Thursday, March 16, 2006
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| • Chamber
meeting Gray emphasizes telehealth’s advantages By BARRY
BURLESON Sydney Gray introduced telehealth to guests attending the luncheon sponsored by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce Thursday at Annie’s Restaurant. Gray is manager of the telehealth program at the University of Tennessee Outreach Center. “Having reliable, available transportation for specialist care is sometimes a problem,” she said. “That’s where telehealth comes in.” Telehealth is a way to use technology for medical diagnosis and patient care when the doctor and patient are separated by distance. Distance does not stop the doctor from being able to listen to “your heart and lungs, look closely at your skin, view and x-ray, or see inside your ears and down your throat.” The service is available through Alliance HealthCare System in Holly Springs. She said about 10 patients have been seen thus far through Alliance. Gray said the specialist, from afar, can look at a person’s throat, lungs, whatever, through the use of special instruments. She demonstrated the technology. “The doctor and the patient are able to interact,” she said. Specialists are available in areas such as behavioral health, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, infectious disease, urology and many others. Gray said specialists at the UT Outreach Center have seen more than 3,000 patients, and patient satisfaction is outstanding. She said twice as many patients can be seen per hour, and usually there is no more than a 15-minute wait. “If you don’t want to drive to Memphis to see a specialist, tell your doctor,” Gray said. “It’s here and it’s available.” For more, visit the web site, utmem.edu/telemedicine. Chamber news Chamber president Joanne Huff announced the Charity Walking Horse Classic is this Saturday, March 18, at the Marshall County Fairgrounds. It begins at 5 p.m. “This show brings a lot of people into town, and we expect to do even better this year,” Huff said. “It was the largest one-day show in the state last year.” Huff urged everyone to take a look at the Chamber’s new web page, www.hollyspringsmschamber.com. “It’s a great tool,” she said. She said the Chamber is working with the Marshall County Industrial Development Authority, the Tourism Bureau and the strategic planning group. “We’re excited about the growth in the county, and we want to help businesses take full advantage of it,” Huff said. She said the Chamber is working on a new business directory and plans to begin a monthly newsletter. Other board members include vice president Ishmell Edwards, treasurer Betty Byrd, T.J. Vanzant, Wesley Stanton, Lisa Cole, Ray Von Autry, R.J. Wilson, Annie Moffett, Linda Logan, Don McDuffy and Ronnie Luther. Report News:
(662) 252-4261 or south@dixie-net.com
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