14 Four resident physicians be- gan training at ARH’s internal medicine residency program’s newest location at Highlands Regional Medical Center. Through the program, resi- dents transition from textbook training to hands-on learning as they work in monthly ro- tations, gaining experience in areas such as ICU, emergency room medicine and specialty care. Dr. Mitchell Wicker, who serves as the Designated Institutional Officer for ARH’s Graduate Medical Education Program, said the residency program not only serves as a training ground for young phy- sicians, but also as a recruit- ment tool for ARH. “One of the best ways to re- cruit physicians is to welcome them into your community,” he said. “Each of our ARH hospi- tals is located in small, tightknit communities. We say ARH is family and those aren’t just words. Our program allows res- idents opportunities to learn, grow and thrive as they are welcomed into an organization that cares for and is commit- ted to both its patients and its employees. “It truly is a special place to work.” ARH has graduated three classes of residents since the program was established in Harlan and Whitesburg in 2019. New internal medicine residency location opens Middlesboro ARH Hospital celebrated the opening of its new state-of-the- art Wound Care Center. The center is a partnership between ARH and Healogics. An estimated 6.7 million people in the United States are affected by chronic wounds. That number, fueled by an aging population and medical conditions including obesity and diabetes, is rising. The wound care center, which serves the residents of Bell County and surrounding areas, offers much-needed care as Bell County has the fourth-highest diabetes rate in Kentucky. Candidates for treatment at the center are patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, infections, compromised skin grafts and flaps and wounds. Patients benefit from individualized treatment plans and, when needed, hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Middlesboro ARH Hospital unveils new Wound Care Center WE ARE ALWAYS GROWING With the assistance of $400,000 in funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the ARH Mobile Health Clinic, designed to provide healthcare services to underserved communities in eastern Kentucky, will begin offering services in spring 2025. The mobile clinic will provide essential services, including primary and specialty care, health screenings, vaccinations, physical exams, education, and chronic disease management. By offering these services closer to home, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes and promote well-being for residents who might otherwise struggle to access care. In addition to regular services, the mobile clinic will serve as an essential resource during emergencies, such as floods, tornadoes, or winter storms. Its role in disaster response was demonstrated during the July 2022 floods when a temporary mobile unit delivered critical care to affected areas. Stationed in Floyd County, the mobile clinic will serve Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knox, Leslie, Letcher, Morgan, Perry, and Pike counties. ARH to launch Mobile Health Clinic
