Category: General News

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to announce that Castle Connolly chose Dr. Ali Homayuni, Interventional Cardiologist, as a Top Doctor since 1991.

Castle Connolly’s physician-led team of researchers follow a rigorous screening process to select top doctors on both the national and regional levels. Doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected and profiled as Castle Connolly Top Doctors. Its online nomination process is open to all licensed physicians in America who are able to nominate physicians in any medical specialty and in any part of the country, as well as indicate whether the nominated physician is among the best in their region in their medical specialty or among the best in the nation in their medical specialty. Careful screening of doctors’ educational and professional experience is essential before final selection is made among those physicians most highly regarded by their peers.

Dr. Homayuni completed his medical degree at State University of New York Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and completed his residency at Staten Island University Hospital in Internal Medicine. He continued his education by becoming Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Vascular Medicine/Endovascular Medicine and Echocardiography.

He previously worked as an Interventional Cardiologist with Cardiosolutions in Hazard, KY, and prior to his most recent role worked as the Director of Interventional Cardiology at the Cardiovascular Institute of Mississippi in McComb, MS for ten years.

He was instrumental in the start of the Interventional Cardiology service line at MCCH that began in February 2020 and has since completed over 745 heart caths and 281 interventions. The program currently has a 30 minute door to balloon time.

He is married to his wife, Alexandra, for 37 years and they have four children. During his spare time he enjoys biking, hunting, fishing and working out at the gym.

Dr. Homayuni has joined Murray-Calloway County Hospital and the practice of Murray Cardiology Associates to lead the Murray Heart and Vascular program.  If you have any questions, please contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org.

February is National American Heart Month and Murray-Calloway County Hospital is joining in the national effort to educate communities on the importance of being heart healthy. Heart disease and stroke cause 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, killing approximately one woman every 80 seconds.  Fortunately, we can change that because 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events may be prevented with education and action. Five numbers that all women should know to take control of their heart health are: Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Body Mass Index (BMI). Knowing these numbers can help women and their healthcare provider determine their risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.

During American Heart Month, Murray-Calloway County Hospital is celebrating the two year anniversary of starting the Interventional Cardiology Program.

MCCH cardiologists began providing services at Murray-Calloway County Hospital in the Murray Cardiology practice located in the Medical Arts Building on campus. This has included inpatient care, emergency consults, invasive procedures and outpatient cardiology care.

Dr. Ali Homayuni, one of the interventional cardiologists with the program has over 25 years of experience and has been with MCCH since the program began. Dr. Homayuni completed his medical degree at State University of New York Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, and completed his residency at Staten Island University Hospital in Internal Medicine. He continued his education by becoming Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, Vascular Medicine/Endovascular Medicine and Echocardiography.

Due to the size of Calloway County, people would expect that our hospital would have a low volume of advanced cardiac procedures, however, MCCH experiences many patients who currently are transferred when signs of a cardiac episode happen. The expertise of this physician has led to a specialized heart team to focus on patients in our area. The program has completed 745 Heart Caths since its inception, 281 Interventions, and is currently at 30 minutes door to balloon time when patients enter the Emergency Department.

For more information on the Interventional Cardiology program at MCCH, contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit us online at www.murrayhospital.org.

Pictured: Dr. Homayuni, Interventional Cardiologist, Charlie Barnes, Director of Cardiopulmonary along with team members of the Cath Lab.

Murray Medical Associates and Murray-Calloway County Hospital were the title sponsors for Saturday night’s Racer basketball game against UT Martin.

Providers, staff, and their family members were recognized on the court during the first time-out of the game. Dr. Richard Crouch, Dr. Alison Ford, APRNs, Erica Bazzell, Melissa Johnson, Dana Alexander and Kathy Crawford were among those represented, along with MCCH Chief Operating Officer John Wilson.

The game ball was presented to Dr. Alison Ford  by MSU Director of Athletics, Allen Ward, for her excellent care and outstanding service to the Murray community. During the recognition, MMA staff threw t-shirts into the crowd.

It was great night for a Racer win!

Pictured: Providers and staff of MMA, along with their family members.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital is pleased to welcome Karen Ellis, Community Education Manager for the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit. She will be educating the community and area providers about the GBH program.

Ellis obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Union University in Religion and Sociology. She is currently working on her Master’s in Human Services. She has worked in various healthcare settings including Home Health, Long Term Care, and has 21 years of experience in Hospice.

She is married and the mother of five kids, two grandkids, and five dogs. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, spending time with family, and playing the piano. She is also a VOLS fan.

For more information on the Geriatric Behavioral Health program affiliated with MCCH, please contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org.

Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s Miracle Moments program now has free online childbirth classes for expecting parents that range from labor and delivery to the mother and her postpartum period.

In the first class, new parents will learn about pregnancy when to go to the hospital, the laboring process and more. The second class will teach parents about medical interventions, pain relief options, fetal monitoring, C-sections and more. New parents will explore postpartum and baby safety in the third class. The last class is on how to care for a newborn.

There is a breastfeeding class offered virtual as well. Expectant parents can also schedule a prenatal breastfeeding consult with Victoria Adams, RN, BSN, CLC, Lactation Educator, by calling 270-762-1940.

For more information, contact the Marketing Department at 270.762.1381 or visit www.murrayhospital.org

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.