Mimosa Hills Event, CHSBR-UnitedHealthcare,

News, Information, Opportunities & Benefits

April 20, 2015

Four Lawmakers to Speak at Legislative Breakfast on Friday

Three state representatives and one state senator will share their perspectives on the current session of the NC General Assembly this Friday morning at the Burke Chamber's Annual Legislative Breakfast. Tickets to the event are $20 and are expected to sell-out by Wednesday. They may be purchased by calling the Chamber (437-3021) or by going on-line here.

Senator Warren Daniel and Representatives Hugh Blackwell, Mike Hager and Josh Dobson will each speak, followed by a question and answer session to close the meeting. Sponsored by Duke Energy and hosted by Grace Ridge Retirement Community, the program will run from 8-9 a.m. in the Ervin Community Room. A hot breakfast buffet will open at 7:30 a.m. to give attendees an opportunity to network before the program and be in place when the program begins. Parking will be available at Grace Ridge and across the street at Kirksey's Funeral Home. Please do not park in spaces reserved at Grace Ridge for its residents.

Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge and UnitedHealthcare

Renew Network Relationship

Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge and UnitedHealthcare have renewed

their network relationship, once again giving people enrolled in UnitedHealthcare individual, employer-sponsored and Medicare Advantage plans in-network access. Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge and UnitedHealthcare agreed to make the agreement retroactive to March 1, 2015, ensuring that UnitedHealthcare plan participants do not experience any interruption in their in-network benefits coverage for

services received at Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge facilities and physicians.

"UnitedHealthcare plan participants will continue to have in-network access to our quality physicians and services, and our care providers' focus remains on delivering the best care for our patients,"said Kathy Bailey, CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge.

"Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge is an important provider of health care services across Burke, McDowell and Caldwell counties and this renewed network relationship lays the foundation for future collaboration on health issues that matter to our plan participants," said Garland Scott, CEO, UnitedHealthcare of the Carolinas. "Our continued work together gives individuals and families local access to critical health services."

UnitedHealthcare serves more than 1 million people in North Carolina enrolled in individual, employer-sponsored and Medicare health plans. In 2014, Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge provided services through more than 372,000 patient visits.

Mimosa Hills Unveils New Bar & Grill

For those who had not seen the new bar and grill at Mimosa Hills, the ribbon cutting on April 9 left many speechless.

(L-R) Jim Best, Immediate Past Chairman of the Mimosa Hills Board of Governors, Chris Bergilen, who designed the new bar; and current Board Chairman Chuck Ohrt team up at this month's ribbon cutting.

Designed by Chris Bergelin and crafted by Mark Bennett, the new bar is the centerpiece of a renovated foyer that has transformed the former space into a fresh, modern, classy and welcoming area for members, their families and guests. The new bar boasts new resort-style tables and chairs, a fresh new color scheme and an outstanding selection of libations, including mixed drinks, fine wines and handcrafted beers.

The foyer leads directly to the recently refreshed restaurant that touts not only its own new look but also new menu items.

Board of Governors Chairman Chuck Ohrt took time from the festivities to say a special thank you to current and former members of Mimosa Hills whose financial support made the upgrades possible.

Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 am - 8 pm and Sunday from 12 noon until 6 pm.

Morganton Farmers Market Opens New Season

Sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance, the Morganton Farmers Markets will open for the season in the coming weeks. Once again they will offer vendor grown or produced fresh baked goods, vegetables and fruit, handmade crafts such as candles and soaps, organic produce, eggs, jams & jellies, fresh cut flower arrangements, herb plants, and fresh meats. The main market -- located on South Green Street behind Maria's Pizza and More Lace Boutique -- will open on Saturday, April 25, from 8 am-noon. The Wednesday Mini Market at 111 North Green Street will open on May 6 and operate from 2- 6 pm. For more information call 828-438-5252 or visit www.downtownmorganton.com.

Still Don't Have Your New Chamber Plaque?

Your 2015 Burke Chamber membership plaque is here and waiting for you at the Chamber offices (110 East Meeting St. across from the Historic Burke County Courthouse).

Be sure to also pick up copies of the 2015 Chamber magazine and directory. It's great for recruiting, for visitors and for people relocating to our beautiful county.

If you can't come by, let us know. We'll do our best to deliver them to you.

Growing Business. Building Community.

Hallmark Family Physicians Joins CHS Blue Ridge

Starting this week, a Cajah's Mountain medical practice has joined Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge.

Hallmark Family Physicians' office location will remain the same, but effective

Marc F. Guerra, M.D.

April 18, the practice name changed to Cajah's Mountain Medical Associates.

"Our partnership with Carolinas HealthCare System Blue Ridge will allow us to continue providing the high quality care and service our patients have come to expect from us, while improving their access to the most current, cutting-edge therapies and treatment, backed by the research excellence of the largest healthcare system in the Carolinas," said Marc F. Guerra, MD, leading physician at Hallmark Family Physicians.

"While our name is changing, our focus on our patients and their wellness will remain the same," said Dr. Guerra.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 828-757-5900.

Current Hallmark Family Physician patients may continue care with their current providers. Providers at the practice include:

Marc F. Guerra, MD. Dr. Guerra completed his medical degree at State University of New York and his residency at UNC Chapel Hill Family Medicine. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Practice.
Gary T. Benitez, MD. Dr. Benitez completed his medical degree at University of Santo Tomas and his residency at Indiana University Medical Education. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Practice.
Marc P. Guerra, MD. Dr. Guerra completed his medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and his residency at CMC-Union Family Medicine. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Practice.
Jill N. Konkol, MD. Dr. Konkol completed her medical degree at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and her residency at Moses Cone Family Medicine. She is board certified with the American Board of Family Practice.
Valeria L. Andrews, FNP-BC. Valeria completed her graduate degree at University of NC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill. She is board certified the American Board of Family Practice.
Janis H. Rowe, FNP. Janis completed her education at Carolinas Medical Center - NorthEast.

National Main Street Program Accredits Morganton

Congratulations to the City of Morganton Main Street Department on its accreditation by the National Main Street Program for meeting its commercial district revitalization performance standards. Each year, the National Main Street Center and its partners announce the list of accredited Main Street® programs in recognition of their exemplary commitment to historic preservation and community revitalization through the Main Street Four Point Approach®.

Morganton was designated as an N.C. Main Street Community in 1982, and during the last 30-plus years, the program has generated more than $60 million dollars of public and private investment into downtown.

"We have accomplished some really progressive and innovative things to improve downtown Morganton," said. "It really takes a team effort from a lot of committed people in the private and public sector to build a community like ours, and Morganton has been blessed with those kinds of people."

Established by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980, the National Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their older and historic commercial districts. Working in more than 2,000 downtowns and urban neighborhoods over the last 35 years, the Main Street program has leveraged more than $61.7 billion in new public and private investment. Participating communities have created 528,557 net new jobs and 120,510 net new businesses, and rehabilitated more than 251,838 buildings, leveraging an average of $26.52 in new investment for every dollar spent on their Main Street district revitalization efforts.

Bayada to Host Free Seminar and Dinner on Home Care and Elder Law Next Week

Bayada Home Healthcare will offer a free seminar next Tuesday, April 28 on tailored home health care services, coverage for these services and ways to protect your or your parents assets. The event will be held from 6 - 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church in Morganton, located at 502 West Union St. Dinner will be served. Speakers will be elder law attorney Greg McIntyre and home care expert TomMinowicz. To register for the, click here.