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.
Abingdon Higher Education Center to host free health clinic
The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center will host a free community wellness day at its Abingdon campus next month.
The Oct. 5 event is open to the public and brings together resources and activities focused on health, independence and well-being, according to an announcement on the center’s website. It includes the Healthy Aging Fair and Pathways to Possibilities, offering educational sessions on aging and resources for disability services.
Older adults and caregivers can find support for housing and nutrition. Health screenings, vaccinations and local experts will be available to answer questions.
There will also be a wheelchair obstacle course where participants can experience physical barriers firsthand and learn why accessibility matters, according to the website.
The Pathways to Possibilities fair will include demonstrations of assistive technology and opportunities to connect with organizations providing disability resources and services.
The event will start at 10 a.m.
Carilion appoints new leadership
Carilion Clinic has appointed a new chief operating officer and a new chair of orthopedic surgery.
[Disclosure: Carilion Clinic is one of our donors, but donors have no say in news decisions; see our policy.]
Christopher Cullom has joined the Roanoke-based health system as the new COO. Steve Arner, now Carilion’s chief executive officer, held the position until 2024, when he took the health system’s top job following the retirement of Nancy Agee. The COO’s position had been vacant since then.
Cullom most recently served in the same role for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia, part of Jefferson Health. He also held leadership roles with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Tenet Healthcare and University of Florida Health Jacksonville, according to the press release from Carilion.
In his new position, Cullom will work to advance Carilion’s mission across its footprint while strengthening operational performance, access to care and the experiences of patients and employees, according to a press release from Carilion.
Carilion also named Dr. Jonathan Carmouche chair of the department of orthopedic surgery and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He had served as interim chair since January, according to the release from Carilion.
Previously, Carmouche was vice chair of the department of orthopedic surgery and vice chair for research; section chief of spine surgery, scoliosis, pediatric orthopaedics and orthopedic physical medicine and rehabilitation; interim section chief of orthopedic trauma; and chief of orthopedic surgery at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
He is also a professor of orthopedic surgery at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
He has practiced in Roanoke for 18 years.
Virginia Tech receives federal grant for lung disease research
Virginia Tech has received a $442,345 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support research into pulmonary hypertension.
Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart.
U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said the funding will help Virginia Tech researchers study the disease, which can lead to serious complications.
“People with lung diseases such as pulmonary hypertension are susceptible to life-threatening complications,” Griffith said in a statement. “This HHS grant for more than $442,000 helps Virginia Tech pursue research into a harmful lung disease.”
The federal grant was awarded to the university’s Blacksburg campus.
