Amid rapid changes in healthcare and increased needs, funding for advanced training and medical education provided by the Centra Foundation through donor support is helping Centra Caregivers keep pace, pursue clinical excellence and provide safe, high-quality care that saves lives and enhances the health of our community.
A store was the last place Kelli Griffiths, MSN, RN, expected to use advanced training she received thanks to funding from the Centra Foundation.
The moment remains seared in her mind.
“I had just received human trafficking prevention education,” said Kelli, who also makes an annual gift through the Foundation in honor and memory of loved ones, and to support causes she cares about. “I noticed a situation that didn’t seem quite right. Thanks to the training, I had tools to help. The training was an eye-opening and empowering educational experience as a Caregiver and parent.
Kelli continues to lean on what she learned during the training when she is at Centra and out in the community.
This is one example of how generosity is making a difference. There are many others. Advanced medical training and education provided by the Foundation over the past few years continue to positively impact care provided by numerous service lines and specialties, including:
• Behavioral Health
• Centra College
• Brain & Spine
• Emergency Medicine
• Heart & Vascular
• Nursing
• Oncology
• Surgical Services
• Women & Children’s
The benefits for patients and the community are real. Many clinicians who receive advanced training and education report that they are able to bring new approaches and knowledge to patient visits and the care they provide. More patients are able to remain local for procedures. Centra, a community-centered, not-for-profit health system, continues to earn prestigious awards for nursing excellence, heart care and more.
Patients, visitors and those providing care in healing spaces across Centra facilities are also safer thanks to de-escalation training supported by the Foundation that was provided for all Centra Caregivers.
“Donations, philanthropic gifts and planned legacy gifts through our Foundation have a huge impact on every aspect of patient care, including the training and education that current and future Caregivers can receive,” said Allison Ebert, vice president and chief philanthropy officer. “Patients, families and Caregivers truly benefit from the generosity of people in our community.”
So far in 2026, the Foundation has committed funding to provide advanced education and training for Caregivers who work with cancer patients, pediatric patients, acute rehabilitation patients, patients who are survivors of violence and patients expecting a baby.
Read on to hear directly from a few Caregivers about how the generosity of donors has shaped and continues to shape healthcare for patients and our region.
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Enhanced care for stroke patients
“Funds were utilized to ensure that all 21 of our code stroke nurses received education to perform focused assessments on our stroke population. This will improve identification and treatment of our stroke patients. Thank you.”
Crystal Martin, BSN, RN, Stroke Program Supervisor, Centra Medical Group Neurology Center Lynchburg
Emergency care, clinical skills and AI
“The training offered a range of sessions focused on enhancing clinical and leadership skills, with topics like treating diverse patient populations and leveraging technology such as AI in healthcare. I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to the Centra Foundation. The field of medicine is ever changing, and nursing has to keep up in order to provide the best and most comprehensive care for our patients.”
Chancy Arnold, RN, CEN, Centra Gretna Medical Center Emergency Department
Provider retention
“The funds were used to host an event geared toward provider resiliency. A nationally renowned speaker attended and held several sessions for the providers discussing how to mitigate burnout and function as a medical family. Thank you, Centra Foundation, for enabling this to happen!”
Jason Higey, MD, Medical Director, Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Lynchburg
Research and clinical trials
“The Society of Clinical Research Associations conference allowed us to make sure that the research program continues to remain current. This will allow us to take the information we learned and apply it to the research that is being conducted and will be conducted here at Centra. Because of this, many of the patients may have the opportunity to participate in new research involving new medications, devices and more that have the potential to improve the lives of many people.”
Cindy Baumann and Michelle Carter, Coordinators for Cardiovascular Clinical Trials
Improved outcomes for heart failure patients
“[Advanced education] has a significant impact on my ability to care for heart failure patients. I gain access to the latest research, advancements in treatment protocols and innovative patient management strategies directly related to cardiovascular health. This enhances my knowledge and equips me with evidence-based practices that I can implement in my clinical setting, ultimately leading to improved patient care outcomes.”
Mary Anne Poling, BSN, RN, Cardiac Clinical Navigator, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital
Safe, high-quality care
“Since attending the Jumpstart program at Arrhythmia Technologies Institute, I diagnosed a patient with an atrial lead dislodgement. Not only that, but we were also able to fix the problem promptly. The patient was able to go home from the hospital shortly after the lead was revised. Without this special training, it could have been missed.”
Ryleigh Hawker, DNP, FNP-BC, Electrophysiology, Centra Medical Group Stroobants Cardiovascular Center Lynchburg
Enhancing clinical pharmacy
“Attending the American College of Cardiology National Conference provided an opportunity to discuss clinical topics with experts from around the world and apply it to practice.”
Yoko Hirase, Clinical Pharmacist and Manager of Pharmacy Operations for Centra Medical Group Heart & Vascular Institute Lynchburg
State-of-the-art endovascular care
“The Cardiovascular Innovations Conference focused on state-of-the-art therapy for peripheral, coronary and structural heart disease, with highly interactive expert discussions focused on professional experiences and with an emphasis on the latest innovations in interventional cardiovascular care.” The impact? “Life-changing and life-improving care for the patients we serve each and every day.”
Lydia Newlun, RN, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital
Innovative critical care
“This experience will benefit not only me but our organization, patients and community, and ensure we continue to provide compassionate, innovative care. Thank you to the Foundation for this impactful opportunity. I look forward to applying and sharing all I’ve learned!”
Jacob Brumfield, MSN, RN, NAE-BC, Director of Critical & Intermediate Care
New strategies for lung cancer
“The benefit? Gained knowledge in … treatment of lung cancer. Efforts will be made to implement strategies to both expand our current program and bring awareness to the community about lung cancer screening options.”
Kacie Pantana, RN, Thoracic Coordinator, Centra Medical Group Cardiovascular Surgery
Exceptional emergency pediatric care
“The Annual Emergency Pediatric Symposium played a crucial role in strengthening the knowledge and skills of Caregivers, empowering them to provide exceptional care to pediatric patients. We are truly grateful for the generous support of the Centra Foundation, which helped make this event a success.”
Cherie Haskins, Assistant Unit Manager, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department
Enhancing emergency nursing
“I would like to sincerely thank the Centra Foundation for the opportunity to attend the Emergency Nurses Association Conference in September. The conference was three days chock-full of information to be used in my work. I appreciate the Centra Foundation investing in my career. I also had the opportunity to attend a presentation by Centra Caregivers about the opening of the emPATH unit at Centra. The class was packed.”
Louraine Stegall, RN, Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Emergency Department
Recognition for nursing excellence
“The Virginia Henderson Nursing Research Symposium provides a platform for our nurses to disseminate their evidence-based practice research, which is one of the Magnet® standards. We appreciate the continuous support.”
Aileen Cassada, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NRP, Director Nursing Excellence, Magnet & Pathway to Excellence Accreditation, Professional Nursing Governance and Clinical/Leader Mentor Program
Globally, healthcare delivery is changing rapidly. You can provide education, training, advanced technology, state-of-the-art facilities and more to support and enhance care for our local communities.
