CVMC Encourages “Getting Your Affairs In Order” at Wednesday, April 16 Education Sessions April 8, 2008 History will be made April 16, 2008. More than 65 of the most prominent national healthcare, religious and legal associations and organizations as well as countless local and state organizations like Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) will participate in the inaugural National Healthcare Decisions Day. At every level, the goal of this nationwide initiative is to ensure that all adults with decision-making capacity in America have both the information and the opportunity to communicate and document their future healthcare decisions. “With healthcare, your decisions matter,” said Mary McDaniels, RN, MNA, and CVMC chair for National Healthcare Decisions Day. “However, others need to know your wishes to honor them. There are no wrong answers when thinking about healthcare choices and completing an advance directive indicating your end-of-life wishes.” In support of this recognition day, CVMC is offering a free education session offered twice on Wednesday, April 16 at CVMC’s Health First Center in Valley Hills Mall. The sessions—one at 9 a.m. and a repeat session at 3 p.m.—will be lead by Susan Knowles, RN, BSN, to help the public learn how to make end-of-life wishes known. A notary will also be on hand at each program. Preregistration is required by calling 828/485-2300. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system in Hickory, NC providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.