Author: murrayhospital

Kim Clark, Occupational Therapist (OT) at The Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine at Murray-Calloway County Hospital recently earned national credential as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). Clark has 21 years of experience in Occupational Therapy and has been caring for patients at MCCH since 2010.

People value the use of their hands; therefore, any loss of function through injury or disease can devastate lives. The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist treating them has achieved the highest recognition of competency in the profession of upper limb rehabilitation, including the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder girdle. Kim Clark, MOT/R of Murray-Calloway County Hospital has earned the distinguished CHT designation after completing all required examinations and clinical studies in November, 2021.

The Hand Therapy Certification Commission, Inc., (HTCC), the recognized specialist in hand therapy certification worldwide, is proud to announce that Clark has met all requirements set forth by the Commission. These requirements include at least three years of clinical experience as an/a [occupational therapist or physical therapist], a minimum of 4,000 hours in direct practice in hand therapy, and a comprehensive exam with successful completion of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper limb rehabilitation. There are approximately 7,200 individuals worldwide hold this marked designation.

“The importance of the hands ability to discriminate between the objects we touch and to have the dexterity to perform all of our common daily activities cannot be overstated. With the high functional goals that we have for patients, we are grateful to have Kim Clark, OT as a Certified Hand Therapist at MCCH,” said Dr. Derek Morgan, Orthopaedic Surgeon.

The CHT credential is recognized by many professional organizations as a benchmark for excellence in advance specialty credentialing in healthcare.

For additional information on Certified Hand Therapists, visit http://www.htcc.org.

For additional information on outpatient rehab at MCCH contact the Center for Rehab and Sports Medicine at 270.762.1854 or visit www.murrayhospital.org

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is a 152-licensed bed medical center located at 803 Poplar Street in Murray, Kentucky.  The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of the Western Kentucky area for over 100 years.  Murray Hospital specializes in such major areas as women’s services, surgery, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, psychiatric services, emergency services and more. Murray-Calloway County Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.  

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Abby Dowdy, PsyD – Clinical Psychologist.

Dr. Dowdy obtained her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University and completed her Masters in Psychology from the University of Indianapolis. She obtained her undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Education from Transylvania University in Lexington, KY.

She most recently completed her Doctoral Internship/Residency and Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Health Psychology at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is licensed by the Kentucky Board of Psychology.

In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing and boating on Kentucky Lake with her family and her husband, Jon. She is an avid Murray State fan and you can usually find her in the stands at Racer basketball games.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Taylor Gilbert, MD, Pediatrician.

Dr. Gilbert obtained her medical degree at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from Furman University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. During medical school, she was part of the Gold Humanism Honor Society and recognized with an Outstanding Leadership & Community Service Award.

She completed her residency at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Pediatrics and is Board Certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has completed her Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) as a certified provider.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her English bulldog, doing house projects, baking, and being outside at the lake. She and her husband, Beau Sauley, an Economics Professor at Murray State are expecting their first baby in May.

Dr. Gilbert will join Murray-Calloway County Hospital, and the practice of Murray Pediatrics. If you have any questions, please contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org.

Carlos and Landyn Friesen of Sedalia started 2022 as the proud new parents of their 7 pound, 14 ounce, baby girl, Riley Anne Friesen who was 20.5 inches long. She was due on January 8th, however, due to high blood pressure issues Landyn headed to the hospital and was induced to ensure a healthy delivery for mom and baby.

The Friesen’s welcomed baby girl Riley at 4:41 pm on January 1^st with Dr. Matt Price, OB/GYN of Women’s Health of Murray delivering.

The couple received various gifts from MCCH for being the first baby of the New Year. The Friesen family look forward to starting 2022 welcoming Riley to the world.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Candace Dumas, APRN as a hospitalist.

Dumas obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University and her Bachelor of Nursing from Grand Canyon University. She completed her undergraduate degree from Sacred Heart University in Connecticut in Exercise Science and her Master of Exercise Science and Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.

Dumas formerly worked as an APRN with a pulmonary group in Hopkinsville, KY. She is beginning a Doctoral program, focused in Acute Care starting in January 2022, through the University of Southern Alabama.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading and camping. Dumas, her husband and son reside in Hopkinsville, KY.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital (MCCH) is pleased to welcome Nick Johnson, APRN, to West Kentucky Surgical and Bariatric Solutions.

Johnson obtained his Master’s degree from Chamberlain University and his undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Murray State University.  He had wanted to return to Murray State for his advanced degree but with having a large family and the need to continue working full-time, Chamberlain was a better fit.

He has worked as a Registered Nurse in the Surgery Dept. at MCCH since 2010 in various roles including a Registered Nurse on the med/surg unit, in the role of the circulating nurse in surgery, as well as, in outpatient surgery and in the post-anesthesia care unit.  Before his time as a RN he worked as an ED technician beginning in 2008.

He enjoys activities with his family, and now that his studies are complete he will get used to having spare time again. Nick is married to Corrie and they have 5 beautiful daughters that provide them with an abundance of laughs and good times as well as keeping them very busy.

“I’ve been with MCCH since 2008 and in that time have worn many hats and worked in several departments alongside many terrific people. While working through my graduate studies I’d considered the possible need to relocate as there have been many wonderful new NPs and PAs to come on board and fill many openings, and I’m very thankful to MCCH and Dr. Swain for choosing me to continue my career here at home.”

MCCH would like to welcome back Alison Sasseen, APRN, as a part of the team at Oncology and Hematology of Murray. Sasseen will be providing direct patient care to patients within our region.

Sasseen comes to MCCH after serving at various healthcare facilities in the region, including Baptist Health Medical Group Hematology Oncology as a nurse practitioner, Jackson Purchase Medical Center as a nurse practitioner in the Emergency Department and Marshall County Hospital as a registered nurse in the emergency room and intensive care unit.

A graduate of Murray State University with a Masters of Science in Nursing, Sasseen also holds a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Murray State University and has 17 years of experience in hematology and oncology.

Located in the North Tower, Oncology & Hematology of Murray offers treatment for a wide array of cancers, as well as benign hematological conditions.