The generosity of our community is impacting the future of health and healing. The Centra Foundation has committed over $8 million in funding for much needed capital improvement projects underway this summer that will maintain and enhance care for patients across the service area.
Projects include:
- New equipment and facility upgrades for the Central Virginia Center for Simulation & Virtual Learning (VLC), Centra’s regional, multidisciplinary training and education center.
- Upgrades at the Rosemary & George Dawson Inn.
- An additional da Vinci robotic surgical system.
- A cardiac PET/CT.
Impacting clinical excellence
Central Virginia Center for Simulation & Virtual Learning (VLC)
Need: Equipment and facility upgrades and expansions for the VLC, Centra’s regional, multidisciplinary training and education center. In a recent year, the center hosted over 10,000 learner visits and almost 15,000 hours of simulation.
Solution: New workspaces and simulation areas, upgraded audio-visual equipment, adult and pediatric manikins, VR technology and other upgrades will help current and future students from Centra College and local universities as well as current healthcare professionals learn in a state-of-the-art environment and continue to deliver high-quality, safe care for patients.
Impact: “These improvements will help to enhance clinical skills, improve patient safety, enhance emergency preparedness in actual scenarios, provide professional development, help teams enhance coordination and ensure that Caregiver skills remain current," said Johanna Derrenbacker, MSN, RN, Corporate Director Simulation and Interprofessional Education. "We are incredibly grateful to donors for these upgrades and enhancements.”
Impacting access and lodging
Rosemary & George Dawson Inn
Need: Upgrades at the Rosemary & George Dawson Inn, which provides affordable lodging for Centra patients, or family and friends of patients. The Inn has recently seen an increased need for updates and more accessibility for guests who have physical disabilities. It opened in 2012 thanks to donor support and accommodated almost 4,000 stays last year alone.
Solution: New mattresses, box springs and bedframes, flooring, furniture, lightning, paint and two wheelchair accessible showers will provide a more comfortable stay for patients, or family and friends of patients, who need medical care.
Impact: “We look forward to giving our guests the highest quality of accommodations to help meet their needs as they either face personal health challenges or support their loved ones in the hospital," said Sue Spencer, Manager, Dawson Inn. "We are very grateful for all the support the Rosemary & George Dawson Inn continually receives from the Foundation.”
Impacting innovation
Da Vinci robotic surgical system
Need: An additional da Vinci robotic surgical system at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital, especially for patients who need thoracic surgery. Thanks to your generosity, the 2022 installation of a da Vinci robotic surgical system transformed the way surgeries are performed at Lynchburg General. Now, it’s one of the busiest in Virginia.
Solution: An additional robotic surgical system at the hospital, the da Vinci 5, will help patients access care faster and experience a range of positive benefits.
Impact: “Robotic surgery provides our patients with better pain control, faster recovery and shorter length of stay due to its minimally invasive nature. Implementing this project will also help us recruit highly qualified surgeons since most new surgeons are trained to use robotic surgical systems," said Jennifer Drudy, BSN, RN, CNOR, Vice President Perioperative Services. "Thank you.”
Impacting access to services
Cardiac PET/CT
Need: State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging technology for cardiac patients who receive care at Lynchburg General.
Solution: A hybrid cardiac imaging system that combines positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) will enhance diagnostic accuracy, speed testing and assessment, and improve access to imaging services so heart and vascular patients do not need to travel out of the service area. The project is just getting underway this summer and will require renovations to existing spaces.
Impact: “The PET/CT has emerged as the state-of-the-science diagnostic tool for coronary artery disease," said Thomas Meyer, MD, Director of Cardiac Imaging. "It is the gold standard for cardiac nuclear imaging. Adding a cardiac PET/CT scanner will greatly benefit patients and our community. We are incredibly grateful to donors and the Foundation.”
