Page 8 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_May-2020
P. 8

At the Hospitals

n Novant Health Foundation Launches                   U.S. Surgeon General and the American College            Money donated is being used across the entire
                                                      of Surgeons, Novant Health has rescheduled all         Novant Health footprint.
  Novant Health Disaster Relief Fund                  nonessential surgeries and procedures.
                                                                                                               “We talk about improving the health of our
  Healthcare professionals are on the front             Wrenn also is working toward her                     communities, one person at a time, but we’re
lines as Novant Health battles against the spread     bachelor’s degree in nursing. “I had a paper           members of our community, too,” says Wrenn.
of COVID-19. Team members at all levels               due this weekend and, thankfully, they said            “So, we also have to take care of ourselves
are demonstrating their commitment to our             they were giving some extensions. But at the           and one another in order to take care of our
communities with their tireless efforts to treat,     end of the day, I think we’re all just thankful        community as a whole.”
heal and keep patients healthy.                       to still be working.”
                                                                                                               To make a contribution, visit the website at
  The Novant Health Foundation has established        ‘We’re seeing the emotional toll’                      www.novanthealth.org/giving.
a new fund dedicated to supporting these
providers, as well as the overall response to         Wrenn’s story is one of many across the                n Enhance Your On-Demand Video Visit
the pandemic. Contributions are supporting                                                                     With TytoHome
team members and helping to fund testing and          Novant Health system.                                    TytoHome is a lightweight, portable medical
medication to support patient care, as well as
medical supplies.                                     “We’re seeing the emotional toll on our team           exam kit that allows you to connect with a
                                                                                                             provider without ever leaving your home.
                                                      members hit pretty hard,” says Daria Kring,
                                                                                                               Using TytoHome, patients can connect to
                                                      Novant Health’s senior director for clinical           a Novant Health provider who can virtually
                                                                                                             examine the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat and
                                                      education and patient education.                       abdomen from wherever they are — potentially
                                                                                                             eliminating a rush to the emergency room or
                                                      Kring recognizes the demands at home —                 the doctor’s office and limiting your exposure
                                                                                                             to coronavirus.
                                                      from helping children navigate online school
                                                                                                               TytoHome is FSA eligible and available at
‘I’m just exhausted’                                                                        to worrying      www.novanthealth.org/Tyto, where you also can
                                                                                                             see demonstration videos. In light of the current
                                                                                            about the        climate, NH Digital Devices, LLC is offering
                                                                                                             TytoHome devices at 50-percent off, to support
While juggling patient appointments and                                                     health of        you and your family. The cost (normally $299)
                                                                                                             is now $149 and is covered by flexible spending
provider schedules at Novant Health Cotswold                                                elderly family   and health savings accounts. This limited-time
                                                                                                             offer is below cost to NH Digital Devices, LLC
Medical Clinic, clinical supervisor Jordyn                                                  members. In      and available while supplies last.

Wrenn also is balancing increased anxiety at                                                some cases,        The exam kit connects with the TytoCare app
                                                                                                             on your smartphone or tablet.
home these days.                                                                            the stress is
                                                                                                                       Advertising
“It’s tough,” says Wrenn. “I’m just exhausted.”                                             financial, as        Acknowledgements

Her husband, Chandler, is an owner of HEX                                                   well. Some                     The following patrons made
                                                                                                                         Mecklenburg Medicine possible.
Coffee and had to shut down the business                                                    team members
                                                                                                               Arthritis & Osteoporosis Consultants
temporarily and let go some employees.                                                      are getting        of the Carolinas...........................................12

                           “It’s been really          TheWrenn family poses for a picture.    fewer hours      Atrium Health.............................................11
                                                                                            and “may not be
                           hard for him,”                                                                      Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center............3
                                                      getting their full paycheck.” For others, a partner
                           says Wrenn. “I                                                                      Fogg Media...................................................3
                                                      may have lost his or her job.
                           think most of us in                                                                 MagMutual....................................................3
                                                      “Some of our team members are going to have
                           management right                                                                    Novant Health...............................................2
                                                      big needs — they can’t pay their rent — and other
                           now are worried
                                                      team members will have small needs. They need
                           about our team, as
                                                      emotional support,” says Kring.
                           well. I mean, we
                                                      n Novant Health Disaster Relief Fund
                           know we have to cut
JordynWrenn pictured at Cotswold hours. Chandler had    As community members look for ways to
Medical Clinic.                                       support Novant Health, a donation to the Novant
                           to let people go. We       Health Disaster Relief Fund will help team
                                                      members continue to deliver remarkable care.
all want to make sure our employees are taken
                                                        “During this challenging time, some of our
care of. I have a brand-new team member who           team members may face personal hardships, and
                                                      we are committed to doing as much as possible
has a young child at home, and I have someone         to meet their needs,” says Ann Caulkins, senior
                                                      vice president of Novant Health and president of
who just bought and moved into a house, so            Novant Health Foundation. “This fund provides
                                                      an opportunity to make a difference in the lives
naturally everyone’s worried about having             of people who are dedicated to keeping our
                                                      communities safe and providing care during an
enough money to survive.”                             unprecedented crisis.”

The Wrenns also are caring for their two

young children — nearly 4-year-old Cadan and

6-month-old Grace. Cadan has Down syndrome,

while Grace is deaf and currently waiting to get

cochlear implants, a surgery that was postponed

due to COVID-19. Following guidelines from the

8 | May 2020 • Mecklenburg Medicine
   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12