CARILION

Mom Kim Shaffer reflects on her experience with the Carilion NICU, after her son was born at just 23 weeks.

Carilion is hosting an electronics recycling event in Blacksburg on August 26, to benefit their cancer center.

Local youth volunteers are sponsoring a clothing drive at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital staff came to a kitten’s rescue on Monday morning.

The chair of pediatrics at Carilion Children's is warning that the poor air quality and its health effects can "linger."

Authorities are currently at the scene of the Carilion New River Valley Medical Center in Christiansburg, investigating an incident that occurred Sunday morning.

Two separate shootings left one man dead and two others injured less than 12 hours before Roanoke's gun buyback event.

Family and friends in Roanoke are breathing a sigh of relief now that a young girl involved in a freak accident is home.The community is pitching in to help by raising money for her medical bills.Six-year-old Aubrey Scaletta had been at Carilion after she lost her feet in a freak accident. Doctors reattached them.Empty Tomb Motorcycle Ministry is hosting a ride where anyone can join. It’s happening July 8th at Exalted Ministries. The ride begins on Williamson Road in Roanoke and continues to Radford University.

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital has a new tool to offer the least invasive surgical care for patients.

The Better Business Bureau serving Western Virginia has recently learned of a scam that is impacting local businesses.

Carilion Clinic is testing out drone delivery to transport critical medical supplies or medication.

One local group is trying to turn their passion for sewing into a smile.

Aubrey Scaletta was involved in a tragic accident about a week ago on May 17, that caused her to lose both of her feet.

A new addition at Mill Mountain Zoo is open for kids to enjoy.

Carilion Clinic is celebrating Research Day — a chance for medical students from all the schools associated with the hospital to show off their work.

Carilion Clinic is expanding its footprint at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke County to better meet the needs of the community.

The proceeds from this year's game went to Carilion Children’s Hematology & Oncology.

Fourth-year students at Virginia Tech Carilion are finding out where they will begin their residencies.

Carilion is reaching a new COVID-19 milestone – closing its two drive-thru testing centers.

As news broke that former president Jimmy Carter entered hospice care, 10 News spoke with a local expert about what hospice is.

As progress is made on Carilion’s Crystal Spring Tower build, there’s also progress happening inside the walls.

February is Cancer Prevention Month, and there are easy things you can do to prevent certain cancers.

A new dental residency program to address children’s dental needs is coming to the Carilion Clinic at Tanglewood.

After he spent four months in the hospital, he got to go home for Christmas and defied the odds

To bring more awareness to mental health struggles, even here in Virginia, Mountain Lake Lodge is partnering with Carilion Clinic Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services to support the many initiatives critical to helping those in need, Stone said.

The "tripledemic" refers to the rising number of cases of RSV, flu and COVID-19.

This holiday season, Carilion’s Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Inpatient Unit and Carilion Children’s Hospital are working hand-in-hand to host a toy and clothing drive for hospitalized children and teens.

The goal of the program is to reduce stress and provide an outlet for patients during medical treatment.

Schools in our region have been impacted already, and others have closed because of many student and staff illnesses.

Carilion Children's celebrated National Literacy Month by handing out free books to patients

Why a focus on Virginia’s most in demand industries could be the answer to less student debt.

Carilion's outpatient mental health unit will move into 37,000 square feet of Tanglewood Mall

According to Carilion, one of the most common injuries in children on Halloween is caused by being hit by a car.

The renovation features expanded brand new operating rooms, high-tech equipment, and more

Authorities have identified the woman who died after being hit by a car in a Carilion Clinic parking lot.

Decreased immunity, vaccination rates, and people not wearing masks could lead to a rise in cases, according to Dr. Baffoe-Bonnie

Why a focus on Virginia’s most in demand industries could be the answer to less student debt.

Carilion hosted a town hall Tuesday to help parents talk to their kids about gun violence.

Juanita Prada beat childhood cancer twice and is now an advocate using her organization, "BeholdBegold."

Carilion said that this level generally allows one visitor for adult patients in the inpatient setting.

Starting Wednesday morning, Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital will no longer allow visitors, with some exceptions.

A local family's toy drive keeps their son's memory alive - with the help of the New River Valley community.

The Kirk family of Roanoke donated $1 million to the Carilion Cancer Center earlier in August.

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is gaining national recognition once again.

Even though the baby girls are just getting started on this journey of life, their battles have already begun.

June 19th is World Sickle Cell Awareness Day. It’s observed annually to increase public knowledge and understanding of the disease and the challenges associated with it.

A beloved children’s book character has come to life and made his way to the Star City.

Big savings are coming to Carilion Clinic as healthy habits are generating revenue and energy.

Carilion Clinic is leading groundbreaking research on concussions and brain injuries.

In order to better diagnose and treat patients before they even get to the ER, Carilion Clinic is partnering with local first responders in the Roanoke Valley to test out new ultrasound equipment.

Carilion Clinic announced a change to its visitor guidelines for patients on Friday.

Carilion Clinic needs your help bringing a little Christmas spirit to kids this holiday season.

LewisGale is now the latest to get in line with a vaccine mandate.

The Roanoke Valley continues to be a leader in medical research and education as Virginia Tech and Carilion officially opened the $90-million, 139,000-square-foot Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion.

If you have children, you may have experienced the struggle of trying to properly install a car seat.

Health officials in the Roanoke Valley say they are seeing an increase in demand for COVID-19 vaccines for kids.

Some Roanokers are asking for the city’s help dealing with a major headache.

As the coronavirus pandemic slows down, doctors are dealing with an increase in patients for other causes.

The pedestrian bridge near Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital is getting a new look as employees become artists and paint a mural.

As the temperature rises, so does the risk of hot car deaths for children and pets.

Our local hospitals help people heal from all kinds of injuries, but Carilion is working to help survivors of life-altering traumas even after they’re discharged,

On National Nurses Day, local nurses are sharing their experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persevering through a rare genetic disorder, a Roanoke nurse overcomes job hunt challenges to land an opportunity.

A local health leader is taking his talents to pen and paper.

The Carilion Clinic Ironman is just a few months away, and organizers are looking for around 1,500 volunteers to make the event go off without a hitch.

Local health leaders expressed their gratitude to the unsung heroes of the COVID vaccine effort in the Roanoke Valley.

ROANOKE, Va. – Carilion is thinking outside of the box to improve patient care. The health system is teaming up with tech company MetiStream to create a technology called the Surgical Clinical Reviewer. Essentially, it will use artificial intelligence to read charts, simplifying and speeding up what’s currently a time-consuming process. This is the first collaboration between Carilion Innovation and an outside company. Ultimately, they hope this technology will be used in health systems nationwide.

Following Virginia’s draft plan that’ll allow more people at graduations, Radford University has announced that it will have in-person graduations on its main campus and at the Radford University Carilion campus. The undergraduate and graduate ceremonies for the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 will be held April 29 through May 2. Graduates will be allowed up to four guests and must complete a Commencement RSVP Form by April 16. The university said that people will be required to follow Radford University protocols, wear masks and social distance.

ROANOKE, Va. – Exactly one year ago Wednesday, Carilion’s first COVID-19 patient was in the hospital, but they didn’t know it yet. “No one really has been untouched by this virus,” said Dr. Chad Alvarez, senior director of Retail Pharmacy for Carilion. A year after the first COVID-19 case reached southwest Virginia, leaders at Carilion are reflecting on how they’ve overcome unprecedented challenges. AdCOVID-19 reached a peak in southwest Virginia in January with 450 hospitalizations. “We’re not at the finish line yet but it is so hopeful,” Abbott said.

Carilion Clinic is warning people about a rise in “spoof calls” and wants to offer tips on how to spot phone scammers. Phone scam calls might be hard to spot given that scammers can use illegal spoofing techniques to display fake information in a caller ID. Here are seven tips Carilion has shared for dealing with spoof calls:Don’t give out personal informationIf someone calls from an unknown number, don’t answer itIf you find that the caller isn’t who you thought it was, end the callIf you are asked to hit a button to stop getting the calls after answering the phone, end the callDon’t answer any questions, especially if they are closed-ended onesBe wary if the call seems suspicious or you’re being pressured to providing informationSet a password for your voicemail accountCarilion said that people should avoid giving out their personal information and answering calls from unknown numbers. People can call their provider or the main Carilion number at 800-422-8482 to check if a call was legitimate. If you believe you were scammed you can file a complaint with the FCC.

LEXINGTON, Va. – Starting Tuesday, people will be able to visit their loved ones at the Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital. The Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital will be relaxing its visitation policy after most Carilion hospitals did the same a week ago. Starting Tuesday at 9 a.m., Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital will switch from the highly restricted red level to the just restricted visitation of its yellow level. The yellow level allows most patients to have one adult visitor per day while the red level does not allow visitors with few exceptions. Carilion raised its visitation restrictions to red level back in December.

Now, mental health professionals are looking at the potential long-term impacts COVID-19 has had on healthcare providers. According to Mental Health America, 93% of healthcare workers have felt stressed or overwhelmed in the last year. “I think that those people who have been most impacted are seeing the most mental health impacts as well,” Karen Pillis with Family Service of Roanoke Valley said. “The mental health effects lasts much longer there’s, and I believe in this case, we have not even begun to see like the next wave,” Pillis said. Family Service of Roanoke Valley is offering four free short-term sessions to anyone who may be experiencing stress or anxiety from the pandemic.

ROANOKE, Va. – A coming change will allow many adult patients to now have a visitor with them. Starting Tuesday at 9 a.m., the following hospitals will shift from Carilion’s highly-restricted red level down to just restricted visitation of its yellow level:Carilion Franklin Memorial HospitalCarilion Giles Community HospitalCarilion New River Valley Medical CenterCarilion Roanoke Community HospitalCarilion Roanoke Memorial HospitalCarilion Tazewell Community HospitalCarilion Rockbridge Community Hospital will continue operating at the red level remain until further notice. Yellow level allows most patients to have one adult visitor per day, something not allowed while hospitals were at red level. Carilion raised its visitation restrictions to red level back in December. AdClick here to learn more about the restrictions at each facility.

A Carilion structural cardiologist has conducted a clinical trial that will help patients with complex heart failure conditions. Dr. Jason Foerst is the first provider in the country to enroll a patient in a heart failure clinical trial, “The CORCINCH-HF” study, according to a statement sent by Carilion Tuesday morning. Officials say the research will help Carilion offer alternative options for patients with complex heart failure conditions. The study aims to explore the AccuCinch® Ventricular Restoration System as a potential treatment option for heart failure patients who are experiencing shortness of breath, fatigue and swelling due to the bottom left portion of the heart not functioning properly, according to the release. AdCurrently, there are no other treatments available for this complex heart failure condition, and Carilion’s Cardiovascular Institute is one of the select sites to participate nationwide.

ROANOKE, Va. – The next step of vaccine distribution in the Roanoke Valley was announced Wednesday. Carilion and the Virginia Department of Health announced mass clinics for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. After lots of confusion and frustration over a slow COVID vaccine rollout, hope is on the horizon for thousands. Carilion and VDH are teaming up to vaccinate 4,000 adults 65 and older in the Roanoke Valley this weekend. Leaders from the health department and Carilion ensure their partnership will get shots in arms as efficiently and effectively as possible but it’s all dependent on supply.

ROANOKE, Va – Thousands of healthcare providers at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Since getting its first shipment of the COVID-19 vaccine three weeks ago, nearly 6,000 of Carilion’s 13,000 employees have gotten the first dose. More than 1,500 employees are on track to get their second dose of the Pfizer vaccine this week. But more vaccines have also caused some hurdles for Carilion, including finding ultra-cold storage for the Pfizer vaccine. While the vaccine distribution has been steady among staff, the number of COVID-19 patients being treated at the hospital continues to rise.

ROANOKE, Va. – Just days away from Christmas, local doctors are urging you not to let your guard down when it comes to COVID-19. As vaccines roll out, experts at Carilion say it’s more important than ever to be extra cautious by continuing to wear masks, practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings. “These sets of mutations may, and I emphasize may, increase contagiousness between people, transmissibility between people. It’s also possible that lack of precautions, mask wearing, social distancing, not getting together in big groups could also be at play here,” said Skolnik. In the last week, they’ve used about 75% of the initial Pfizer allotment.

ROANOKE, Va. – After months of waiting, frontline workers in our area are now being vaccinated for COVID-19. The shipment rolled into the region Tuesday and Wednesday and priority workers started rolling up their sleeves. “I think the federal express driver had never had such an exciting package on their truck,” said Alan Larson, Sovah Health, Market President and CEO Sovah Health in Danville. She says while she loves caring for the sick, this pandemic has taken a physical and emotional toll on healthcare workers. After playing defense for months, the small vaccine is a big weapon in the fight to put the pandemic behind us.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Health officials in the Southwest Region, including Carilion, Centra, LewisGale, and Sovah, report 280 patients are hospitalized with the coronavirus, 61 are in the ICU and 30 are on ventilators. At Centra Health, officials are unsure when they’ll get the vaccine or how. “They do likely have some amount of immunity to it, unclear of how much and for how long. We still don’t still know is that enough immunity to protect them for a good enough while that we’d say, ‘well, let’s not vaccine,” said Dr. Christopher Lewis of Centra Health. Centra officials say they’re not going to mandate it for caregivers but strongly encourage it.

Researchers now say that wearing a mask can protect you, not just others, from COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control just published new research that shows that wearing a multi-layer cloth mask can block even small droplets that could contain COVID-19. An expert from Carilion Clinic said that this is an important message everyone should hear. And people just need to wear their mask so we can further control the COVID-19 pandemic," said Dr. Paul Skolnik, the chair of medicine for Carilion Clinic. Mask wearing could also prevent future lockdowns, so the CDC is recommending widespread community use.

ROANOKE, Va. – The holidays are going to look a lot different this year, especially for children in the hospital. Carilion Children’s usually relies on corporate sponsors to provide holiday gifts but because most people are working virtually, employee toy drives are less likely this year. Junior League of Roanoke Valley (JLRV) is partnering with Carilion for a toy drive, asking the community to step up and help make the holidays brighter for these children. “It is an unprecedented year and a difficult time for many across the Roanoke Valley. Community members must wear masks when dropping off toys, and they will be asked to place them in the bins themselves.

“It’s another tool in our toolbox," said Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer, Dr. Stephen Morga. The grant allows Carilion to create Virtual Care Centers so patients who live far away from specialty doctors can go to a medical office closer to home. “Folks that have to take a bus or don’t have their own transportation really find it hard to get in routinely for medical care. Carilion plans to educate patients about the technology so they could use it from home. Carilion plans to implement the changes and technology starting at the beginning of 2021.

ROANOKE, Va – A rise in hospitalizations for COVID-19 cases has health officials in the Roanoke and Alleghany Health Districts calling for more vigilance from the public when it comes to curbing the spread of the disease. Health officials say they are now seeing the most hospitalizations since March. This week the Virginia Department of Health is reporting an increase of 11 hospitalizations related to COVID bringing the total to 50 in the Roanoke-Alleghany region. As our Virginia Department of Health colleagues have mentioned, we saw 26 outbreaks of COVID-19 last week in the Roanoke and Alleghany Health District. Health Department leaders warn that as flu season quickly approaches, it is up to everyone to seriously follow the guidelines to prevent a further spike in hospitalizations, outbreaks, and COVID-19 cases.

ROANOKE, Va. – Ahead of the start of flu season, Carilion is offering free flu vaccines for those 18 and older. Carilion has partnered with both the Roanoke Public Libraries and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority to offer 14 free flu vaccine clinics in the upcoming weeks. Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online or by contacting Carilion Direct at (540) 266-6000 or Toll-Free (800) 422-8482.

ROANOKE, Va. Healthcare workers are on high alert to see what happens with the coronavirus pandemic this fall, especially with flu season right around the corner. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the 2019-2020 flu season, there were up to 56 million flu cases, 740,000 hospitalizations and 62,000 deaths. Aaron Perry, who lives in Roanoke, said he probably wont get the flu shot this year. He said that the number of flu cases were greatly decreased in the Southern Hemisphere, which is just wrapping up its flu season. Nevertheless, he said the flu shot will still decrease the severity of symptoms and reduce the chance of hospitalization.

ROANOKE, Va. Hours and base pay for Carilion employees will be reinstated on Sept. 13 after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. In March, non-emergency services and procedures were put on hold on top of pay-cuts and furloughs. But, according to Carilion, patient volumes gradually returned to a new normal around 90% of pre-COVID numbers. Weve rallied together in so many ways to keep our community healthy and safe, said Nancy Howell Agee, president and CEO of Carilion. As our finances improved, we began restoring hours and pay progressively.Carilion has more than 13,000 employees.

ROANOKE, Va – Carilion Clinic is warning anyone who plans on being near the Roanoke River to be vigilant over the next several days as heavy rain may cause potential flash flooding. Areas near the Roanoke River Greenway have dealt with flooding in recent months, potentially making it unsafe for kayakers or floaters. Staff at Carilion are asking the community to keep an eye on the water levels to help keep everyone safe. “It comes up pretty quickly every time it rains pretty heavily, we’ve seen a lot of people out kayaking on it and enjoying the river but as flash floods are coming in and a hurricane coming in, it is not time to get out on the river,” Sarah Beth Dinwiddie Trauma Nurse Specialist with Carilion Clinic said. Carilion also advises drivers who may be near the river to avoid driving through flooded waters.

ROANOKE, Va. – Local health experts are warning parents about the dangers of things like backyard kiddie pools, splash pads and sprinklers. Jill Lucas Drakeford, the Safe Kids coordinator with Carilion Children’s, said you should never leave a child unattended in or near water and always watch them. When they’re done playing, remove water and toys from the pool so they don’t go back to the pool without you knowing. Well we really have to be vigilant with these backyard pools. Click here for more backyard water safety tips.

LEXINGTON, Va. Stonewall Jackson Hospital in Lexington will now be known as Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital. On Thursday, Carilion announced its purchase of the remaining 20 percent share of the hospital from the SJH Community Health Foundation for $10.9 million, giving it full ownership. This arrangement will allow Carilion to simplify management of the hospital, and it will enable the foundation to focus significant resources on our neighbors health care needs, said Dr. Richard Teaff, chair of the Carilion Stonewall Jackson Hospital (CSJH) Board of Directors. Officials say this deal has been in the works for nearly two years.

ROANOKE, Va. The U.S. has already reported six hot car-related deaths this year. To get a better understanding, 10 News spoke with Carilion to see why it may be common for parents to leave their children in the car. Every single person has probably walked into a room and forgotten what they walked into the room for, or been driving down the road and forgot to take the turn they were supposed to take, just because our mind has so much on it, thats all it takes to forget that a child is in the back of a car, said Jill Lucasdrakeford, Carilions childrens safety coordinator. Officials say theres precautions you can take to remember not to leave your child in the car, including leaving your phone or bag in the back seat

We saw that this was the right thing to do, said Dr. Michael Nussbaum, Carilion senior vice president and chair of the department of surgery. In March, Carilion implemented strict guidelines like pausing all elective procedures and banning visitors. New guidelines start at the door at Roanoke Memorial Hospital with required face masks and health screenings. Employees are wearing face masks and face shields at times, and social distancing is enforced in waiting rooms and elevators. Its a phased approach to getting back on track, navigating a new normal for health care during a health crisis.

ROANOKE, Va. Starting Tuesday, certain patients at Carilion will be allowed to have visitors. Carilion plans to release visitor guidelines in phases over the next month. Obstetric patients are allowed one visitor and one labor support person. The labor support person, like a doula, must leave following the delivery. On June 24, outpatient and specialty patients will be allowed to have one visitor at clinics and urgent care.

ROANOKE, Va. Local health leaders say theyre concerned with the New York Times reporting on COVID-19 cases in Roanoke. She and Dr. Thomas Kerkering with Virginia Tech Carilion sent a letter to the New York Times asking them to correct the mistake. ODell said the Times mistook regional data for local data and then made another error. A New York Times spokesperson responded to a 10 News request for comment. As it is currently structured, The New York Times database counts cases when they are first reported, not necessarily when they occurred.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some local Goodwill stores are living up to the name by trying to help protect doctors and nurses against the coronavirus. Stores in Carilion Clinic’s primary service area are now collecting personal protective equipment. Goodwill is working with other local hospital systems to come up with collection plans for them as well. Large cardboard donation boxes will be available outside stores when the stores are open. When stores are not open, the items can be placed in Goodwill collection bins.

ROANOKE, Va. – Monday is Read Across America Day and a Roanoke hospital is working to inspire children while celebrating a beloved author. Carilion celebrated the 15th anniversary of its Reach Out and Read program and Dr. Seuss’s birthday on Monday, so staff members dressed up as some of the author’s iconic characters. The program provides books to children from 6 months to 5 years old whenever they come in for a checkup. It helps to support and tell everybody how important it is that children receive books and learn how to read," said Carilion Children’s Chairwoman Dr. Kim Dunsmore. The Reach Out and Read program has given away over 50,000 books since it began.

The Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs delivered teddy bears Monday to kids at Carilion from their teddy bear toss from earlier this season. The team took to Facebook to post a picture, saying “the kids faces lit up when they saw who their special guests were for the afternoon. These bears are the gift that keeps on giving!”The teddy bear toss happens once a season where fans are allowed to throw teddy bears on the ice after the Dawgs score their first goal.

ROANOKE, Va. – If you haven’t gotten your flu shot this season, doctors say it’s not too late. As of Monday, Carilion doctors had seen around 2,000 cases of the flu. There have been more cases on influenza B than influenza A, but doctors don’t know why. “It is thought that influenza B affects children more severely. There have been, in the U.S., as far as I can remember, 68 deaths in pediatric populations," Carilion Infection Control Director Dr. Anthony Baffoe-Bonnie said.

ROANOKE, Va. – Carilion is holding a training course aimed at saving lives. Wilderness first aid training, hosted by Carilion wilderness medical experts, teaches you how to treat things like hypothermia, lightning strike victims, basic trauma and splinting, foot care and how to control bleeding. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a beginner, you’ll learn how to prepare and improvise if something goes wrong. “Hopefully, it’s something that nobody needs, but when you do need it, it can sort of be the difference between an inconvenient trip or an inconvenient, you know, time, and actually potentially life-threatening,” said Christopher Waasdorp, a Carilion wilderness medicine fellow. It starts at 6 p.m. on Wednesday night at Big Lick Brewing Company in Roanoke.

ROANOKE, Va. – A new study to help people find long-term recovery pathways for opioid use disorder is bringing together researchers from Virginia Tech Carilion’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute and pharmaceutical company Indivor. Experts said there's not a good understanding of the best ways to achieve long-term recovery and a healthy life for people suffering from opioid use disorder. "Do they go successfully into recovery or do some need additional treatment? Well, that's a big question mark and I know that a lot of people who have relatives and loved ones who have been impacted by the opioid crisis would like to know this type of information," said Dr. Warren Bickel, director of the Addiction Recovery Research Center at Fralin Biomedical Research Institute. Researchers also hope the study will show how successful treatment can reduce the economic burden of opioid use disorder.

Carilion is planning to consolidate its outpatient pediatric offerings into a new center in what once was JCPenney at Tanglewood Mall in Roanoke County. The pediatric services center will take up about 20 percent of the mall -- about 150,000 square feet. Representatives from Carilion, Roanoke County and the company that owns the mall were all there for the announcement Thursday. "As we came in, we decided we wanted to change this from a retail property to a mixed-use property," Abernathy said. "Not only (success with) pediatric services but other services, and looking at this as a way to deliver healthcare in the future," Dunsmore emphasized.