients’ lives every day and infuse our care with rare expertise, unmatched talent, and deep compassion. I am proud to see them grow, excel, and provide the extraordinary care that every member of this community deserves.

Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.