The Sentara Century Building at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge is closed today due to a gas leak affecting all medical appointments at this location. There are plans to update the reopening status later this afternoon.

The Sentara Century Building houses several specialty medical offices, including the Sentara Advanced Imaging Center Century, Sentara Cancer Network Resource Center, Sentara Internal Medicine Physicians, Sentara Surgery Specialists, and the Sentara Therapy Center Century. These facilities provide a range of services, from advanced imaging and cancer resources to internal medicine, surgical specialties, and therapeutic treatments, catering to the diverse medical needs of the community.

Press release:

The Sentara Century Building, located on the campus of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center at 2280 Opitz Blvd. is closed today, due to a gas leak detected outside of the building. Washington Gas is currently onsite addressing the situation. There are no reported injuries to patients or medical personnel. However, all offices in the Sentara Century Building are closed for the day.

The closure affects patients who had scheduled appointments with the Sentara Imaging Center, Sentara Therapy Center, and Sentara Medical Group at the Century Building location. Patients will be contacted by staff to reschedule. People with appointments at the other medical practices located in the Century Building should expect to hear from their provider with information on rescheduling those appointments.

A notice on the status of the building’s operation for Tuesday, August 20, will be released later in the afternoon.

Visitors entering the main parking lot should proceed to the entrance near the Surgical Services Center to access the parking lot as the main entrance by Opitz Blvd. and Potomac Center Blvd., is closed for the day.

The Prince William Health District (PWHD) has shared the results of a 10-month community-based needs assessment aimed at evaluating factors contributing to opioid-use disorder (OUD) in the Greater Prince William region. Conducted as part of the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) Community Engagement grant, the assessment provides critical insights into the opioid crisis and offers recommendations for targeted interventions.

The assessment, conducted from September 2023 to June 2024, engaged various community members, including the Latino community, adolescents, individuals currently using drugs, and those in recovery. The assessment identified significant service gaps through interviews and listening sessions and highlighted the need for cross-system collaboration to address the crisis.

“By working across systems of care to understand the burden of addiction in our communities, we can begin to address disparities surrounding opioid-use disorder in the Greater Prince William region,” said Acting Prince William Health District Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, MD.

Key findings from the assessment include a rise in nonfatal opioid-related overdoses, which have more than doubled since 2017. Overdoses are increasing, particularly among the 20-24 age group, adolescent females, and Black and Latino adults. Between 2018 and 2023, the region recorded 454 OUD deaths.

The assessment also revealed three primary needs:

1. Addressing stigma, which inhibits access to care and communication with resources.
2. Establishing peer recovery specialist services to enhance knowledge and access to current systems.
3. Recognizing the connection between OUD and mental health challenges, requiring a multifaceted approach.

In response to these findings, PWHD plans to implement an action plan over the next two years. The plan focuses on building public understanding of opioids, ensuring equitable access to care, improving communication across sectors, and training different systems to work more effectively together. PWHD will also continuously monitor data to adjust strategies as needed.

PWHD Community Engagement Specialist Kirstin Hope Sievers emphasized that the action plan will be tailored to address specific needs, such as the growing number of nonfatal overdoses among young adults and adolescent females. “We will bring our findings back into the communities and partnering organizations who gave us key insights into the overall ecosystem of opioid use disorder,” Sievers said. She highlighted upcoming community events like International Overdose Awareness Day and the “Recovery Rocks” celebration as opportunities to share the assessment’s findings.

PWHD has also awarded funding to organizations working with at-risk populations, such as the Chris Atwood Foundation, which focuses on harm reduction, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness Prince William, which supports co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

A key component of the plan is the expansion of peer recovery specialist services, a need identified in the assessment. PWHD will support partners like George Mason University’s Empowered Communities Opioid Project (ECOP), which provides internships that combine classroom learning and hands-on experience to prepare peers for recovery support roles.

Addressing stigma is another major focus. The assessment identified stigma as a barrier to treatment and recovery, particularly within marginalized communities. PWHD plans to combat stigma by educating the public about addiction as a health issue rather than a moral failing, advocating for policy changes, and increasing infrastructure like peer recovery services.

PWHD will also engage in cross-system training to improve collaboration among different sectors. “These conversations are happening among key stakeholders to identify gaps in knowledge around substance use disorders and available resources,” Sievers said. Training will begin in the fall of 2024, focusing on reducing stigma and improving addiction education.

Monitoring and evaluation will be ongoing, with quarterly updates on fatal and nonfatal overdoses, Narcan distribution, and other metrics. PWHD plans to re-evaluate the region’s opioid response every three years, with feedback from community partners and residents playing a crucial role in shaping future strategies.

For more information or to discuss partnerships to strengthen the community’s response to the opioid crisis, residents are encouraged to contact Kirstin Sievers, PWHD Community Engagement Specialist, at Kirstin.Sievers@vdh.virginia.gov.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) has earned its first-ever Magnet with Distinction recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, as of August 12, 2024. This prestigious designation places SNVMC among a select group of hospitals worldwide, celebrating their superior quality in nursing care and commitment to patient excellence.

Press release:

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center (SNVMC) is proud to announce that it has earned Magnet with Distinction® recognition on August 12, 2024 as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and superiority in patient care. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® is the highest national honor for nursing excellence and identifies superior quality in nursing care.

This is SNVMC’s first ever Magnet designation and an honor for the organization to receive Magnet with Distinction, a special designation that celebrates hospitals and health care organizations that exceed the scoring thresholds required to attain Magnet recognition.

With this credential, SNVMC joins the global community of Magnet with Distinction recognized organizations. Just a small and select group of health care organizations have achieved Magnet with Distinction recognition.

As of July 2024, only 9.6 percent of hospital in the U.S. have achieved Magnet recognition. Within this prestigious group of hospitals, Magnet with Distinction recognizes the highest-performing Magnet organizations around the world.

SNVMC is the tenth hospital in the Sentara system to achieve Magnet designation and the first to earn Magnet with Distinction.

To patients, Magnet means the very best care, delivered by nurses who are supported to be the very best that they can be. More than an award or a badge of honor, Magnet recognition is steadfast proof of a hard-earned commitment to excellence in health care, with contented nurses at its heart.

Winners Church is partnering with Sentara to host the annual Community Health Fair on Friday, August 30, 2024, at 17877 Old Triangle Road in Dumfries. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with various health services and screenings available to the community.

A significant feature of this year’s fair is the presence of Sentara’s Mobile Mammography Unit, offering 3D breast cancer screenings from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The screenings are aimed at the African diaspora, African American community, and those who may face financial barriers to accessing this service. The event will also focus on raising awareness about breast cancer and other prevalent health issues.

In addition to the mammography services, attendees can access blood pressure checks, diabetes screenings, and cholesterol testing. Local health organizations and clinics will provide information on mental health resources, nutrition, and fitness. The fair aims to offer comprehensive health services and education to the local community.

Heather S. Byrne, a Breast Cancer Patient Navigator at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker. She will address breast cancer awareness and the importance of regular screenings.

Winners Church tracks participation rates and follows up with attendees to assess the event’s impact on community health outcomes. Last year, the event led to an increase in early detection of health issues and a rise in health awareness. This year, the goal is to increase participation by 20% and extend outreach to underserved populations.

Winners Church located in Dumfries was founded December 12, 2010, under the pastoral guidance and leadership of the senior Pastor Henry Godwin. Then, it was known as the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Winners House, VA.

Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has extended a swimming advisory for Lake Anna as a harmful algae bloom continues. The VDH cautioned this algae bloom is not connected to the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreak that occurred after Memorial Day.

According to the VDH, some harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, can cause skin rashes and gastrointestinal illnesses. Algae blooms can occur when warm water and nutrients combine to make conditions favorable for algae growth. Most algae species are harmless; however, some species may produce irritating compounds or toxins. Avoid discolored water or scums that are green or bluish-green because they are more likely to contain toxins.

The VDH’s Harmful Algal Bloom map shows which areas to avoid, and VDH provides a status report containing the updated advisory areas.

The sections of the lake currently under a swimming advisory due to unsafe levels of cyanobacteria are:

North Anna Branch (advisory extended)

• Upper North Anna Branch – From the upper inundated waters of the North Anna arm, to include the “Sandbar” of the lake and downstream to the Route 522 Bridge.
• Upper and Middle North Anna Branch – From the Route 522 Bridge, to include Route 719 (Holladay Bridge), to Lumsden Flats at Rose Valley Drive

Pamunkey Branch (advisory added)

• Upper-Upper Pamunkey Branch- From the upper inundated waters of Pamunkey Branch to Runnymede Park
• Upper Pamunkey Branch – From Runnymede Park to the confluence with Terry’s Run
• Middle Pamunkey Branch – From confluence with Terry’s Run to Route 612 (Stubbs Bridge)

The VDH will lift the advisory when algae concentrations return to acceptable levels. Follow-up monitoring above Route 208 on the lake is planned (weather permitting) for the week of August 15.

The warning comes after children were sickened and hospitalized at the popular vacation destination on Memorial Day, prompting The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to investigate. On July 2, VDH reported the case closed and noted that recent water samples from Lake Anna showed no presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, leading to the conclusion of their STEC outbreak investigation linked to Memorial Day weekend.

VDH noted it had been over 20 days since the last reported illness from the lake, and laboratory tests did not find STEC O157 bacteria in the samples. However, a swimming advisory remains in effect for the upper section of the North Anna Branch of Lake Anna due to unrelated harmful algal blooms (HABs).

VDH advises the public to follow safe water practices, such as avoiding swallowing untreated water, washing hands frequently, and avoiding swimming after heavy rain. Enhanced public health surveillance would continue through mid-July. VDH and the Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force will keep monitoring water quality.

Updated 1:20 p.m. — UVA Health says its medical centers in our region are affected by the global CrowdStrike computer outage. The firm operates hospitals in Manassas, Haymarket, and Culpeper.

From UVA Health:

UVA Health is being impacted by a worldwide system outage affecting computers that run on Microsoft Windows. As a result, UVA Health is operating on a modified schedule Friday, July 19. Some ambulatory clinics will be closed today. Patients and team members can find the latest schedule updates at uvahealth.com/status.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center in Woodbridge and its ancillary regional offices usually operate.

We are closely monitoring the IT outage linked to the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike.

Sentara does not utilize CrowdStrike so our IT systems are not directly impacted.

However, we are currently in the process of evaluating the impact on third-party providers and partner organizations who do work with this vendor.

Normal operations remain in process at Sentara hospitals and facilities.
Meanwhile, flights were grounded across the country due to the outage, affecting Windows operating system computers.

Mary Washington Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Stafford County and Fredericksburg, is not affected.

There has been no word yet from Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center.

Meanwhile, the computer outage has not affected local government operations in our region.

Representatives from governments in Prince William and Stafford counties and Manassas and law enforcement agencies in the counties tell us it’s business as usual.

Virignia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued this statement:

Amidst the global tech outages, overnight we have conducted an initial assessment to determine impacts across government agencies and departments for functionality,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “Critical health and safety systems, including 911 call systems and transportation infrastructure, are operational. However, airlines continue to experience significant disruptions. The assessment determined that government administrative functions are experiencing disruptions, and we are coordinating with local, regional and federal authorities and private sector critical infrastructure partners in order to reestablish normal operations. As a result of the administrative disturbances, Virginians may experience delays and we ask everyone to remain patient as we work to remedy and reestablish the high standards that Virginians deserve.

Photo: Photo by Irvan Smith on Unsplash

Mary Washington Hospital has been named a High Performing Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for 11 adult procedures and conditions in its 2024-2025 Best Hospitals rankings. The hospital was recognized for excellence in procedures and conditions such as COPD, diabetes, heart attack, hip replacement, lung cancer surgery, and more.

“This recognition is a testament to our physicians and staff’s unwavering commitment to patient care,” said Dr. Mike McDermott, CEO of Mary Washington Healthcare.

The annual Procedures & Conditions ratings are designed to assist patients and their healthcare providers in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or elective procedures. U.S. News evaluated nearly 5,000 hospitals across 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions. Hospitals awarded a “Best” designation excelled at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care, and patient experience.

Overall, Mary Washington Hospital was ranked seventh among hospitals in Virginia and seventh among hospitals in the Washington DC metropolitan area.

Mary Washington Healthcare has announced that providers from Elite Women’s Health will join its healthcare system.

Dr. Leedylyn Stadulis, Courtney Miller, Lauren Backy, Julie Flanagan, and Megan Pham will join Mary Washington Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) at a new Fredericksburg office located at 4710 Spotsylvania Parkway.  Dr. Brittany Bowler will see patients at Mary Washington OBGYN at 1300 Hospital Drive.

Dr. Zeenat Patel will not join Mary Washington Medical Group and will establish her own practice, Elite Gynecology and Wellness, with Women’s Health Care Nurse Practioner Heather Pickett,  focusing on gynecology and related health services. Elite Gynecology and Wellness will be located in Fredericksburg, VA, and will not offer obstetrical care.

The announcement follows the closing of several OBGYN practices in the Fredericksburg Area. Women’s Health and Surgery Center closed in March 2024 and Rappahannock Women’s Health closed in August 2023.

Sometimes, we get buried in breaking local news, and some essential interviews get pushed back. Though we conducted our interviews for this story last month, it is still important to share.

Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center featured a documentary photo exhibit titled “Innovation on Maternal Health Exhibition.” The exhibit, created by photojournalist Karen Kasmauski in collaboration with WHRO, was displayed on May 21 outside the hospital’s maternity ward.

The exhibit showcases powerful images that highlight the crucial role of midwifery and doula services in improving maternal health outcomes, particularly for non-Hispanic Black mothers. Sheena Kundid, a nurse at the medical center, explained the significance of the display, emphasizing how midwifery bridges gaps in maternal healthcare. “Midwifery services support and really bridge the gap for our non-Hispanic Black mothers and really all of our mothers. It’s been shown that midwifery and doulas improve outcomes through trust and active partnership in the birth experience,” she said.

The photos in the exhibit capture various stages of the birthing process, from a mother enduring contractions to the care provided post-delivery. Kundid highlighted the importance of showcasing both home and hospital births, demonstrating the collaborative relationship between midwives and hospital facilities. “It paints a picture of how midwifery supports that collaborative relationship with hospitals and facilities,” Kundid added.

Misti Gray, an OB-Gyn at About Women in Woodbridge, which is affiliated with Sentara, underscored the alarming disparities in maternal mortality rates. “The headline of the main focus is, ‘I just don’t want to die.’ It’s powerful but true,” Gray stated. She pointed out that Black mothers are disproportionately affected by pregnancy-related complications, being three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. Gray attributed this disparity to systemic issues such as racial biases, unequal access to care, and lack of education.

Gray also addressed common misconceptions about midwifery, emphasizing that midwifery care is not limited to home births. “Midwifery care is everywhere. It’s hospitals, birthing centers, at home, and in the community,” she said. She highlighted the growing presence of midwives in hospitals, a trend that has increased over the past decade.

The exhibit aims to educate the community and break down misconceptions about midwifery. Kundid shared that Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is working to increase its midwifery presence and build partnerships with providers. “Midwives help our OB/GYNs, and it increases access to care, which is a dire need across the entire United States,” Kundid explained.

In March, the CDC reported a slight improvement in maternal mortality rates for non-Hispanic Black women, who are now 2.6 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts. Kundid acknowledged the progress but stressed the need for continued efforts to address these disparities.

The “Innovation on Maternal Health Exhibition” will be on display at Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center for the next few weeks. It offers a compelling look into the critical role of midwifery in maternal healthcare.