Chair of Emergency Medicine Rosemarie Fernandez, MD, has been named interim institutional research officer effective immediately. In this role, she will lead our growing research enterprise while continuing to serve as chair of Emergency Medicine.

We have entered a joint venture with Select Medical to develop and operate a 50-bed inpatient physical rehabilitation hospital in Roanoke. Select Medical will own and manage the new hospital, to be called Carilion Rehabilitation Hospital. 

In collaboration with Select, we also completed a lease agreement with a developer to build the hospital on 9th Street, SE, in Roanoke at the Riverdale development.

An ischemic stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within minutes, brain cells begin to die—making stroke a true medical emergency. Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting nearly 800,000 people each year.

Prevention and awareness are critical. Knowing risk factors and recognizing symptoms early can save lives. 

Every year in honor of National Healthcare Decisions Day on April 16, we spread awareness about the importance of advance care planning.

Due to the continued prevalence of flu in our region, the masking requirement for employees who did not receive a flu vaccine has been extended.

Unvaccinated team members will be required to continue wearing a surgical mask through Wednesday, April 15 when they are working at any Carilion location. This applies to employees, physicians, independent practitioners, students, volunteers, and contract staff who work in our facilities.

Leaders should continue to reinforce masking expectations for unvaccinated team members in their departments.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is reporting about new confirmed measles cases in Southwest Virginia. The regional count thus far is 6 for 2026.

VDH is leading the response, contact tracing, and public messaging. Carilion front-line teams also have extensive plans in place to respond should a measles patient present at a Carilion facility. 

Measles is a highly contagious illness that can spread easily through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

Next week, we will open our first Roanoke-based clinic dedicated exclusively to Midwifery Services—marking a significant milestone for women’s health in our region. Designed to care for women throughout their lives, the practice will serve patients from adolescence through menopause and beyond. A ribbon-cutting event took place on Tuesday, April 28; the clinic will open to patients on Monday, May 4.  

Medical devices are often designed far from the environments in which they will ultimately be used, with limited clinical insight informing key design decisions. Usability Works at Carilion Clinic disrupts that model by bringing clinicians directly into the design process early and often, allowing them to help shape new technology

Expanding access to care is at the heart of our mission to improve the health of the communities we serve.

Hepatitis C remains a significant challenge in our region. Dr. Mariana Gomez from the Infectious Disease team is helping to change that.