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.
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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.
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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.
Virginia’s Department of Health (VDH) has set up an outbreak investigation website documenting the outbreak of Shiga toxin-inducing Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections in Lake Anna swimmers. 25 cases have been confirmed, and the only known common factor is swimming in the lake on Memorial Day weekend.
VDH says 76% of cases are children and 21 are Virginia residents. 7 cases developed Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare complication that affects kidney functions. As Potomac Local previously reported, several children were hospitalized and on dialysis due to the severity of their symptoms.
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Randal Brown, of Augusta County, near Charlottesville, said his family visited the lake on May 25 and May 26. Everyone went swimming and ate the same food. His son Bentley, who just turned eight, was the only one to get sick. The family went to the Augusta Health ER on May 30 when Bentley had severe stomach pain.
He was diagnosed with a virus and discharged, Randal said. The ER doctors said he would be OK to travel, but during the next day’s drive to Florida, he started having bloody diarrhea. After consulting with their pediatrician, the family went to a pediatric ER in Florida, where Bentley was admitted and diagnosed with E. coli that evening. Randal said his son had been showing some improvement, and they were able to drive home on June 7 before his son’s symptoms worsened again.
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The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed to Potomac Local it has launched an investigation after multiple people fell ill after swimming at Lake Anna over Memorial Day weekend. While the state health agency has not said how many are sick, all have reported gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses. According to agency spokeswoman Brookie Crawford, some have been diagnosed with Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections.
*Update 06/06/24 3:14 p.m.* VDH has confirmed it is actively investigating 10 cases, with several others reported but unconfirmed.
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A new VA hospital in Spotsylvania County, set to open in March 2025, is generating significant concern about traffic congestion in the area.
The hospital, located along Route 1 near the I-95 corridor at Exit 126, just south of Fredericksburg, is expected to increase traffic flow and potentially cause congestion on the already busy roadways.
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In a recent Potomac Local News poll, Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center emerged as the overwhelming favorite among local residents for hospital recommendations to friends and family. The poll, which sought to gauge public opinion on the preferred medical facilities in the region, saw an impressive 369 votes (86.01%) in favor of Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center.
The poll results underscore the community’s strong preference for Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, which has established itself as a leading healthcare provider in the area. With a reputation for high-quality medical care, advanced technology, and patient-centered services, it’s clear why so many locals trust this institution with their health needs.
Coming in a distant second, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center received 24 votes (5.59%). While this facility is recognized for its comprehensive services and modern amenities, it has less of a footprint in the local community compared to Sentara.
Stafford Hospital garnered 14 votes (3.26%), indicating a modest level of community endorsement. Known for its commitment to patient care and community health, Stafford Hospital continues to dedicate itself to serving its local population, albeit with a smaller share of the community’s recommendations.
UVA Prince William Medical Center and Mary Washington Hospital followed with 11 votes (2.56%) and 7 votes (1.63%), respectively. Both institutions are well-regarded in their own right, with strong healthcare programs and a range of services, but they did not capture a significant portion of the poll votes.
UVA Haymarket Medical Center received 4 votes (0.93%), reflecting a minimal but notable presence in the local healthcare landscape.
The results of this poll highlight the community’s overwhelming confidence in Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center as the go-to hospital for their healthcare needs. As healthcare choices remain a crucial aspect of community well-being, the preference for Sentara underscores its vital role in the region’s healthcare ecosystem.
As always, Potomac Local News is committed to bringing you the latest insights and updates on local healthcare and other important community issues. Thank you to all who participated in the poll.
WWC member Phyllis Zimmerman launched the project nine years ago and continues to sew to this day. The tally of heart pillows created last year was 170 and the dedicated WWC craftswomen estimate that well over 1,000 pillows have been created since they began the project.
“Nine years ago, I was the chairperson of what was called the Home Life section of the Woodbridge Woman's Club. Our club president at the time asked me to find a project that would be of value in the community. I discovered these pillows that I thought we could make. They are helpful to women with breast cancer because the long ties on the pillow allow you to easily carry it with you, and by adjusting the ties, you can position it under your arm to bring relief where you might be feeling very tender,” explained Zimmerman.
While the pillows were originally made for those with breast cancer, now they are gifted to people coping with various forms of cancer, to radiology patients, and most recently to heart patients receiving care at SNVMC.
