Smoky Mountain News

MinuteClinic has opened a new walk-in clinic in Waynesville inside the CVS/pharmacy store on Russ Avenue. Nurse practitioners can diagnose and write prescriptions for common family illnesses such as strep throat and ear, eye, sinus, bladder and bronchial infections. No appointments required, and most health insurance is accepted. The cost for most treatment starts at $79. Pricing available at www.minuteclinic.com.

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Sharron Donnahoe, director of Haywood Community College’s Small Business Center, was named the N.C. Microenterprise Loan Program’s Outstanding Service Provider of the Year for her work to encourage self-employment and small business development by combining loans with business planning and technical assistance.

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MedWest-Harris and MedWest-Swain have partnered with the Good Samaritan Clinic of Jackson County to garner a $75,000 grant from the N.C. Office of Rural Health and Community Care to support the community’s newly merged Medication Assistance Program. The hospitals and the nonprofit clinic have joined forces to help uninsured, low-income individuals obtain the medications they need and otherwise could not get.

For the ninth year in a row, Angel Medical Center’s Auxiliary has received the 5-Star Award, which is the highest level of recognition from the North Carolina Hospital Volunteers. The hospital has about 160 volunteers who have donated more than 36,000 hours during the past year, an economic benefit in excess of $360,000. 828.349.6688.  

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Paula’s Pet Paradise in Franklin recently completed a state-of-the-art grooming and boarding facility complete with custom built guest rooms, fun play areas and everything the pet owner could want for their pet’s comfort while they went away on vacation. 828.349.1900.

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U.S. Cellular opened a new store at 225 Town Center Loop in Waynesville. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. 828.452.3739.

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Family physician and Haywood County native Rhianna Kirkpatrick Ritter has joined Midway Medical Center in Clyde. Services offered include newborn hospital care, pediatric check-ups, immunizations, physicals, women’s health visits and contraception management. 828.627.2211

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Pediatrician Tyler Bagley Vereen has joined Haywood Pediatrics; full-service pediatric practice in Clyde and Canton that serves children and adolescents from birth to 21 years of age. Vereen is a board-certified general pediatrician who said she enjoys working with breastfeeding mothers and has a special interest in treating kidney diseases. 828.452.2211.