Health Report

NEW HEARING AID IMPLANT PERFORMED

A new hearing loss treatment known as bone anchored hearing aid system has been performed in Northwest Georgia for the first time.

Dr. Robert King, a Harbin Clinic otolaryngologist, did the procedure at Floyd Medical Center on Dec. 15. He's the only local physician trained to perform this procedure that particularly benefits those with single-sided deafness.

HOW IT WORKS: The system includes a small, detachable sound processor anchored by a titanium implant and abutment placed in the patient's skull, behind the deaf ear, through a minor outpatient surgical procedure. Sound is transmitted by bone conduction through the skull to the hearing ear, allowing someone with single-side deafness to hear sounds from the deaf side.

This treatment is FDA approved and is being used by more than 18,000 people worldwide.

Over the next three months, the implant will be monitored to make sure the bone is growing around it. The detachable sound processor will then be anchored to the implant.

THE PATIENT: The patient is a 24-year-old woman who has had hearing loss for several years following a surgical procedure. She recently completed college and plans to begin her career as an elementary school teacher soon.

King has surgically implanted more than 40 BAHA systems in his training at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. He joined Harbin Clinic in August. He received his Medical Doctorate degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine. His office is at Harbin Clinic Ear, Nose and Throat Center at 1825 Martha Berry Blvd.

For more on Dr. King, please click HERE.

FOR MORE ON BAHA: Please check the University of Maryland Medicine site (which provided the graphic above) by clicking HERE.

TWO AT REDMOND NOW REGISTERED RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS: Stacey Leonard and Tara Metcalf are now registered respiratory therapists at Redmond Regional Medical Center after passing their boards. Both were certified in Respiratory Therapy from Coosa Valley Technical College and earned their associate's degrese from Floyd College.

Leonard has worked at Redmond for over seven years. She lives in Rome with her husband, Michael, son Trey and daughter Madison.

Metcalf has worked in Respiratory Therapy at Redmond for nine years.   She and her husband, Todd, and son Rhett live in Summerville

SYSTEM AIDS IN BREAST CANCER DETECTION

Gordon Hospital has a new, computer-aided detection system for mammography that assists radiologists in breast cancer detection. Second Look from iCAD Inc. is a screening tool that assists radiologists by providing a computerized second review of mammograms.

It is approved for screening use only. The review process draws their attention to potential areas of concern that may indicate the presence of cancer.

"It provides a valuable second read that increases the chances of catching breast cancer," says Dr. G. Paul Forsyth, a radiologist at Gordon Hospital.

U.S. clinical trials of approximately 9,000 patients performed at 18 medical institutions across the United States have shown that 26.2 percent of cancers missed by a radiologist would be detected with the use of Second Look.

How it works: Once a patient has had her annual mammogram, the patient information is entered into the Second Look system using a bar code reader or interactive touchscreen. The patient's mammogram is fed into the system and the Second Look software analyzes it using proprietary algorithms. The machine then produces a laser-printed report which highlights potential areas of concern.

THE RX FOR HOLIDAY SEASON BLUES

Gordon Hospital is offering assistance to those struggling with the pressures and temptations that come from the Christmas and New Year's season.

The hospital offers several suggestions to help you cope with the holiday blues:

Have realistic goals and expectations. Don't try to make this holiday season the "best ever" because, chances are, it won't measure up. You set yourself up for sadness and disappointment if everything has to be just like the "good old days."

Organize your time and expenses. Overdoing it with activities or money can lead to stress, fatigue and depression. Remember: you don't have to do everything. Plan some free or low-cost activities; make arrangements with family and friends to limit gift-giving.

Let go of the past. Focus on the present and future. Especially in family situations, don't dwell on old misunderstandings and bitterness. Remind yourself of what you value in your loved ones and keep this in mind while you're with them.

Moderation. Enjoy your favorite holiday foods, drinks and activities, but avoid overeating, drinking too much alcohol, doing too many things or spending too much money.

Do something for someone else. It is an old remedy, but it can help you to get out of your depression and into the holiday spirit. Try volunteering some time to help others: Read holiday stories to children, visit someone who is homebound or hospitalized, volunteer to work in a soup kitchen or just call a friend who's feeling blue.  

Allow yourself to feel and express emotions such as loneliness, grief and sadness. Holidays often remind us of those who are no longer with us. Give yourself permission to have all of your feelings, especially if you are dealing with recent losses.  

You are important, too. Make time for yourself. Don't spend all your time providing for others. Keep up your routines for physical, emotional and spiritual health such as exercising, getting good nutrition, attending religious services, praying, meditating and practicing relaxation. Spend time with people who care about you and love you, make new friends and plan some special time just for you.

FOR MORE: If you would like more information on ways to cope with stress, depression or the holiday blues, contact Gordon Daybreak at 706-602-4484.

TILLERY PRESIDENT OF LOCAL NURSE LEADERS

Kenneth L. Tillery, RN, BSN, has been named president of the Georgia Organization of Nurse Leaders for the Northwest Georgia district.

Tillery has worked in health care for 12 years at Redmond Regional Medical Center. He has been a critical care nurse in ICU, house supervisor and is now nurse manager for medical/ surgical and oncology.

Tiller received his associate of science degree in nursing at Floyd College and then graduated from University of West Georgia with his Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

He volunteers for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. He lives in Cedartown and has three daughters and two grandchildren.

REDMOND NAMES NEW ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

Heath A. King has been named assistant controller at Redmond Regional Medical Center. He has worked in Redmond's accounting department for more than two years. King graduated from the University of Georgia and is working toward his MBA at Shorter College. He is the son of Sam and Avis King and Dianne King, all of Cartersville. King resides in Rome.

VINCENT NAMED PRE-OP CHARGE NURSE 

Patti Vincent, RN, has been promoted to Charge Nurse of Pre-Op, Recovery and Stepdown at The Surgery Center of Rome. A 1982 graduate of Georgia Baptist School of Nursing, Vincent has worked in healthcare for 22 years. She previously was Infection Control Nurse and "Best Practices" Coordinator at the center. A 10-year veteran of Redmond Regional Medical Center, Vincent also is a member of the Georgia Association of Perianesthesia Nurses and the American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses. Vincent shares a home with her mother, Hilda Mount, and her daughter Kitty.

SURGERY CENTER GETS NEW CHARGE NURSE

Danielle Haygood, RN, BSN has been named operating room charge nurse at The Surgery Center of Rome. Haygood earned her bachelor's of science degree in nursing at Jacksonville State University. She has worked in healthcare for eight years. During her six years at Redmond Regional, Danielle was a nurse on Second Floor and in the Operating Room. She and her husband, Jamie Haygood, reside in Kingston.

GORDON HOSPITAL ADDS SIX DOCTORS

Gordon Hospital, which just opened its newly expanded and renovated campus, has hired six new physicians. They are:

Pablo Babloa, MD: A board eligible specialist in family practice, has joined the Gordon Hospital medical staff and Gordon Urgent Care at Adairsville. Balboa comes to Calhoun after completing a family practice residency at Scott & White Hospital, in Temple, Texas. Prior to that, he worked at the Family Practice Clinic in Tomball, Texas He earned his medical degree from University of Montemorelos School of Medicine. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and has participated in several community services including drug abuse seminars, health promotion and food and clothing donation programs for the needy. His hobbies include spending time with his family, digital photography and outdoor activities. Gordon Urgent Care Adairsville is at 7435 Ga. 140 in Adairsville. Office: (770) 769-9555.

Mary Barfield, MD: Specializing in family practice and board certified, Barfield has joined Northwest Georgia Medical Group in Calhoun. She comes Southern Christian Medical Services/Cobb Medical Group. Prior to that, she served as Assistant Professor for the Department of Family Practice & Community Medicine at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile. She performed her residency at Florida Hospital. She earned he medical degree from Mercer University School of Medicine, and completed her undergraduate degree in chemistry at Shorter College. She is married to OB/GYN physician Malcolm Barfield. Office: (706) 625-0022.

Annalise Cawley, MD: A board eligible specialist in pediatrics, recently joined the medical staff and AGC Pediatrics. Cawley comes to Calhoun after completing a pediatric residency at Stony Brook University Hospital. She earned her medical degree from Ohio State University College of Medicine. Her undergraduate degree was completed at Binghamton University. AGC Pediatrics is in Gordon Hospital, 1035 Red Bud Road, in medical office suite 102. Office: (706) 625-5900.

Paul Forsyth, MD: Recently joined Gordon Hospital's radiology department. A board certified physician specializing in diagnostic radiology, he is a member of the Quantum Medical Radiology Group. Prior to coming to Calhoun, he worked at Outpatient MRI Imaging Centers in Columbia and Charleston, S.C. He has more than 20 years experience in the radiology field. Dr. Forsyth earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado at Denver, and attained his undergraduate degree at University of Colorado at Boulder. Forsyth is fellowship-trained in neuroradiology.

James Scott, MD: Has joined AGC Pediatrics and the Gordon Hospital medical staff. Dr. Scott comes to Calhoun from the University of South Florida College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, where he served as Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. Prior to his teaching experience, he worked at Coldwater Pediatrics, P.C. a practice located in southern Michigan. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University, and completed his internship and residency at University Hospitals of Cleveland and Michigan State University. He completed fellowship training in behavioral and developmental pediatrics at Medical College of Virginia. Office: (706) 625-5900.   

Carrie Smith, MD: a physician specializing in pediatrics, has joined the Gordon Hospital medical staff and AGC Pediatrics. Smith is board-certified in pediatrics. She comes to Calhoun from Cartersville Pediatric Associates. Prior to that, she worked at Toccoa Clinic Medical Associates. She earned her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. She completed her undergraduate degree in pharmacy at the University of Georgia. Office: (706) 625-5900.

FLOYD'S NURSING RETENTION IDEA HONORED

Floyd Medical Center has been  honored for its creation of an initiative to reduce the hospital's nurse vacancy rate.

The hospital won a second place award from the Georgia Partnership for Health and Accountability. The entry was in a category for hospitals with more than 300 beds; St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta took top honors. The award recognizes health care organizations for achievement in reducing the risk of medical errors and improving patient safety and medical outcomes.

Floyd Medical Center created a nursing recruitment and retention team consisting of existing staff nurses. The goal was to identify opportunities to retain high-quality employees, recruit qualified staff to fill vacancies and to have a waiting list of potential nurses wanting to work at the hospital.

The group's new initiatives included a recruitment bonus plan, elementary school career day programs, a mentor program, scheduled employee feedback sessions and the creation of nine nurse-driven performance improvement teams that meet once a month.

As a result, the hospital's nurse vacancy rate plummeted from 21.4 percent to 8 percent in three years and the hospital has enjoyed improved retention rates and nearly $1.5 million in savings in nurse agency costs.

PICTURED ABOVE: Diane Davis, Floyd Medical Center's vice president of Nursing accepts the hospital's Patient Safety and Quality Award from Georgia Department of Community Health Commissioner Tim Burgess.

GORDON HOSPITAL GOES ALL-DIGITAL RADIOLOGY

Gordon Hospital is North Georgia's first hospital to adopt all-digital inpatient and outpatient radiology services. The technology is designed to provide greater efficiency, accuracy and long-term information management.

"We firmly believe in the transformational power of digital technology--and have the plans in place to prove it. Our long-term goal is to go completely paperless in 2006," says Ed Moyer, vice president of clinical services.

In October, the hospital celebrated one of the key steps toward its paperless objective with the implementation of an Agfa image and information management system. It addresses a more immediate goal--improved patient care and increased hospital efficiencies.

The new system integrates all imaging modalities--ultrasonography, echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging, stereotactic breast biopsy, X-ray, bone density screening --with the exception of mammography.

The Agfa product works with the hospital's Radiology Information System, which manages radiology images and information, and the Hospital Information System, which manages all of the hospital data specific to each patient.

Radiologists access images through a secured Web site while physicians and other hospital staff have access to images and radiologists' reports through another secured site. A year's worth of image storage is kept on-site, and every night image data is deep-archived to an Adventist Health System storage facility in Lake Mary, Fla.

The radiology department performs 38,000 radiology exams per year. Rolando Alvarez is the department director and is responsible for providing imaging services to 15 radiologists, 23 technologists and more than 80 physicians.

Alvarez began planning for the all-digital system more than two years ago. The actual implementation was completed inside of six weeks.

For patients, the speed of the system and the ability to track images and information provide the biggest benefit.

"We've been able to bring patients in through the system much faster, technologists have not had to spend time looking for old films in the file room, the radiologists and the emergency center physicians have the images immediately, so it's been a huge success," says Alvarez.

He estimates efficiency for radiologists and technologists has increased by 80 percent, and that film costs have been reduced by 85 percent. Once all floors are connected to the system (which will happen shortly), he expects that to drop another 10 percent.

Next up: Linking hree outside clinics owned by the hospital. Longer-term, the system will be integrated with a new paperless charting system the hospital plans to introduce in about two years, which will allow physicians to pull up X-ray images on Palm Pilots or view EKGs on a computer workstation.

HARBIN DIALYSIS CENTER TO OPEN IN APRIL

Harbin Clinic has broken ground for its new Harbin Clinic Dialysis Center at 172 Three Rivers Drive off the Bypass in Rome.

The 6,800-square-foot clinic will open in April and will feature 21 dialysis stations. It will be available to all patients, including those traveling through Rome (physician orders can be obtained from a patient's primary care physician).

The center will be under the medical direction of doctors Chike Nzerue (left) and Hailu Demissachew, (below) Harbin Clinic nephrologists. You can access their profiles by clicking their names.

Free pre-education classes for patients preparing to start dialysis are set for 1-5 p.m. Dec. 8 in Harbin Clinic Conference Center on the second floor of the main clinic at 1825 Martha Berry Blvd. Class size is limited and reservations must be made by calling 706-295-4641. Classes will be held once a month.

IN CONTEXT: Earlier this year, Harbin Clinic officials announced major growth plans, including the hiring of 15 new physicians. The announcement also included information about Harbin offering acute dialysis service at Cartersville Medical Center, Redmond Regional Medical Center and Floyd Medical Center. Harbin also revealed initial plans to build a chronic dialysis center.

REDMOND CATH LAB IN 'TOP 10' 

Redmond Regional Medical Center's Cardiac Catheterization Lab was named a "Top 10 Peak Performer" at a recent Hospital Corporation of America Clinical Cardiovascular Management Network conference.

Redmond won for both second half of 2003 and the first half of 2004. The award recognizes consistent high quality patient care and quality service with cost-effective strategies. This is the fifth consecutive year the hospital's catheterization lab staff has been acknowledged for their performance.

Redmond will add its sixth catheterization lab in 2005.

Participants at the conference included Harbin Clinic Cardiologist Dr. Frank Stegall and the following Redmond representatives: Brenda Waltz, Chief Executive Officer; Mike Esposito, Chief Operating Officer; Marsha Colwell, Director of Cardiology; Jan Routledge, Surgical Services Director; Jean Miller, Network Development Director; Barbara McEntire, Cardiovascular Case Manager; Sandy Chambers, Cardiology Case Manager; Kathy Dowdy, CCU Manager; Tracy Franklin, Cardiac Procedure Unit Nurse; Sharon Hoban, ICU Clinical Coordinator; and Sonia Lane, ICU Charge Nurse.

REDMOND REHAB 'GRADUATES' CELEBRATE

More than 200 former patients and their families celebrated Redmond Rehabilitation Center's Annual Rehab Fall Fling recently.

"Each year, we invite all our former patients, we call them our rehab graduates, to our FallFling. It is joyous to see our former patients and hear how their rehab stay restored the quality of their lives," said Maureen Allen, rehab center director.

Former patients spent the afternoon sharing their experiences.

Last year, Redmond Rehabilitation Center admitted 581 patients. On average, rehab patients scored higher in the areas of function at the time they left the Rehab Center than the regional and national scores, according to the medical center.

The average length of stay was eight days, six days less than the national score. Also, 91 percent of Redmond's patients were discharged to home (the national percentage is 80 percent) as opposed to another care facility.

FMC TO USE 'PATIENT PLACEMENT' TECH

Floyd Medical Center is about to adopt "patient placement technology" that should allow a more effective and timely transfer of patients from the hospital to appropriate post-hospital care.

The Web-based program was developed by Patient Placement Systems of Alpharetta.

It allows the hospital to streamline patient transfers, touching on everything from finding the appropriate health care facility and transferring secure medical information to booking the vehicle that will carry the patient.

The program's developers believe the concept will reduce a patient's length of stay.

It is the latest step in mixing today's technology with medical treatment. Last week, Redmond Regional Medical Center announced it was adopting a new computer-based system designed to help ensure patients get the right drug and dosage they're supposed to receive.

For more on PPS,  please click HERE.

REDMOND REGIONAL ADOPTS 'E' MEDICINE

Redmond Regional Medical Center is using a new state-of-the-art Electronic Medication Administration Record system to track and police patient treatment.

"One of the most dangerous situations any patient can face in a hospital comes from the complications that can result from the improper administration of medicine," said Brenda Waltz, Redmond chief executive officer. "Patient safety is our number one priority and eMAR reflects that commitment."

Errors, including incorrect dosages or administrating the wrong medicine, contribute to 98,000 deaths attributed to "medical mistakes" each year, the hospital says.

The new system works this way: When a doctor orders a medication, the order is sent to the pharmacy and entered into a computer system. The pharmacy fills the prescription and shrink-wraps each dose of the medication. The dose is labeled with a bar code like the ones used in stores for product scanning. The bar code on the medicine connects to a bar code the patient wears on a wristband.

For more on the program and Redmond's press release, please click HERE.

AUXILIARY DONATES $115,000 TO FMC

The Floyd Medical Center Auxiliary has presented a check for $115,000 to President and CEO Kurt Stuenkel at the auxiliary's recent annual meeting, marking 33 years of service to the hospital.

The funds are the proceeds from the Floyd Medical Center gift shop, which is operated by the Auxiliary, and from other fund-raising events held throughout the year.

Since 1972, the auxiliary has donated 700,853 hours of service and $2,630,180 to the Floyd healthcare system.

Also, the auxiliary installed new officers for the upcoming year: Rochelle Teat, president; Charlotte Martin, first vice president; Carolyn Welchel, second vice president; Jan Osborn, recording secretary; Catherine Aaron, corresponding secretary; and Helen Johnson, treasurer.

"Our leaders have provided us with a well-organized and productive auxiliary," said Mary Hudson, coordinator of volunteers. "he Auxiliary's true value to the hospital and community are impossible to measure in dollars and cents."

LAPTOPS HELP SUNBELT REDUCE PAPERWORK: Sunbelt Home Care, Gordon Hospital's home health care agency, is using a state-of-the-art, paperless charting system now that laptops have been chased for its clinicians.

Each nurse and therapist will use the computers to help them document information efficiently.

"These laptops help us cut the paperwork from 71 forms to four," says Judy Hannah, director of Sunbelt Home Care. "Not only do the laptops help with the workload, it allows our staff to have more time with each patient, and improves communication between the clinicians. Basically, the clinicians have their patient's medical file at their fingertips. This project serves as a catalyst to launch us into the future."

Each laptop is an Acer tablet PC that converts into a writing tablet, with touch-screen capability. The clinicians can upload their patient's medical information to the secured server twice daily.

On average, Sunbelt Home Care treats 75 patients each month in the six-county region of North Georgia.

EMPLOYEES' RATING PUT FMC IN FIRST PLACE

Floyd Medical Center employees, in a survey of employee satisfaction, have put FMC in first place when compared with 22 other Georgia health-care facilities. The finding was released by HR Solutions Inc. of Chicago. In overall job satisfaction, FMC employees' scores were 25 percent more favorable than the other health-care facilities, according to an FMC release.

POLK MEDICAL ADDS NEW CAT SCANNER

Polk Medical Center has added an 8-slice CT scanner/GE LightSpeed CT Imaging System which provides more detailed images at a rate eight times faster than the hospital's previous scanner.

"We are thrilled for our hospital--and more importantly for our neighbors throughout Polk County--to acquire this superb technology." said John Deardorff, Polk Medical Center CEO and president. "With this technology, we can honestly say that Polk Medical Center offers a level of diagnostics that is as good as, if not better than, most hospitals in this region."

The LightSpeed CT scanner help physicians to diagnosis a variety of anatomical areas, including the spine, head, abdomen and chest. It will  be a critical asset in providing emergency room care.

"With LightSpeed, a CT exam that used to take three minutes can now be completed in approximately 20 seconds," Deardorff said. "Reducing the scan time reduces wait times for patients. It also allows ER physicians to begin treatment more quickly."

DONATED CELLS TO HELP SOLDIERS

Gordon Hospital is serving as a dropoff point for a program that recycles old cell phones with proceeds going toward the purchase of phone cards for military personnel in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan and elsewhere to call home.

The program was started by two teens frlom Massachusetts, Brittany and Robbie Bergquist, who heard about a local soldier who racked up a huge phone bill calling home. They donated their snack money and opened an account, and a local bank added $500.

Since then, the effort has gone national. The prepaid calling cards are a start; another goal is to provide banks of cell satellite or VOIP communications.

Old cell phones can be left with Brooke Massey, a PTA in Gordon Hospital's Rehabilitation Services or at the front desk at the main entrance. For more information, call (706) 602-7800 ext. 5065 or visit www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. (Massey is pictured above)

HARBIN CLINIC EXPANDS SERVICES

What follows is a closer look at each of the major enhancements announced Tuesday at a press conference at Harbin Clinic. This story will continue to be updated throughout the day,:

 SUPERSPEED CT SCANNER ADDED: Harbin's radiology department is adding a computed tomography (CT) scanner said to be the fastest in the world. Example: A chest exam, which takes 20 to 30 minutes to perform, will be completed in 20 second. It is the same 16 "slice" scanner now in use at nearby Gordon Hospital.

One big benefit, says Dr. Ken Davis, Harbin's president, is that "for patients with blood clots, infections and diseases like cancer, early diagnosis with the Aquilion (scanner) can result in faster, more effective diagnosis and treatment."

The device is so fast that it can rotate around the patient's body in half a second. It has a gravitational force equal to four times the force of a Space Shuttle liftoff but, says Harbin's press release, "the only sensation the patient experiences is the ticking of the machine."

Another benefit: it is fast enough to collect images of the body's fastest-moving organs: the heart and lungs.

 ACUTE DIALYSIS SERVICES: Starting Aug. 1, Harbin Clinic will offer acute dialysis service at Cartersville Medical Center and, since June 1, has done so at Redmond Regional Medical Center. (Both CMC and Redmond are owned by HCA). Harbin also plans to begin offering acute dialysis care at Floyd Medical Center starting Oct. 1. Harbin also plans to build a chronic dialysis center in Rome next spring (no other details have been released on site or cost).

 STATE-OF-THE-ART RADIOLOGY SYSTEM: Harbin, Floyd Medical Center and Redmond Regional Medical Center are each installing what they bill as a state-of-the-art radiology system known as Picture Achieving and Communications System (PACS). Each center will be able to view radiology pictures as digital images on high-resolution computer screens rather than film. Some images will appear three-dimensional as well. Rome Radiology Group helped with selecting the system.

One big perk is that physicians will be able to share previous PACS scans. Full implementation of PACS will take several years, medical officials say. Harbin hopes to have it up by the end of this year but it will take additional time to retrofit other equipment. Redmond hopes to have it up within three to six months after budgeting is completed.

 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SPECIALTY: This is Harbin's newest "medical sub-specialty" as they call it. Starting Aug. 2, Harbin will offer neuropsychology, which is a study of brain-behavior relationships. Dr. Kimberly Adams will evaluate patients with "brain injury or dysfunction, such as those with traumatic brain injury, stroke or dementia" to determine their current cognitive skills and then develop a treatment plan.

 NEW DOCTORS: Click HERE for a look at Harbin's new doctors.

WEB SITE AIMS AT MEDICAL RECRUITMENT

The name is a mouthful, www.medicinejobsearch.com, but the company seems intent on cornering health industry employment right here in Rome. And it prescribes "medicine to cure the common career."

Started by Data Maniacs LLC, the emerging dot.com so far is seeking an account executive to basically drum up business.

Think of Medicine Job Search as a Monster.com or Careerbuilder.com or Hotjobs.com in its formative stages. It is part of continuing grab of help wanted advertising, shifting from newsprint and magazines to the online world.

It likewise is a crowded field. Already online: medhunters.com, medsearch.com, medicaljobs.com and medicalworkers.com. But given the demand for personnel in the medical field, there seems to be enough for all.

And medicinejobsearch.com is in the right market for a beta test, given Greater Rome's burgeoning medical community and the growth in surrounding communities such as Calhoun and Cartersville.

A tour of the Web site shows you what's to come. It offers job leads, resume services, help for the job seeker, help for the employer and more. One service in particular is an eye-opener: background checks of would-be employees. Also planned: Something called "Digital Media Classified Video Advertisement" for $250 per shot.

On-site advertising also is offered from the traditional banner ads (see the top of our page for an example) to smaller ads.

Send your medical news by clicking here.