The dog days of August have taken on a much friendlier meaning in the CRMH Emergency Department. On Aug. 6, Volunteer Services' Pet Pals program launched the first of regular visits with the ED employees.

Congratulations to Sam Lazzaro, Executive Chef and Greg Hubbard, Sous Chef, for providing and outstanding first Cooking Class for our Carilion Employees! The event was held at The Feeding America Center on Tuesday, August 20th.Participants were able to learn Chef's Sam's grilling secrets while enjoying Rib Eye Steak, Salmon and Grilled Vegetables. Let's not forget the "Happy Ending"-Grilled Peaches with Brown Sugar, topped with Vanilla Ice Cream!! Yummy!!

For the last five years Dr. Robert Trestman, Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and his wife, Dr. Bonnie Hennig-Trestman, future director of the Carilion Clinic Huntington’s Disease Program, trade in their professional attire and become Dr. Bob and Dr. Bonnie at the Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization (HDYO) North America camp. Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a genetic, progressive, neurodegenerative illness. There is no cure for HD and eventually those who have the gene for HD will succumb to symptoms and die.

Employees from CNRV and CGCH joined forces to compete against Lewis Gale Montgomery and Pulaski, in a Benefit Softball game at Calfee Park, Sunday, August 11th. All proceeds from the game were donated to the American Heart Association, on behalf of both teams. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for all Americans, so events like this are important to fund research. Every year the AHA gives back almost $1 million to the New River Valley for research. It was  good to see so many players and fans, from both Carilion and Lewis Gale, come together for such an important cause.

Carilion Giles Community Hospital team members Veronica Stump, Sr. Director of Nursing; Katrina Burda, Infection Control/Employee Health; Michelle Harvey, Occupational Therapy, and Amy Westmoreland, Pharmacy Manager; took the Managing Your Health show on the road today!  The group spoke to seniors at the Giles Senior Center about fall prevention, managing medications, managing chronic illness, nutrition and the importance of keeping good medical records.

Thank you to the multiple service lines and departments that helped collect school supplies for the Rescue Mission's Annual Valley Wide Back2School Blast that will take place on Sat., Aug. 10th.

Riverside 3 Internal Medicine Faculty and Staff exhibited the Carilion value of Community this year with the "Back 2 School Blast" school supply drive. We worked together to purchase 50 backpacks for the drive, with our sincere hope that the children who receive them have a happy and confident school year! I couldn't be more proud to be part of a team who truly cares about the community we serve.

If you have been to CNRV in the last year you have probably noticed the large red house for collecting aluminum can tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.  It was built and installed last  year at the suggestion of a Carilion employee and is offered as a collection point for staff and community members.  Last week we did our first clean out – and CNRV collected 217.8 POUNDS of tab tops!  The tabs were boxed and sent to the Ronald McDonald House in Roanoke.  From there they will be recycled, and proceeds will be used to support the Ronald McDonald Hous

Here's something you don't see every day. An elderly lady with a walker needed help getting her walker from her car, and in to the hospital for an appointment. Carl Cline, VP at CFMH was quick to help this lady with her walker and even parked her car so she didn't have as far to walk to her appointment. Carl did as he's always done. He leads by example, and this is an amazing example of servant leadership by a VP. Thanks for always doing the right thing, Carl. 

Every year one Veteran who currently resides in Franklin County will be recognized at the Rotary Club's Fourth of July celebration at the Franklin County High School's Cy Dillon Football Stadium in Rocky Mount.  This year, Robin Wunderlich, RTR, CPHQ, Manager of CFMH’s Clinical Effectiveness, became the 15th recipient of this award AND the first woman to win this award!

Robin served in the United States Air Force from January of 1987 – April of 1991. She held the rank of  E-4 Sargent SGT.