Health Notes:

Dr. Ferguson is also certified in Emergency Medical Training from Hillsborough Community College in Florida. He received his medical degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. He completed his internship and residency in family medicine at St. Mary’s Family Practice in Grand Junction, Colo.

A commissioned missionary with the Baptist Commission for a medical mission to Kenya, Africa, he enjoys hiking, mountain biking, skiing, basketball, and soccer.

Located at 266 Joule St., Alcoa, East Tennessee Medical Group is Blount County’s most comprehensive physicians’ organization, with more than 45 physicians and allied health professionals, supported by state of the art technology and staff, dedicated to your family’s health. For more information, call 865-984-ETMG or visit www.etmg.net.

Clinic director honored by Tennessee Hospital Assoc.
Blount Memorial Good Samaritan Clinic director Julia Pearce was awarded the Department Head Meritorious Service Award by the Tennessee Hospital Association at the organization’s fall meeting in Nashville.

Pearce was nominated for the award by a committee of her peers at Blount Memorial, as well as community volunteers who have worked directly with Pearce through her numerous volunteer endeavors.

From the nomination materials, the committee said, "Pearce is passionate about the mission of improving the health of the community, especially the health of those without access to medical services, those without insurance and those without hope. Julia is focused on serving the underserved, connecting them with medical services and community resources, helping them obtain the prescription drugs they need, finding new funding."

A Blount Memorial Hospital employee since 1991, Pearce was among the first to become involved with local health care providers, community organizations and concerned individuals to address an identified lack of access and resources for the medically uninsured and underserved in the community. From the clinic’s inception in 1997, Pearce has been involved with operations, seeking equipment and supplies, recruiting volunteers, and identifying educational resources. Under her direction and leadership, the clinic today provides nearly 18,000 annual patient visits.

Pearce also is active in the community, working with organizations such as the Tennessee Primary Care Association, United Way, the Blount Memorial Auxiliary and Hospice, the Community Action Program Advisory Committee, the American Red Cross, the Bread of Life, the Blount County Community Health Initiative and the Blount County Communities that Care team.

Learn how to select good footwear
Blount Memorial Hospital’s Good Health Connection program offers participants a session focused on how to select good footwear on Wednesday, Nov. 22 from noon – 1 p.m. in the Blount Memorial Medical Fitness classroom on the hospital’s 2-
east floor.

Blount Memorial podiatrist Dr. Toni Chadwick will present the free program.

For more information, call Medical Fitness at 865-977-5636.

BMH presents variety show for caregivers
Blount Memorial Senior Services’ monthly "Caregiver Connection" program will present a variety show for caregivers at its Thursday, Nov. 16 gathering from 6-8 p.m. in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Musicians Donnie and Debbie Barbra, along with other local musicians, will present the variety show to celebrate National Family Caregiver’s Month.

Light refreshments will be served at the free program that’s open to the community. For more information, call Senior Services at 865-977-5744.

Surgeons host bariatric surgery lectures
In November, Blount Memorial Hospital’s ongoing Bariatric Lecture Series program features two presentations by Blount Memorial surgeons who will discuss the surgical and laparoscopic treatments of obesity.

Dr. Mark Colquitt and Dr. Jonathan Ray are the speakers at a presentation at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30.

The programs will be presented in the Blount Memorial Hospital auditorium and are free to the community. To register, call 1-866-300-8644.