Grand Strand Newsmakers

Grand Strand Health breaks ground on new ER

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, Grand Strand Health announced a new ER coming to the North Strand area. The facility will be named North Strand ER and be a full-service emergency room. The groundbreaking has begun on the facility at 806 Hwy 17 South in North Myrtle Beach. The 10-bed, 10,820 square foot facility will be licensed by the State of South Carolina as an ER and gives North Myrtle Beach residents and visitors a place to be seen and treated 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

The new North Strand ER will be staffed by a team of board-certified emergency physicians, as well as specially-trained nurses and staff. “Expanding our services to the North Strand area helps us provide emergency care in a more convenient location for these residents,” states Mark Sims, CEO of Grand Strand Health. “We currently see more than 4,700 patients from the North Myrtle Beach area and look forward to caring for them closer to home.”

This project will employ an additional 39 staff members to the Grand Strand Health system. The total cost of this project is $7,685,000.

R.A.C.E. founder speaks to Shallotte Rotary

Cheri McLain, founder of Rescue Animals Community Effort (“R.A.C.E.”), recently spoke at a Shallotte Rotary Club meeting. Cheri explained that the R.A.C.E. organization is a non-profit focused on fostering and adopting out animals in our community. R.A.C.E. is a 100% volunteer organization with about 50 volunteers, of which 20-30 provide foster care for the animals, which are mostly dogs and occasionally cats or other small animals. R.A.C.E. works closely with Brunswick County Animal Shelter and takes dogs into foster care from the shelter. Cheri related that they also partner with the Humane Society and take in foster animals when puppy mills are busted.

Unfortunately, R.A.C.E. also receives owner surrender and cruelly treated animals. Fortunately, the organization’s adoption rate is close to 100 percent. R.A.C.E. also provides foster care for senior dogs and medical care for dogs that are in need. It relies solely on donations to care for the animals, along with small adoption fees. For more information or to volunteer, visit www.raceshelter.org or find them on Facebook.

Calabash VFW to host St. Patrick’s Day dinner

St. Patrick's Day is nearing and VFW Calabash Post No. 7288 is getting ready for the Irish (and those who want to be Irish) to celebrate the day. To get a jump on the festivities, on March 16 from 4-6 p.m., the Post and its Auxiliaries will dish up the traditional Irish feast for all to enjoy. Irish dress is not required but would certainly provide some entertainment for all to see.

Tickets are $11 per person and are available at the Post Canteen. VFW Calabash Post No. 7288 is located at 900 Carter Drive, Calabash, N.C. Anyone with questions may call 910-579-3577.

Conway Christian participates in math meet

Congratulations to our 8th grade Algebra 1 team for placing 5th out of 31 teams at the SCISA Middle School Math Meet. Special Congratulations also to Lexie Hill and Jaronn Alex for scoring the highest on the written exam for their respective teams. This is the first time that Conway Christian School has participated in the math meet.

Conway Christian represented at statewide spelling bee

​Congratulations to Amanda Pham ( 7th grade) and Emily Adams ( 3rd grade) who will represent Conway Christian School at the SCISA Statewide Spelling Bee on Feb. 10. Carolina Hogue (4th grade) will be an alternate at the statewide competition. Coached by Mrs. Mabe Jackson

Conway Medical Center honors two employees

Conway Medical Center (CMC) honored two employees for their valuable contributions to CMC. Tina Chestnut, RN from the Post-Acute Care Unit and Nysha Cochran from the Environmental Services Department were recognized as CMC’s “Starfish of the Year.” This award is given to two CMC staff members, one clinical and one nonclinical, who personify service excellence by going above and beyond for CMC’s patients and families. Both were previously awarded “Starfish of the Quarter” during 2015.

Tina Chestnut, RN has been employed with CMC for over thirteen years and currently works as a registered nurse in the Post-Acute Care Unit. “She has great compassion for those in need,” said Terri Pickens, RN, director of Ambulatory Services. “Tina brings with her an aura of happiness and she makes people smile even when they are having a rough day. She treats her patients and her co-workers with kindness and respect. Her patients come first and she makes sure they receive the best care possible. Tina works hard and never seeks recognition for her accomplishments. She promotes teamwork and is steadfast and loyal.”

Nysha Cochran has been employed at CMC since 2000 and was working as a supervisor in the Environmental Services Department when she was nominated for the Starfish Award. Theresa Richardson, an Environmental Services employee, says she nominated Nysha “not just because she is our supervisor. She is a super woman, super person, super mom, and super daughter. She works hard at everything she does. She is so young to be over such an older staff, but she shows us respect and love. She encourages us to hold our heads up and she is always there for her staff.” Nysha recently accepted a position in CMC’s Central Processing Department.

CCU student-athletes care for kindergarteners through United Way

Coastal Carolina University student-athletes showed kindergartners they care about their community today in United Way’s Caring for Kindergartners program. The kindergartners then paid it forward to Horry County’s elderly.

The student-athletes read the book The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The story is about a tree that gives all of itself to a boy throughout their lifetimes.

The student-athletes serve as mentors to the young children. The children, in turn, colored cards to be given to shut-in seniors in United Way of Horry County’s May Day bags on April 29, putting to use the idea that they should give to and care for others.

“Through this program, the kindergartners and the college athletes have a memorable experience of learning from each other and “giving back” together. The impact of their morning will reach even further when the notes they write spread joy and hope to our elderly neighbors this spring,” said United Way of Horry County President Genie Sherard.

“The Department of Athletics is pleased to continue a long standing partnership with the United Way of Horry County by assisting with the Caring for Kindergartners initiative. Engaging the youth of Horry County through an educational experience has provided a positive experience for student-athletes, coaches and staff,” said Associate Athletic Director Cari Rosiek.

This is the 13th year for the event.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 8:22 AM with the headline "Grand Strand Newsmakers."