7 MTN is the primary PCU for structural heart patients and the only PCU to take TAVR patients. In May 2022 we started taking post TAVR patients with a Transvenous Pacemaker (TVP). Prior to this the patients with a TVP post TAVR were being transferred to the ICU. With guidance from the structural heart team, 7 MPCU nurses underwent extensive training in preparation for this which included 1:1 education, cornerstone education, and competency validation.

The respiratory therapist at Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital hit their goal of 100% medication and patient scanning for the month of April 2023. Therapists included Olivia Collins, Teresa Conner, Paula Fuller, Tracy Hash, Hazel 'Chris' Looney, Kimberly Smith, Anthony Stilwell, listed alphabetically. On Tuesday, May 30, the administration team at Tazewell Hospital celebrated this accomplishment with the team manager Niya Bright and team supervisor Lisha Davis. They received a large goodie baskets with chocolates, fruits and snacks to celebrate this achievement!

The Military Community Employee Resource Group arranged to have a local bugler, Mike Hullett, play Taps at CRMH on Memorial Day. Mike played near the flag pole and inside CRMH in the Sixth Floor Auditorium so more employees could observe the event and stay dry.

Taps is the traditional bugle call to honor veterans and in light of Memorial Day, remember those who gave their lives in the service of the United States.

View the indoor video of Taps.

When breast cancer patient Venita Jones showed up one recent morning for surgery at CRMH, she had her own cheerleaders in the form of family members who wore matching white T-shirts. The shirts were emblazoned with the supportive message, "Her Fight is Our Fight." The small group's enthusiasm was infectious and caught the attention of Guest Services representative Lynn Dozier.

"When they came up, I said, 'Oh my gosh! I love those shirts,'" Lynn said. "You usually don't see that. That's what touched me." 

Congratulations to Samantha Richardson, RN on being the first recipient of the DAISY Award at CTCH!

On May 19th, the Nursing Center of Excellence presented the Outstanding Preceptor Award to Jeff Mathis, RN from 10MICU. Leaders from the Nursing Center of Excellence presented him with the award alongside his team members and nursing leaders. His nomination read “Jeff precepted me as a new grad. He was kind, patient, and broke things down and explained to me why things needed to be done, not just that they needed to be done. It made learning in the ICU so much better. He was able to make me feel safe, confident, and set me up for success to be on my own.

Congratulations, Charlene! Each day you show so much compassion, and commitment to your patients. Thank you for all you do!

"She genuinely cares for and has been very helpful on multiple ER visits. She went above and beyond to help me on the last visit when I wasn’t even her patient, made sure I had everything I needed."

"So helpful, sweet, caring. She has always treated me like I’m family and always so pleasant."

The Carilion Professional Services (CPS) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide excellent anesthesia care throughout all of the system hospitals. In these times of staffing challenges, the CRNAs have been increasingly flexible in cross-coverage between facilities to help meet the patient and surgeon needs. We have an amazing group of talented and dedicated CRNAs, some who travel up to 2 hours to help at other facilities. It's not easy walking into a hospital different than your home base but they jump right in to be a part the team!

This past Saturday, May 20th, members of the Trauma Team, clinical staff, families, and other trauma supporters gathered to participate in the Race to Rebuild. This virtual race could be completed any time during the month of May. All proceeds from the race went to support the Trauma Survivors Network which provides resources for recovery and resiliency to survivors of traumatic injuries at no cost to them.

Yesterday, Nuclear Med, had patient that received a radioactive therapy. The patient on the way to the car took off the coban that wrapped the site where his iv was and leaked blood all the way down the hall of CSI imaging. Our Nuclear team was on the floor scrubbing the hallway when Teresa came by and asked what she could do to help. We gave her a short crash course in radiation safety and how to clean and Teresa was on her hands and knees scrubbing the floor with the rest of us for well over an hour to make sure that the area was clean and safe for patients.