Gayle Cook has accepted the position of volunteer coordinator, overseeing 200 active volunteers at St. Lukes Hospital, replacing Connie Kuykendall, who has moved into a new position in human resources created to improve the coordination of benefits for hospital staff.

Cook has been a volunteer for more than two years and currently serves as the membership chair of the St. Luke’s Auxiliary and as Thursday day chair at the Thrift Shop. In a short time as volunteer, Cook has worked more than 2,500 hours and has contributed greatly by creating an Excel spreadsheet for tracking volunteer hours.

This is a part-time position, approximately 20 hours per week, and Cook plans to adjust the days worked each week based on various activities and needs of the department. Her schedule will be posted each week in the volunteer workroom. The phone number for the volunteer department will remain the same at 828-894-0895.

Im thrilled to have this opportunity at St. Lukes and in my community. I look forward to representing such dedicated volunteers and to continue the positive growth Connie brought to our group, Cook said.

The transition has been seamless, says Jean Shumway, auxiliary president. Connie has been a wonderful volunteer coordinator and will definitely be missed. We welcome the change and are happy to have Gayle on board.

Kuykendall, who held the volunteer coordinator position for four years, will now have the opportunity to utilize her skills and training in human resources while addressing a need identified in the recent St. Lukes employee satisfaction survey. Kuykendall will take on the challenge of coordinating employee benefits and will continue in the role of Workmans Compensation coordinator, EEOC and safety committee secretary. She also continues to oversee new employee orientation and annual-in-service education requirements. &bsp;

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The Hay Rack on 9 has joined Southern States as an independent dealer in Columbus.

As a Southern States dealer, the Hay Rack on 9 is carrying Southern States feed including the Legends and Triple Crown brands, animal health supplies, seed, fertilizer, pet and farm supplies.

The Hay Rack on 9 is located at 6331 Highway 9 South, Columbus. This location is owned by Gwen Shepherd and the manager is Kelley Thomson. Their hours of operation are Monday Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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Jim Nagi has assumed interim part-time administrative duties at the nonprofit Polk County Community Health and Wellness Center (PWC).

In his nearly 30-year career as a licensed clinical social worker, Nagi has served the mental health care community as an executive director, clinical director and therapist. In addition to his new duties, he will continue to see clients at the PWC Monday through Friday.

The PWC is an integrated healthcare facility that accepts uninsured clients or those with no ability to pay, as well as clients with private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. The center is located at 801 W. Mills St., Columbus.

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Carolina Spruce-Ups has opened for business.

R. Mark Steinman, owner, offers services for home owners, businesses and automobile detailing, including painting, pressure washing, window cleaning, groundskeeping, landscaping, patio and deck restoration, wood and concrete staining, garage and barn cleaning and trash and junk removal. For more information, call 817-1529.

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George P. Zimonyi, kinesiology practitioner, has opened the Holistic Health Care Center at 125 Main St., Forest City.

The center offers monthly lectures on subjects such as meditation, yoga and relaxation techniques.

The center also offers products such as Himalayan Crystal Salt and natural body lotions.

For more information, call 828-305-8211.

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Greg Hays of Tryon has started a new business to offer security for homeowners away from their properties.

Carolina Peace of Mind offers regular security checks, frequent site walk-around inspections, and will take digital photos of entry points and email a report noting any issues needing attention.

We can work with you to meet service appointments with vendors such as cable TV or service workers, Hays said. We can set A/C or heat or air at your retreat prior to your arrival, or run vehicles or equipment on a scheduled basis. For more information, call 828-980-8018.

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Stephen Cefalu, MSW, LCSW, has joined St. Lukes Hospital in the geriatric psychiatry unit. Cefalu is has worked on-call for St. Lukes over the years.

I was thrilled to accept this position at St. Lukes, says Cefalu. I like the face to face contact with patients and families and getting to know their story. Its an amazing feeling to be able to work with such a great team and be able to make a difference in peoples lives.

Cefalus responsibilities include daily patient evaluations, memory testing, gathering the psychosocial information from patients and families that can aid in treatment, counseling and educating patients and families.

A native of New Jersey, Cefalu received his masters degree in social work, completing his undergraduate work at Davidson College and his graduate studies at Washington University. He has worked in a variety of mental health settings.

Cefalu moved to Flat Rock with his wife, Leila, an Asheville native, after graduation. They have an 11-month-old daughter, Maggie.

The St. Lukes Hospital Geriatric Psychiatry Unit is a 10-bed, inpatient facility serving adults age 55 and over. The Unit specializes in the diagnoses and treatment of diseases such as depression, anxiety and panic disorders, Alzheimers Disease and other dementias, Parkinsons, psychosis, bipolar and mood disorders and Schizophrenia. Staff is available for free in-home assessments to determine the appropriate level of care.

For more information about the St. Lukes Hospital Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, please call 894-3525 ext. 3333.

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Chris Rejowski has joined the staff of Rosenberg Bone and Joint. Rejowski is a physician assistant who provides back up support in the busy orthopaedic office and assists in surgery.

A physician assistant provides diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services, as delegated by a physician. Working as members of a healthcare team, PAs take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and x rays, and make diagnoses.

PAs also treat minor injuries by suturing, splinting, and casting. PAs record progress notes, instruct and counsel patients, order or carry out therapy, and may also prescribe medications.

Rejowksi brings five years of experience in emergency medicine as a PA and before that as a paramedic. He practiced with Piedmont Emergency Medical Associates of Charlotte from 2008-2010. Prior to that, Rejowski worked in Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, N.Y., in the Department of Emergency Medicine upon graduating from Stony Brook University (SUNY) in 2005. He graduated in May 2010 from the Post-Professional Masters Physician Assistant Program from SUNY as well.

Rejowski has served as a paramedic and volunteer firefighter since he was 18 years of age. Additional professional experience includes: clinical instructor of Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support for the American Heart Association; part-time clinical lab instructor through the SUNY Stony Brook Paramedic Program; EMS coordinator; and a New York City Paramedic.

Among numerous awards, membership and certifications, Rejowski was awarded the Outstanding Physician of the Year in 2006 at Queens Hospital Center, Emergency Medicine.

A native of Long Island, NY, Chris and his wife, Katherine, live in her hometown of Rutherfordton.

Rosenberg Bone and Joint is located in the Medical Office Park on St. Lukes campus.