Salem first ‘Stroke Smart City’ west of Richmond, works to educate public
Read full article: Salem first ‘Stroke Smart City’ west of Richmond, works to educate publicLewisGale Medical Center and City of Salem leadership kicked off their Stroke Smart Salem partnership with a community activation day on Tuesday. Hospital leaders and community officials, including Salem Mayor Renee Turk and members of city council, canvassed businesses on Main Street to spread awareness about stroke education.
Providing hope, LewisGale becomes first in Virginia to offer new treatment for colon cancer patients
Read full article: Providing hope, LewisGale becomes first in Virginia to offer new treatment for colon cancer patientsLewisGale in Roanoke is only place in the Commonwealth providing Hepatic Artery Infusion (HAI) Therapy. LewisGale began offering HAI in December, and it’s already showing promise with patients like David Rockwell of Moneta.
Christiansburg man recounts horrific motorcycle accident and those responsible for saving his life
Read full article: Christiansburg man recounts horrific motorcycle accident and those responsible for saving his lifeIt's been 8 months since a Christiansburg man's life changed forever after a horrific motorcycle crash. Thanks to quick emergency care at LewisGale Medical Center, a newly recognized Level 2 Trauma Center, he is rebuilding his life and is back at the job he loves.
Crew at LewisGale Physicians in Salem goes above and beyond for patient in need
Read full article: Crew at LewisGale Physicians in Salem goes above and beyond for patient in needA group of physician assistants at LewisGale have grouped together to support a patient going through a difficult time this holiday season.
Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Nurses encourage low-dosage cancer screenings
Read full article: Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Nurses encourage low-dosage cancer screeningsNovember is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and LewisGale leaders are spreading awareness about getting low-dosage cancer screenings that can help patients learn if they have lung cancer.
Carilion Clinic, LewisGale go head-to-head in charity softball game
Read full article: Carilion Clinic, LewisGale go head-to-head in charity softball gameThis weekend, LewisGale and Carilion Clinic are taking swings at heart disease, for the annual “Homers for Hearts” charity softball game at Salem Memorial Ballpark.
Botetourt County holds public hearing on LewisGale Behavioral Health Hospital proposal
Read full article: Botetourt County holds public hearing on LewisGale Behavioral Health Hospital proposalOne of the region’s biggest healthcare systems plans to move its Behavioral Health Hospital from Salem to Botetourt County.
‘You really think it could never happen to you’: Local advocate pushes for early breast cancer screenings
Read full article: ‘You really think it could never happen to you’: Local advocate pushes for early breast cancer screeningsOne breast cancer survivor in the Alleghany Highlands is sharing her story and stressing the importance of early life-changing screenings.
Crocheting for a cause: 96-year-old woman makes baby blankets, hats for local hospital
Read full article: Crocheting for a cause: 96-year-old woman makes baby blankets, hats for local hospitalStitch by stitch, Munsey spent the past year crocheting about 100 baby blankets and hats for LewisGale Medical Center’s new NICU, which is set to open in 2023.
National shortage of contrast dye could impact Virginia hospitals, postpone certain procedures
Read full article: National shortage of contrast dye could impact Virginia hospitals, postpone certain proceduresDue to a COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai, China, where it’s mainly produced, it may impact the U.S.
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery breaks ground on $15.9 million expansion of surgery department
Read full article: LewisGale Hospital Montgomery breaks ground on $15.9 million expansion of surgery departmentLewisGale Hospital Montgomery is celebrating its bright future as it broke ground on a $15.9 million expansion of its surgery department.
How a mother’s matchmaking skills turned into a loving marriage for this LewisGale couple
Read full article: How a mother’s matchmaking skills turned into a loving marriage for this LewisGale coupleIn honor of Valentine's Day, we're sharing the love story of a couple who met as coworkers at LewisGale.
LewisGale doctor shares experience working with Team USA Olympians before Beijing
Read full article: LewisGale doctor shares experience working with Team USA Olympians before BeijingDr. Stephen O'Neil is currently an orthopedic surgeon at LewisGale. Before arriving in Southwest Virginia, he completed his residency in New Mexico where he worked with USA's ski and snowboard team.
10 News Exclusive: Get an inside look at the new Blue Hills Emergency Room in Roanoke County
Read full article: 10 News Exclusive: Get an inside look at the new Blue Hills Emergency Room in Roanoke CountyLewisGale's freestanding emergency room in Roanoke County is just months away from being complete.10 News got an exclusive look inside to check out the facility’s progress.
Southwest Virginia schools prepare for students to return amid holiday COVID-19 surge
Read full article: Southwest Virginia schools prepare for students to return amid holiday COVID-19 surgeAs COVID-19 cases surge after the holidays, parents, health officials and school leaders all have children’s safety at the top of their minds.
Support local healthcare workers by keeping holiday lights up through January
Read full article: Support local healthcare workers by keeping holiday lights up through JanuaryThis year, LewisGale Health Systems is asking people to keep their holiday lights up longer than usual. It’s part of the health system’s parent company’s HCA VA statewide campaign, keep your lights up.
LewisGale first in Virginia to use new technology that helps detect lung cancer earlier
Read full article: LewisGale first in Virginia to use new technology that helps detect lung cancer earlierLewisGale Medical Center in Salem is the first hospital in Virginia to use new artificial intelligence to help diagnose and treat lung cancer.
Local doctor gives tips on how to avoid acne, breathing difficulties caused by masks
Read full article: Local doctor gives tips on how to avoid acne, breathing difficulties caused by masksBLACKSBURG, Va. – We’ve been wearing masks for nearly a year. Bowman said even though masks cover the majority of the face, people still want to put their best face forward. Another common complaint about wearing masks Dr. There are also nasal dilators, breathe right strips and nasal sprays you can get online or over the counter to help open your nostrils. Bowman recommended nasal sprays like Flonase, Nasacort, Nasonex, antihistamines Claritin, Zyrtec and Allegra.
Colon cancer: Who is at risk and why?
Read full article: Colon cancer: Who is at risk and why?March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, also known as colon cancer or rectal cancer depending on where it starts. According to Dr. Brian Van Der Linden, a gastroenterologist at LewisGale Physicians, colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the U.S. Take a look at this list of risk factors:Risk factors for colon cancer (Copyright 2021 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.) Hollywood actor Chadwick Boseman died at 43 of colon cancer in 2020. “They’re having a diagnosis of colon cancer at a later stage and they’re dying from colon cancer at a higher rate because of that and so it’s very important for us to make sure all people are getting screened,” Van Der Linden said.
Salvation Army of Roanoke, LewisGale hosts free health fair
Read full article: Salvation Army of Roanoke, LewisGale hosts free health fairROANOKE, Va. – The Salvation Army of Roanoke and LewisGale Family and Community Medicine residency program have a new partnership and their first project is a free community health fair. The fair is Saturday, Feb. 27 noon to 2 p.m. in the Salvation Army’s gym located at 724 Dale Avenue SE. Once inside, there will be a variety of socially distanced stations with residents from LewisGale psychiatric, family medicine and internal medicine departments. During a time where stress and anxiety are at an all-time high, Price-Clarke felt it was critical the event included mental health too. We want to make sure that they’re given the proper information to take care of their physical and mental health and mental health right now is something we really do need to focus on,” said Price-Clarke.
LewisGale Medical Center concerned over drop in ER patients during the pandemic
Read full article: LewisGale Medical Center concerned over drop in ER patients during the pandemicIn most circumstances, a slow emergency room would be considered a good thing — but LewisGale Medical Center’s director of emergency services is concerned. Michael Henson, emergency services director at LewisGale Medical Center, said that when comparing the daily number of patients going to the ER before the pandemic to now, the hospital has seen a 30% drop. COVID -19 patients are separated from the rest of the patients, screenings are done at entrances, staff members wear masks and face shields and patients are only allowed one visitor. Henson did mention more people were going to the LewisGale free-standing emergency room near Tanglewood than the hospital in Salem. LewisGale Medical Center isn’t the only local hospital that saw a decline.
Henrietta Lacks: How a Roanoke-native coined ‘mother of modern medicine’
Read full article: Henrietta Lacks: How a Roanoke-native coined ‘mother of modern medicine’“It started a whole new phase in medicine which was investigative; able to create vaccines, able to address cancer, able to study cancer. They used her cells in different areas, even in space, even in the atomic bomb to see the effect of the cells,” Quiroz said. The Lacks family found out nearly 25 years later. Dr. Quiroz says the industry has learned from it and that Lark’s title of “Mother of Modern Medicine” is not just because of her cells. AdSome, like Dr. Reed, believe not enough is being done to address the unjust done to Lacks and her family.
Coronavirus vaccines arrive at hospitals across Southwest, Central Virginia
Read full article: Coronavirus vaccines arrive at hospitals across Southwest, Central VirginiaROANOKE, Va. – The coronavirus vaccine has officially made it to some hospitals in Southwest Virginia. Nearly 3,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine are now stored in ultra-cold freezers at Lynchburg General Hospital, ready to be administered. The first shots are expected to start Wednesday at Centra, Carilion and LewisGale, prioritizing health care workers in closest contact with COVID-19 patients. It’s a decent start,” Lewis said. The health department said that by the end of the month, Virginia should have enough doses to reach all health care workers and long-term care facility residents who make up the first priority group.
Local health experts discuss vaccine distribution, latest COVID-19 numbers
Read full article: Local health experts discuss vaccine distribution, latest COVID-19 numbersLYNCHBURG, Va. – Health officials in the Southwest Region, including Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, and Sovah, report 280 patients are hospitalized with the coronavirus, 61 are in the ICU and 30 are on ventilators. At Centra Health, officials are unsure when they’ll get the vaccine or how. “They do likely have some amount of immunity to it, unclear of how much and for how long. We still don’t still know is that enough immunity to protect them for a good enough while that we’d say, ‘well, let’s not vaccine,” said Dr. Christopher Lewis of Centra Health. Centra officials say they’re not going to mandate it for caregivers but strongly encourage it.
Health officials prepare for coronavirus vaccine’s arrival in the New River Valley
Read full article: Health officials prepare for coronavirus vaccine’s arrival in the New River ValleyMONTGOMERY COUNTY Va – Health officials in the New River Valley are gearing up for COVID-19 vaccine distribution. New River Health Director Dr. Noelle Bissell said that while they still don’t know when they will get their first shipment of the vaccine, it will likely be a limited amount. Ralph Northam lays out state’s three-phased coronavirus vaccine distribution plan]She also said that both major health systems in the New River Valley have the proper equipment to store it once it is available. They have vaccine plans in place to be able to inoculate their staff and they have done their own prioritization,” explained Bissell. Bissell also wants to warn the community that once the COVID-19 vaccine is taken, there will likely be side effects.
Lewis Gale OR staff receive Food for Frontline donations on National Nurse Appreciation Day
Read full article: Lewis Gale OR staff receive Food for Frontline donations on National Nurse Appreciation DaySALEM, Va. – Wednesday marked the eighth Food for Frontline delivery and appropriately it went to the OR staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center. Wednesday is National Nurse Appreciation Day and they’re grateful to get food while one local business is thankful to make it. This order from the Food for Frontline initiative is going a long way for this small business. The complimentary meal is showing up at the perfect time - on a national day thanking our nurses. They are the heart of our institutions, the heart of Lewis Gale in what we do every day and for our patients and community here,” Lee said.
LewisGale Hospital Alleghany temporarily suspending ICU services
Read full article: LewisGale Hospital Alleghany temporarily suspending ICU servicesALLEGHANY COUTNY, Va. – LewisGale Hospital Alleghany is temporarily suspending its ICU services amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In an email that LewisGale shared with its community partners in the Alleghany Highlands on Friday, hospital leaders cite “consolidation and conservation of resources” as a strategy they’re using to combat the health care crisis. The move allows LewisGale to shift employees and personal protective equipment (PPE) to other facilities, according to the letter. All other services at LewisGale Hospital Alleghany will stay open. Hospital leaders did not say when the ICU will reopen.
LewisGale cutting hours, giving some employees 70% pay in response to the coronavirus
Read full article: LewisGale cutting hours, giving some employees 70% pay in response to the coronavirusSALEM, Va. – LewisGale is making a major change as its ecosystem is drastically changing due to the coronavirus. Because of restrictions related to the coronavirus, hospitals across the country are seeing a decrease in surgeries and outpatient volume. In response to that, HCA Healthcare, LewisGale’s parent company, has announced a new pandemic pay continuation policy. LewisGale will attempt to redeploy staff with reduced hours who work in clinical positions or support areas so they can keep working. This will effect all LewisGale Regional Heath System facilities, which include: LewisGale Hospital Alleghany, LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, LewisGale Hospital Pulaski and LewisGale Medical Center.
All LewisGale staff in patient care areas now required to wear masks
Read full article: All LewisGale staff in patient care areas now required to wear masksSALEM, Va. – All staff and healthcare providers within the LewisGale Regional Health System will now be required to wear masks. Originally, masks were only required for anyone who came in contact with a suspected or confirmed positive case of coronavirus. Officials with LewisGale say they are confident that they will have enough masks and gloves for all staff members and healthcare providers to use throughout this health crisis. Masks will also be optional for staff in non-patient care areas who maintain a social distance of at least six feet. While officials say there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE) within the LewisGale health system, they will take steps to conserve PPE, including reusing PPE when appropriate.
Local hospitals implement restrictions as flu cases rise
Read full article: Local hospitals implement restrictions as flu cases riseROANOKE, Va. – Seasonal influenza precautions were in place as of Monday at Sovah Health’s Danville and Martinsville campuses. If you are visiting the campuses, the hospital recommends the following:Please limit the number of visitors to three (3) per patient, unless otherwise specified. Centra Lynchburg General Hospital also announced restrictions on visitation during flu season. Monday afternoon, flu recommendations were being finalized for Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, according to a hospital spokesperson. According to the Virginia Department of Health, as of Dec. 28, the flu was widespread in Virginia.
Roanoke County approves rezoning for LewisGale ER despite neighbor objections
Read full article: Roanoke County approves rezoning for LewisGale ER despite neighbor objectionsROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - Roanoke County leaders approved a rezoning request for a new freestanding LewisGale emergency room in the Bonsack area. County leaders wanted the hospital and the neighbors to find some common ground, which they think happened, but not everyone was pleased. But board Chairman Phil North made it clear development is coming to the area either way. But the development is coming, and the supervisors said they felt this was a good use of the land. County leaders say the regional artery needs help from the state, and regional leaders need to step up and band together to ask for it.
LewisGale first in southwest Virginia to use heartburn relief device
Read full article: LewisGale first in southwest Virginia to use heartburn relief deviceROANOKE, Va. - There's now a new life-changing way to treat acid reflux and prevent heartburn in our region. Doctors at LewisGale are the first providers in Southwest Virginia to perform a surgical procedure. It requires surgeons to install a magnetic flexible ring around the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) or muscular valve between the esophagus and stomach. "I would periodically have cases where eating particularly something like meat and bread together that there would be a blockage and made it hard to breathe. The device is permanent and is designed to last forever.
New Roanoke County LewisGale ER clears planning commission despite neighbor objections
Read full article: New Roanoke County LewisGale ER clears planning commission despite neighbor objectionsThe Roanoke County Planning Commission recommended approval for a rezoning to build a new LewisGale free standing emergency room in the Bonsack area despite objections from neighbors who've fought development in the past and welcome the facility, just somewhere else. That led to neighbors feeling deja vu in many of the comments they made to the planning commission, just like when they fought the Chick-fil-A that was approved five years ago, also at the entrance to their neighborhood. But even with that in mind, many of the neighbors walked out feeling steam rolled by the countty. The area unsuccessfully fought the Chick-fil-A opening five years ago and the restaurant was mentioned in nearly every comment. The planning commission highlighted the fact that the corridor is designated as transitional, and it has been in the plan for nearly two decades to put the land to better use.
Some Roanoke County residents feeling deja vu on proposed Lewis Gale Emergency Room
Read full article: Some Roanoke County residents feeling deja vu on proposed Lewis Gale Emergency RoomROANOKE COUNTY, Va. - A Roanoke County neighborhood that was a hotbed of controversy five years ago is feeling some deja vu. The opinions varied depending on how close the neighbors lived to the entrance of the neighborhood where the development is. The hospital is asking the county to rezone from residential to commercial, and tear down the existing house on the property. Mike Grome and his wife were against the Chick-fil-A development back then, and they said it has caused them problems since it opened. Those that live closest to the intersection said they're concerned about the idea of more cars at the doorsteps.
Baby doing 'fantastic' after parents deliver him on side of 220 in Botetourt County
Read full article: Baby doing 'fantastic' after parents deliver him on side of 220 in Botetourt CountyBOTETOURT COUNTY, Va. - Amber Nicely and Lindsay Cartwright are celebrating one week with their new baby boy. "He's been doing fantastic," Nicely said. "He's healthy, Amber's healthy, so I have no real complaints," Cartwright said. They pulled off into a gravel parking lot on the side of route 220 in Botetourt County. "Yeah, he had a sense of urgency but I think he just wanted to come hang out," Nicely said.