Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital Demonstrated Emergency Prepardness

By all accounts, the overall-response was impressive last Tuesday when officials locked down Ferrum College after reports of a suspicious person with a gun.
Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital was part of that response. The hospital opened a Command Center, communicating with officials on the scene in the event medical services were needed.

On Wednesday, WSlS anchor Karen McNew toured the command center and reviewed the event with hospital officials.

Click below to watch her report. (Thanks Karen!)

Statement Regarding Delegate Onzlee Ware's Hospitalization

Delegate Onzlee Ware was admitted to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on February 22 suffering from flu-like symptoms. Delegate Ware wants the community to know that he is "doing great" and sincerely appreciates everyone's interest in his well-being. Because he is suffering from flu-like symptoms and needs rest, Delegate Ware requests no visitors or calls at this time.

CARILION HOME CARE SERVICES - ROANOKE AND RADFORD - HONORED AS ONE OF THE "HOMECARE ELITE

Carilion Home Care Services - Roanoke and Carilion Home Care Services - Radford have been named to the Home Care Elite Top 25% Home Health Agency Listing. The listing is released each year by Outcomes Concept Systems (OCS), the Home Care industry's leader in data analysis and quality measurement. Each year OCS reviews quality data from reporting Home Health agencies across the country and scores each one based on quality care, quality improvement and financial performance. In 2007, OCS reviewed data from 7,422 agencies. Carilion Home Care Services - Roanoke and Radford, scored in the top 25 percent, earning the title of "HomeCare Elite"
"We applaud the success of all the providers named to the 2007 HomeCare Elite," said Bill Bassett, Senior Director of Market Strategy at OCS, Inc. "Being noted as one of the top performers in the nation in this very competitive environment shows that Carilion Home Care Services is dedicated to quality and performance."
"This acknowledges the kind of care that makes Carilion Home Care stand out - the commitment to quality that motivates our staff every day as they work with patients in the field," said Melina Perdue, Carilion Clinic Senior Vice President for Regional Operations.
"This is a well-deserved symbol of recognition for our Home Health team," said Don Halliwill, President of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. "We appreciate the efforts of this special team, and are proud to see this recognition of their accomplishments."
Carilion Home Care is Medicare/Medicaid certified and accredited by JCAHO and has been serving Southwest Virginia families for more than 20 years. Services include skilled nursing, IV therapy, homemaker services, home health aides and medical social workers. For more information about Carilion Home Care Services, call 1-800-964-9300.

Profile of Medical School Dean Makes Roanoke Times Front Page

The Roanoke Times published a profile of Carilion Clinic/Virginia Tech Medical School Dean Cynda Johnson M.D. on Sunday's front page (2/17). A companion story provided an overview of the recent growth of Medical Education.

Hats off to reporter Christina Rogers for putting a lot much time into this project!

In addition, the Roanoke Times editorial staff called the project, and proposed state funding for the building, "Good Medicine for the City and Region.
To see earlier coverage of the medical school, including the initial announcement, go here.

Carilion Clinic's Cancer Center Opens Only Dedicated Cancer Unit in Region

Carilion Clinic’s new inpatient cancer treatment facility in Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital brings specialized cancer care to the Roanoke Valley.

The new unit has 32 private patient rooms, reducing the risk of infection in patients with lowered immune systems. The rooms also provide views of the Roanoke Valley, a comfort for many patients who are spending time in the hospital for treatment.

The center’s team of cancer specialists is made up of some of the region’s only certified oncology nurses. All the nurses on staff at the center are certified by the Oncology Nursing Society to give chemotherapy. They also work alongside other cancer specialists including licensed oncology counselors, dietitians and sub-specialty oncologists and neurosurgeons.

Thanks to Karen McNew and WSLS for their coverage of the new unit on February 14th. Click below to watch the story.

Don't Let Stress and Depression Damage Your Health!

Did you know that chronic tension in important relationships (at home or at work) can be as damaging to your health as smoking a pack of cigarettes a day?
Wayne Sotile, PhD, author of "Letting Go of What's Holding You Back" recently spoke to a sold-out crowd at our Women's Health University symposium.
Click below to hear Dr. Sotile talk about stress, depression, and why you need to protect yourself from the damaging effects.

If you need more information about stress or depression, or a referral to a physician or counselor, email us at direct@carilion.com

Got "Wiiitis"? A Carilion Occupational Therapist Says Wii Addicts Should Pay Attention to the Pain!

Do you find yourself playing your Nintendo Wii into the wee hours of the night? Do you wake up with a twinge in your shoulder or elbow? You may be suffering from "Wiiitis" (whee-EYE-tus). A description of Wiiitis was actually published in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine last year.

The article states "The available games for the Wii system already include golf, boxing, baseball, and bowling. Future games could involve different and unexpected groups of muscles. Physicians should be aware that there may be multiple, possibly puzzling presentations of Wiiitis."

WDBJ-TV's Natasha Ryan recently visited the Carilion Clinic Rehabilitation facility at the Roanoke Athletic Club to talk to Occupational Therapist Tracy Shumate.
Click below to hear Tracy explain why Natasha's shoulder hurts after playing Wii tennis.



For more advice on dealing with Wiiitis and preventing a long-term, nagging injury, click below to watch Natasha's story on WDBJ.

UPDATE - Power Restored to Carilion Urgent Care Colonial Avenue Location

Power has been restored to the Carilion Family Medicine location at 3369 Colonial Avenue. Carilion Urgent Care at that location will be open tonight from 5:30 to 8 (normal operating hours)

Winds, Power Outages have minimal impact on Carilion facilities

We are still assessing the effect of the wind and power outages on Carilion Clinic operations, however the impact appears to be minimal at this time.

• Carilion Family Medicine at 3369 Colonial Avenue is currently without power. This is also the location of Carilion's Colonial Avenue Urgent Care - which usually opens at 5:30 p.m. At this time we do not know if the Urgent Care will be able to open this evening - we will know more after 2:00 p.m. (Note - Carilion's Urgent Care at Community Hospital is open)

• The parking garage at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital lost power due to the wind, but is operating normally under generator power.

• Carilion's central kitchen facility and laundry facility on Franklin Road lost power due to the wind, but are able to operate under generator power.
  

We'll provide an update as soon as more information becomes available.

Celebrating National Wear Red Day: Reminding Women to Care for their Hearts

The staff at Carilion Cardiothoracic Surgery show their support for preventing heart disease in women by wearing matching, custom-made t-shirts on National Wear Red Day.

Wearing Red shows support for patients suffering from and those at risk for heart disease and it kicks off the American Heart Association's Heart Month. Many people don't realize that heart disease and stroke are the number one killer of women. According to Practice Manager Sandy Wilson, RN, women need to pay special attention to the signs and symptoms of heart disease.