WRDW-TV News 12 / HealthTeam 12 - Health news for Augusta, Ga.

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Augusta

Woman with flesh-eating disease takes own breaths
Last Updated: 4:04 PM 05/21/12 - The University of West Georgia student developed a rare condition called necrotizing fasciitis after cutting her leg in a May 1 fall from a homemade zip line.
Metro Atlanta Rotary Club members make trip to Augusta to support Aimee Copeland
Last Updated: 8:20 PM 05/18/12 - Andy Copeland has been using his daughter's story to not only help her, but all of those at the burn center, and people are responding.
Ga. woman learns toll of flesh-eating bacteria
Last Updated: 11:14 AM 05/18/12 - Andy Copeland said his daughter "shed no tears, she never batted an eyelash. I was crying because I am a proud father of an incredibly courageous young lady."
Deputy recovering from stroke loved National Police Week
Last Updated: 7:33 PM 05/17/12 - On the drive home Wednesday, Deputy Perry Price suffered a stroke while on his motorcycle.
UPDATE: Aimee Copeland can move hands, has positive spirit
Last Updated: 11:15 AM 05/17/12 - A news conference was held at Wednesday afternoon to give updates on Aimee's condition.
GHSU announces opening of public health institute
Last Updated: 1:23 PM 05/16/12 - The school has set aside $8 million for the new institute. It will be comprised of 36 current faculty researchers. The idea is to bring in 30 new researchers over the next five years.
Blood drive for Aimee Copeland is huge success, encourages more donations
Last Updated: 5:04 PM 05/16/12 - When Aimee's family first got to the hospital, they felt helpless and wanted to know what they could do. There wasn't much, except to go to Shepeard Blood Center themselves and donate in Aimee's name.
Survivor of rare flesh-eating bacteria tells her story
Last Updated: 8:02 PM 05/14/12 - Brenda Koch is a 13-year survivor of necrotizing fasciitis and seeing Aimee's story made her want to share her story with the Copeland family.
Ga. student with flesh-eating disease inspires survivor's family to speak out
Last Updated: 6:57 PM 05/11/12 - The story of 24-year-old Aimee Copeland's struggle is making news around the world but for one North Augusta woman, Aimee's story hits home.
University working toward closing gap in nursing shortage
Last Updated: 12:29 PM 05/10/12 - As the medical community celebrates National Nurses week, some are focused on a potential problem facing the industry.
UPDATE: Family of girl with flesh-eating bacteria say she's 'still critical, but responsive'
Last Updated: 7:53 PM 05/10/12 - Aimee Copeland's condition is still critical, but her family is staying positive. On Friday, she was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, a rare flesh-eating bacteria.
Disabled Evans teenager asking for votes for new van
Last Updated: 8:06 PM 05/09/12 - News 12 shows you how you can help Justin continue to fight against his disability by helping him win some new wheels.
News 12 Special Assignment: HCG: The Diet Debate
Last Updated: 12:02 PM 05/08/12 - Dieters who have tried the diet say they experienced rapid weight loss, but there's a debate among doctors in the medical community about whether it actually works.
Salmonella in dog food sickens 14 people across US
Last Updated: 7:12 PM 05/04/12 - The South Carolina plant was shut down April 7 and food made there has been recalled. Diamond Pet Foods paid a $3.1 million settlement after a toxic mold in its pet food killed dozens of dogs in 2005.
Asthma educators trying to inform families on how to cope, prevent deaths
Last Updated: 11:59 AM 05/04/12 - Since 2001, asthma cases have gone up about 8.4 percent. That's why Georgia Health Sciences is partnering with the CDC to develop asthma education programs.
Local health center receives $4.9M grant
Last Updated: 8:24 PM 05/02/12 - The new facility will be 18,000 square feet -- a big change from the 3,000 square foot building they are in today.
Number of Ga., SC organ donors soar with Facebook announcement
Last Updated: 8:39 PM 05/02/12 - Since Tuesday morning, more than 500 people in Georgia have signed up to be organ donors. It's a 5,000 percent increase and one that will likely save hundreds of lives.
Richmond Co. crews fighting mosquitoes earlier because of heat
Last Updated: 7:33 PM 04/30/12 - News 12 spent the day with Richmond County's Mosquito Control to see how they're already battling the bugs.
Only on 12: Azziz looks to build new 'comprehensive' cancer center
Last Updated: 7:28 PM 04/26/12 - There are some big plans in the works for Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center. We got our hands on an internal draft that calls for major changes at the hospital and the cancer center.
CDC: 2011 was worst measles year in US in 15 years
Last Updated: 1:36 PM 04/19/12 - Most of the cases were imported -- either by visiting foreigners or by U.S. residents who picked up the virus overseas.
Local dermatologist warns tanning beds are worse than sunbathing
Last Updated: 12:10 PM 04/19/12 - It's starting to feel a lot like summer in the CSRA and many sunbathers prepare for vacation by visiting tanning beds.
SC agency says information leaked for thousands of patients
Last Updated: 4:32 PM 04/19/12 - The information included names and Medicaid ID numbers, which are also Social Security numbers. The ID numbers could be used to make fraudulent claims.
Emory Healthcare data backup discs missing
Last Updated: 5:04 PM 04/18/12 - Emory says the 10 backup discs were removed from a storage location sometime between Feb. 7 and Feb. 20.
2 firms left in competition to see who will operate Burke Medical Center
Last Updated: 9:56 PM 04/17/12 - The Burke County Hospital Authority has until May 31 to pick a new firm to operate Burke Medical Center. Here's a closer look at what those two firms are offering.
Wagener Medical Center under new management, looking to grow
Last Updated: 2:18 PM 04/13/12 - A small town in Aiken County lost its hospital last November. People in Wagener got a two week notice that their hospital was shutting down. But the town chose a different fate for the medical center: the mayor and a doctor stepped in to save it.
Assessment helping 2 local hospitals take 'pulse' of community
Last Updated: 2:30 PM 04/11/12 - With this assessment right at your fingertips, these health systems hope you can help reverse some stark statistics.
Fairfield County couple receiving treatment for rabies
Last Updated: 9:58 AM 04/06/12 - DHEC says a bat potentially exposed a Fairfield County couple to rabies.
Feds: Salmonella outbreak sickens 5 in Carolinas
Last Updated: 8:06 AM 04/06/12 - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says two people from North Carolina and three from South Carolina are among those who have gotten sick.
SRS retirees fear medical benefits overhaul; meeting scheduled
Last Updated: 7:18 AM 04/06/12 - In most of today's nuclear warheads, the plutonium and tritium inside comes from a lot of hard work at Savannah River Site, and that's part of the reason why our area is so nuclear friendly. But now, some SRS retirees tell News 12 they're upset with the Department of Energy, and it's all because some of their benefits may be going away.
Four people sickened in Georgia by salmonella
Last Updated: 10:10 AM 04/05/12 - The outbreak is "rapid and expanding in number of cases," with seven hospitalizations reported.
Painkiller sales soar around US, fuel addiction
Last Updated: 10:05 AM 04/05/12 - Sales of prescription painkillers are exploding in new areas, and experts are worried that's creating a wave of addiction.
Applications being accepted for 'Volunteen' Program
Last Updated: 11:27 AM 03/29/12 - GHSU and GHS Health System are accepting applications for their summer volunteer program for teens.
High court takes up fight over Obama health law
Last Updated: 3:20 PM 03/26/12 - A decision is expected by late June, in the midst of a presidential election campaign in which all of Obama's Republican challengers oppose the law and promise its repeal, if the high court doesn't strike it down first.
Only on 12: Mother of near-drowning victim speaks out after Augusta toddler dies
Last Updated: 8:59 PM 03/23/12 - Jackie Cira is speaking out, hoping you listen and no other children die in a backyard pool.
Richland Co. man first to die from flu in SC
Last Updated: 11:40 AM 03/23/12 - A Richland County man has become the first person in South Carolina to die from influenza this season.
University Hospital expanding to Grovetown's Gateway
Last Updated: 7:20 PM 03/20/12 - University Health Inc. bought the land next to the Gateway Walmart. It's a growing area with new businesses popping up left and right.
Hospitals using more blood donations; donors not finding enough time to give
Last Updated: 5:02 PM 03/20/12 - Expanding hospitals across the area need one vital tool to save more lives, blood donations. The staff at Shepeard community blood center say often times, donors don't have enough time to do the good deed.
Georgia's pollen count sets new record
Last Updated: 12:27 PM 03/20/12 - This week's pollen counts are well above the old record of 6,013, which dates to April 12, 1999.
12 On Your Side: Local doctors warning about 'Cinnamon Challenge'
Last Updated: 8:03 PM 03/16/12 - Cinnamon does not dissolve in water, thus it will not dissolve in your mouth. The cinnamon often goes into the lungs, which results in coughing and vomiting.
Brain injury survivor trying to raise more awareness through fundraiser
Last Updated: 1:33 PM 03/16/12 - According to the Brain Injury Association of Georgia, 150,000 Georgians live with a permanent disabilities from brain injuries.
GHSU's incubator releases its first product for consumers
Last Updated: 3:49 PM 03/13/12 - The Life Sciences Business Development Center at Georgia Health Sciences University is helping local companies create new products and new jobs.
Aiken Co. sheriff reacts to Abbeville train wreck, reflects on lessons learned from Graniteville
Last Updated: 3:42 PM 03/09/12 - News 12 sat down with Sheriff Hunt to talk about what was learned that day and he says the next hours may be the most critical in Abbeville.
GHSU medical student is finalist in national competition
Last Updated: 1:07 PM 03/08/12 - Hevil Shah is a fourth-year medical student and one of 10 finalists for Take a Trip with Timmy, a group working to improve health conditions worldwide.
Ga. Senate OKs birth control exemption bill
Last Updated: 4:11 PM 03/07/12 - The legislation was filed in response to a recent Obama administration decision that seeks to guarantee employees of religion-affiliated institutions reproductive health coverage.
Dozens of breast-feeding mothers 'nurse-in' for change at Evans courthouse
Last Updated: 7:19 PM 03/05/12 - Breast-feeding in public is a hot topic around the country and Monday dozens of women in Columbia County took their concerns straight to the courthouse steps.
7 states, including SC, challenge birth control coverage rule
Last Updated: 6:02 PM 02/23/12 - Joining the lawsuit are Florida, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas.
GHSU doctor uses rare surgical procedure to remove brain tumor through nose
Last Updated: 2:12 PM 02/20/12 - One doctor at GHSU is trying to avoid traditional brain surgery and get to tumors through an alternative route.
Aiken man invents flash drive for easy access to health information
Last Updated: 1:23 PM 02/17/12 - A retired Aiken man is back in business with a new medical bracelet designed to help doctors and EMTS avoid medical complications during an emergency.
9-year-old Aiken boy able to walk again thanks to deep brain stimulation
Last Updated: 12:22 PM 02/15/12 - A medical milestone for one Aiken family had their son go from being wheelchair bound to walking again. The procedure that made that possible is called deep brain stimulation.
New director of the GHSU cancer research center hopes to bring national recognition to the facility
Last Updated: 9:57 AM 02/09/12 - There is a new man in charge of the Georgia Health Sciences Cancer Research Center, and he is hoping to bring some national recognition to the center.