Recent Posts in General Health

CVMC Receives the 2023 Women's Choice Award® as one of America's Best Hospitals for Stroke Care

May is celebrated as Stroke Awareness Month! Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Stroke Care by the Women’s Choice Award ®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that CVMC is in the top seven percent of 4,729 U.S. hospitals offering stroke care services. According to the American ...

The Risk Factors and Signs of Colorectal Cancer

In March, we recognize Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women, and it's the second most common cause of cancer deaths when numbers for men and women are combined. It's expected to cause about 52,550 deaths during 2023. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is ...

Setting Goals for 2023

A new year is ushered in with a variety of emotions that often lead to innovative ideas and resolutions. Some commit to more exercise. Some commit to paying off debt. Some commit to weight loss. Having goals for things we want to do and working towards them is an important part of living. It gives us a sense of meaning and purpose and that we are making progress. Although, many of these ...

The Importance of Lung Cancer Screening

By Matthew Fowler, DO, PhD Catawba Valley Pulmonology Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in adults. The American Cancer Society estimates over 234,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed each year with 154,000 lung cancer-associated deaths in the United States. While prevention remains the most effective strategy for reducing lung cancer-related deaths in the long ...

Cancer Tied to HPV on the Rise

Dr. Adam Zanation of Carolina Ear, Nose and Throat and Sinus Center is an active member of the medical staff at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Head and Neck cancer is defined as a set of malignancies that occur anywhere from the nose to the mouth/tongue, the throat, or the voice box (larynx). While many different types of cancer can occur in these areas, squamous cell carcinoma is by far the most ...

Grocery Store Tour

Do you struggle with making healthy selections at the grocery store? Catawba Valley Medical Center Wellness Dietitian, Renee Greene, RD, LDN, is here to help! Check out our guided grocery store tour for tips and tricks on how to create your shopping list, the best items to buy, and ways to save on your shopping bill. Eating diverse and well-balanced meals is one of the best ways to develop and ...

All You Need Is Puppy Love

CVMC Therapy Pets Provide Comfort for Patients HICKORY, N.C. - Throughout the halls of Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC), you’ll find nurses, doctors, staff members, and patients. Occasionally, you’ll even find a four-legged friend. After a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pet therapy program at CVMC is back in operation. One of the pets that frequents the hospital ...

Twelve Consecutive 'A' Grades for Patient Safety

Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) has received an ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for Spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes CVMC’s achievements in protecting patients from preventable harm and error in the hospital, as well as meeting the highest safety standards in the United States. This marks the twelfth consecutive ‘A’ grade for safety that CVMC ...

Attention Patients who have a Philips Brand CPAP or BiLevel PAP

The Philips company has issued a recall notification for specific affected Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiLevel PAP) devices, and Mechanical Ventilators. Catawba Valley Health System has been made aware of a recall of specific affected Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiLevel PAP) devices, and Mechanical ...

Be Prepared for Allergy Season

Y ou can feel it in the air as the seasons are beginning to change. Spring is coming and everyone seems ready for warmer weather. Well, everyone except for allergy sufferers – and for good reason. “Unfortunately, as the temperature outside begins to rise, so does the pollen and mold count,” explains Paige Parker, DO, of Catawba Valley Family Medicine – Viewmont. ...