DCS Commissioner Resigns Amid Scrutiny of Deaths

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services has resigned amid scrutiny of how her agency was handling cases of children who died after investigations of abuse and neglect.

     Gov. Bill Haslam announced in a news release Tuesday that Kate O'Day had decided to resign because of concerns that she had become the focus of attention rather than the children the agency is meant to serve.

     The Republican governor last week defended O'Day's leadership, even after the agency told a federal judge it couldn't say with any certainty how many children died while in its custody.

     DCS had been sued by The Tennessean, The Associated Press and 10 other news organizations to obtain case records of 150 children who died after the state launched abuse or neglect investigations.

"Babies Go Red" at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital

Jackson, Tennessee-(February 1, 2013) To raise awareness about heart disease, all newborns at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital are wearing red caps during the month of February. The red caps are in honor of the American Heart Association’s National Go Red Campaign, which heightens the awareness of heart disease.

During the month of February, not only will red caps be given to all newborns, all patients on the mother/baby unit and third floor women’s surgery will receive goody bags including information on heart disease. 

The red caps for babies activity is a first for Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and is designed toremind women to take care of their hearts. Heart disease is the #1 killer of women, taking the life of one in three women each year. 

“These babies will have someone in their lives affected by heart disease, and if the red caps bring attention, that is bringing awareness, and that hopefully will bring a positive change in one’s life,” said Judy Arrington, R.N., Community Educator with the West Tennessee Women’s Center.

Sponsors for this awareness activity are West Tennessee Heart and Vascular Center and West Tennessee Women’s Center, both are centers of excellence at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. 

The red caps are donated by the Volunteer Auxiliary at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

IHOP to Offer Free Pancakes to Guests on February 5

PRESS RELEASE Glendale, Calif. – (November 28, 2012) - Batter up, breakfast lovers! IHOP®, one of America’s most popular family-friendly restaurants, known for “everything you love about breakfast,” will once again invite guests to enjoy free pancakes during National Pancake Day on February 5, 2013, while celebrating Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ 30th Anniversary. On this day, the restaurant chain hopes to raise $3 million as the first national fundraising campaign to kick off the 2013 fundraising year for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

During National Pancake Day, the company’s largest philanthropic event of the year, more than 1,500 IHOP restaurants across the country will invite guests to enjoy a complimentary stack of IHOP’s signature delicious buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Guests will be encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital or other local charities. One hundred percent of the donations will help local charities provide vital equipment, life-saving procedures and critical care for sick and injured children.

This will mark the eighth year that IHOP has held National Pancake Day, which to date has raised more than $10 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. In 2012 alone, IHOP raised more than $3 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other charities.

“Millions of free pancakes served on National Pancake Day mean millions of miracles for those in need,” said Julia Stewart, Interim President, IHOP and CEO of the parent company, DineEquity, Inc. “The concept is simple, but our mission is ambitious; to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. For the past eight years, it has been a pleasure and a privilege for all of us at IHOP to participate in this worthy event, and each year our guests have proved to be incredibly generous, helping us not only reach but surpass our goal. We look forward to continuing that trend this year as we plan to once again flip and serve about 4 million free pancakes for charity.”

Guests visiting participating IHOP restaurants in support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals will also have the option to purchase “Miracle Balloons” for $1 and $5 each, throughout the month of January leading into National Pancake Day, with all proceeds going to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Participating restaurants will display the balloons in celebration of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ 30-year anniversary. Those who buy a $5 Miracle Balloon will receive a $5 off discount that can be credited toward their next visit.

For more information on National Pancake Day, or to learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and make an online donation, visit www.ihoppancakeday.com.

Home-Schooled Student Earns 39 Hours College Credit in Jackson State’s Dual Enrollment Program

Three Way native and soon to be high school graduate, Abbie Parrish, will finish her academic journey through high school in May 2013 having earned 39 college credit hours through Jackson State Community College’s Dual Enrollment program.

The Dual Enrollment program allows students to earn college credits that count toward both a college degree and their high school diploma.

The home-schooled Parish began Dual Enrollment classes at Jackson State during the fall semester of her junior year in high school.

When reflecting on what made her interested in Dual Enrollment, she responded, “There were several things that I found interesting about being under a Dual Enrollment program. The biggest influence was the advantage of being able to complete high school with a sense of what college work would require. I am definitely the kind of person who likes to know what will be expected of me. I also was interested in the fact I would have the opportunity to get some of my college general education completed before I actually graduated high school. I wanted to become comfortable with the expectations of what college would require with the advantage of not having to carry a full load.”

Parrish commented about the most challenging aspect of participating in the Dual Enrollment program. “I can honestly say that simply getting used to the structure of college classes and workloads has been an important but challenging aspect to handle, especially when I first started taking classes. I was very stressed my first semester as I was not well-prepared for the amount of work and time I would spend studying.”

When commenting on the most rewarding aspect of being involved in the program, Parrish said, “The sheer experience has definitely been the most rewarding part of my Dual Enrollment at JSCC. Becoming familiar with how college professors taught their classes and how they tested has made me a more confident exam taker. Academically, a rewarding aspect has been developing more routine study habits and a better work ethic while benefitting from a smaller course load. I recognized that I wasted tons of time stressing out during my first semester and I told myself I would create better, more focused study habits I have found what works well for me when I study. Although I consider it being in a state of constant refinement, I know I have a solid base for some sturdy study techniques.”

I would tell other high school students, “Do it! Even if it’s only a course or two, it’s worth your time. It’s an awesome feeling when you are working hard and doing well in class. If you aren’t doing as well as you would have liked, it’s a great time to tweak your study habits for more desired results. Get to know your professors and if you have questions, ask them. Professors will appreciate your active engagement; do not be afraid to talk with them.”

When asked if she would recommend other high school students participate in the Dual Enrollment program at Jackson State, she said, “I most definitely would. It is cost effective if you know you want to get some serious hours in before your high school graduation and it is great way to get an idea of what you can expect when you enter college full time.”

When Parrish was asked if she was glad she did it, she said, “YES! I have completed a year of college and have gained confidence in my ability to learn and handle the college workload. Although it was stressful at times and I didn’t always enjoy the actual classwork, it was well worth the time spent in the classroom. I have the experience of sitting in college lectures and taking college level tests. I finished high school with a strong sense of accomplishment and a head start in college.”

“I have enjoyed learning and gaining experience from both an academic and personal stand point. I loved the small class sizes and interactions I had with my classmates and professors,” she explained.

“My favorite class was Lab for Anatomy and Physiology. I loved being able study with the advantage of being able to hold and touch some of the things I learned about in lectures. I thoroughly enjoyed the practical aspect of the course,” said Parrish.

Parrish plans to attend college the fall semester after her high school graduation, but has not decided on an institution of higher learning yet. “I know I want to do something in health science, but am undecided in what specific area.” She is not exactly sure what she wants to do for a career, but her current plan is to either major in nursing or in biology with the hopes of going to graduate school under a Physical Therapy program.

“I didn’t do this on my own. I had a great support system, including my professors here at Jackson State,” she said grinning. Jackson State is proud to call Ms. Abbie Parrish one of its own.

For more information about the Dual Enrollment program, by calling 731-425-2601 or by visiting http://www.jscc.edu/dual-studies-enrollment/.