The devastation of the opioid crisis has not spared our community, sadly. The statewide statistics are sobering. Opioid overdose deaths outstrip those from auto accidents, and in the 18-year span between 1999 and 2017, 13,169 state residents have died from unintentional overdoses, with a 32% increase in deaths just between 2016 and 2017. This is […]
The model of how we access healthcare has changed a great deal in the last several decades, and one of the most significant shifts has been from a model of physicians directing their patients’ care. They still do that of course, but now the care relationships between patients and their physicians is more of a […]
Everyone at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital (BRRH) is rallying around our nurses this month, acknowledging their critical role in the life of the hospital and the lives of our patients and their families. May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, a time when we focus on these true superheroes of healthcare. Anyone who has been a […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN What makes someone decide that they want to take care of strangers for a living? This is what nurses do, and as we celebrate National Nurses Month in May, it is important to ponder this question more carefully than ever, as we reflect on the stress, confusion, […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN I don’t often give out advice to thousands of people at a time, but since I care deeply about our community and the wellness of its residents, my message this month is simple: If you haven’t already taken the COVID-19 vaccine, do it as soon as you […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN The importance of routine health screenings can’t be overemphasized. Tests like mammograms and PSA exams for prostate cancer have the ability to detect cancers at their earliest stages, when no symptoms are apparent, and as we know, the earlier you can find cancer, the better a patient’s […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN Since February is American Heart Month, it is the ideal time to talk about heart health, heart disease prevention and how patients can partner with their doctors to take great care of themselves. Blue Ridge Regional Hospital (BRRH) offers advanced cardiology services to our community members, and […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN As we enthusiastically enter into the New Year 2021, most of us are likely very weary of COVID-19. It has been nearly a year of learning new and sometimes disturbing things about this virus, and altering our lives radically in many ways to stay safe. Back on […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN Resilience is discussed often now, especially as we reflect on enduring the many challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented over the last nine months. Our ability to creatively cope with challenges and even crises that emerge with little to no warning in our lives — like […]
By Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, everyone at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital (BRRH) is especially focused on breast health and raising awareness about breast cancer and prevention. I also urge community members to take advantage of the advanced screening technology we have here at BRRH, and […]
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