August 8, 2008

Cain seeking balance in his life

After five years as Director of Radiology/Diagnostic Imaging at Haywood Regional Medical Center, Russell Cain is leaving to begin a new journey.

“The Navajo people were taught to live in harmony with the earth, and all its elements. This is the way to self-discovery, and the way to cope with the stresses of life. According to an old Navajo proverb, ‘Balance between the individual and his total physical and social environment, as well as balance between the supernatural and man…’ is the key to successful living and a healthy lifestyle,“ Cain said.

As an adjunct professor of management and psychology with St. Leo University for 15 years, during his Navy career, he was, and is, an evangelist for dynamic homeostasis or harmony and balance in one’s life.

“Recently, I have come to recognize the truth that the person who is suffering from chronic stress is the last one to know. It is time to regain that balance in my own life,” Cain said.

“No specific event or series of events has led me to decide that I must leave Haywood Regional, but a combination of variables in both my personal and professional life, as well as the recognition, that Imaging Services has reached a point where a different leadership will be more effecting in taking it to the next milestone.

“In my years here we have seen the many advancements and changes. We have renovated the department to improve the environment for both patients and staff, as well as enhanced the work flow process, and have seen the advent of new technology that has kept HRMC on the cutting edge, especially for a community hospital,” Cain said.

Additionally, the physical plant changes have ensured that the department complies with all the various codes and facilities requirements of various regulatory groups, he said.

There also has been the replacement of one MRI system and the addition of a second one, the addition of a 64-slice CT scanner that permits CT scanning of the vessels of the heart, as well as software that reduces the radiation exposure during this scan by as much as 87 percent.

“We have implemented a nationally recognized advanced radiology informatics system (Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS), with voice recognition dictation of reports through the hard work and patience of the radiologists, and the support staff,” Cain said.

The radiology department serves as a clinical site for radiography programs, sonography programs, and specialty programs in CT and MRI from Southwestern Community College, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and South College.

“I am convinced that the future of HRMC is bright, that the hospital will continue to provide exceptional quality care and services, and be a key element of the community,” Cain said.

Cain will continue to teach scuba diving classes at the Haywood Regional Health and Fitness Center, and at the moment is teaching continuing education classes in informatics, as well as a healthcare management class at South College in Asheville.

Those are activities that contribute to the balance he seeks, Cain said.

Richard Egan will be joining HRMC as the new director of radiology, effective Sept. 8. He comes to HRMC from Dublin, Ga., where he is serving as director of radiology at Fairview Park Hospital. He has worked in hospitals from Miami to Chicago and has more than 10 years of leadership experience.

Egan is a graduate of Southern Illinois University and holds master degrees in business and health services administration from the University of St. Francis in Illinois.

He sees HRMC as a great facility to continue the growth of the radiology service line. He was attracted to radiology after breaking his leg at 16 years of age and began to develop his management style and focus based upon his experience. He chose HRMC and Haywood County for its family atmosphere and to be closer to family of his own.

Cain’s final day at HRMC was Aug. 15. Misty Lovin, lead technologist in HRMC’s Cath Lab, has agreed to serve as interim radiology director until Egan begins at HRMC on Sept. 8.

Cain will continue to teach scuba diving at classes offered at Haywood Regional Health & Fitness Center. That is one hobby, he said, which helps him unwind and find the balance in his life he is seeking.