Editor
AuthorI’ve worked in Corporate Communications at Sentara Healthcare for the past 25 years. I am the editor of the Sentara Today blog, working behind the scenes to capture inspiring stories about our employees and patients. Currently, I am also working on Sentara Nurse, a new blog we just launched. I’ve had the opportunity to be closely involved in helping preserve our organization’s historical archives. In my spare time, when I am not blogging, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three children, reading, cooking, and practicing yoga as often as I can.
Grief Relief for Children
Camp Lighthouse: A Healing Camp for Grieving Children. Register Now for Camp to be held April 21 and 22, 2012 Camp Lighthouse is now accepting reservations for this year’s camp scheduled April 21 and 22, 2012 at Triple-R Ranch in Chesapeake. This marks the seventh year of the camp, whose mission is to help children ages … Continue Reading
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Exceptional Service Shared Creatively
Hundreds of patients and visitors are rendered service every day at Sentara Obici Hospital. And in the midst of the busy environment, some employees just stand out. Their commitment to getting it right with every patient, every time shines through. Take a look at their unique approach to exceptional service. Tracy Kubinak, Radiology Department Ultrasound Tech, says “School gives … Continue Reading
Heart pacing device helps doctors
Rockingham Memorial Hospital Physician First in State to Implant New CRT-D Therapy Device. Rockingham Memorial Hospital electrophysiologist Robert VerNooy, MD, has successfully implanted a new type of heart pacing device that helps doctors better treat patients diagnosed with heart failure. He is the first physician in Virginia to implant the new device. The new pacing technology, developed … Continue Reading
Suspect Heart Trouble? Call 911
Written by Carl Hartman, M.D. Many times patients have recounted to me, as a practicing cardiologist, stories about dealing with a major cardiac event (or the suspicion of such an event) where they took actions that jeopardized their health. They ignored the warning signs. They waited it out. When they decided they should go to … Continue Reading
Employee Represents Innovation and Leadership
Sentara executive selected for new Innovation Advisors Program to improve care for patients. Congratulations to Grace Hines, senior vice president of Strategy and Strategic Implementation at Sentara Healthcare, on being selected for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Innovation Advisors Program. The initiative, launched by the CMS Innovation Center in October 2011, will help … Continue Reading
Thoughts on Quality Care
How Our Team Works Hard to Improve Health Every Day Editor Note: This letter was written by Beth J. Carlson, Vice President of Patient Care Services, Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. It was featured in a recent issue of the Virginia Gazette. As a nurse and member of the hospital leadership at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical … Continue Reading
Medicaid Statement 2012
By David L. Bernd CEO, Sentara Healthcare.
We understand that Medicaid is a significant driver of costs in Virginia’s biennial budget. However, current Medicaid reimbursement rates for hospitals, nursing homes and physicians are having real and tangible effects on access to care and healthcare jobs in Virginia. Current budget proposals will make the crisis worse.
A Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association (VHHA) report says 14 hospital obstetrics units have closed in Virginia since 2003, due in part to historically low Medicaid reimbursements. Another hospital OB department and a 16-bed psychiatric unit are scheduled to close in 2012.
Welcome to Sentara Today
Announcing our “New and Improved” blog. We would like to take a few minutes just to introduce you to ourselves, and some of the new features on Sentara Today. About Us Sentara Today began in 2009 as a way to inform and recognize our patients and employees. We bring you: news and happenings around the … Continue Reading
Virginia Advance Directive Registry
Written by: David Cochran, MBA, MTh, Sentara Center for Healthcare Ethics You may have noticed some news coverage recently about the Virginia Advance Directive Registry. It is a new state service for storing Advance Medical Directives, but for now, Sentara is not participating. Let me explain why.
Helping People with Chronic Health Conditions
How Sentara’s Use of TeleHealth Can Transform Healthcare. Keeping patients off the health care merry-go-round, was the message Ray Darcey, President of Sentara Home Care, recently carried to Washington to educate congressional leaders and their staffs on the value of telehealth technologies in promoting quality care, quality of life and access to care for people … Continue Reading
