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A Woman’s Heart sets record attendance
The Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation’s event A Woman’s Heart was attended by more people than ever before this year. Fifty-one tables were sold with over $25,000 in net proceeds raised for the Heart Patient Assistance Fund. The event was presented by Tennessee Heart with “Go Red” sponsor The Quality Family and “Merlot” sponsor Journey Financial Planning.
This year’s guest presenter was Dr. Kathryn Lindley, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who specializes in congenital heart disease, heart disease in pregnancy, high-risk pregnancy care, peripartum cardiomyopathy, spontaneous artery dissection, and women’s heart disease.
The fashion show was presented by Uptown Boutique and Lise Jeanne.
We thank everyone who supported and attended this year’s event. We also thank our sponsors and those who participated in the fashion show.
AWARDS:
The 2022 Martin Coffey Cardiovascular Service, Sheepdog and the Foundation Champion Awards were also handed out at the event.
COFFEY AWARD WINNERS
Mitchell and Kim Stonecipher received the 2022 Martin Coffey Cardiovascular Service Award at the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation’s 15th annual A Woman’s Heart event on Thursday, Feb. 2. CRMC CEO Paul Korth made the presentation, citing their dedication and loyalty to the heart program at Cookeville Regional.
With a combined 50 years dedicated to cardiology, the Stoneciphers, both registered nurses, have dedicated their careers to the field of cardiology in the Upper Cumberland. While they both have uniquely different roles at Tennessee Heart and Cookeville Regional Medical Center, their impact and effort are felt across the entire outpatient and inpatient setting. Kim works at Tennessee Heart as the Clinical Nurse Manager while Mitchell is the director of invasive cardiology services at CRMC.
The nomination letter stated that “it seems as though they have grown up with cardiology in their blood. Their duties and dedication are unmatched and what is more impressive is their work ethic. In short, it is easy to say they eat, sleep, and drink cardiology.” Their unsurpassed dedication to the cardiology program shows each and every day.
Kim began her career when there were only three cardiology providers at Tennessee Heart, rounding with them in the hospital to see patients. Kim has played a vital role in effecting many of the changes to the delivery of cardiovascular care for patients in our region and also in the establishment of the Tennessee Heart outreach clinics. She is currently the liaison for each outreach center in the Upper Cumberland in addition to her other duties. She also orients every new cardiologist that joins Tennessee Heart and CRMC.
Mitchell joined CRMC in 1989 in the Emergency Department. In 1994 he joined the Cath Lab as an original member of the team, playing an integral part in starting the heart program with Martin Coffey. Since 2010 Mitchell has led the Cath Lab Department as the director and has been instrumental in the progress CRMC has made from a community hospital to a regional medical center with high quality interventional cardiac care.
Additionally, Mitchell and Kim both step outside of their work roles to help support Cookeville Regional Medical Center. Mitchell volunteers to take Santa photos and is a committee member of Women’s Heart, and Kim volunteers endlessly for all programs at Tennessee Heart.
The Stoneciphers have two daughters, Megan Halfacre and Amber Jolley, who have both followed in their parents’ footsteps and chosen careers in healthcare. They also have one grandson, Landon.
The Martin Coffey Cardiovascular Service Award is given to an individual who has made a positive impact and best exemplifies the same dedication and loyalty in broadening the scope and delivery of quality cardiovascular care to the patients of CRMC and the Upper Cumberland region as Coffey did during his tenure as the founding director of the Heart and Vascular Center of Cookeville Regional Medical Center (1994-2007). Coffey was instrumental in the development of creating what is known today as the Heart and Vascular Center at Cookeville Regional.
From left, CRMC CEO Paul Korth, Coffey Award recipients Mitchell and Kim Stonecipher, and Dr. Stacy Brewington, cardiologist at Tennessee Heart and CRMC
SHEEPDOG AWARD:
Pharmacist Jason Hutchens received this year’s Sheepdog Award at the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation’s 15th annual A Woman’s Heart event on Thursday, Feb. 2. Charles Sewell of Journey Financial Planning and sponsor of the award made the presentation, citing Hutchens’ dedication to finding new services and ways to enhance healthcare for patients.
The Sheepdog Award is presented annually and is given to individuals who desire to help and protect others without concern for themselves or their own benefit. Sheepdog recipients often operate in the background without fanfare or notice of their efforts.
Dr. Hutchens provides regular education to patients of the Upper Cumberland through cardiac rehab consultation and education. He is the medication expert and provides drug-information answers to cardiologists and staff at TN Heart. He sees a large percentage of hospital-discharge patients for follow-up labs and medication adjustments which allows for enhanced medication optimization and adjustment to ensure effective therapy to keep patients well longer. Dr. Hutchens also plays a role with patient financial assistance to both obtain manufacturer patient assistance monies but also to ensure that insurance payors and supplements are in line and are treatment cost-effective prior to initiating new patient therapies.
He is instrumental in collaborating with the cardiologists in starting new programs, such as the cardiac amyloidosis screening and treatment. This new surveillance and possible treatment avenue provides a service not yet offered in the Upper Cumberland, and although considered a rare disease, if amyloidosis is identified early, this new program has an outstanding impact in prolonging life expectancy.
Dr. Hutchens is innovative and dedicated to the patients at Tennessee Heart, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, and the Upper Cumberland. He is constantly looking for new services to provide and ways to enhance the healthcare of our patients.
From left, CRMC CMO Dr. Bruce Johnson, Dr. Stacy Brewington, Dr. Jason Hutchens (award recipient), Dr. Christopher Adams, and Dr. Vert Cornielle
FOUNDATION CHAMPION AWARD:
Mike Burnette received this year’s Foundation Champion Award at the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation’s 15th annual A Woman’s Heart event on Thursday, Feb. 2 for his ongoing work with the Foundation through the Carmen’s Fund CPR Education Program. Executive Director John Bell made the presentation, citing Burnette’s dedication and support of the Foundation.
Burnette is the founder of the Carmen’s Fund and an ongoing supporter and volunteer at Foundation events. He is a leader for Foundation educational activities focused on community emergency response and preparedness. The mission of Carmen’s Fund is to build a community of everyday heroes by providing AED, CPR and emergency intervention training aligned with established national standard curriculum. Carmen’s Fund focuses on providing classes for Upper Cumberland non-profit organizations and individuals who may struggle to access training elsewhere.
The Foundation Champion Award is presented annually and honors those who have a true vision for Foundation goals and a developed plan for improving community health and compassionate care for patients. Award winners are true members of the Foundation family and advocated for the cause.
From left, Foundation Executive Director John Bell and Carmen’s Fund founder Mike Burnette.
