My first 100 days as president of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital have been filled with inspiring moments and meaningful connections. I’m deeply grateful for the warmth and dedication I’ve experienced since arriving in Charlottesville.
The Caring Tradition that defines Sentara Martha Jefferson shines through in every department, every interaction, and every role. This is a place where people feel empowered to be heard, share feedback, and help shape decisions. That spirit of teamwork is one of our greatest strengths, and it’s woven into everything we do.
Caring for our community Contents
You see the results of this collaborative spirit in our continual growth and innovation, through new technologies, new providers, and new resources for our community. Over the past few years, we’ve expanded our offerings in primary care, OB-GYN, urology, and pulmonary services. And in 2026, we’ll open a new outpatient endoscopy center. I am excited and committed to continuing this momentum to advance health in our community.
With the generous support of the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, we’re also expanding free health programs through our Community Health and Outreach Center and our Caregiver and Wellness Center, along with support groups that extend care beyond our walls. I encourage you to read more about these resources in this issue of the magazine. Our team is truly filling care access gaps to better ensure that everyone in our community has the resources they need to be healthy.
Looking ahead, we are excited to open the doors to the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson in January, which will ensure continued access to healthcare for our community by providing affordable, high-quality child care for our teams.
We’re honored to be nationally recognized for our commitment to excellence, with accolades including a CMS 5-Star rating, Best of Cville Best Birthing Center, the Healthgrades Patient Experience Award, and designation as a Top Institution for Black Maternal Care by U.S. News & World Report. These honors reflect the trust you place in us, and the compassion and skill our teams bring to every patient, every day.
Accolades like these speak to our commitment to making Sentara Martha Jefferson a place where everyone feels safe, cared for, and proud to belong. Thank you for trusting us with your care. I am honored to serve this community alongside our extraordinary team, and I look forward to continuing this journey with you.
Kimberly Skelly Executive Director Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation
Paul Tesoriere, M.D., FHM, FACP Vice President, Chief Medical Officer Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Boone, III, FACHE
Introducing Bernie Boone, FACHE Welcoming our new Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital president
Departments
Pictured above:
The 23rd Annual In the Pink Tennis & Pickleball Charity Event raised more than $44,000 to fight breast cancer and support
New care providers improve access in Charlottesville
Tuyetanh (Anh) Eichholz, PA-C Infectious Disease
Sentara Martha Jefferson Medical and Surgical Associates
Celebrating excellence in maternity care
Anthony Fisher, M.D.
Sentara Crozet Family Medicine
Norman Hurst, D.O.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Internal Medicine
Frank (Larry) Koenig III, M.D.
Vascular Surgery
Sentara Martha Jefferson Vascular and Vein Center
Megan E. Nigh, PA
High Risk Breast
Sentara Martha Jefferson High Risk Breast Clinic & Survivorship Clinic
Cathy Quick, CNM
Sentara Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialists
Savita Srivastava, M.D.
Sentara Gastroenterology Specialists
Blanche Stutz, NP
Sentara Greene Family Medicine
Gregory Turissini, M.D.
Sentara Spring Creek Family Medicine
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital continues to improve access to care in our community by welcoming new providers. To make an appointment with one of our caregivers, please call 1-800-Sentara
Sentara Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists is thrilled to welcome certified nurse midwives
Nicole M. Koiner and Cathy Quick to their team of physicians and nurses serving women in our region with safe, inclusive services through all the phases of life.
“Midwife means ‘with woman,’ and a nurse midwife is someone who meets a woman where she is on her journey and walks alongside her,” says Quick. “We work with women through pregnancy, childbirth and beyond. There’s not much we don’t do when it comes to women’s health.”
Sentara created the Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists practice to expand capacity; accept a wide range of insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare; and ensure that safe, positive birth experiences are accessible to all families. The practice is accepting new patients.
In addition, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital is honored to be recognized as C-ville Weekly’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Award winner for “best birthing center.”
Use the QR code to learn more
Turning Charlottesville pink for women’s health
Hundreds of community members turned out in October to shop and play with a purpose in support of The Women’s Committee of the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation and women’s health in our community. Nearly 300 players joined us at eight area clubs on October 3 and 4 for the 23rd Annual In the Pink Tennis and Pickleball Charity Event, followed by the 32nd Annual Martha’s Market at the Dairy Market and at participating downtown shops. Special thanks to Loring Woodriff Real Estate for being our Grand Slam Sponsor of In the Pink, as well as the Manning Family Foundation for its generous support of Martha’s Market.
Through these events, The Women’s Committee makes possible free breast health screenings for uninsured women and provides free wigs and scarves to women experiencing cancer. This year, they also helped accelerate the acquisition of equipment in the Phillips Cancer Center, including the replacement of all the infusion chairs and the purchase of a MOLLI surgical
navigation device to more precisely remove breast tumors while conserving breast tissue and improving the patient experience.
Celebrating dedication to our community
The heart of a hospital is its people: the exceptional staff and physicians who show up every day with compassion, skill, and a calling to serve others. We honored that spirit earlier this year with a banquet dinner to mark milestone service anniversaries, including seven individuals who have dedicated 35 years of service: Betsy Evans; Christine Hottinger; Cathy Lambert-Reece; Janet Ragland-Temple; Elaine Shinsky; Deborah Urciolo; and Stacey Williams. The 2025 President’s Awards also recognized outstanding service by (left to right above) Shannon Shaver (support), Mike Shields (administration), Olivia Payton (safety) and Neema Tanamg (clinical). Heartfelt thanks to all our team members for their dedicated service to our patients, hospital and community!
Registration opens for the YMCA Early Learning Center
at
Sentara Martha Jefferson
When it opens its doors in January 2026, the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson will ensure continued access to healthcare for our patients by providing affordable, high-quality childcare for children of our team members. The Early Learning Center will serve 148 children ages infant to kindergarten in eight dedicated classrooms, plus outdoor play spaces. Ensuring that our team is here to care for our community while their children remain
close and safe means that our staff is work-ready and their children are school-ready. Enrollment is now underway for Sentara staff, with tuition assessed on a sliding scale. To ensure that the center remains accessible and affordable for all, the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation is working to establish a $5 million endowment to support the Early Learning Center in perpetuity. Visit mjhfoundation.org to make a gift.
Youth programs inspire the next generation
All told, Sentara Martha Jefferson has introduced more than 1,400 local students of all ages to healthcare careers this year thanks to community support. Every second grader in the Albemarle County Public Schools—more than 1,100 kids—toured the hospital and learned of the many rewarding healthcare careers beyond being a doctor or nurse. Middle- and highschoolers from Charlottesville and all five surrounding counties explored healthcare opportunities through summer camps and junior volunteer programs. Team members also visited local Boys and Girls Clubs to promote heart health and inspire future healthcare professionals. Students learned that scholarship
support is available through the Haden Nursing Institute and Center for Clinical Education to open the door to these career pathways.
Virtual nurses enhance patient care
The warmth and skill of our bedside nurses is the foundation of our Caring Tradition. To enable these hard-working individuals to spend more time with patients, virtual nursing teams are now assisting with the admissions and discharge process to reduce administrative workloads. With an average of 14 years’ experience, virtual nurses (pictured above) are well qualified and integrate seamlessly with our nursing teams. Implementation is underway throughout the fall. Virtual nurses are drawing rave reviews from patients and nursing teams across the Sentara hospital system.
SMJH earns prestigious “A” grade for social responsibility
We are proud that the Lown Institute Hospitals Index recognized Sentara Martha Jefferson among the top 5 hospitals in Virginia for both value of care and clinical outcomes, and #1 in Virginia for cost efficiency. To calculate social responsibility, the Lown Index evaluated more than 50 metrics related to health equity, patient outcomes, and value of care. Sentara Martha Jefferson’s accolade is part of a broader achievement across the hospital system, with 10 Sentara hospitals receiving an A grade.
Prostate Cancer: A PSA for Early Detection
When it comes to prostate cancer, there is good and bad news. One in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, and the percent of “high risk” patients and those with metastatic disease is increasing.
The good news is that a simple blood test, ordered by your primary care physician, can detect the disease long before symptoms arise, when it is curable. A PSA screening test detects elevated levels of a protein called prostate specific antigen, which can indicate multiple prostate conditions, including prostate cancer.
PSA screening has saved hundreds of thousands of lives and significantly changed the trajectory of this oncedevastating disease. In the 1970s, 70% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer were still alive five years later. During peak PSA testing years, that figure increased to 97%.
For men over 50, Sentara Martha Jefferson Urologist Dr. Mark Anderson says knowing your PSA levels and risk profile is essential. “You may not need to be afraid of prostate cancer, but you should definitely respect it,” he says. As with other forms of cancer, genetics, age, and ethnicity play a role, as do a variety of lifestyle factors. It helps to choose a diet high in vegetables, especially cooked tomatoes (lycopenes); limit heavy alcohol consumption; and quit smoking.
What are the PSA screening guidelines?
All men over the age of 50 should be offered a PSA screening test every two to four years. It’s important to consult your physician about the appropriate screening frequency given your medical history. African American men have the highest rates of prostate cancer and the highest risk of aggressive disease, so they may want to start between the age of 40-45. Same for people with close family members who developed prostate cancer before the age of 65.
Are elevated PSA levels always cause for concern?
No. Benign prostate growth due to aging, inflammation, and recent sexual intercourse can elevate your PSA score naturally. PSA screening tests are very sensitive, which makes them a powerful tool for catching cancer early, but it also means there can be false positive elevations. Additional types of PSA testing, a prostate MRI, and digital rectal exam can be helpful before performing a biopsy, but a biopsy is the only way to confirm definitively that you do have prostate cancer.
What happens after a prostate cancer diagnosis?
A surgeon, radiation oncologist or medical oncologist may be involved in your care. There are a variety of treatment options, including surgical removal, radiation, and other focal therapies. Sometimes patients need their testosterone temporarily reduced to weaken the cancer. Up to 30% of patients do not need treatment. We look at a variety of factors before recommending treatment, including medical problems, life expectancy, and personal preferences. It should always be a collaborative decision with patients and families, and you should expect as much information as possible.
Contact your primary care physician for more information. To learn more, use the QR code to watch Dr. Anderson’s First Tuesday Educational Session on preventing and treating prostate cancer and other urological disorders.
Mark Anderson, M.D. Urology
Sugar plums & fairy tales
(make that sugar free)
Americans love sweet treats. We take in almost 60 pounds of added sugar annually. But what is added sugar, and why is it a problem? Added sugar is any type of sugar that is added to your food and beverages, either at home or by the food industry. Some common added sugars include white and brown sugars, cane sugar, honey, molasses, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and high fructose corn syrup.
Added sugars turn into blood sugar (glucose) and when blood sugars spike frequently over the long term, a person’s health may suffer. Health researchers have tied frequent blood sugar spikes to everything from diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease, to anxiety, depression, and poor sleep.
The natural sugars found in fruits and some vegetables, such as carrots, are a completely different health story. These foods contain dietary fiber, which slows down the digestive process, resulting in a much more gradual rise in glucose
levels. Plus, fruits and vegetables naturally offer protective nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, making them a nourishing addition to any meal or snack.
Given that as much as 25% of Americans’ sugar intake comes from sweetened beverages, moving to plain, flavored, and sparkling waters is a great place to start lowering sugar intake. Unsweetened coffee and tea can also fit the bill for beverages throughout the day.
To lighten up the sugar content in holiday drinks, select unsweetened flavored waters and sparkling water, then add colorful and flavorful slices of limes and lemons, as well as red raspberries or slices of star fruit, strawberries, and kiwi.
If you need a beverage sweetener, Stevia is a calorie-free sugar substitute made from the leaves of the Stevia plant. It has no impact on calorie intake or blood sugar levels.
Recommended daily allowance of added sugar
Major health organizations agree that reducing added sugar improves health, from weight control to reduced cancer risk. The USDA dietary guidelines recommend keeping added sugar to 10% or less of total daily calories.
USDA Dietary Guidelines
(2,000 calorie diet)
12 teaspoons / 48 grams
American Heart Association
Women: 6 teaspoons / 24 grams
Men: 9 teaspoons / 36 grams
Holiday baking ideas
In your holiday baking, try reducing the sugar content by one-third to one-half. Almond, vanilla, or lemon extracts can be good replacements for added sugars. Unsweetened applesauce, mashed bananas, or baby carrots also add natural sweetness to bakery items, such as cakes and bars, cookies, pancakes and waffles, and muffins and quick breads.
Finally, let’s not forget the sweet taste of fruits over the holiday season. Besides satisfying a sweet tooth, they come with good-for-you nutrients such as phytochemicals to reduce inflammation, potassium to lower blood pressure, vitamin C to boost our immune system, isoflavones to fight cancer cell development, and fiber to naturally lower cholesterol levels.
Holiday ideas with fruits might include:
• Colorful fruit kabob appetizers or desserts with strawberries, kiwi chunks, and red grapes
• Fruit cobblers made with a wholesome oatmeal or white wheat flour topping
• One-crust fruit or vegetable pies such as apple or pumpkin made with less sugar
• Baked or poached seasonal fruits such as apples or pears
Wishing you happy times and healthy cooking in the kitchen over this holiday season!
Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients
• Nonstick vegetable cooking spray
• 1¼ cups white wheat flour
• 1¼ cups quick-cooking dry rolled oats
• ¼ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 1½ tsp. baking powder
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup finely shredded zucchini
• ½ cup frozen raspberries
• ⅔ cup fat-free milk
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 Tbsp. unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, stir together flour, oats, chocolate chips, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, gently combine beaten egg, zucchini, raspberries, milk, applesauce, cocoa powder, and oil.
4. Stir zucchini mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Do not over mix. Spoon batter evenly between the 12 prepared muffin cups, filling each nearly full.
5. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in muffin cups for 5 minutes; remove from cups to a wire rack.
Holiday Zucchini Muffins
Pumpkin Pie
Makes 8 servings
Ingredients
• ⅔ cup Stevia In The Raw Bakers Bag
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp. ground ginger
• ¼ tsp. ground cloves
• ⅛ tsp. nutmeg
• 2 large eggs or ½ cup egg substitute
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 (15-ounce) can 100% pumpkin
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 (12-ounce) can low-fat 2% evaporated milk
• 1 unbaked (9-inch) frozen prepared deep-dish pie shell
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a small bowl mix Stevia, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs. Stir in vanilla, pumpkin, and stevia spice mixture.
4. In a small bowl dissolve cornstarch in 2-3 tablespoons of evaporated milk. Blend this into pumpkin mixture; stir in remaining evaporated milk. Blend well.
5. Pour into frozen deep-dish pie crust. Set on a cookie sheet and bake at 425° F for 15 minutes.
6. Reduce oven to 350° F and bake another 45-50 minutes or until filling is set. Remove from the oven and cool on the rack for 2 hours before serving.
7. Garnish lightly with whipped cream before serving. Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2-3 days Note: Recipe adapted from www.steviabenefits.org.
Makes 8-10 servings
Ingredients
• ¼ cup sugar
• ¼ cup Stevia in the Raw Bakers Bag
• 4½ tsp. quick-cooking tapioca
• ¼ tsp. ground allspice
• 5 cups fresh or frozen berries (raspberries, blackberries, etc.)
• 2 Tbsp. orange juice
For the dough topping:
• 1 cup white wheat flour or ½ cup white wheat flour +
½ cup dry oats
• 3 Tbsp. sugar
• 3 Tbsp. Stevia in the Raw Bakers Bag
• ¼ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• ⅓ cup vanilla yogurt
• ⅓ cup fat-free milk
• 3 Tbsp. melted butter or tub margarine
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, combine sugar, Stevia, tapioca, and allspice. Add berries and orange juice; toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Spoon into a 2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, Stevia, baking soda, and salt. Combine yogurt, milk, and butter; stir into dry ingredients until smooth. Spread over the berry mixture.
4. Bake cobbler for 20 minutes; sprinkle the top evenly with 1 Tbsp. sugar. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until cobbler is bubbly. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
• Provide continuity of care for all patients Merry Berry Cobbler
Sentara Martha Jefferson Bridge Clinic
The Sentara Martha Jefferson Bridge Clinic offers scheduled and same-day appointments for patients who want to see a primary care provider but are unable to obtain an immediate appointment.
Our commitment to patients:
• Serve as a bridge for patients in need of a prescription refill before they are able to meet with a primary care provider
• Refer patients to specialty providers if needed
• Provide general health maintenance and management
• Offer timely follow-up care for patients
Caring for the caregivers
“We know how overwhelming it can be to care for a loved one with a serious illness. We want to help in any way we can,” says Esther Lozano Otis, R.N, and coordinator of Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Caregiver and Wellness Center.
“Sometimes that means helping people navigate the hospital system or get connected to the right providers,” she continues. “Other times we’re there as a listening ear. Often people just need a few minutes alone to close their eyes in the massage chair or sit in the sun while their phone charges.”
With nearly one in four Americans balancing the responsibilities of family caregiving with work, childrearing, and caring for their own health, Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Caregiver & Wellness Center addresses a deep and growing need.
“The Center is truly an expression of community members reaching out to care for each other,” says Otis. All services are free and open to both family and professional caregivers, thanks to philanthropic support through the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation.
Community members also volunteer their time to help Esther and the hospital’s chaplains staff the center, round on hospital units, and support caregivers and families.
“I spent 23 days in the hospital myself, not that long ago,” says volunteer Dutch Dorschel. “I love being able to give back by helping other families.”
Centrally located near the Phillips Cancer Center and the gift shop, the Caregiver Center is a warm, private space, flooded with sunlight and decorated with the work of local artists. Features include a kitchenette offering free snacks, a business hub, and a resource library. An inviting fireplace warms the main room during the winter months.
Caregiver center services
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital 3rd floor, behind the gift shop 500 Martha Jefferson Drive
Contact: eglozan1@sentara.com; 434-654-7108
Free; open daily
Features Include: quiet room with massage chair; business hub with free internet and charging station; snack station; private meeting space; local artwork; resource library.
Support groups
Perinatal Loss Support Group
7 p.m. – 8 p.m.; 3rd Wednesday of the month Online and in person at Caregiver Center
Skilled facilitators lead this group for parents and loved ones coping with the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death.
Contact Esther Otis:
Caregiver
Professionally trained counselors offer support groups and special workshops geared toward important caregiving topics, from advanced care planning to CPR training. Free blood pressure and A1C checks also make it easy for caregivers to tend to their own health.
Sentara Martha Jefferson is one of just 28 hospitals nationwide with a Caregiver Center, making it a model for the entire country. Visit the center daily. Learn more at mjhfoundation.org/caregiver-center.
Become a caregiver partner. Training and support provided to all volunteers. Contact Esther Lozano Otis by emailing eglozan1@sentara.com for more information.
Drop-in session for companions and caregivers of loved ones living with a serious illness. Contact Esther Otis: eglozan1@sentara.com; 434-654-7108 Community outreach
Free, restorative session of meditation and sound therapy to guide you toward a deeper sense of calm, connection, and belonging. Bring your own yoga mat or blanket for comfort.
Use the QR code to register for upcoming sessions. All services are open to the public and free of charge, thanks to community support through the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation.
Sentara in the community
Pictured above, Esther Lozano Otis, R.N., and Chaplains Nathanael Blessington
Thadikonda (left) and Stephone Coleman (right) staff the Caregiver and Wellness Center
After more than a decade of living with heart disease, Carol Carr, 81, knows to expect the unexpected. But that didn’t make it any less frightening when her angina flared up suddenly last winter.
“I lead a fairly active life, but the angina made me afraid to do anything,” she says. After an especially severe episode of chest pain while walking to a concert in Charlottesville, she underwent two cardiac catheterizations and a stenting procedure.
Carol’s symptoms improved immediately, but her anxiety lingered. “Having a cardiac event is a real wake-up call. You feel vulnerable,” she says. “You know you need to make changes, but you’re not sure how far you can push your body because you feel like it’s given out on you.”
That’s where Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program comes in.
“It’s physical therapy for your heart,” says Anna K. Baer, M.D., medical director of Sentara Martha Jefferson’s cardiac rehab program “But it’s also emotional therapy. Especially after a heart event, it’s meaningful to be surrounded by people who understand what you’ve been through.”
Pritikin’s unique combination of monitored exercise, nutrition coaching, and emotional support helped Carol regain her sense of safety and confidence. She’s back to beloved activities, including sharing her beautiful piano music as a Sentara Martha Jefferson volunteer and advising the hospital as a longtime leader on the Patient and Family Advisory Council.
“Angina made me afraid to do anything. Cardiac rehab gave me the courage to try.”
– Carol Carr, hospital volunteer and Pritikin Cardiac Rehab graduate
A Holistic Approach to Healing
Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Pritikin program boasts one of the highest attendance rates in the country, which Cardiac Rehab supervisor Cathy Reece attributes to the strong bonds that develop between patients and clinicians over the course of the 12-week program.
“Our staff is phenomenal,” she says. “They genuinely care, and the patients feel that.”
Participation is limited to patients recovering from significant heart issues, including angina, coronary artery bypass, heart attack, stenting or angioplasty, valve repair or replacement, and chronic heart failure. Reece’s team consults with Dr. Baer to create personalized care plans based on a patient’s medical history, baseline fitness, and lifestyle goals.
Then patients and clinicians get to work. Carol developed new habits through monitored exercise, cooking and nutrition classes, and group discussions and support with the skilled team at Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Health and Wellness Center. Her husband was encouraged to join many of the classes.
A strong focus on education helps patients understand the reasons behind lifestyle changes, so they’re easier to stick to for the long term. “They are the most caring group of people I’ve experienced in healthcare,” Carol says.
Pritikin Pillar 1: Regular Exercise
Like many people, Carol was daunted at first about returning to exercise. Pritikin’s monitored exercise made all the difference in giving her the confidence to restart.
“We do telemetry monitoring during every exercise session,” Reece notes. “We’re tracking heart rhythms while patients are exercising, so it’s safe and tailored to their current health.”
“No one needs to feel self-conscious,” adds Dr. Baer. “We work with people from all exercise backgrounds.”
Educational classes run alongside the workouts. These delve into cardiovascular anatomy, risk factors, medication education, and the science of how exercise protects the heart. Patients leave with stronger bodies and a fuller understanding of how to prevent future heart events.
“I’ve made major improvements in my physical fitness, and I can feel the difference,” says Carol. She’s even joined her local YMCA and engaged a trainer to keep exercising after the program.
Pritikin Pillar 2: Heart-Healthy Nutrition for Real Life
Pritikin follows a Mediterranean-style, plant-forward nutritional approach. It emphasizes lean meats, vegetables, and healthy fats, and focuses on real-world nutrition education, guided by a dietitian.
Patients learn how to shop smart, read nutrition labels, and make good decisions when eating out. Weekly cooking classes are an especially beloved part of the program, with each session highlighting practical skills, such as cooking with plant-based proteins, or using spices and healthier cooking methods to create flavorful meals with less sodium.
“This is our most popular class,” says Reece. “It’s interactive and fun. Patients get to taste new hearthealthy meals and leave with the recipes to recreate them at home.”
Carol learned she needed to incorporate more protein into her diet, and she credits the one-on-one nutrition counseling with Sentara dietitian Mary VanNortwick with making the dietary changes feel doable and not overwhelming. “It’s not about what you can’t have,” she says. “It’s about what you can do to take care of yourself.”
“ The clinicians are the most caring group of people I’ve experienced in healthcare.”
– Carol Carr
Learn more
If you or a loved one has had a recent heart event and could benefit from the Pritikin Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, talk to your cardiologist or health care provider about requesting a referral. A supervised, supportive program like Pritikin could be the next step toward improving your heart health and reclaiming your quality of life.
Pritikin Pillar 3: A Healthy Mindset
Heart health isn’t just physical, it’s deeply emotional. The Pritikin program helps patients of all ages manage stress by developing a toolbox of coping strategies, including exercise, mindfulness, and healthy sleep habits.
Find heart-healthy recipes online at mjhfoundation.org/heart-health
Pictured above: As a longtime community leader on the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council (pictured), Carol collaborates with Sentara Martha Jefferson leaders to improve the patient experience and fill gaps in care.
Program participants also build connections to manage the inevitable anxiety around a heart event. “Heart disease isn’t something you can see or identify easily,” says Carol. “There’s a special camaraderie you develop when you’re with people who have experienced a heart episode and the fear that goes along with it.”
That camaraderie has been especially healing for Carol and Denise Lowit, 91, who suffered a heart attack last year. The women connected in rehab and continue to meet regularly over healthy snacks at Denise’s home.
“I just love our afternoon teas,” says Denise. “We talk about our lives and our health. Having that constant support from someone who understands makes all the difference.”
Carol wholeheartedly agrees. “The doctors saved my life,” she says. “And the support and guidance I found in rehab gave me my life back.”
Healthy habits for a healthy heart
Heart health begins with healthy lifestyle choices. As the new year approaches, consider resolving to make small but healthy changes in your diet or exercise routines to improve your heart health.
Healthy Weight: Excess body weight puts stress on the heart, so it’s important to maintain a healthy weight. Keep in mind that every little bit helps—even losing 10 pounds can help lower blood pressure.
Physical Activity:
Eat Well to Be Well:
Aim for whole grains and lean proteins, and fill up your plate with colorful fruits and vegetables. Make healthy substitutions, such as replacing canned vegetables with fresh or frozen; tossing salads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar; or sweetening beverages with frozen berries or orange slices.
Relieve Stress:
Participate in stressrelieving activities daily, such as spending time
The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise as the minimum required for health. Work up to that slowly, if necessary. Consider teaming up with a buddy to double the fun.
in nature, meditating, journaling, taking a short catnap, chatting with a loved one, creating art, or engaging in hobbies you enjoy.
Drink in Moderation:
If you choose to drink alcohol, it’s recommended that women limit consumption to one drink per day, and men no more than two.
Quit Smoking:
Life expectancy for smokers is 10 years less on average than for non-smokers. If you’ve struggled to quit, talk with your doctor about tobacco cessation treatments.
Welcoming our next caring tradition leader
New Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital President Bernie Boone aspires to improve health for all in our community
In June, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital was delighted to welcome E. Bernard Boone, III, FACHE, as our new hospital president. A thoughtful and deeply experienced leader, Bernie is widely respected for his impressive track record of expanding access, building high-performing teams, and advancing patientcentered care.
Most recently, Bernie spent 13 years at the helm of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, a 273-bed, Level III trauma center. Under his direction, the hospital invested $54 million in enhanced surgical and ICU services, and created the VB Strong Center, which dramatically expanded access to behavioral healthcare after a devastating mass shooting in 2019.
Bernie Boone brings three decades of experience as a healthcare leader to Charlottesville.
Prior to joining Sentara, Bernie’s career included stints as CEO of large, well-respected hospitals in the HCA system. Recent accolades from the American College of Healthcare Executives and Virginia Business magazine testify to Bernie’s reputation as an effective, impactful leader with a strong collaborative approach.
A native of Richmond, Bernie has deep ties to the Virginia Piedmont, as does his wife, Dr. Dorothy French. They are excited to settle into her family’s beloved farm in Barboursville, a place her family has called home for more than 100 years, and to get involved in our community. Bernie has experienced the Caring Tradition first-hand in the compassionate, highquality care provided by Sentara Martha Jefferson to his own loved ones, and he is committed to expanding that same care to all in our community.
How did you discover your passion for healthcare?
I am a fourth-generation healthcare professional. Both my great-grandfather and grandfather were dentists, and my dad was a urologist. So, in many ways, my career choice is no surprise; however, hospital administration was not where I initially began. I thought I wanted to be a doctor. While I was in college, an internship at The University of Michigan Hospitals exposed me to the field of health services administration and the opportunity to impact the health and well-being of the community through leadership and service. Working for a nonprofit healthcare system like Sentara is ideal because at its core, Sentara is a mission-driven organization that is deeply committed to the communities we serve, and
UVA Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Clinic—made possible in part through Sentara’s investment—is a fantastic resource for children and families. We are two health systems serving one community, and I’m committed to ensuring that together we always put the community first.
Of course, caring for our community also means prioritizing the needs of our team, which is why I’m so excited about the YMCA Early Learning Center at Sentara Martha Jefferson. By providing safe, affordable childcare for 148 children ages infant to kindergarten, the Center will remove a major barrier for many of our staff, translating directly into work-ready teams, school-ready kids, and improved access to care for all in our community.
that matters greatly to me. Delivering compassionate, community-based care is my goal, and as president of Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, I am fully focused on meeting the healthcare needs of our community.
How did you focus your first 100 days at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital?
My first priority has been getting to know the team. I want to meet the staff where they are, whether it’s dropping in early on a Saturday at the free-standing emergency department on 29 North to introduce myself, or rounding on our hospital nursing units. I’m committed to ensuring that every member of the team feels seen, heard, and appreciated.
I’ve also spent time connecting with our extended hospital community—board members, volunteers, donors, and our community partners. Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital is an anchor in this region, and you see it in the way we belong to the community we serve. We’re already known as a bold, trusted partner for faith-based groups, food pantries, shelters, and area leaders, including UVA Health and Piedmont Virginia Community College. I want to uphold and expand this longstanding reputation, so we can live up to our mission of improving health for all, just as we’ve done for nearly 125 years.
And, I’ve been listening and asking a lot of questions! Sentara is not new to me, but every hospital is as different as the community it serves. Special thanks to my hospital colleagues and new community friends for welcoming me and helping me get up to speed.
What priorities have emerged for the hospital?
Despite the pandemic and economic headwinds, Sentara Martha Jefferson has made it a top priority to expand access to care. I’m amazed at our progress over the past few years: two new medical buildings housing much-needed primary care; a new OB-GYN clinic expanding access for all women, regardless of insurance provider; a new urology clinic; and expanded pulmonary care services. A new outpatient endoscopy center will be operational in early 2026. I’m fully committed to continuing this momentum.
In that spirit, I’m also very pleased about the unprecedented partnership between Sentara Martha Jefferson and UVA Health. The newly opened
What are you enjoying most about Charlottesville?
Moving to this region is a true homecoming, with my wife and I now living on her family’s farm in Barboursville. While we’ve enjoyed using it for holidays and weekends, it is wonderful to finally call it our true home. Of course, having lived in Virginia Beach for the past decade, I was surprised to find an adult bear in my backyard over the summer. I guess he is also adjusting to our being on the farm full time!
What does the Caring Tradition mean to you?
The Caring Tradition is not just a slogan. It’s all of us caring for each other, and it’s real. I am excited about helping Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital write the next chapter of its storied legacy, to continue its Caring Tradition, and make a meaningful impact in the lives of our patients, colleagues, and the communities we serve. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Community health leaders including Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade (right) and the regional Move2HealthEquity coalition leader Gregg Winston welcomed Bernie with a recent reception to discuss implementation of the Community Health Needs Assessment. (See page 20.)
Bernie and his wife, Dee Dee, have deep ties to the region, including her family’s century-old farm in Barboursville.
Bernie credits a college internship with setting him on the path of hospital administration, and he was proud to share his experiences with local middle school students at the Sentara Health Career Camp.
Bernie joined Sentara Martha Jefferson leaders in giving back to the community at the United Way of Greater Charlottesville’s Annual Day of Caring in September.
Sentara
hosts free fitness classes throughout the region to help people get active and build strong social connections.
What does our community
need to be healthier?
To answer this all-important question, every three years Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital joins forces with the Blue Ridge Health District and UVA Health to develop MAPP2Health, a comprehensive community health assessment.
Through hundreds of hours of community listening, surveys, and data collection, we build a comprehensive picture of the most pressing health needs for the 266,000 people living in the City of Charlottesville, and Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson counties.
We go directly to residents, community leaders, grassroots nonprofits, and government agencies to understand what people are experiencing, what barriers are standing in their way, and what they believe they need to live a healthier life.
The resulting 2025 MAPP2Health report is a road map for impactful collaboration and data-driven decision making. It will guide Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital’s priorities, partnerships, and community outreach over the next three years.
While you can read the full report on our website, here we provide a snapshot of what we learned, how it aligns with our previous MAPP2Health priorities, and how our community will work to improve health over the next three years. Heartfelt thanks to the participants and partners who join us every year to create such a powerful tool for improving health here at home for our community.
A look back
The MAPP2Health process is a framework for designing a shared vision of success: all residents in our district thriving in supportive environments where structural barriers are limited and everyone has access to the resources and opportunities needed for wellbeing.
Led by the MAPP2Health Core Group, this year we reached farther into our communities than ever before through more than 700 survey responses, 300+ interviews with people who have often been left out of health planning conversations, and four focus groups.
In addition, for the first time, we even went knocking door to door in one of the region’s most isolated, economically disadvantaged census tracts in far southeastern Nelson County.
We connected with rural residents, low-income families, people living with chronic illnesses and disabilities, and other voices often left out of the decision-making process. We then combined this qualitative data with aggregated and anonymized medical record analysis to provide a broad snapshot of common health trends in our region.
What we heard isn’t surprising: social and economic conditions shape health for our patients long before they step into a healthcare clinic. Challenges like healthy food access, cost of living, and transportation
The
2025
MAPP2Health report narrows in on three major community-identified priorities
Chronic conditions, specifically obesity and mental health
Access to healthcare
Social drivers specifically access to healthy food, economic stability, and transportation
may sit mostly outside our reach as a healthcare organization, but they deeply influence the health and well-being of the people we serve.
Recognizing this reality, since 2016 the MAPP2Health partners have organized around four priorities for healthy communities: improving access to care; promoting healthy eating and active living; addressing mental health and substance abuse; and fostering a healthy and connected community for all ages.
Guided in part by these priorities, Sentara Martha Jefferson has invested heavily to improve access to primary and specialty care in recent years, opening two new medical buildings housing much needed medical care; a new OB-GYN clinic expanding access for all women, regardless of insurance provider; a new urology clinic; and expanded pulmonary care services. A new outpatient endoscopy center will come online in early 2026.
To meet the urgent need for mental health and substance abuse services, Sentara’s investment also made possible the newly opened UVA Pediatric Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Health Clinic in Charlottesville.
The hospital provides nearly $30 million in uninsured and uncompensated care annually, as well as roughly $400,000 in community health programs, all aimed
at helping people access the resources they need to care for themselves and their families. These programs include free chronic disease management classes, health fairs, youth educational programs, and exercise and healthy food distribution events. Many of these programs are funded with community support through the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation, demonstrating the power of neighbors stepping up to improve health for all.
2025 MAPP2Health Priorities
For this year’s report, we tested and refined these priorities to reflect the widespread challenges we saw across geographies, populations, and health systems. These are areas where data and lived experience both point to urgent needs—and significant opportunity for meaningful change.
Priority #1: Chronic Conditions
Across the board, participants ranked obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and mental health among their top health concerns. Given that obesity often contributes to diabetes and high blood pressure, it was chosen as a strategic point of intervention.
Differences in health outcomes by race were significant: Black patients in the Blue Ridge Health District are 45% more likely to be diagnosed with high blood pressure and 88% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than White patients. Rates of tobaccorelated illness and respiratory conditions are also substantially higher among Black patients.
Participants struggled to manage their health while grappling with overwork, financial stress, high food costs, and limited access to healthy food options.
To help us reach often-overlooked residents, we used area deprivation index scores to identify the most disadvantaged census tracts in our region. The dark red area is the Nelson County census tract where we completed door-to-door surveys.
“It’s an intentional, full-day affair just to get to the closest Food Lion for a lot of folks,” says Nelson-county native Tameka Irving, Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Community Benefits Manager. “Even if someone knows how they’re supposed to eat, the resources just aren’t there to support them.”
When it came to mental health, participants talked about anxiety and depression, and the persistent gap in behavioral health services in our region. But for many participants, the need wasn’t just clinical—they also wanted more shared social spaces. They talked about coffee hours, book groups, walking clubs, and other practical opportunities to relax and connect with their neighbors in everyday ways.
“We’re working to build out wraparound resources, so people have what they need to better their life as a whole person,” says Irving. For example, she cites Sentara Cares grant funding that paid for lumber and gravel so that local volunteers could build a safe walking trail at the Dunbar School Community Center in Fluvanna.
“I have high blood pressure, but it’s hard to afford the medication.”
– Interview Participant
Sentara’s newly opened Community Health and Outreach Center at 920 East High Street aims to provide fully integrated care free of charge, from
personalized chronic disease management services, to nutrition and cooking classes, to donated counseling space for The Women’s Initiative to provide free counseling services to the community.
Priority #2: Healthcare Access
While most participants reported having health insurance, many still faced major barriers to care, including long wait times, limited provider availability, and lack of nearby services. Long travel times and difficulty getting appointments were major barriers; one person shared that they traveled over an hour just to see a dentist.
“Given all the challenges, sometimes it’s easier not to go to the doctor, or to minimize until the issue gets really bad,” says Irving.
Participants described months-long delays to see specialists, unreturned calls, and complicated paperwork that blocked access to care. They want a system that is easier to access, easier to understand, and built with the needs of patients in mind.
While the situation won’t change overnight, Sentara Martha Jefferson is adding new services and providers all the time. Our Bridge Clinic at Fifth Street Station helps patients waiting for primary care services, and our Community Health team travels around the region to dozens of health fairs every year, providing free health checks and guidance connecting with providers.
We also partner with our local emergency management services providers, including helping Nelson County establish new paramedicine services to improve access to routine care and reduce costly, non-urgent trips to the emergency department.
Priority #3: Social drivers of health
Community members consistently emphasized that their health depended on more than medical care. The biggest obstacles to well-being weren’t just illnesses or diagnoses—they were limited income, high food prices, unaffordable housing, and unreliable transportation.
Health systems cannot directly lower housing costs or fix public transit; that requires action from legislators and local leaders. But ignoring social drivers of health keeps us treating the effects of poor health, rather than preventing the causes.
“There’s a Dollar General and a gas station— that’s where people get food. That’s all we’ve got.”
– Interview Participant
That’s why Sentara Martha Jefferson provides leadership support and grant funding to support safe and affordable housing projects through Habitat for Humanity, healthy food access through the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, and dozens of other local nonprofits working to address social drivers of health in our community.
Of course, ensuring that all residents have the resources they need for daily wellness and lasting resilience stands far outside the scope of any one organization or health system.
Thankfully, we live and work in a caring community. We remain committed to working in partnership across our region to create a future where everyone has access to the resources and care they need to thrive.
Learn more about free community health programs and read the MAPP2Health Report
At a ribbon cutting last fall, Sentara Martha Jefferson’s Community Benefits Manager Tameka Irving (center) joined Dunbar School owner Carmen Smith (right) and other local leaders to celebrate the opening of a new walking trail supported by Sentara grant funds.
A stitch of kindness
“In January of 1962, at the age of six, I became seriously ill. After a week of illness at home, it became apparent that I needed to be admitted to Martha Jefferson Hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, I was seated in a wheelchair. A very nice lady spoke with my mother, and I was then presented with this puppet. At home, I had all the dolls and toys I could want, but we had packed only one doll in my suitcase. The happy smile on the puppet intrigued me, and I loved her at first sight. That puppet was by my side through weeks of hospitalization. I am writing to you now because the work you do is frequently “behind the scenes,” but you need to know that a simple homemade puppet made from sewing scraps was a dear companion on my journey from the darkest hours to complete recovery. The difference you are making 63 years later may not include home-sewn puppets, but I do hope your mission is the same: comfort, caring, consoling.”
—Excerpted from a letter to the Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation from Charlottesville native, Ellen Sadler
While they no longer make puppets, our wonderful volunteer knitters and crocheters have provided more than 5,000 shawls for patients, as well as handmade caps for newborns. The Women’s Committee of Martha Jefferson Hospital Foundation provides the yarn, using funds raised through community events. Caring Embrace knitters meet regularly at the hospital and are always looking for volunteers. Contact Renee Dinwiddie at rmwalker@sentara.com to join them.
The Martha Jefferson Caring Tradition is all of us, caring for one another to improve the health of our community. If you’ve experienced the healing power of kindness as a Sentara Martha Jefferson patient, colleague or community member, we want to hear from you. Contact us at mjh_foundation@sentara.com.
Make compassion your legacy
The doctor you trust; the nurse who held your hand—they were here to care for you, and by including Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital in your will or estate plans, you can ensure that they are here to carry the Caring Tradition forward to the next generation. 100% of your support will always stay local to improve the health of our community.
Consider making a gift that costs nothing to you now but will leave a legacy of generosity, compassion and hope.
Learn more at mjhfoundation.org/planyourlegacy, and contact us at 434-654-8258 or email mjh_foundation@sentara.com for help tailoring your charitable gift to meet your financial, tax, or estate planning objectives.
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
500 Martha Jefferson Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22911
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Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
Sentara Urgent Care
Weekend care when you need it
Sentara Urgent Care is open on weekends to fit your schedule. From minor illnesses to injuries, we’re here with convenient, quality care when it works best for you.
• Walk-in care for common illnesses and injuries
• Lab services & physicals
• Compassionate providers, close to home
Reserve your spot in line today, or walk in for care this weekend
To learn more about the care in your neighborhood, scan the QR code or visit sentara.com/UrgentCare
Sentara Urgent Care 920 E. High St., Suite 102 Charlottesville, VA
P: 434-290-1226
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
