Achievement:
AdventHealth Hendersonville has once again earned an “A” grade in The Leapfrog Group Hospital Safety Grade survey. The Leapfrog Group assigns a letter grade to U.S. general hospitals based on how well they prevent medical errors, accidents, injuries and infections that kill or harm patients. In this latest grading period, based on hospital surveys conducted in recent weeks, The Leapfrog Group increased the minimum threshold for earning an “A” grade from 3.159 to 3.203. AdventHealth Hendersonville well exceeded that score with a 3.4489, which is also an increase over its Spring 2021 survey results. Read more here.
Mission Hospital received an “A” Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for fall 2021. This national distinction recognizes Mission Hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and error in the hospital. “Compassionate care and safety are our highest priorities at Mission Hospital and I am incredibly proud of our team and their commitment to the patients we are privileged to care for,” said Chad Patrick, CEO, Mission Hospital. “The entire team’s dedication to the highest level of care for our patients – especially during the challenges of a pandemic – is proven with this safety grade A from Leapfrog.”
Announcement:
The Magnetic Theatre has announced its 2022 Mainstage Season of six brand new plays, opens sales for flexible season passes discounted for a limited time only, and begins scheduling auditions for actors for all of the season’s shows. The Magnetic Theatre begins its upcoming season April 8, with Court of the Grandchildren by Australian playwright Michael Muntisov. May 8 brings the long-awaited Asheville premiere of Starbright by local author Sean David Robinson. On July 8, the world premiere of Recycled Nuts by Asheville’s own Travis Lowe. September 9 marks the premiere of Beautiful Cages by Jamie Knox. For the spooky season, opening October 7, check out The Frankenstein Rubrics by David Hopes. Finally, keeping with its long-held tradition of nontraditional holiday fare, the Magnetic Theatre is pleased to announce its collaboration with local performance artists Pagans & Androids, Shimmera and the Three Magi opening December 2. Details for all Mainstage shows can be found here.
Award:
The Carolina LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce has announced that Blue Ridge Pride Executive Director Tina Madison White is being recognized with the Teresa L. Davis Legacy Award. The award recognizes the outstanding professional, personal, and civic achievements of LGBTQ+ leaders throughout our region and specifically highlights the advocacy work of the recipients who make our region a better place for all even amid setbacks and discrimination. “Ever since I moved to Asheville, I have always felt that, as beautiful as Western North Carolina is, its greatest asset is the people,” says Madison White. “It’s amazing what we can all do when we work together. I’m having so much fun working with everyone on such an important endeavor.” Blue Ridge Pride recently partnered with the Carolina LGBT+ Chamber on its LGBTQ+ Business Alliance. In one of its first steps, the alliance is developing an online directory for LGBTQ+ welcoming- and owned-businesses designed to identify and promote safe, supportive, and welcoming places to work, shop, dine, and engage. Interested businesses, artists, trades, and professionals are encouraged to create a listing at blueridgepride.org/business.
Community:
For more than a decade, Bank of America has partnered with Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity to help local low-income families gain financial stability on the foundation of a Habitat home. Homeownership is the single-largest tool for wealth building in the United States and U.S. homeowners have an average net wealth that is 400% higher than that of renters with similar demographics and earnings. “Supporting organizations like Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, that provide critical services and programs, is just one of the ways we are working to help improve the quality of life in the communities we serve,” said Andy H. Nadeau, President, Bank of America Asheville. New this year, Bank of America is also supporting Asheville Habitat’s Student Build program, through which high school students are collectively contributing hundreds of volunteer hours on-site this fall. Learn how you can get involved with Habitat here. (Photo above is from Bank of America’s pre-Covid activity on a home building site.)
Happenings:
Johnson Price Sprinkle PA’s VP of Tax Services Rollin Groseclose & JPS Shareholder Mickey Dale will provide a virtual, 2-hour presentation highlighting end-of-year tax considerations for small-to-middle market businesses and their owners on Monday, December 6. At the end of the presentation, there will be time allotted for Q&A. To ensure your question is addressed, please submit questions to Sophia Ungert (sungert@unca.edu) by Thursday, December 2 at noon. Registration closes Friday, Dec 3 at 5:30 pm. Learn more and register here.
The Asheville Holiday Parade, presented by Bojangles of WNC, returns to Downtown Asheville this Saturday, November 20 beginning at 11 am. The main parade route is Biltmore Avenue between Charlotte Street and Patton Avenue, and Patton Avenue from Biltmore to South French Broad. The parade’s official performance stop is located at the corner of Biltmore and Patton Avenues, but attendees will find great viewing areas all along Biltmore and Patton Avenues. There’s more fun to be had after the parade, as well. The official after-party is from 2-4 pm at Rabbit Rabbit and features free photos with Santa, the Winter Tree Carnival, games and activities from Kickback Party Rental, and crafts with the LEAF Easel Rider.
Hire:
AdventHealth Hendersonville has welcomed Francis Luk, MD to its team at AdventHealth Medical Group Rheumatology at Hendersonville. Dr. Luk is board-certified in internal medicine with a focus in Rheumatology. He specializes in the treatment of RA, gout, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and many other joint diseases. Dr. Luk earned his bachelor’s degree in Science and Biochemistry from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC and his Doctor of Medicine degree from St. George’s University School of Medicine in St. George, Grenada. He went on to complete his internal medicine residency program and his fellowship in Rheumatology in Philadelphia, PA. Read more here.