& so much more

A faint red streak. No obvious lump. Just a deep sense that something wasn’t right. Ann Riley followed that instinct, kept calling for an opening, and pushed for answers until imaging revealed a breast cancer diagnosis that was hiding behind her nipple. What follows is an honest, practical patient story that shows how self-advocacy and a clear care plan can change everything, especially when time feels like it’s moving too fast.

We talk through Ann’s HER2-positive breast cancer diagnosis and what that label actually meant for treatment. She explains why her team wanted to “ki...

AI in healthcare can help you find care faster, reduce friction at check-in, and give clinicians more time to actually talk with you. We’re joined by Sanjeev Sah, Centra Health’s Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer, who brings a grounded perspective shaped by his first 15 years in Nepal and years of work across different U.S. communities. That background keeps the conversation anchored in a simple goal: better access to care, especially where resources are stretched. 

We talk about the real-world side of digital transformation at Centra Health, including patient-focused tools like onlin...

A migraine that keeps coming back after medication trials, specialist visits and years of disruption forces a brutal question; what’s left? We sit down with Dr. Rami Fakih, a Neuroendovascular Surgeon at Centra, to talk about an emerging, highly targeted option being explored for chronic refractory migraine and why it’s drawing serious attention in vascular neurology.

We walk through what “chronic migraine” means clinically, how doctors define treatment-resistant or refractory migraine, and why accurate diagnosis matters before anyone considers a procedure. Dr. Fakih explains the basics of a catheter-based approach that navigates to the middle meningea...

A clearer heart scan can change more than an image, it can change a decision. We talk with Jared Vest, who oversees nuclear cardiology and PET CT at Centra, about the arrival of cardiac PET CT and why it’s a major leap forward for diagnosing heart disease closer to home. 

We walk through SPECT versus PET in plain language, then dig into what makes PET CT the new gold standard: higher-quality imaging and the CT mapping that helps correct for attenuation artifacts that can mask or mimic poor blood flow. That accuracy matters because it helps cli...

A stiff back and aching leg can look like a simple lower spine problem until the real culprit hides higher up. We share Diane’s journey from conservative care to targeted injections and, finally, two precisely timed surgeries that unlocked lasting relief. Along the way, our interventional pain specialist and neurosurgeon walk through how they think, starting with imaging and exam, testing hypotheses with blocks and epidurals and only then decide whether surgery is the safest, most effective move.

You’ll hear how short-lived relief from medial branch blocks, rhizotomy, and epidural injections became a diagnostic signal, not...

What should a 30-acre, 537,000-square-foot hospital become after a century of care? We sit down with Centra’s Denise Woernle, urban planner Suzanne Schulz, and Lynchburg’s economic development director, Marjette Upshur, to map a community-first path for reimagining Virginia Baptist Hospital. The conversation unpacks adaptive reuse in plain terms: listen first, decide later. Together, we walk through the process from January listening sessions to February goal-setting to a March community charrette designed to build trust, reduce surprise and turn lived experience into actionable plans.

We connect the study to Centra’s modernization plan, including new facilities coming...

A stronger primary care relationship can be the difference between constant crisis and steady health. That’s the throughline of our conversation with Dr. Detwiler, the incoming Director of Osteopathic Medicine at the CMG Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Detwiler brings rural roots, 25 years of family practice and a clear mission, to train physicians who treat mind, body and spirit while delivering measurable results for communities that need care the most.

We dig into what actually sets osteopathic medicine apart. It’s not a split from modern medicine. DOs are fully trained in the same diagnostics, procedures and...

Healthcare has entered the digital chat, and Centra’s step into digital registration and online self-scheduling shows our dedication to patient care.  We sit down with Jen Halikman, our Vice President of IT Applications, to share how digital registration is rolling out now and how online self-scheduling lands in 2026. The focus is simple: give you control of check-in from your phone, reduce wait times and free our teams to spend more time on care and less on clerical tasks.

Jen walks us through the nuts and bolts that make this shift work. Digital registration streamlines intake, improves dat...

What if the morning “I feel sick” isn’t a dodge but anxiety talking through the body? We invited two seasoned clinicians to unpack why elementary struggles often snowball in middle school, how neurological growth and puberty raise the stakes and what parents and educators can do to steady kids when the school day feels impossible. From the jump, we map the path from early reading gaps and executive function challenges to avoidance, nurse visits, and “I can’t go” battles then show how small, consistent supports flip the script.

Together, we break down clear signs of distress at...

The school day doesn’t start at the first bell, it starts the night before, inside group chats where one message can snowball into a full day of distraction. We sat down with counselors from Lynchburg City Schools to unpack what kids are carrying into class: anxiety amplified by social media, conflicts that live on through phones and the quiet ways embarrassment and fear shape learning. Together, we chart a realistic path through the noise with a focus on practical supports, not panic.

Technology is both helper and hazard in schools. Chromebooks streamline learning and accountability, yet bl...

Most people are told to “try harder” while fighting a disease their biology is trying to keep. We sit down with bariatric surgeon Dr. Joshua Alley to cut through stigma and explain how modern metabolic care actually works: minimally invasive procedures, powerful new medications, and a full-circle support system that treats obesity as the chronic condition it is. The goal isn’t a number on a scale; it’s better health, more energy and more years with the people you love.

We break down the options in plain language. You’ll hear what distinguishes sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, an...

The headlines are loud, the mailers are confusing and the clock is ticking. We’re making one thing simple: Centra will leave the Humana Medicare Advantage network on January 1, 2026, and you can protect your care by choosing the right plan during open enrollment.

With our Chief Revenue Officer, Robert Boos, we walk through exactly who’s affected, how this differs from traditional “red, white, and blue” Medicare and why TRICARE members are not impacted. We break down the real-world impact of Medicare Advantage: prior authorization delays that stall MRIs and CT scans, high first-pass denial rates on emergenc...

A frightening diagnosis can steal the air from a room. Nicole’s story gives it back. From the shock of hearing “breast cancer” to the rhythm of surgery, sixteen chemo infusions and now the daily focus of radiation, she lets us into the real work of getting through it: making plans, asking for help and finding bright spots inside the hard days. As a mother of two and a community leader, she talks candidly about fear, the weight of uncertainty and the simple rituals that brought her peace.

Those bright spots include a calm, golden-furred constant: April Sweeti...

A tumor that seemed to “smile” back in a flashlight’s glare set Jamie Day on a year-long path that tested his body, rewired his priorities, and strengthened every bond that mattered. From the first uneasy swallow after a film festival to the bell that marked the end of treatment, we walk through the raw, funny, and fiercely grateful choices that kept him moving: asking for all the blankets, blasting Mongolian thrash during radiation, and letting two devoted service dogs turn sterile rooms into safe places.

HPV-positive squamous cell throat cancer came with good odds and brutal treatm...

A routine mammogram set off a chain of decisions Erin Hagen never expected to make at 40. What the radiology report called DCIS felt both urgent and confusing, and the days that followed were a blur of consults, terminology and timelines. We sit down with Erin and Dr. Christina Canzoneri from Centra’s plastic and reconstructive surgery team to unpack how you move from a diagnosis to a plan you can live with.

We walk through choosing a bilateral mastectomy, weighing immediate versus delayed reconstruction and confronting the fear of anesthesia and drains more than the incisions themselves. Dr...

Misinformation surrounds vaping, despite its growing presence in our everyday lives. These sleek, rechargeable devices deliver not just fruit-flavored satisfaction but a potent cocktail of nicotine (sometimes exceeding levels found in cigarettes) and numerous carcinogenic chemicals.

The health implications are particularly alarming for younger users. Nicotine rewires developing brains, compromising focus, memory, and impulse control. The physical toll extends throughout the body as blood vessels constrict, raising blood pressure, the "silent killer" increasing risks of stroke and heart attack. Cardiac arrhythmias become more likely as nicotine stimulates the heart, potentially creating deadly complications.

For those a...

The journey of motherhood brings countless decisions, with feeding choices among the most significant. Rebecca Rose, an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Virginia Baptist Hospital, guides us through the complexities and joys of breastfeeding during this illuminating conversation for National Breastfeeding Awareness Month.

Rebecca's path to becoming a lactation consultant began with her own struggles breastfeeding her oldest child. This personal challenge transformed into a passion that now helps countless mothers in the mother-baby unit, birth center, intensive care nursery and outpatient services. Her mission? Ensuring every mother has the support and knowledge to make informed...

While surgical technology is not new to Centra, thanks to generous contribution from the Centra Foundation, the addition of our fifth DaVinci robot has opened doors for surgical care. Join us in the operating room with Jen Drudy, Vice President of Perioperative Services, for an exclusive look at our fifth DaVinci robot and hear how it is changing how healthcare is delivered in our community.

What does this mean for patients? Shorter recovery times, better pain control, and improved outcomes compared to traditional surgical approaches. As we celebrate milestone achievements of our surgeons reaching their 500th robotic...

The transition from summer freedom to school structure affects every family differently. Whether you're celebrating the return to routine or mourning the end of family time, this critical period demands special attention to your child's physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Dr. Travis Engel joins us to unpack the essential health considerations often overlooked during back-to-school season. We explore why annual check-ups matter so much, even for seemingly healthy children, and how these visits help pediatricians spot developmental concerns parents might miss in day-to-day life.

Have you found creative ways to ease your child's transition back...

"Your periods shouldn't be unbearably painful. Most women in their 50s will experience dryness. Muscle mass matters more than being thin." These are just some of the straightforward truths nurse midwife Claire McStacy shares in this comprehensive conversation about women's health through the decades.

From establishing care in your twenties to navigating the changes of menopause, this episode cuts through the noise of trending TikTok videos to deliver practical guidance on what's actually happening in your body and what you can do about it. McStacy brings 23 years of experience to address questions many women have but don't...

Nurse Practitioner Cody Sliger reveals the hidden crisis in men's healthcare through both professional expertise and personal experience. Despite significant advances in medical science, men continue to suffer worse health outcomes than women, largely because they avoid seeking help until it's too late.

The conversation dives deep into why this happens. Harvard research confirms that societal expectations of masculinity directly contribute to higher mortality rates when men eventually reach hospitals with chronic conditions. When seeking help is viewed as weakness, and when work schedules make healthcare appointments financially impossible, men face an impossible choice between immediate family...

Carol Harvey's powerful journey from experienced nurse to breast cancer survivor offers a unique dual perspective that changes everything.

Carol shares her unexpected triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis in September 2020 during the height of COVID restrictions when family couldn't accompany her to treatments. With 35 years of nursing experience and a role teaching future nurses at Liberty University, Carol brought professional knowledge to her patient experience that provided both advantages and surprising challenges.

Her decision to join a clinical trial stands as perhaps the most fascinating aspect of this conversation. Despite her medical background, Carol experienced the...

What happens when we focus on strengths instead of limitations? R'Kel Mosely takes us on an unforgettable journey through his experience with Project Search, a program that's transformed his outlook on life, work, and his own capabilities.

From the moment R'Kel began sharing his story, his wisdom shines through. "Even if I can do it all myself, I can't do it alone," he reflects, capturing the essence of why supportive communities matter. Through Project Search, he has discovered how to manage his anxiety, pace himself, and build confidence about his future—all while exploring his passion for gr...

Mental health needs have consistently topped community health assessments in our health system's area for years, reaching critical levels that demand immediate attention. Ismael Gama, Vice President of Centra's Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Service Line, shares how Centra is responding with a strategy that creates multiple pathways to care.

The cornerstone of Centra's approach is meeting patients wherever they enter the system. "Come to whatever door and we will get you to the right place," explains Gama, highlighting how this philosophy removes barriers for those in crisis. From the Psychiatric Adult Urgent Care seeing 20-25 patients weekly...

Crystal Collette and Jennifer Watson Jamison share their journey to achieving Autism Commission on Quality accreditation for Centra's Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy program and explain how modern ABA helps children with autism through individualized, evidence-based approaches.

What exactly is ABA therapy? As Jennifer explains, it's fundamentally "the science of learning" that addresses everything from communication and social skills to emotional regulation and self-help abilities. Modern approaches have moved away from older error-based methods to "errorless teaching," where children are shown the correct response from the beginning, resulting in faster learning and less frustration.

For parents...

What wisdom would you choose to leave behind for your children if you suddenly weren't there to guide them? After losing his wife Johanna to  breast cancer in August 2023, Daryl Calfee found himself confronting this profound question—leading him to write "Skip the Bull: Lessons from Your Dad After Your Mom Died."

"Skip the Bull" emerged from Daryl's realization that the hard-fought wisdom and funny farm stories accumulated through twenty years of marriage might be lost if something happened to him too. The book preserves these conversations—from practical advice about money and work to deeper reflections on fa...

Dr. Travis Engel, Chair of Pediatrics, brings his expertise and compassion to a thoughtful discussion on the current measles situation affecting parts of the United States. With just under 500 cases nationally—concentrated primarily in West Texas and eastern New Mexico—he offers a balanced perspective on what families need to know without creating unnecessary alarm.

Engel offers practical guidance for what to do if measles appears in your community. Rather than rushing to emergency departments, Dr. Engel explains the protocols already in place for testing and treatment, highlighting how calling your doctor first can prevent unnecessary exposures and...

When 26-year-old Cody Towler walked into an emergency room for an unrelated issue, he never expected to walk out with a stage four colorectal cancer diagnosis that would transform his life forever. Despite his prognosis, Cody radiates a remarkable resilience that defies medical expectations.

After enduring eleven brutal rounds of chemotherapy, over twenty sessions of radiation, and receiving the devastating news that he had only six to twelve months to live, Cody leaned deeper into his faith.

The heart of Cody's story isn't just about fighting cancer—it's about finding purpose and connection during life's da...

Join us as we explore how Centra is addressing critical healthcare shortages by engaging local students through innovative educational programs. Our guests share how local healthcare camps provide students with exposure to a multitude of career options in medicine.

This episode unpacks the role of local healthcare educators who foster student connections with real-world experiences, building excitement for various healthcare roles. As listeners, you'll learn why it's essential to cultivate this interest early and understand the pathways available for students eager to enter the field. Through compelling personal stories, our hosts and guests discuss how these initiatives...

Join us for a timely conversation during Heart Month, where clinical cardiac navigator MaryAnne Poling, cardiologist Dr. Parichart Junpaparp, and heart failure patient Ken Mueller offer invaluable insights and personal stories. Through an in-depth discussion, we cover the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of heart failure, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing it from other conditions like COPD or anemia. 

Ken Mueller shares how he far surpassed his six month diagnosis living now over five years later. By focusing on empowerment through understanding, we aim to inspire listeners to not only manage heart failure but to live positively and t...

Unlock the secrets to proactive health management with the expertise of Dr. Cindy Hanawalt and Dr. Micki Hall from HealthWorks. This episode delves into the essential role of biometric screening in personal health management, dispelling myths and clarifying its purpose in identifying potential risk factors for various health conditions. We emphasize the importance of these screenings as proactive measures and discuss their historical context, access methods, and their potential downsides, advocating for informed health engagement. 

Join us as we examine the accessibility and benefits of biometric screenings, whether through your annual wellness labs or specialized services like t...

Establishing a health baseline is critical for effective personal health management. By working closely with your primary care provider, you can tailor a plan that addresses your unique health needs and sets manageable goals for lifelong wellness.

Dr. Allega breaks down how your primary care provider acts as the "quarterback" of your health, orchestrating the complex playbook of healthcare to help establish and maintain your health goals. From selecting the right timings for health screenings to monitoring crucial indicators like blood pressure and cholesterol, learn why it's important to start this partnership early. 

For more c...

Unlock the transformative power of mental health care with our insightful conversation featuring James Bryant, Vice President for Emergency Services at Centra. Together, we shed light on the pressing issue of mental health accessibility, and discover how Centra is pioneering a "no wrong door" approach to mental health support by collaborating with key partners in each of our health-system communities. 

Our discussion also highlights how Centra is breaking new ground with their mental health urgent care, providing immediate support for adults. Mental health is a priority and appropriate and urgent care is essential, especially during crises. Learn w...

Together with James Bryant, Vice President for Emergency Services, we discuss the specialized capabilities of Centra Health's Emergency Departments. Learn when to go the ED and when to go to urgent care, what to expect when you go to both and how the triage process works. We also explore the role of urgent care centers as a vital bridge to emergency departments, highlighting their strengths and limitations compared to hospital resources. We offer practical health and wellness tips to prevent illness and reduce the need for emergency visits.

For more content from Centra Health check us out...

Grief is a journey many of us embark on, often without warning, and the holiday season can amplify these emotions unexpectedly. Join us as we engage with Ashley Butt and Brynn Davis, who help us unravel the complexities of grief. Together, we explore how grief is not limited to the loss of a loved one but can stem from the end of relationships or dashed dreams. We promise you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to recognize and name your grief, which is the first step toward healing. With practical strategies, we learn to navigate grief triggers...

Unlock the secrets to a inclusive holiday season for neurodiverse families with insights from Dr. Emily Bradshaw and Daniel Sullivan of Centra's Autism and Developmental Clinic. Together, we redefine the holiday experience by honoring each child's unique strengths and challenges, all while exploring the concept of neurodiversity as a spectrum of diverse brain functions. Expect to learn practical strategies for creating inclusive and comfortable environments, even if that means tweaking traditional plans to prioritize your child's well-being and comfort.

The conversation talks about the significance of respecting personal boundaries, offering alternatives to physical greetings, and promoting mutual...

How can we bridge the healthcare cost gap and enhance community wellness with the resources we have? Join us for a captivating conversation with Allison Ebert, the Director of Development at the Centra Foundation, as we unravel the critical influence of local giving on community health. 

As Giving Tuesday approaches, we explore the impactful initiatives that support Caregivers and the community, like the Centra Family Campaign and the Helping Hands and Greatest Need Funds. We highlight practical ways to contribute, from online donations to legacy gifts, emphasizing the collective impact of community involvement. This episode celebrates the s...

Better understand depression with insights from Dr. Sibcy, a licensed clinical psychologist from Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center. Discover how depression's isolating nature can trap individuals in a cycle of avoidance, and learn strategies to break free from this loop. We delve into the therapeutic approaches that have proven effective, such as cognitive and cognitive behavioral therapy, and discuss the role of medication in treating moderate to severe depression. 

With the holiday season's emotional demands, we explore the importance of setting boundaries and finding balanced ways to interact with family and social settings without compromising mental well-being.

Lauren Brown, an emergency physician at Centra found herself in the most unexpected situation of becoming a patient herself. In this episode she shares her personal narrative of experiencing a stroke that forever altered her life. Through Lauren's story, we discuss the vital importance of stroke awareness and early intervention, and how she navigated the surreal reality of recognizing her own symptoms while drawing from her medical expertise. Her experience offers unparalleled insight into the unpredictable nature of strokes and the resilience needed for recovery.

As we mark World Stroke Day, the episode highlights the importance of...

In this episode, alongside Kelly Griffiths and Dr. Travis Engel, who are at the forefront of Centra's work in Advance Care Directives and Perinatal Loss and Palliative Care for newborns, we illuminate the importance of a holistic approach to this type of care. Their team, involving obstetricians, pediatricians, midwives, social workers, and spiritual care providers, ensure families facing perinatal loss receive culturally respectful and comprehensive support.

The team empowers parents to make informed decisions during challenging pregnancies and diagnoses. Educating families that they can have this control over their choices can ease anxiety and prevent future regrets...