Welcome to The Pulse, a weekly roundup of health-focused news. Each Thursday, we bring you updates on health policy, community surveys, new clinical studies, programs and services in Southwest and Southside Virginia.
Got a tip or story idea? Email me at emily@cardinalnews.org.
State restores some funding for HIV support services
Virginia lawmakers approved a $13.2 million budget appropriation to partially restore funding for programs that provide wraparound services for residents living with HIV.
Late last year, funding for the Ryan White Part B program — a federal program that pays for core medical services for low-income people with HIV — dropped significantly due to billing errors within the Virginia Department of Health.
In previous grant years, the state received about $32 million in rebate revenue, which is used to fund the Part B programs. After correcting the errors, the rebate amount dropped to $16.5 million for the 2026 grant year — roughly half of prior funding levels.
The cuts forced service reductions across Southwest and Southside Virginia, placing additional strain on the Council of Community Services, a Roanoke-based nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness and residents living with HIV.
The budget amendment provides $6.6 million from the general fund in both grant years 2026 and 2027, according to the state budget.
Under the budget language, the Virginia Department of Health must submit an annual report by Dec. 1 to the chairs of the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee and the House Appropriations Committee detailing how the money was spent.
Equality Virginia, an advocacy organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, released a statement Tuesday regarding the appropriation.
“For more than a year, providers have faced significant challenges following the loss of funding that supported Virginia’s HIV care safety net. While today’s action will not resolve every challenge facing the system, it represents an important step toward restoring stability for providers and the communities they serve,” Narissa Rahaman, executive director of the organization, said in a press release.
“We are especially grateful to the HIV service providers, advocates, patients, and lawmakers who worked tirelessly to elevate the importance of this funding throughout the budget process. Their voices helped ensure that the needs of Virginians living with HIV remained part of this conversation.”
Carilion workforce program earns state award
Carilion Clinic’s Grow-Our-Own Medical Assistant-Certified Program received the Talent Champion Award from the Virginia Workforce Association this year.
Carilion operates the program in partnership with Virginia Western Community College and the Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board, according to a press release from Virginia Western.
[Disclosure: Carilion Clinic is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
The award recognizes organizations that make meaningful investments in workforce development, career advancement and innovative partnerships that create opportunities for workers.
“The Virginia Workforce Association Talent Champion Award recognizes the power of partnership between Carilion Clinic and Virginia Western Community College,” Lauren Cumella, a faculty member in Virginia Western’s Healthcare Careers program said in a press release. “I am proud to help students gain the skills and confidence needed to launch successful healthcare careers while strengthening the future healthcare workforce in our region. This award reflects the dedication and hard work of our students, faculty, and healthcare partners whose commitment to excellence makes a lasting impact on our community.”
The program offers training pathways that combine classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience to prepare participants for careers in healthcare, according to a press release from Carilion Clinic.
Program leaders reported strong hiring and retention outcomes, along with a 100% certification exam pass rate.
“This achievement reflects the strong collaboration between our educational and workforce development partners, clinic leaders, preceptors and program participants,” said Christine Ugron, ambulatory clinical educator at Carilion, in a press release. “Together, we’ve created a pathway that helps people enter healthcare careers while helping meet the workforce needs of our region. This recognition demonstrates what is possible when organizations work together to remove barriers to opportunity, invest in workforce development and create meaningful career pathways.”
Recovery-to-work program receives opioid settlement funding
A Southwest Virginia recovery-to-work program received more than $800,000 in opioid settlement funding this year to continue helping people in recovery find and keep jobs.
The Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority awarded $814,060 to the Reengagement Opportunities and Pathways to Employment Success, or R.O.P.E.S., program, according to a press release from the employment program.
Launched in 2019, the program has served nearly 300 individuals across Southwest Virginia.
The new funding will allow the program to continue serving residents of Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton.
People in early recovery often face significant barriers to employment, according to the press release. Assistance with transportation, driver’s licenses, healthcare, education and job training can play a critical role in helping them maintain recovery and return to work.
The program aims to help participants maintain sobriety while securing employment that provides a self-sustaining wage.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority and our local government partners for helping ensure this program remains available to Southwest Virginians who are in recovery and transitioning into the workforce,” Rachel Patton, executive director of the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board, said in a press release.
“The R.O.P.E.S. program has helped countless individuals regain their independence, maintain their recovery, and achieve meaningful employment. It remains in high demand throughout the region. In addition, the program has helped create a pipeline of skilled workers for regional businesses. We appreciate the opportunity to play a role in strengthening the region’s recovery ecosystem.”
