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.
Nonprofit raises money for pediatric cancer care
A Roanoke-area foundation raised over $2.1 million during a golf tournament fundraiser last weekend to expand pediatric cancer care for children and families in Southwest Virginia. The proceeds will support pediatric oncology and hematology resources through a partnership with Carilion Clinic.
[Disclosure: Carilion is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Roanoke residents Jessica and Kelly Woolwine launched the Fighting Kids Cancer campaign after their daughter, Charlotte, was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer in 2018. By the time doctors diagnosed her, the cancer had already spread to her lungs.
Charlotte underwent about a dozen surgeries before turning 8, with much of her treatment taking place at a hospital in Ohio, according to the foundation’s website. During those years of traveling for care, the Woolwines saw firsthand that many Southwest Virginia families lacked the financial resources to seek specialized treatment far from home.
Today, every dollar raised through the campaign stays in the region to improve access to pediatric cancer care, according to a press release announcing the event.
Charlotte’s Play Yellow Celebrity Invitational serves as the nonprofit’s signature fundraiser and is part of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ Play Yellow initiative.
This year’s tournament featured professional athletes, entertainers and special guests, including Marcus Allen, Eric Dickerson, Jerome Bettis, Ozzie Smith, Michael Vick, Ralph Sampson and James Franklin.
“Charlotte’s Play Yellow isn’t just about raising funds. It’s about raising awareness and improving upon what’s possible for kids facing pediatric cancer in this region,” said Kelly Woolwine, co-founder of the Life Ring Foundation. “Every celebrity, golfer, sponsor, volunteer and donor is helping shine a light on a need people simply don’t realize exists while building something much bigger than a single event. Together, we’re creating a future where there are even better outcomes for children fighting cancer here at home.”
More Virginians paying for emergency department visits out of pocket
More Virginians are paying for emergency department visits without insurance, according to a new analysis from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association’s analytics team.
The review found that self-pay emergency department patients increased 49% between 2022 and 2025. In 2022, 272,185 patients visited a Virginia emergency department without using insurance. By 2025, that number had climbed to 405,584, according to a Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association news release.
The association, which represents 26 health systems and more than 110 hospitals across the state, said the increase comes ahead of federal health policy changes expected to increase the number of uninsured Americans.
Historically, higher uninsured rates have led to more self-pay emergency visits, increasing hospitals’ charity care and uncompensated care costs while driving up insurance premiums for employers and workers.
Overall, emergency department visits rose 11.3% between 2022 and 2025. During that period, Virginia hospitals recorded more than 1.35 million self-pay emergency department visits, accounting for nearly 10% of all emergency department encounters, according to VHHA.
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery announces new CEO
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery has appointed Michael Ehrat as its new chief executive officer, the hospital announced Monday.
Ehrat joined the hospital in late May and has spent his first several weeks meeting employees and learning about the organization, according to a hospital news release.
Most recently, Ehrat served as CEO of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital. He brings more than 30 years of hospital leadership experience to the role.
“Michael is the kind of leader who understands that great hospitals are built on strong relationships, trust and a shared commitment to serving others,” Kelly Oaks, chair of the LewisGale Hospital Montgomery Board of Trustees, said in the press release.
“His depth of healthcare leadership experience and collaborative approach make him an outstanding fit for LewisGale Hospital Montgomery. We look forward to working alongside Michael as he builds on the hospital’s strong foundation.”
