Carilion Proud: Get to Know Becky Blankenship

Meet Becky Blankenship, Clinical Team Lead, Trauma Registry at CRMH

Tell us a little about yourself—your role, department, and how long you’ve been with Carilion.

I am a trauma registrar with Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital’s adult Trauma Registry, where I currently serve as the clinical team lead. I began my career with Roanoke Memorial Hospital in September 1987 and have 38 years of service across a variety of roles within the system. In my role as a trauma registrar, I collect and manage detailed data on patients who come to our facility with traumatic injuries, including motor vehicle collisions, gunshot wounds, falls, and other serious incidents. The process begins at the time and location of injury, capturing how and where it occurred, and continues throughout the patient’s entire hospital stay. We document every aspect of care, from where they fell in their house to what road they were on when they had their motor vehicle collision.  Every x-ray, procedure, surgery—we document everything until they are discharged. All of this information is carefully abstracted and entered into a registry system, which is reported to the National Trauma Data Bank and the Virginia Department of Health.

What inspired you to join Carilion Clinic, and what keeps you here?

My aunt, Susan Crawford Bandy, worked for RMH for years as a Labor and Delivery nurse and piqued my interest in the medical field.  When I graduated from high school, I was hired and came straight to work at RMH. My aunt had been a paramedic and talked me into getting my EMT.  From then on, I felt like I wanted to stay on the medical path and work somewhere that I could continue to help people and make a difference. Over the years I have worked in many different areas inside and outside of the hospital and have enjoyed helping others.  My current position is very interesting, and I get to work with trauma patients. I love being able to dissect everything and document their journey.

Which of Carilion’s values (collaboration, commitment, compassion, courage, curiosity) resonates most with you in your daily work, and why?

Commitment is the value I hold closest, and it guides how I show up both at work and at home. To me, commitment means going the extra mile and putting in the effort needed to support my family and my team. Every day brings challenges, and how we respond to them says a lot about who we are. Staying focused and working through those challenges is not always easy, but when you remain committed and give your best effort, there is a strong sense of accomplishment. Recently, our team has taken on a new registry platform, which has brought its share of challenges. By staying committed and supporting one another, we have been able to navigate the transition together.

What does the theme “Care that Connects Us” mean to you personally?

Having worked in many different areas of the system, I have a strong appreciation for what Carilion means to our region. Southwest Virginia serves as a central hub for medical care, not only for our local communities but also for patients from neighboring states, especially West Virginia. From my earlier years as a paramedic and dispatcher transporting patients to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital to now seeing where many of our trauma patients come from, I have witnessed firsthand the reach and impact of our care. We provide critical services to people who might not otherwise have access to the level of care they need. I am proud to be part of an organization that makes such a meaningful difference in the lives of so many.

Can you share a moment when you felt especially connected to a patient, teammate, or the community through your work?

When I started back years ago and I was working on 3rd floor rehab in Oncology as a unit secretary I had my first encounter with a patient that brought me close to them. We just clicked because we were so much alike. Both of us lived in the country and our daily lives were so similar. Her husband was an EMT, and we would just talk about life. Watching her go through treatment was hard, but she was a very strong person. I was very young at the time, and walking with her through her journey helped me see that being there supporting her and her family made a difference to them. I wanted to be that person who could help others in any way possible.

How do you build or maintain meaningful connections with patients, coworkers, or others you interact with each day?

I was raised to treat others the way I would want to be treated, and that mindset guides me every day. To me, that means showing people they matter by offering help, lending a hand when someone is struggling, or simply taking a moment to be kind. Sometimes it’s the small things, like opening a door, picking up something someone dropped, or offering a word of encouragement. I try to stay positive and recognize others when it is deserved, because everyone can benefit from encouragement from time to time. I also believe in the power of connection. Something as simple as saying hello or having a conversation can make a difference. Sometimes people just need someone who will listen without judgment. Not everyone has that support system, so I do my best to be that person when I can. I want others to feel heard, supported, and reminded that they matter.

In what ways does your role contribute to creating a more connected and supportive environment at Carilion?

When I talk about Trauma Registry there is always one thing that I say, and that is we are a team. If we did not work together as a team, this job would be extremely hard.  We see so many patients, and our volumes are pretty high. That means a lot of patients having to be entered into the registry. Of course, not every trauma patient has to be entered, but a lot do meet the criteria. Working together to get them in is what makes us successful. When it is time for quarterly submissions of our records to the NTDB and state we all band together until all registries have been entered. Kind of like no registrar is left behind to fend for yourself. I am blessed to have a strong team that pulls us through on every occasion.

What would you say to someone new about how Carilion employees live out “Care that Connects Us”?

It takes a village, and we are the Carilion village. Everyone plays an important role in the care we provide. When we talk about care, it has a much broader meaning. It includes everything that happens to ensure a patient receives what they need. Some of that care is hands-on, but much of it happens behind the scenes. From physician offices to Carilion facilities and partner organizations, whether hospitals or outpatient locations, many people work together to coordinate treatment and transportation for our patients. That care does not end at discharge. It continues as patients transition to the next phase of their recovery. No matter your role or where you work, you contribute to the care each patient receives.