Hospice names Persinger volunteer coordinator

HUNTINGTON -- Martha Persinger of Barbourville recently joined Hospice of Huntington Inc. as volunteer coordinator. Persinger is responsible for the supervision of the patient care volunteers and assists in strategic planning and continuing education for the hospice volunteer staff.

She was named Patient Care Volunteer of the Year for the nonprofit agency in 2006. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and student counseling.

Gundumalla joins Holzer Clinic practice

Gopi K. Gundumalla, M.D. has joined Holzer Clinic's multi-specialty group practice. Gundumalla is a nephrologist, specialty trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney diseases, kidney transplantation and dialysis therapy. He treats many different kidney disorders including acid-base disorders, electrolyte disorders, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), hypertension (high blood pressure), acute kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. He is now seeing patients at Holzer Clinic Gallipolis, Holzer Clinic Jackson and Holzer Clinic Athens.

Gundumalla received his medical degree from the Andhra Medical College in Andhra Pradesh, India. He completed his internship, residency and fellowship at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, NY.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Gundumalla in Gallipolis at 740-446-5411 or visit www.holzerclinic.com.

Holzer Clinic is a multiple discipline health care system of over 140 board certified physicians providing care in more than 30 areas of expertise. It has 10 locations throughout southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia.

Melissa Shull honored at Midland Meadows

ONA -- Melissa Shull is the Employee of the Quarter at Midland Meadows Senior Living.

Shull has been at Midland Meadows for two years and works as a nursing assistant. Shull was trained in Medical Assisting from the Cabell County Career Technology Center.

A Putnam County native, she is married to Brian Shull, and they live in Cabell County with their son, Brandon.

Yost wins Prestera Award of Excellence

HUNTINGTON -- Prestera Center for Mental Health Services has selected Karen Yost as the 2010 recipient of the Michael Prestera Award of Excellence.

The award recognizes individuals whose contributions have resulted in improvements in mental health and/or substance abuse in Cabell, Mason, Lincoln, Wayne, Kanawha, Clay, Boone or Putnam counties.

Yost, the director of Clinical Services at River Park Hospital, has worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for more than 30 years. She has advocated for patients and worked on statewide committees to improve the delivery and availability of mental health and substance abuse services to the people of West Virginia. She also has taught at Marshall University and conducted statewide training on mental health and substance abuse. Yost was nominated by her colleagues at River Park Hospital, Lisa Kaplan and Terry Stephens.

She'll be honored at the Prestera Center Annual Board of Directors meeting to be held on March 25, as well as at Prestera Foundation's A Magical Evening Benefit the following Saturday evening.

Cabell names Randolph director of medical records

HUNTINGTON -- Brett Randolph, RHIT, CCS, has been named director of Health Information Management (Medical Records) at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Randolph has been the Coding Compliance manager at the hospital since March 2008. He earned his associate of applied science degree in health information technology from Marshall University.

Prior to coming to Cabell Huntington Hospital, Randolph was the director of Health Information Management at Raleigh General Hospital and Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. Additionally, he worked for Health Information Associates and provided consulting services to many hospitals for Health Information Management services.

Shattls at Valley Health honored at ceremony

Valley Health Chief Executive Officer Steve Shattls has been recognized as one of the National Association of Community Health Centers' 2010 Betsey K. Cooke Advocacy MVPs.

Shattls was honored at the NACHC award ceremony Feb. 25, for his commitment toward health center advocacy throughout 2009. Having worked for more than 30 years, he has helped Valley Health grow to reach more than 68,000 patients each year.

The NACHC looks to Shattls for input on national health care policy. He is chair of the public policy and government relations committee for the Primary Care Association. Each year the NACHC recognizes recipients who exemplify extraordinary achievement in promoting community health centers in Congress.

"Community health centers have initiated numerous great changes within the health care industry since their establishment, and I feel extremely grateful to have the opportunity to act as a voice for a cause that helps so many throughout our area as well as the rest of the nation," Shattls said.

The NACHC works with organizations like Valley Health to combat the lack of affordable, quality health care, particularly in underserved areas of the country. For more information about Valley Health's community health centers or the services offered, call 304-525-3334 or visit www.valleyhealth.org.

Patrick promoted at King's Daughters Medical Center

ASHLAND, Ky. -- Stacy Patrick, R.N., has been promoted to vice president of heart and vascular services at King's Daughters Medical Center. Previously, she served as director of heart and vascular services for KDMC.

In her new role, Patrick will be responsible for the day-to-day operations, business development, patient satisfaction and quality for the Heart and Vascular Center.

Patrick has served in various roles at King's Daughters throughout her 11-year career, including staff nurse on the Surgical Orthopedics Unit, charge nurse on the Heart and Vascular Surgery Unit, and manager of the Chest Pain Unit.

Patrick earned her associate's degree in nursing from Ashland Community and Technical College. She earned her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix (2006). In December 2009, she completed her master of science in nursing and master of business administration degrees, also through the University of Phoenix.

A Raceland native, she and her husband Steve have two children, Dylan, 13, and Camryn, 7.

Akers joins as new loan specialist at Peoples Bank

HUNTINGTON -- Rhonda Akers has joined the Home Loan Specialist team at Peoples Bank. She most recently served as office manager of Peoples Bank's Ashland location.

Akers' responsibilities include originating real estate loans and home equity loans for Peoples Bank's Huntington and Kentucky market areas.

She has 17 years of financial services experience. She received with a bachelor's degree from Concord University in business management and is an active member of the Ashland Alliance. Akers resides in Proctorville, Ohio.

Clients interested in more information on home lending products and services may contact her at the Huntington 5th Avenue office by calling 304-528-2472. Peoples also has offices located at 1126 20th St. in Huntington and 1999 Winchester Ave. in Ashland.

Learn more about Peoples at www.peoplesbancorp.com.

Reed takes administrative position with WVDNR

Bradley R. Reed Sr. has accepted an administrative position with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The Huntington native is now the District 2 administrator.

Reed began working for West Virginia state parks in 1986 as a summer naturalist at Beech Fork State Park. Since then, he has been either superintendent or assistant superintendent of Tu-Endie-Wei, Babcock, Canaan Valley, and Cacapon state parks. A 1988 graduate of Marshall University with a Parks Management degree, he credits former West Virginia State Park Superintendent Steve Bolar, when working at Canaan Valley, as being his inspiration and role model in the park system.

Reed's district includes 17 areas.

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