News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Pardee's top teammate, pumpkin patch, Full Tum Dry Bum grant

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 22, 2026

Pardee's Teammate of the Year 'elevates everyone around her'

Marilyn O’Malley, a registered nurse working in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit at Pardee Hospital, was honored as Teammate of the Year for 2025 at the annual Teammate Service Appreciation and Recognition Banquet on Sept. 22, UNC Health Pardee announced on Wednesday. 

O’Malley has been with UNC Health Pardee for 21 years working as a registered nurse in the ICU before joining the PACU team in 2020. As a specialized post-anesthesia nurse, she provides care directly after surgery, providing continuous assessment, monitoring, intervention, and evaluation of patients recovering from anesthesia and procedural sedation. She is able to manage post-anesthesia complications and provide interventions to guide patients safely through the phases of anesthesia recovery. 

“Being recognized for what I love is truly a blessing,” she said. “Throughout my career, I’ve been inspired by incredible colleagues and privileged to care for patients of all ages. I hope I’ve made a positive impact on their lives as they have on mine. Nursing is my passion, and I believe the human touch is a powerful healer. I’m able to provide compassionate care to patients, families, and teammates. Bringing joy, support, and encouragement to others is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.” 

Jennifer White, the perianesthesia director in surgical services, praised O’Malley’s value to the medical team and patients they care for.

“Marilyn is more than a skilled clinician; she elevates everyone around her,” she said. “She is deeply committed to caring for others and always ready to help, anticipating the needs of both patients and colleagues.

“Her impact extends beyond the bedside. By celebrating milestones and bringing staff together, she fosters a positive, family-like culture where people feel valued and supported. Most importantly, Marilyn never loses sight of our patients. She delivers high-quality, evidence-based care, champions patient safety, shares her expertise, and leads by example.”

Church pumpkin patch supports youth programs

Hendersonville Presbyterian Church is offering a pumpkin patch on the church’s lawn in October to support the its youth programs.

The pumpkin patch through Nov. 1 will have a variety of pumpkins and gourds in various sizes available for purchase. The pumpkin patch will also include games, picture-taking opportunities and children’s activities as well as a trunk-or-treat and food trucks at certain times during the two-week fundraising event.
The pumpkin patch will be open on the church lawn, 699 N. Grove St., 11 a.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-7 p.m. on Sundays.
Special events during the pumpkin patch include a free community cookout 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, a food truck and face painting 11 a.m..-1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, a trunk-r-treat 6-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and fun activities all day with candy on Halloween.
All proceeds from the pumpkin patch will go to the church’s children’s and youth programs including mission trips and the church’s Creative Beginnings Chrisian Preschool.

14th Turkey Trot set for Thanksgiving Day

The 14th Annual Hendersonville Turkey Trot will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, in front of City Hall, the Hope Coalition announced.

The event has become a Thanksgiving morning tradition that brings families, friends, and runners together to support an important cause: helping individuals and families in our community through prevention, recovery, and youth-focused programs. To register for the Turkey Trot, go to elementsofhope.org.

One of Hope Coalition’s largest annual fundraisers, the Turkey Trot raises critical funds to support the organization’s Recovery Community Center and Youth Connection Center. Last year, approximately 1,700 runners and walkers participated in the event.

Full Tum, Dry Bum program wins grant

Families in Henderson County will receive a little extra support thanks to a $6,000 grant from WNC Bridge Foundation to Children & Family Resource Center.

The grant will support the family agency’s Full Tum, Dry Bum Diaper and Formula Bank, which provides diapers and infant formula to local families who are struggling to afford these essential items. The $6,000 grant will specifically help CFRC purchase infant formula for the program.

“Diapers and formula are not optional expenses for families with babies, but for many parents, the cost can be overwhelming,” said Emily Balcken, executive director of the Children & Family Resource Center. “We are so grateful to WNC Bridge Foundation for helping us make sure families don’t have to choose between feeding their babies, buying diapers, and paying for other basic household needs.”

Full Tum, Dry Bum currently serves more than 350 families each month. The program helps ease the financial pressure families face while making sure babies have access to the basic supplies they need to be healthy and cared for.

WNC Bridge Foundation is a community-based charitable organization serving 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary across Western North Carolina by expanding access and equity for vulnerable populations and supporting local organizations that address health and community needs.