Attention Patients: Coronavirus Updates

SVCHS Highlights the Importance of Behavioral Health During COVID-19 Pandemic – April 20, 2021

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is highlighting the importance of behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of grief and loss.

As the world enters the second year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the mounting amount of distress that is being experienced by people of all ages can relate back to fear and isolation, which stems back to people’s limited social interactions, tensions among families in lockdown together and fear of getting the illness. This also is impactful on families who have experienced a loss due to the pandemic. Loss can be that of a loved one or loss of money and employment and different lifestyle changes. During this time, these losses have happened closely to each other, which is resulting in complications or prolong grief. This can cause delay in a person’s ability to adapt, heal, and recover.

“Loss of any kind can easily lead to behaviors that get in the way of carrying out your life roles such as parent, spouse, friend, employee, church member, etc.  Managing loss in a healthy way can make all the difference,” Director of Behavioral Health Marcy Rosenbaum, LCSW said.

Some ways to manage loss:                                                                                      

  1. Talk about it.  You need to move through the pain and loss experience instead of letting it fester inside.
  2. Connect with other people while following social distance recommendations:  call instead of text, virtual meetings, sit in a person’s yard while they are on the porch and talk to each other.
  3. Do things to honor the person or lost activity: create a memory book, prepare a person’s favorite meal, do an activity the person enjoyed, or find a new way to participate in a related activity.
  4. Take care of yourself:  keep your health appointments, stay in a bedtime routine, eat healthy and move more.
  5. Ask others for help.  Seek grief or mental health counseling.  Look for support from your spiritual or religious groups and trusted leaders and friends. 
  6. If your grief leads to thoughts of not wanting to be alive, tell someone.  You can also call the crisis hotline in your area or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

For more information on Behavioral Health services at Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Begin Vaccinating Community Members 75 and Older for COVID-19: January 15, 2021

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) will begin vaccinating community members who are 75 and older for COVID-19 next week on a first-come, first-served basis (limited doses) by appointment only. 

The vaccine will not be given to those who have tested positive within the last 90 days or are currently in quarantine. 

The vaccine will be given out on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Twin City Medical Center, 2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA and Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Meadowview Health Clinic, 13168 Meadowview Square, Meadowview, VA.

Updates will be posted on our Facebook page, Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc., and website, www.svchs.com, as more doses become available. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS RECEIVES $10,000 GRANT FROM ANTHEM HEALTHKEEPERS PLUS: December 17, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) received a $10,000 grant from Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, a Virginia Medicaid managed care organization, to help in assisting in the delivery of tele-health services to patients.

During this unprecedented time, our providers have been offering tele-health visits to everyone, especially the high-risk patients who come into our health centers regularly for their well visits and sick visits for certain medical conditions to be able to protect them from coming in contact with COVID-19.

With the $10,000 grant funding from Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, SVCHS can be able to protect more of our community by purchasing more Chromebooks for our patients who did not have access to any type of device was a huge need to be able to have the access to technology for our providers and nurses. While increasing the technologies, this would also include the need for additional routers to be able extend and expand our broadband to reach further distances, such as into the parking lots of each community health center.

As an example, the New Day Recovery (NDR) program, SVCHS’ substance misuse treatment program, is required to meet face-to-face, but to eliminate the contact, each patient could be provided with a Chromebook to be able to come to the parking lot of the site to meet with their counselor. This would increase social distancing, while also keeping group numbers down in the same facility down.

For more information on SVCHS’ tele-health services, call 276-496-4492.


(Left)E. Kent Berryman Community Relations Manager with Anthem Healthkeepers Plus, a Virginia Medicaid managed care organization, presents a check to (Right) Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems CEO, Bryan Haynes.

SVCHS Welcomes New Family Nurse Practitioner to Van Pelt Elementary School: November 10, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) welcomes Kellie Brown, MSN, APRN, FNP-C to Van Pelt Elementary School to serve as the School-Based Nurse Practitioner.

SVCHS is currently partnered with Bristol Virginia Public Schools in bringing healthcare to students and staff. Our clinic at Van Pelt is operated by a family nurse practitioner and support staff who can examine, diagnose and treat a variety of acute issues.

These include but are not limited to: Strep, Flu, Mono, COVID-19, skin infections, sinusitis, etc.

Brown is very excited to be part of the school-based program and said, “We are so proud of our partnership between SVCHS and BVPS that has allowed us to open a school based health clinic at Van Pelt Elementary School. We do not wish to take the place of any pediatrician or primary care provider but to offer much needed services that will help keep children and staff members healthy and in school!”

Brown comes to SVCHS with a vast background of experiences to share with her patients.  She got her BSN from East Tennessee State University and MSN from Lincoln Memorial University. Brown is a native to the area and was born and raised in Bristol, TN. She was a Neuro ICU nurse at Bristol Regional Medical Center for three years before moving to Knoxville, TN where she worked as a nurse practitioner at a Diabetes & Neuropathy Treatment clinic.

Brown knew from a young age that she wanted to work in healthcare.

She said, “My mom kept a school notebook she filled out for me each year. Beginning in first grade, my response every year was that I wanted to be a nurse or pediatric nurse when I grew up. That dream was reaffirmed when my younger brother was badly injured and I helped take care of him. In high school I was part of the health occupations club and had the chance to shadow lots of different specialties. That is when I decided I would become a nurse practitioner.”

She has been married to her husband for 5 years and has a 1 ½ year old son. They love spending time with friends and family, traveling and enjoying the water in their free time.

Brown said, “Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee are and will always be my home. I can’t tell you how much of a blessing and dream come true it is to serve my community and especially our children.”

If you or someone you know may be looking for a pediatrician, please contact us at 276-496-4492. We have pediatricians at two sites – Twin City Medical Center and Tazewell Community Health Center specializes in pediatric services, from newborn to adolescent care.  Our board certified pediatric doctors have extensive knowledge and experience in the growth and development needs of children and childhood conditions/diseases.  The well-being of your child is a top priority in providing the highest quality of healthcare. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Andrea McClintic or Dr. William Wear for neonatal care, well-check visits, immunizations, school & sports physicals, and sick visits.

Flu Vaccinations are Available at All Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Health Centers: October 27, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is encouraging everyone to get their flu vaccination this year to protect against this virus and help prevent the spread of the seasonal flu to others.

This year, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, flu shots are being advised by top health officials to avoid a situation in which both influenza and COVID-19 spread and sicken the public.

Clinical Director, Jill Talbert, RN, said, “This year, more than ever, it’s important to get a flu vaccine amid the coronavirus pandemic. Flu and COVID symptoms are very similar and hospitals are already overwhelmed with COVID cases. Help reduce your risk of contracting the flu by getting a flu vaccine, if not for yourself, than for the children and older adults in your life.”

Getting your flu shot can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations. Receiving your flu vaccination if you are healthy helps to prevent illness in our most vulnerable populations as well. People at higher risk for flu-related complications include children ages newborn to 5, adults over the age of 65, pregnant women and people who have existing medical conditions such as asthma.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older, including pregnant women. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to develop protection against the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends people get injectable flu shots.

SVCHS has health centers in Saltville, Va., Meadowview, Va., Bristol, Va., and Tazewell, Va. For more information, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: October 20, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:       

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Friday, October 23, 2020, Monday, October 26, 2020, Tuesday, October 27, 2020, and Friday, October 30, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 2:40 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 2:40 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, October 27, 2020 and Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. The rapid test results will be available same day and send out tests available in 1-3 days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Migrant Health Fair Set for October 25, 2020: October 14, 2020

ENGLISH:

The Feria de Salud (Health Fair) has been set for Sunday, October 25 beginning at 1 p.m. at Grayson County Recreational Park (85 County Park Lane, Independence, VA 24348) and lasting until 5 p.m.

This annual festival is hosted by Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems in partnership with Galax Health Departments and is geared toward the Hispanic and Latino population within the area to receive needed health services. 

There will be medical and dental professionals on site. Spanish interpreters will be available at the event to assist with any needs of anyone with limited English.

The family-friendly event will be drive-thru style with patients staying in their cars to receive services, which include blood work, flu vaccines, health information, eye exams, and medical check-ups. Patients are required to wear masks the whole time during the event.

For more information, contact Migrant Health Coordinator, Sarah Agron, at 276-496-4492.

SPANISH:

La Feria de Salud ha sido programada para domingo, 25 de octubre empezando a la 1 pm en Grayson County Recreational Park (85 County Park Lane, Independence, VA 24348) y dura hasta las 5 pm.

Este festival anual está organizado por Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems en coordinación con el departamento de salud de Galax y tiene propósito dar servicios de salud a la comunidad Latina e Hispana en la área.

Sera proveedores médicos y dentales presentes. Intérpretes de español serán disponibles en el evento ayudar a los que tienen ingles limitado.

Este evento familiar será afuera y del auto para que los pacientes reciban servicios dentro de su carro cuales incluyen análisis de sangre, vacunas de la influenza, información de la salud, exámenes de la vista, y chequeos médicos. Pacientes tienen que llevar mascarillas durante su tiempo en el evento.

Para más información, se puede contactar la coordinadora de la Alianza de Salud, Sarah Agron a 276-496-4492.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: October 14, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:     

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Monday, October 19, 2020 and Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, October 20, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Wednesday, October 21, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, October 20, 2020 and Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS Staff Members Awarded Healthcare Heroes: October 9, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) staff members have been awarded four Healthcare Heroes Awards through The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA.  

The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA has held this annual award for more than 25 years now to draw the attention of the region’s business community to the individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty in the provision of healthcare in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. This year, more than ever before, the value of quality healthcare to our region has been thrown into stark relief by the COVID Crisis. Four of SVCHS’ staff members were awarded for their patient-centered care that has been exhibited during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Healthcare Heroes award winners were:

Bryan Haynes, SVCHS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Healthcare Hero:

Bryan has served as Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems fearless leader since 2011.  During his time here, he has been nominated for multiple awards and also won the Virginia Healthcare Association as the recipient of the 2015 Tony Lawson Special Recognition Award. This award recognizes an outstanding staff person of a member organization or of the Virginia Community Healthcare Association, who is a non-provider or non-volunteer, for their extraordinary efforts in support of the organization’s overall mission. More recently, in July 2020, Bryan was appointed to Virginia Governor’s Ralph Northam’s Governor’s Advisory Board on Primary Care.

During these last six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan has worked tirelessly to ensure that the staff and patients of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems were safe in our offices by implementing new policies of sanitation and triage processes. He has helped our staff transition from the majority of in-person visits to offering more tele-health, tele-dental, and tele-behavioral health visits to keep our providers and patients protected from the spread of this disease.

Not only had Bryan worked to keep everyone safe and healthy, he has ensured that the organization had enough funds to be able to weather this storm by applying and securing multiple grants and small business loans to ensure that our staff has been able to keep employment.

While other CEOs would have stood back and let the staff take on the hard work, Bryan has always dove head first and lent a hand into any help needed by or any situation of our four community health centers, two dental facilities, and two substance abuse programs. When employees tested positive for the Coronavirus, Bryan suited up and helped sanitize the work areas and places of these employees, while never batting an eye to the risk he was putting himself in.

 Kristin Bresowar, MD, SVCHS Medical Director – Healthcare Hero:

Since her work began at Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems as the Medical Director in 2014, Dr. Bresowar has always been patient-focused. Dr. Bresowar hit the ground running nearly six months ago when the news was released that a global pandemic was in full force. With the help of the senior management staff, Dr. Bresowar began work on setting up drive-thru testing sites. These sites have been set up at multiple community health centers in Southwest Virginia including Saltville, Meadowview, Bristol, and Tazewell to ensure that members of the four communities that we serve have the ability to be tested if they are exhibiting any kind of COVID-19 symptoms. This has recently been opened up to assisting with local police departments and town halls that have been exposed to the disease. Dr. Bresowar and her team have put in many long hours ensuring that each testing site goes off without a hitch each time they do one. This includes preparation work of paperwork, tent and table set up, appointment making, and the preparation of tests for patients. Dr. Bresowar, in the coming weeks, plans to do more testing expansion to be able to encompass more patients in different areas. Without the relentless leadership of Dr. Bresowar, these events would not be able to even happen.

Dr. Bresowar has spearheaded the tele-health visits for patients to take part in during this time of pandemic to ensure that patients are up-to-date on their yearly physicals and have enough medications to last them. She specifically has directed this initiative toward ensuring that high-risk patients are not potentially put into a setting where their health could be compromised by getting COVID-19.

Brooke Ellison, RN, SVCHS Care Coordinator at Twin City Medical Center, Bristol, VA – Healthcare Hero:

A few short weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and everything in the medical world was turned upside down, Brooke was thrown into a whole new role due to the injury of our Clinical Director. Due to the injury, Brooke had to step in to fill her shoes until she healed, but little did Brooke know how important her stepping up would be to our whole organization. Brooke hit the ground running when the pandemic began hitting areas close to use by ensuring that all of our clinical teams had enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to lessen exposure to our teams and their families. While keeping stock of what we currently had, Brooke went into full research mode to find additional sources of PPE to have on hand. We have community health centers from Bristol to Tazewell, Brooke would take it upon herself to make deliveries from Bristol to Tazewell to ensure that all providers had enough gloves or masks.

Since the implementation of our drive-thru testing sites, Brooke has taken on a leadership role in ensuring that these testing sites are well-equipped with tests, PPE, and any other necessary supplies. She has worked hard in registering patients, directing the sites, and even doing testing herself.

Migrant Health Network – Sarah Agron, Miguel Tejero, Mary Manzanzani, and Izamara Ayala: Cup of Kindness, Crisis Management Award:

The Migrant Health Network (MHN) provides basic health services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in Southwest Virginia.  A program of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc., the MHN is funded by the Bureau of Primary Care, Migrant Health Division. The Migrant Health Network was established more than 20 years ago to improve access to healthcare, health education, and wellness activities for migrant and seasonal farm workers of Southwest Virginia particularly in the counties of Lee, Scott, Russell, Smyth, Washington, Grayson, Carroll, Patrick, Tazewell, and the City of Bristol. The MHN provides many services on a sliding scale to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.  Services include, but are not limited to, the following:  primary care medical services, health education, outreach, health assessments, referrals, and case management.

During this trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hispanic communities that are primarily farmworkers were hit hard with this disease leaving them with very limited resources in the area due to a language barrier. This demographic also falls into the high-risk category for COVID-19 due to the high percentage of underlying health conditions. Migrant farmworkers have different and more complex problems than those of the general population.  Migrant farmworkers suffer frequently from untreated diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, contact dermatitis, dental problems, urinary tract infections, and musculoskeletal problems. Not only can migrant workers be at a higher risk for diseases, they also face a lack of transportation, lack of the knowledge of resources in an area, lack of resources to pay for care, and their mobile lifestyle can often play a role in the possibility of more health problems.

Migrant Health workers for Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems have stepped up tremendously in assisting and volunteering with the local health departments, clinics, hospitals, and governments in providing translating assistance to this Hispanic community that speaks predominantly Spanish. While providing language services, the Migrant Health workers have also provided transportation to doctor’s visits and COVID-19 testing sites and assistance with resources regarding COVID-19. Without the extra help from the dedicated staff of the Migrant Health Network, this Hispanic community could have been left much more ravaged by this disease.

“This is such a huge honor for our organization. We are so extremely proud of our Healthcare Hero Awardees, but also of all of our staff members who have worked so hard for our patients and communities during this pandemic. All of our staff members always performs their jobs to the fullest, but during this time has had to work in an environment with the knowledge that every single patient that they come in contact with could be carrying and infect them with this deadly virus, “Chad Brown, SVCHS Chief Operations Officer (COO), said.

The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/VA has held this annual award for more than 25 years now to draw the attention of the region’s business community to the individuals and organizations that go above and beyond the call of duty in the provision of healthcare in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. This year, more than ever before, the value of quality healthcare to our region has been thrown into stark relief by the COVID Crisis. Four of SVCHS’ staff members were awarded for their patient-centered care that has been exhibited during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Healthcare Heroes award winners were:

Bryan Haynes, SVCHS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Healthcare Hero:

Bryan has served as Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems fearless leader since 2011.  During his time here, he has been nominated for multiple awards and also won the Virginia Healthcare Association as the recipient of the 2015 Tony Lawson Special Recognition Award. This award recognizes an outstanding staff person of a member organization or of the Virginia Community Healthcare Association, who is a non-provider or non-volunteer, for their extraordinary efforts in support of the organization’s overall mission. More recently, in July 2020, Bryan was appointed to Virginia Governor’s Ralph Northam’s Governor’s Advisory Board on Primary Care.

During these last six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryan has worked tirelessly to ensure that the staff and patients of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems were safe in our offices by implementing new policies of sanitation and triage processes. He has helped our staff transition from the majority of in-person visits to offering more tele-health, tele-dental, and tele-behavioral health visits to keep our providers and patients protected from the spread of this disease.

Not only had Bryan worked to keep everyone safe and healthy, he has ensured that the organization had enough funds to be able to weather this storm by applying and securing multiple grants and small business loans to ensure that our staff has been able to keep employment.

While other CEOs would have stood back and let the staff take on the hard work, Bryan has always dove head first and lent a hand into any help needed by or any situation of our four community health centers, two dental facilities, and two substance abuse programs. When employees tested positive for the Coronavirus, Bryan suited up and helped sanitize the work areas and places of these employees, while never batting an eye to the risk he was putting himself in.

 Kristin Bresowar, MD, SVCHS Medical Director – Healthcare Hero:

Since her work began at Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems as the Medical Director in 2014, Dr. Bresowar has always been patient-focused. Dr. Bresowar hit the ground running nearly six months ago when the news was released that a global pandemic was in full force. With the help of the senior management staff, Dr. Bresowar began work on setting up drive-thru testing sites. These sites have been set up at multiple community health centers in Southwest Virginia including Saltville, Meadowview, Bristol, and Tazewell to ensure that members of the four communities that we serve have the ability to be tested if they are exhibiting any kind of COVID-19 symptoms. This has recently been opened up to assisting with local police departments and town halls that have been exposed to the disease. Dr. Bresowar and her team have put in many long hours ensuring that each testing site goes off without a hitch each time they do one. This includes preparation work of paperwork, tent and table set up, appointment making, and the preparation of tests for patients. Dr. Bresowar, in the coming weeks, plans to do more testing expansion to be able to encompass more patients in different areas. Without the relentless leadership of Dr. Bresowar, these events would not be able to even happen.

Dr. Bresowar has spearheaded the tele-health visits for patients to take part in during this time of pandemic to ensure that patients are up-to-date on their yearly physicals and have enough medications to last them. She specifically has directed this initiative toward ensuring that high-risk patients are not potentially put into a setting where their health could be compromised by getting COVID-19.

Brooke Ellison, RN, SVCHS Care Coordinator at Twin City Medical Center, Bristol, VA – Healthcare Hero:

A few short weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic struck and everything in the medical world was turned upside down, Brooke was thrown into a whole new role due to the injury of our Clinical Director. Due to the injury, Brooke had to step in to fill her shoes until she healed, but little did Brooke know how important her stepping up would be to our whole organization. Brooke hit the ground running when the pandemic began hitting areas close to use by ensuring that all of our clinical teams had enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to lessen exposure to our teams and their families. While keeping stock of what we currently had, Brooke went into full research mode to find additional sources of PPE to have on hand. We have community health centers from Bristol to Tazewell, Brooke would take it upon herself to make deliveries from Bristol to Tazewell to ensure that all providers had enough gloves or masks.

Since the implementation of our drive-thru testing sites, Brooke has taken on a leadership role in ensuring that these testing sites are well-equipped with tests, PPE, and any other necessary supplies. She has worked hard in registering patients, directing the sites, and even doing testing herself.

Migrant Health Network – Sarah Agron, Miguel Tejero, Mary Manzanzani, and Izamara Ayala: Cup of Kindness, Crisis Management Award:

The Migrant Health Network (MHN) provides basic health services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families in Southwest Virginia.  A program of Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc., the MHN is funded by the Bureau of Primary Care, Migrant Health Division. The Migrant Health Network was established more than 20 years ago to improve access to healthcare, health education, and wellness activities for migrant and seasonal farm workers of Southwest Virginia particularly in the counties of Lee, Scott, Russell, Smyth, Washington, Grayson, Carroll, Patrick, Tazewell, and the City of Bristol. The MHN provides many services on a sliding scale to migrant and seasonal farmworkers.  Services include, but are not limited to, the following:  primary care medical services, health education, outreach, health assessments, referrals, and case management.

During this trying time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hispanic communities that are primarily farmworkers were hit hard with this disease leaving them with very limited resources in the area due to a language barrier. This demographic also falls into the high-risk category for COVID-19 due to the high percentage of underlying health conditions. Migrant farmworkers have different and more complex problems than those of the general population.  Migrant farmworkers suffer frequently from untreated diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases, contact dermatitis, dental problems, urinary tract infections, and musculoskeletal problems. Not only can migrant workers be at a higher risk for diseases, they also face a lack of transportation, lack of the knowledge of resources in an area, lack of resources to pay for care, and their mobile lifestyle can often play a role in the possibility of more health problems.

Migrant Health workers for Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems have stepped up tremendously in assisting and volunteering with the local health departments, clinics, hospitals, and governments in providing translating assistance to this Hispanic community that speaks predominantly Spanish. While providing language services, the Migrant Health workers have also provided transportation to doctor’s visits and COVID-19 testing sites and assistance with resources regarding COVID-19. Without the extra help from the dedicated staff of the Migrant Health Network, this Hispanic community could have been left much more ravaged by this disease.

“This is such a huge honor for our organization. We are so extremely proud of our Healthcare Hero Awardees, but also of all of our staff members who have worked so hard for our patients and communities during this pandemic. All of our staff members always performs their jobs to the fullest, but during this time has had to work in an environment with the knowledge that every single patient that they come in contact with could be carrying and infect them with this deadly virus, “Chad Brown, SVCHS Chief Operations Officer (COO), said.

Bryan Haynes, CEO
Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: October 7, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:   

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Monday, October 12, 2020 and Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, October 13, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, October 13, 2020 and Thursday, October 15, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: September 30, 2020

 Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:       

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Monday, October 5, 2020 and Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, October 6, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.  
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, October 6, 2020 and Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 8:40 a.m. to Noon, then 1:40 p.m. to 4:40 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, October 6, 2020 and Thursday, October 8/, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS Purchases Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to Assist in Combating COVID-19

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) has purchased a Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic within the local communities.

SVCHS Chief of Operations (COO), Chad Brown, said, “The MMU is designed to allow us the capability and flexibility to provide testing services out in the community as needed and allows up to expand our testing capacity in the communities we serve.”

The trailer is a 2021 ATC QUEST 8.5 x 24 Command / Response Trailer that is pulled by a truck. The MMU is staffed by a driver and two nurses and equipped to perform COVID-19 testing services by appointment only at any of the four health centers in either Saltville, Meadowview, Bristol, or Tazewell. Each day, the MMU has the capacity to test and serve 50 to 60 patients when at full capacity, which is anticipated to occur soon due to the rising of COVID-19 cases throughout the region.

Post-COVID-19, SVCHS still plans to use the MMU for different purposes.

Brown said, “Post-COVID we anticipate the MMU being used for medical, dental, and behavioral health outreach activities.”

Outreach activities include vaccinations, health and dental screenings, and visiting Migrant camps throughout the region.

“The number of uses for the MMU in the future will only be limited by our imaginations,” Brown said.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: September 15, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:       

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, September 21, 2020 and Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Tuesday, September 22, 2020 and Wednesday, September 23, 2020.
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, September 22, 2020 and Wednesday, September, 23 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Monday, September 21, 2020.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, September 22, 2020 and Wednesday, September 23, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Mobile Medical Unit (MMU): Thursday, September 24, 2020.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, September 22, 2020 and Thursday, September 24, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

September is National Recovery Month: September 9, 2020

September is National Recovery Month, and at Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems’ New Day Recovery substance use program services are offered that provide high quality treatment services to help with problems associated with substance use disorders.

According to the CDC, at least 40% of Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic have experienced the start or increase of mental health and/or substance use conditions. More than 23 million Americans are in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs and are living proof that recovery is real and that it benefits themselves, their families and communities. This observance is held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life. Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions. The observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover. There are millions of Americans whose lives have been transformed through recovery. Since these successes often go unnoticed, Recovery Month provides a vehicle for everyone to celebrate these accomplishments. Each September, tens of thousands of prevention, treatment, and recovery programs and facilities around the country celebrate Recovery Month. They speak about the achievements made by those in recovery and share their success stories. In doing so, everyone helps to increase awareness and furthers a greater understanding about the diseases of mental and substance use disorders.

New Day Recovery is a team-based program that is dedicated to providing high quality treatment services to help with the illness of substance use disorder.  They provide medication assisted treatments for opioid use disorder and recently added contingency management strategies.  Contingency management is one of the very few evidenced based treatments for amphetamine use disorder which includes methamphetamine.  The staff, who consists of professionals who are qualified and trained in the treatment of addiction, is committed to caring and promoting dignity and self-respect in and for each patient, and provide the opportunity to obtain treatment and embrace recovery with the least amount of disruption in everyday life. Each patient’s services are personalized throughout the treatment process to assure that the patient has the best opportunity for a successful recovery. As a result, the patient can continue to receive support from the community and from their family without the need for inpatient treatment.

Since the program’s opening on July 8, 2016, the program has had more than 730 referrals and more than 360 patients to enter the program.  Due to the high need for services and transportation issues in Southwest Virginia, a second New Day Recovery site was opened in Bristol Virginia.  Currently, the program is serving a total of 130 patients with new referrals every week. The staff work together to provide integrated medical and behavioral health services for a need that was previously underserved in Southwest Virginia.  New Day Recovery is hoping the addition of their contingency management treatment will make inroads for the rising methamphetamine abuse issue that is being recognized across the state of Virginia.

“A substance use disorder is a chronic medical illness in the brain that hijacks the dopamine system and takes control over areas of the brain that are critical to judgment, decision making, and behavior control. These resulting behaviors hurt families, relationships, employment, and spirituality which makes it even harder for a person to heal from their chronic illness. The treatment need is complicated by the fact that about half the people with a substance use disorder also have a mental illness, so when we help people recovery their lives back, medication assisted treatment is important, but only a part of our treatment approach. For opioid use disorder, we mostly use the FDA approved buprenorphine and naloxone combination medication to help reduce cravings, prevent withdrawal, and reduce opportunity for abuse of the medication. The medication helps our patients participate in intensive group and individual counseling. We provide the whole person care that our patients deserve: medication, behavioral health counseling for substance abuse and mental illness, referral for physical health concerns, and care management to assist with community resources for employment, housing and other psychosocial needs.  The medication therapy has been very successful for opioid use disorder, and the entirety of services assists with other substances of abuse including methamphetamine,” Rosenbaum said.

At New Day Recovery, addiction is viewed as the medical illness that it is. Like every chronic illness, addiction is impacted by family genetics, biology, and living environment. To have the best opportunity for recovery, there has to be input from all medical areas of primary care with integrated behavioral health counseling. Counseling helps change the unhelpful behaviors of the patient and will hopefully follow them the rest of their life. One of the main reasons for offering primary-care office-based treatment services is the limited amount of substance abuse services available in the area and to increase people’s access to local and affordable care. Our addition of a site in Bristol has also increased access for far Southwest Virginia.  New Day Recovery was one of the first office based opioid treatment programs offered in a Virginia Federally Qualified Healthcare Center (FQHC) and helped the Department of Medical Assistance Services train other FQHCs to provide the same service across the state.

If you or someone you know is interested in the services offered at New Day Recovery, please call 276-496-4492 or visit our website, www.svchs.com for more information.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: September 9, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:       

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, September 14, 2020 and Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, September 15, 2020 and Wednesday, September, 16 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, September 15, 2020 and Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, September 15, 2020 and Thursday, September 17, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: September 1, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:       

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Thursday, September 10, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, September 8, 2020 and Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, September 8, 2020 and Wednesday, September 9, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, September 8, 2020 and Thursday, September 10, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

August is National Immunization Month: August 28, 2020

August is National Immunization Month, and Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) wants to ensure that everyone is up-to-date on all their immunizations.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. This month highlights the value of getting recommended vaccines throughout all stages of life. Most recently, Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam, named August Immunization Awareness Month in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This proclamation is intended to increase public knowledge, acceptance and use of vaccines, and encourage all vaccines to be administered, whether due or overdue, according to the recommended CDC immunizations to prevent all Virginians from preventable diseases, no matter their age.

Immunizations play an important role in protecting your own health, and the health of your families and the surrounding communities. By taking immunizations, you have the power to protect yourself and your family with vaccines that prevent serious diseases like measles, the flu, whooping cough, Hepatitis A, pneumonia, and cancers caused by HPV.

Immunization rates for children dropped nearly 46% this year due to COVID-19, but children still need to be current on their vaccines before heading back to school. Students must be vaccinated even if returning to school remotely.

SVCHS Pediatrician, Andrea McClintic, DO, said, “We make them wear their bike helmets and seatbelts to protect from injury.  We take them to the dentist to ensure that they have good oral health.  We use sunscreen to protect their skin from damage.  We, as parents and grandparents, love our children.  Why would we not choose to protect them from suffering with devastating and potentially fatal illnesses such as cancer, meningitis, encephalitis, infections causing hearing loss, viruses that are crippling or cause extensive hospitalizations and so much more?   Protect your child’s health and their future by keeping them up to date on recommended immunizations. “

While we think of children when we think of immunizations, they are not just for young children, they are for everyone of all ages. SVCHS encourages their patients to talk to their health care provider about the specific immunizations needed for their age and if they are up-to-date, as well.

For more information regarding immunizations or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS To Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: August 28, 2020

 Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, August 31, 2020 and Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, September 1, 2020 and Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, September 1, 2020 and Wednesday, September 2, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, September 1, 2020 and Thursday, September 3, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: August 25, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, August 24, 2020 and Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, August 25, 2020 and Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, August 25, 2020 and Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, August 25, 2020 and Thursday, August 27, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: August 11, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, August 17, 2020 and Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, August 18, 2020 and Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, August 18, 2020 and Wednesday, August 19, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, August 18, 2020 and Thursday, August 20, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold Multiple COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testings This Week: August 5, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at their four community health centers. 

Appointments are available at each of our four community health centers:

  • Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Administration Building (13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, VA  24361): Monday, August 10, 2020 and Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  
  • Saltville Medical Center (308 West Main Street Saltville, VA  24370): Tuesday, August 11, 2020 and Wednesday, August 12, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Twin City Medical Center (2195 Euclid Avenue, Suite 6 Bristol, VA  24201): Tuesday, August 11, 2020 and Wednesday, August 12, 2020 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tazewell Community Health Center (386 Ben Bolt Avenue Tazewell, VA  24651): Tuesday, August 11, 2020 and Thursday, August 13, 2020 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. Rapid and PCR tests are available. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in two to three days unless a rapid test is performed.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS Celebrates National Health Center Week Virtually: August 4, 2020

In celebration of National Health Center Week (NHCW), Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is switching gears this year and celebrating the week virtually during this unprecedented time of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The event is part of a national campaign during the week of August 9 – 15, 2020 with the theme of “Community Health Centers: Lighting the Way for Healthier Communities Today and in the Future”!  to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers and the dedicated staff who bring health care to the medically underserved.

Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, they offer support and love. In moments of triumph, they offer hope and a vision for the future. Let’s come together this week to celebrate the roles Community Health Centers have played in both our recent moments of loss and triumph.  This National Health Center Week honors those front line providers, staff, and beloved patients who lost their lives during the (ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic. From the very beginning of the crisis, Community Health Centers began finding innovative ways to provide preventative and primary care to their patients. During this week of remembrance, light a candle for those community health leaders, patients that we lost. As we commemorate those lives and celebrate the future of Community Health, let’s shine a light across the country that will embody the future of primary health care aces for underserved populations. Shine a light on your Community Health Center and share the value that it brings to everyone who it touches.

Each day of NHCW 2020 is dedicated to a particular focus area:

  • Sunday, 8/9: Public Health in Housing Day 
  • Monday, 8/10: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
  • Tuesday, 8/11: Agricultural Worker Health Day
  • Wednesday, 8/12: Patient Appreciation Day
  • Thursday, 8/13: Stakeholder Appreciation Day
  • Friday, 8/14: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day
  • Saturday, 8/15: Children’s Health Day

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is part of a nationwide network of locally-run health centers that serve more than 28 million people nationwide. They are on the front lines of national public health challenges – whether caring for veterans, providing opioid treatment, or responding to natural disasters. They are also a lifeline in remote and underserved communities where the nearest doctor or hospital can be as far as 50 miles or more away. Nearly half of health centers (44 percent) are located in rural communities.

  • Highlights of health center accomplishments include: 
  • Reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and unnecessary visits to the emergency room;
  • Treating patients for a fraction of the average cost of one emergency room visit;
  • Serving more than one in six Medicaid beneficiaries for less than two percent of the national Medicaid budget;
  • Lowering the cost of children’s primary care by approximately 35 percent;
  • Treating 65,000 patients with Medication Assisted Therapy for opioid use disorder in 2017; and,
  • Serving over 355,000 veterans throughout the country.

NHCW highlights how health centers are at the forefront of a nationwide shift in addressing environmental and social factors as an integral part of primary care, reaching beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the factors that may cause sickness, such as lack of nutrition, mental illness, homelessness and substance use disorders.  Community Health Centers’ success in managing chronic disease in medically vulnerable communities has helped reduce health care costs for American taxpayers. 

This year, SVCHS, is celebrating the week virtually by hosting outside visits to our new travelling testing unit that will be assisting at the COVID-19 testing.

This unit at each of our four health centers during the week:

  • Meadowview Community Health Center on Monday, August 10
  • Saltville Community Health Center on Tuesday, August 11
  • Bristol Community Health Center on Wednesday, August 12
  • Tazewell Community Health Center on Thursday, August 13

For Patient Appreciation Day, patients who have appointments during the week will receive a small token of appreciation from SVCHS. For Agricultural Worker Day, workers with the Migrant Health Network will be passing out small tokens of appreciation to all of our agricultural worker patients. For Health Center Staff Appreciation Day, staff members from each site will be treated to lunch from an outside vendor. For Children’s Health Day and Public Health Day, SVCHS will be celebrating all week long on social media with healthcare-related children’s book readings from staff members and their family members.

SVCHS will be posting digital content on their Facebook page and website all week long from local and national government officials and providers and staff from SVCHS. We encourage our patients and community members to like, share, and comment on any content posted.

Tazewell Community Health Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing in Tazewell, VA: July 30, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Tazewell Community Health Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Thursday, August 6, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in five to seven days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Twin City Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing in Bristol, VA: July 29, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Twin City Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 and Wednesday, August 5, 2020 between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. There are a limited number of appointments available each day and will be offered on a first call first serve basis. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in five to seven days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on Thursday, July 23, 2020: July 15, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia.  

Appointments are available on Thursday, July 23, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing on Tuesday, July 21, 2020: July 15, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

COVID-19 Stop the Spread of Germs

Check out this video from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about to helping stop the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses by following these steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-zhhSQDD1U

How to Wear a Cloth Face Covering

For more information on how to correctly wear a cloth face covering, please watch this video below from the CDC.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that wearing a cloth face covering in public may help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

https://youtu.be/dy9TzRwVWoA

Visiting Friends and Family with Higher Risk for Severe Illness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnxk5OGW8PA&deliveryName=USCDC_2067-DM32480&fbclid=IwAR1owRTd_aiUj8m3yg222f81RAm6WGMZAF8TD7fstH0pIPY4udpkQPTKvPY

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when you visit friends & family who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, take these important steps. Wear cloth face coverings. Stay 6 at least feet apart. Meet outside if possible. Wash your hands often. Sanitize all touched surfaces.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on Thursday, July 16, 2020: July 7, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia.  

Appointments are available on Thursday, July 16, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is available on an appointment or drive-up basis. Patients are encouraged to schedule appointments, but it is not required. Testing priority will be given to people who schedule appointments and otherwise testing will be done on a first come first served basis the day of the event. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling or drive-up, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing on Tuesday, July 14, 2020: July 7, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is available on an appointment or drive-up basis. Patients are encouraged to schedule appointments, but it is not required. Testing priority will be given to people who schedule appointments and otherwise testing will be done on a first come first served basis the day of the event. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling or drive-up, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing on Tuesday, July 7, 2020: July 1, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is available on an appointment or drive-up basis. Patients are encouraged to schedule appointments, but it is not required. Testing priority will be given to people who schedule appointments. Otherwise,  testing will be done on a first come first served basis the day of the event. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling or drive-up, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on Thursday, July 9, 2020: July 1, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia.  

Appointments are available on Thursday, July 9, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is available on an appointment or drive-up basis. Patients are encouraged to schedule appointments, but it is not required. Testing priority will be given to people who schedule appointments. Otherwise, testing will be done on a first come first served basis the day of the event. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling or drive-up, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on Thursday, July 2, 2020: June 23, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia.  

Appointments are available on Thursday, July 2, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing on Tuesday, June 30, 2020: June 23, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Medication Assistance Program (MAP) to Help Qualifying Community Members: June 16, 2020

With many community members out of work during this unprecedented time with rising unemployment numbers, Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems’ (SVCHS) Medication Assistance Program (MAP) can help qualifying community members with free medications.

 MAP was designed to help supply free medications for Southwest Virginia residents who are either without prescription coverage or who are currently in the Medicare Coverage Gap “donut hole.” These medications are provided by using The Pharmacy Connection, which has direct contact with pharmaceutical companies. The Pharmacy Connection was developed and is funded by the Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF). A public/private partnership, VHCF helps uninsured Virginians and those who live in underserved communities receive medical, dental and mental health care. VHCF support helps free clinics, community health centers and others to expand both the types of care offered and the number of patients cared for each year.

Eligibility is determined by the companies who provide the medication requested. There are no guarantees that patients will qualify for assistance. Not all medications prescribed are offered on this program. If medications are available and patients qualify for assistance, it may take 4-8 weeks or longer to initially receive medications.

Participants do not have to be a patient of SVCHS, but a Primary Care Physician would have to be willing to sign their applications.

Each of SVCHS’ four sites have a MAP Coordinator, who can help interested community members with the application process and see if they meet the set qualifications.

“The medication program offered at SVCHS has been instrumental in improving the health of our patients and those who live within our communities. Patients tell us every day that they don’t know what they would do without the program. We have dedicated employees who go out of their way to help patients receive these free medications,” Jill Talbert, RN, SVCHS’ Clinical Director said.

For more information regarding the MAP program, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on June 18, 2020: June 9, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia.  

Appointments are available on Thursday, June 18, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing on June 16 ,2020: June 9, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.” For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

SVCHS to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing in Meadowview, Virginia on June 11, 2020: June 2, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at SVCHS’ Administration building in Meadowview, Virginia. 

Appointments are available on Thursday, June 11, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. at SVCHS’ Administration building located at 13191 Glenbrook Avenue, Meadowview, Virginia 24361. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing on June 9, 2020: June 2, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing on June 2, 2020: May 27, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing on May 26, 2020: May 21, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. This is to test for current virus infection and is not antibody testing. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling, and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center to Hold COVID-19 Drive Thru Testing: May 13, 2020

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems is offering appointments to community members for Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing at the Saltville Medical Center’s drive-thru site.

Appointments are available on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Testing is not available on a walk-in basis. Insurance information will be collected at the time of the appointment scheduling and insurance will be billed for the test. For patients who do not have insurance, financial assistance is available to cover the cost of testing. The tests will be offered to the first 24 people who call and request testing. Depending on demand SVCHS may expand the testing available at future events.

“We are excited to be able to assist our local health department’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 by increasing access to testing.” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director at Southwest Virginia Community Health Centers. “Increased testing capacity is critical to being able to keep our community safe as our economy begins to reopen.”

Patients with appointments must travel in their personal vehicles to their appointments, Testing is done without patients leaving their vehicles. Testing results are available in three to five days.

Bresowar said. “It is crucial for everyone in our community to have access to testing to better protect themselves and their families at home.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 276-496-4492.

Statement from Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems about COVID-19 Preparedness and Safety: April 28, 2020, 3:22 p.m.

Dear Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems Patient,

We know that you all are thinking about safety during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I am writing today not to alarm you, but to put you more at ease in knowing the steps we are taking at Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems to keep you safe and healthy. We are following procedures recommended by the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health. While the number of cases in the U.S. continues to climb, we want to lessen some of your fears by sharing our preparedness efforts and how you can help to protect yourself, your family, and the community.

As always, our medical providers will be thoroughly washing hands before each patient, but will also have hand sanitizer for additional use in each room. We will be thoroughly cleaning the rooms between each patient and using disinfectants to reduce risk of exposure. Medical providers and all others staff will be checking themselves for fever or symptoms and will take time away as warranted.

All four of our community health centers are open to serve you and your families during this time. We have made some changes to our hours at the Saltville Medical Center, which will be closed on Saturdays until further notice.

There are new measures we are now putting into place to minimize patient risk because we have patients of all ages and levels of immunity, we are choosing to use the utmost precaution to make sure you are not exposed when you visit.

One of these precautions are the use of telemedicine at the discretion of your medical provider. Telemedicine allows you receive a virtual visit from your provider in the comfort of your own home. This is set into place to be able to let you stay at home, while also receiving quality medical care.

Anyone who does enter any of our facilities, including New Day Recovery and Southwest Virginia Regional Dental Center, will be triaged. This process includes a temperature check and questions to ensure that you are not a risk to any of our other patients. We encourage patients to bring their own mask if they have one due to current personal protective gear shortages nationwide. Otherwise, all patients will receive a mask to wear.

For anyone who is experiencing any type of Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms, we are allowing drive-up testing to reduce any type of spread into the health center. The patient will remain in their car the whole time, while a healthcare provider administers the test. The healthcare provider will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to administer this test.

Thank you in advance for your understanding and patience as we navigate implementing best practices during this time. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems are fully committed to providing you with safe, excellent care and the most up-to-date preparedness efforts as we navigate this challenging time together.

Sincerely,

                                                      Bryan Haynes

CEO

                                                                                

SVCHS Now Providing Telemedicine, Telebehavioral Health, and Teledentistry Services: April 21, 2020, 3:00 p.m.

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) is currently providing telemedicine, telebehavioral, and teledentistry health services to provide patients with services from the comfort of their own homes during the time of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Telemedicine will be provided to patients at the discretion of their current medical provider via Zoom, which is a free application that the patient would need to download for these services. The patient will need access to a computer, tablet, or smart phone, along with an email address.

Behavioral health staff are currently providing all of their regular services through telebehavioral health and can see any patient of SVCHS.  Staff utilize Zoom, phone, and any other medium that is available to the patient in order to provide services. This includes New Day Recovery because managing a substance use disorder is more difficult during increased stress.   We are accepting new referrals for people who are struggling with opioid use disorder. 

Currently, the SVCHS Dental Department is utilizing teledentistry services to provide access to care for dental services during COVID-19. Teledentistry provides patients with secure, one-stop access to a provider without the need to leave home, which can ease multiple burdens on families.  During the COVID-19 outbreak, teledentistry is an effective way to triage patients and conduct problem-focused evaluations to limit office visits to patients needing urgent or emergency care.

“As an organization we are excited to be able to offer telehealth and phone consults with for patients. This new service will allow us to keep patients healthy and address as many medical needs as possible while minimizing people’s exposure to the healthcare system during this outbreak,” said Medical Director Kristin Bresowar, MD.

These services are provided for the health and safety of our patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about any of these services, please call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center Hour Changes: April 16, 2020, 11:34 a.m.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Saltville Medical Center will be closing at 5 p.m. and will no longer be providing services on Saturday until further notice.

Saltville Medical Center Open: April 9, 2020, 9:40 a.m.

The Saltville Medical Center is open today, April, 9, 2020.

SVCHS Confirms Two Cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19): April 8, 2020, 1:00 p.m.

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS) staff members from the Saltville Medical Center have tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The two employees are currently quarantined at home and following all isolation procedures to avoid community spread.

“Any patient that entered the Saltville Medical Center between the dates of Monday, March 30, 2020 and Friday, April 3, 2020 should consider themselves exposed to COVID-19,” said Kristin Bresowar, MD, Medical Director.

Over the following days, any patients who were in the facility during the time who had direct contract with affected staff will be contacted personally.

Bresowar advises that all patients who were in our facilities during those dates should monitor themselves for any symptoms of COVID-19 and try to separate themselves from any other household members, if possible. Patients are asked to contact SVCHS for testing if symptoms should develop.

“We understand that this is a difficult time for both our patients and our employees. Keeping everyone safe at our health centers and within our community must be our first priority. For that reason, the Saltville Medical Center is temporarily closed today, Wednesday, April 8, 2020, to the public, so we can conduct some additional cleaning within the facility based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) guidelines. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our patients.” Bryan Haynes, CEO said.

At this time, the only confirmed cases are at Saltville Medical Center in Saltville, VA. While no other cases have been reported, SVCHS is prepared at our other health centers in Meadowview, Bristol, and Tazewell to handle any additional cases.

 “Our main priority is the health and safety of our patients and employees during this time,” Haynes said.

The best way to limit spread is through social distancing and frequent hand washing. Anyone who feels sick or is exhibiting the common symptoms of the Coronavirus is advises to stay at home until symptoms have subsided. Common Coronavirus symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and temperature, but not all patients exhibit a temperature. Other symptoms to varying extents can include fatigue, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste, loss of smell, and loss of hearing.

For more information, please call 276-496-4492.

Saltville Medical Center Hour Changes: March 27, 2020, 11:48 a.m.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Saltville Medical Center will no longer be providing services on Saturday until further notice.

Optometry Appointment Changes: March 24, 2020, 9:45 a.m.

These changes were implemented on Monday, March 23, 2020 and will stay in place until further notice.

These changes include:

  1. Postpone all routine eyecare, including new patients to optometric services
  2. Urgent and acute care will be provided as deemed necessary by optometric staff
  3. Please direct all patients who have questions or wish to schedule an appointment to the optometric assistant at (276) 496 – 4492 extension 1222
  4. The optometric staff will triage patients via phone to determine necessity of examinations
  5. Expiring contact lens and glasses prescriptions will be renewed on a case-by-case basis
  6. Optometry staff will make every effort to refer emergent cases to a specialist without requiring an office visit to SVCHS

For questions regarding these changes, please call (276) 496 – 4492.

Service Changes at SVCHS: March 19, 2020, 8:05 a.m.

Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems (SVCHS), in light of the recent Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, will be making some changes to service.

Patients will be contacted soon who have appointments until Friday, April 3, 2020, who are considered in the high risk category. Those patients will be offered reschedules in May and/or June 2020. These in the high risk categories include 65 years or older, COPD and other pulmonary disease, heart disease, immunocompromised (cancer, autoimmune disease), and diabetics.

For the safety of our medical providers and other patients, SVCHS is requesting that only patients enter the health centers unless a caregiver is required, such as a minor or a patient requiring assistance. Upon entering the buildings, everyone will be screened at a triage station where temperature will be taken along with other information. Patients that screen positive will be issued a mask and roomed immediately. Upon no available rooms, patient will be directed to their car where you will be called via cell phone or notified by a nurse. For patients who are sick, but does not screen positive for coronavirus, each site will have different sick waiting room areas.  

As of March 17, 2020, it was recommended by the Virginia Dental Association, that all dental offices postpone any non-emergent care for two weeks. During this time period, the treatment of emergency dental visits and extraction appointments, by review of provider, will be kept in place. New patients and routine preventative care will be postponed until a later date.

New Day Recovery will not be seeing groups until further notice to limit the amount of exposure, but will still see patients for their full individual medical visit and prescriptions on the day that they normally come for their group visit. Behavioral health care providers will verbally check in with patients on recovery issues during their medical visit during this time period. New Day Recovery will not be conducting coronavirus screening or testing.

The National Nutrition Month event that was scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2020 at Meadowview Health Clinic has been cancelled, along with the Festival de la Primavera on Sunday, April 5, 2020.

SVCHS appreciates you understanding and patience during this time of uncertainty and will provide updates as they are received.

Attention Medical Patients:

With the current Coronavirus outbreak, you may experience slightly different check-in procedures and questions from our staff. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with these changes as we try to keep our community safe.

Attention Dental Patients:


With the current Coronavirus outbreak, it is now recommended as of, 3/17/2020, that all dental offices postpone any non-emergent care for two weeks. During this time period, the treatment of emergency dental visits and extraction appointments, by review of provider, will be kept in place. New patients and routine preventative care will be postponed until a later date.

We are continuing to monitor the situation, and, as of now, our community health centers are operating with regular business hours.