Hailey and Christina from Emergency Psychiatry created a truly special moment for an adolescent patient who had been having a hard time. They included the patient’s mom, brought ice cream and snacks, sang Happy Birthday, and filled the room with joy. Most importantly, the patient engaged and connected. 💚

This act of kindness shows the extraordinary impact of compassion and creativity in care. It reminds us all that we are a place people can turn to when they need help, and that even small gestures can transform the patient and family experience.

Congratulations to Kimberly Hunt, Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor, for completing another successful Peer Recovery Specialist Training! On August 5, 9 individuals graduated from this training program, which is part of the Virginia Certification Board process for obtaining Peer Recovery Specialist Certification.

Peer recovery specialists are individuals who have been successful in their own recovery from mental health or substance use disorder, who get specialized training to support others navigating a similar journey.

Maria was gracious enough to fix our tattered Xmas wreaths and give them a facelift. 

Carilion's mission and values guides our interactions with our patients daily and this was clearly evidenced by Dora Wygal.  Dora is an LPN who serves our patients in Mental Health at Tanglewood.  A patient arrived for his appointment last Monday in need of assistance.  The patient is wheelchair confined and had declined medically since his previous appointment.  Upon arrival from a local nursing facility, he needed to use the bathroom prior to his MH visit.  Something that, to most, sounds simple was incredibly overwhelming for this patient.

What a great team here at Vinton Family. We had full participation in this year's school backpack project. I am so proud of my team!

(Becca, Kelsey, Nicole, Stephanie, Dana)

July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention month. To celebrate our wonderful patients, we invited them and their family members for an evening of fun, to watch the Salem Red Sox take on the Charleston RiverDogs.

Many families joined our team for food, laughs, goodies and a surprise visit from Mugsy!

I wanted to give a big thank you to Patchouli Emmons on the surgical care unit at CNRV!  My husband was a patient there in June and was transferred there from the critical care unit after having an emergency surgery.  The air conditioning was broken in the room he was put in, so she found us another room on the unit and helped us transfer over there.  The next night, after trying to sleep for several nights in an uncomfortable chair, she went and found me a comfortable recliner that went all the way back so that I could get some rest.  She did not have to do all of this

Posting this on behalf of my mother in law, who had exceptional care by Ranessa and wanted to nominate her for a shine award! She was unable to find a place on the Carilion website to give her a shout out, and I told her I was happy to share! 

A guest wanted to convey a deep appreciation of Carilion Police Officer D. L. Nolen who compassionately supported them during a difficult and emotional time at the hospital. She stated that Officer Nolen went out of his way to assist her and her husband, helping them, navigate the facility and even escorted them to their vehicle, easing their stress. She described him as their ‘guardian angel” for the day. Great work Officer Nolen!

Sydney Hamilton goes above and beyond for patients. She is caring and professional during scheduling and arranging their needs. She makes sure the patients have exactly what is needed prior to their discharge.