Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis Opens New Hospital Service for Seniors

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis will have a Ribbon-Cutting and Open House for the new Acute Care for Seniors Inpatient Unit (ACS) on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 10 a.m. The 15-bed inpatient unit, located on the 10th floor, features Care View, a state-of-the-art patient-monitoring system that allows for minimal use of physical restraints.  A Special Care Unit within the ACS unit has been created to care for mildly confused patients and features a one-to-two staff- to-patient ratio.  All ACS staff are specially trained to work with seniors.

The Saint Francis Acute Care for Seniors Unit provides specialized, compassionate care that is tailored to the unique needs of patients 65 and older. A team of health care professionals from a number of disciplines including physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, pharmacists and dietitians review and monitor each patient’s progress, problems and needs.

Doctors and nurses often notice that older patients who were in the hospital for an acute illness begin to lose some of their ability to function independently. One way to combat this decline is for hospital staff to look at the total-care picture rather than focus just on the illness that led to the hospital stay.

The unit itself is designed to encourage patients to socialize and remain as active as possible. The goal is for the patient to maintain and, when possible, improve their functional abilities.

Some of the special features of the ASC unit include:

  • Board Certified Geriatrician Medical Director
  • Staff specially trained to meet geriatric patient needs (patients 65 and older)
  • Telemetry (Cardiac Monitoring)
  • Emphasis on appropriate nutrition and mobility for seniors
  • Minimal use of catheters and physical restraints
  • Senior Activity Lounge – includes flat screen TV, Wii games, Board games, Library and Music

For more information about the Saint Francis Hospital Acute Care for Seniors Inpatient Unit, please call 901-765-1154 or visit our website:  www.saintfrancishosp.com.

 

About Saint Francis Hospital

Saint Francis Hospital-Memphis is a 519-bed full service hospital located at 5959 Park Avenue in Memphis, Tenn.  The hospital has been recognized for excellence of care by: United Healthcare, CIGNA Healthcare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.  The hospital provides a broad-spectrum of quality medical services, including an Ambulatory Surgery Center, Behavioral Health Services, Cardiac Care Center, Center for Surgical Weight Loss, Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation Services, Sleep Center, TotalCare Outpatient Imaging Center, and Women’s Center.

In addition, the hospital serves as an academic training site for University of Tennessee Surgical, Family Practice, and Psychiatric Residents.  The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  To learn more about Saint Francis Hospital, visit www.saintfrancishosp.com.

NAACP to Convene the 2011 Daisy Bates Education Organizing Summit December 1-3

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is hosting the Daisy Bates Education Organizing Summit December 1-3, 2011, at the Hilton Memphis hotel at 939 Ridge Lake Boulevard in East Memphis. The Summit theme is “Finding Our Way Back to First.” Benjamin Todd Jealous, NAACP President & CEO, is the keynote speaker.

The Summit honors the late Daisy Bates, former president of the Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP and advisor in 1957 to the “Little Rock Nine,” students who challenged Jim Crow laws and those vehemently opposed to the integration of Central High School. Daisy Bates was a believer in equitable education and succeeded despite the abhorrence of mobs intent on causing her physical harm.

The focus of the Summit is to move the NAACP’s education agenda forward. Grassroots organizers from across the country will convene for the explicit purpose of combining traditional and innovative education organizing techniques in concert with local allies. The Summit is an integral part of the NAACP’s year-round training regimen for state and unit Education Chairs to empower them to address local education issues.

“The Daisy Bates Education Summit presents a unique opportunity for educators in the movement for social justice to share ideas and issues and formulate a national agenda to address the changes in education affecting African Americans from pre-school to higher education,” said Madeleine C. Taylor, Executive Director, Memphis Branch NAACP.

State and local NAACP stakeholders and education advocates will participate in the following planned sessions:

  • Expanded Learning in High School
  • Distributing Great Teachers
  • Creating Diverse Schools
  • Education & Civic Engagement Plenary
  • Listening to Teachers as Partners Plenary
  • Pre-K as a Foundation for Literacy
  • Federal Policy Update: Waivers & Turnarounds
  • Engaging Parents and Communities
  • Civil Rights & Discipline
  • School Funding Equity
  • Equitable Higher Education Support

The Summit will also include a tribute to Dr. Maxine A. Smith, a longtime civil rights and education activist who served 33 years as the executive secretary of the NAACP Memphis Branch. A gala dinner will be held in honor of Smith, the national NAACP Education Committee Chairman Emeritus.

The inaugural of the National NAACP Maxine A. Smith Scholarship Fund also will be unveiled, along with tributes from Roslyn Brock, Chairman of the National NAACP Board of Directors, Tennessee education advocates, and Smith’s colleagues in the fight for civil rights.

The Summit is not open to the public, but the gala dinner and tribute to Dr. Maxine A. Smith is $100 per person. Tickets are available by calling 901-521-1343. Donations to the national scholarship fund being established in Dr. Smith’s name may be submitted to the NAACP, 588 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN. 38128.

About the Memphis Branch of the NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The Memphis Branch is the second largest chapter in the organization.

The Mid-South Fair Prepares For 2012

The Mid-South Fair is in the initial stages of planning its schedule of events for 2012. Included in that schedule is the major event the Mid-South Fair.  Belinda Anderson, president of the Mid-South Fair and the Executive Committee determined after assessing the last two years of the Fair that the organization will work on revitalizing the fair by bringing the management of the event back within the organization

“Earlier this year the Mid-South Fair hired Milton Rodgers as the Executive Director,” said Anderson. “Milton has a wealth of experience in Event and Fair management as the former General Manager for our Fair. He has wonderful ideas of how to make our Fair and other events better and we are going to give him that opportunity and support him as we work to enhance our Fair.” The organization will not sign a new management agreement with Universal Fairs.

Rodgers has been on the job since April of this year. “I want to bring some of the staple events back to our Fair that our attendees love and continue to strengthen the Fair’s ability to better support our mission within the community,” said Rodgers. “The Mid-south Fair has a solid brand. It’s a 156 year old entity and I’m excited about working with the good people in Southaven on making our Fair the best in the region.”

The Mid-South Fair has a 10-day event in Southaven, MS at the Desoto Civic Center that is in

the fall of each year and is scheduling other events sponsored and produced by the organization.

Also today, the board voted on the new slate of officers: Mike McGhee is President, Gregory Duckett is Vice President/Secretary and Michael Doyle is Vice President/Treasurer. Their terms begin immediately.

NAWBO Networking Reception and Toy Drive to Benefit Abused and Battered Women

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) – Memphis will host a networking reception and toy drive on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, at The Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Avenue, from 5-7 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a new and unwrapped toy to donate to the children of abused and battered women through the YWCA of Memphis. The event is open to the public. To register, go online to http://nawbomemphis1213.eventbrite.com.  For more information contact NAWBO President Natasha Bowen at 901-328-8842.

About NAWBO:

The National Association of Women Business Owners, a non-profit and one of 80 chapters across the U.S., propels women business entrepreneurs into

PBWM will Award Grants in March 2012; Grant Applications Available Now Through January 31, 2012

The Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis (PBWM), an organization with a focus on supporting programs or projects geared towards economic self-sufficiency, is seeking grant applications. The deadline for submission is Monday, January 31, 2012.

The organization is accepting applications for programs focusing on, but not limited to, career development, education, entrepreneurship, scholarship and health. The application and requirement guidelines can be downloaded from the website at www.pbwmemphis.org.

“In this economy, budgets are being cut left and right,” said Mary McDaniel, chairman, PBWM. “Our organization is determined to provide assistance to a few organizations that we believe are having an impact in the community.”Philanthropic Black Women of Memphis was founded in January 2005. The organization has nine members which include McDaniel, Debra Evans, Edith Kelly-Green, Carolyn Chism Hardy, Monice Moore Hagler, Deidre Malone, Belinda Watkins and Lashell Vaughn.

Past grant recipients include the Booker T. Washington High School Girls Basketball team, New Ballet Ensemble, College Bound of Memphis, Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Memphis Cultural Arts Enrichment Center, Amateur Athletic Union and the Watoto De Afrika.

Allen & Hoshall Helps Wilson Air Bring Its Award-Winning FBO Service to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport

One of Allen & Hoshall’s latest project for the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, the Wilson Air Center, was well-received by members of the Chattanooga Community during the grand opening of Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport’s new terminal in August of this year.

Allen & Hoshall’s design included a newly constructed 9,000 sq. ft. executive terminal and a complete, modern FBO campus featuring an office complex, hangar facilities, ramp and self-serve fuel arm.

“This was an exciting project for our firm to work on,” said Glen Heath, PE, Vice-president, Allen & Hoshall. “We were able to design and build an impressive design and eco-friendly facility.”

The new terminal also features a large open-floor plan lobby complete with fireplace, integrated coffee bar, an executive conference room and a fully equipped business center.  The firm brought in local artists to provide paintings and photographs of Chattanooga’s well-known landmarks and attractions to adorn the luxurious space.

Allen & Hoshall constructed the facility to be eco-friendly, abiding by LEED standards from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Dave Ivey, vice president of Wilson Air Center, says Allen & Hoshall’s original design will help Wilson Air Center continue to bring quality service to its customers.

“Wilson Air Center customers can expect the same quality and service at the new Chattanooga location that they receive at all our locations – along with all the extras that come with building a facility from the ground up,” said Ivey.

About Allen & Hoshall

Allen & Hoshall, founded in 1915, is recognized as a premier design firm dedicated to their clients.  Headquartered in Memphis, TN, with locations in Nashville, TN, Jackson, TN, Knoxville, TN, Chattanooga, TN, Jackson, MS and Tunica MS, Allen & Hoshall has more than 100 professionals on staff and holds registrations in most of the 50 states, allowing them to provide services nationwide. Their projects can be found throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East.

Memphis Branch NAACP Launches Membership Drive With Membership Lay Down and NAACP Sunday

This month the Memphis Branch NAACP is launching its membership drive. This Saturday, October 29, 2011 at the headquarters at 588 Vance, NAACP members, community leaders and volunteers will submit memberships they have collected on behalf of the NAACP. Citizens can stop by from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and leave their membership dues.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, is “NAACP Sunday” when pastors will encourage members to join or renew their membership with the oldest civil rights organization in this country.

“Most people want to know what makes the NAACP relevant today, it’s the fact they we still have a major voice in the community for those who are disenfranchised,” said Warner Dickerson, president, Memphis Branch NAACP.

“Our branch continues to speak out and take a position on issues like school merger, voter photo I.D. laws and much more. We need the communities’ support to continue to push for justice and equality in our community.”

The adult membership is $30 and a youth membership is $10. The drive ends December 9, 2011. Citizens can join online by visiting www.naacpmemphis.com or mailing their membership dues to: Memphis NAACP, 588 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126.

About the Memphis Branch of the NAACP

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest civil rights organization. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of rights for all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. The Memphis Branch is the second largest chapter in the organization.

Mayor A C Wharton Wins Re-Election for a 4-Year Term with over 65% of the Vote: CMG President Manages the Mayor’s campaign

After months of heavy campaigning, Mayor A C Wharton beat nine challengers in a decisive race, which gives him a full 4-year term as Mayor of Memphis. Wharton is finishing the last 2-years of the unexpired term of former Mayor W.W. Herenton.

The Carter Malone Group President/CEO Deidre Malone, served as the campaign manager for his re-election bid. Malone helped develop and execute campaign strategy and message for the campaign and worked with the core committee to execute that strategy.

“Mayor Wharton is a visionary leader and just what our city needs to continue the progress being made in Memphis,” said Malone. Her firm also developed the campaign white paper, collateral material, print ads and radio spots.

Mayor Wharton received 65% of the vote. The two other major candidates in the race were former City Councilman Edmund Ford Sr. and County Commissioner James Harvey Sr.

ABOUT THE CARTER MALONE GROUP

The Carter Malone Group LLC (CMG) is a full-service public relations, marketing and advertising firm, located in Memphis, Tenn. CMG provides creative, dynamic and credible integrated marketing communication strategies that enhance our client’s business objectives.  CMG is a minority-owned firm with a diverse client list. For more information, visit www.thecartermalonegroup.com.

PUBLIC INPUT REQUESTED ON NEW TRANSPORTATION PLAN: Four workshops scheduled October 11 & 13, 2011

The Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is seeking input from Mid-South residents on transportation system improvements. The MPO is inviting the public to attend several community meetings to give their opinions on ways to improve transportation in the region. These workshops are critical to the development of the Long Range Transportation Plan – Direction 2040. The community is invited to attend these workshops and give their input and play a critical role in shaping future transportation needs for the region.

The workshops will be held on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, from 5:00p.m to 7:00 p.m., and Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The meetings will be held across the region to give citizens in Memphis, as well as other parts of Shelby County, Fayette County Tennessee, and Desoto County Mississippi, an opportunity to attend. The workshops will be held at the following locations:

Tuesday, Oct 11:  

Lakeland City Hall                                    Baker Community Center

10001 U.S. Highway 70                           7942 Church Street

Lakeland, TN  38002                                Millington, TN  38053

5 p.m.-7 p.m.                                            5 p.m. -7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct 13:

Benjamin Hooks Library                           Brown Missionary Baptist Church

3030 Poplar                                               980 Stateline Road

Memphis, TN  38111                                 Memphis, TN  38671

5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.                                   5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Several points will be discussed during the meetings: an overview of the plan (; the vision, goals and objectives of the plan; a description of the range of projects identified to address transportation issues across the region; and a description of some of the roadway improvement projects being considered for the plan.Feedback will be solicited from the public on the draft plan projects. Public participation in these meetings is critical to the success of the new Long Range Transportation Plan.

For more information on the meetings and the plan development, please visit www.direction2040.com or call Pragati Srivastava at 901-379-7849 or email her at pragati.srivastava@memphistn.gov.

This report/document was prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and the Tennessee and Mississippi Department of Transportation.

The Memphis MPO is committed to the value of equal opportunity, which ensures non-discrimination in the access to, the benefits of, and opportunities to participate in the activities of our program.

Tennessee Public Relations Alliance Offers Statewide Reach, Impact

A new statewide alliance has been formed by communications experts from Memphis to Knoxville to provide blanket geographic coverage for products and issues in Tennessee.

Coordinated by Nashville-based McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, the state’s largest PR firm, charter members of the Tennessee Public Relations Alliance (TPRA) are The Carter Malone Group of Memphis and Moxley Carmichael Public Relations of Knoxville.

“I am excited to be associated with such a talented group of public relations professionals,” said Deidre Malone, president/CEO, The Carter Malone Group, LLC. “This alliance showcases our various unique capabilities and gives clients interested in statewide public relations campaigns a solid vehicle for execution.”

“This is a strategic alliance that touches the major population areas of the state and includes talented and experienced principals who have spent their careers in journalism, public service and communications,” said MP&F senior partner Mark McNeely. “We all are friends and have worked on many projects together through the years. This will allow us to leverage local strengths on behalf of clients with statewide or broader needs.”

“I have been extremely impressed by the effectiveness and professionalism of this group, which has been assisting The Land Trust of Tennessee in promoting some of its services statewide,” said The Land Trust’s president and executive director, Jean Nelson.

Each of the independently owned agencies will continue to maintain existing clients and pursue clients needing help from a single agency; but the alliance will offer a unique opportunity to businesses and organizations that need the resources of a cohesive, statewide communications team with strengths in all local markets, principals of the three firms said.

The Carter Malone Group LLC (CMG) is a full-service public relations, marketing and advertising firm, located in Memphis, Tenn. CMG provides creative, dynamic and credible integrated marketing communication strategies that enhance our clients business objectives.  CMG is a minority-owned firm with a diverse client list. For more information, visit www.thecartermalonegroup.com.

Moxley Carmichael is a full-service public relations company based in Knoxville, Tenn. The firm’s client list includes leading companies and organizations in East Tennessee and beyond, including Pilot Flying J travel centers, PetSafe, U.S. Cellular and Ruby Tuesday. They serve clients on a local, regional and national basis. More information is available at www.moxleycarmichael.com.

“Moxley Carmichael is pleased to lend its experience in, and in-depth knowledge of, the East Tennessee market to this highly qualified team of public relations professionals,” said founder and CEO Cynthia Moxley. “On issues of statewide importance, we believe the alliance offers an unmatched opportunity for businesses and other organizations to deliver their messages on a wider and more effective scale.”

McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations is an award-winning, full-service public relations firm in Nashville with operations in Washington, D.C. and Huntsville, Ala. MP&F provides total communications and marketing services for a diversified client mix at the local, regional and national levels. MP&F is also one of the largest independent public relations firms in the Southeast. For more information, go to www.mpf.com.