Sentara RMH Medical Center: Where Community is Our Story

SENTARA RMH MEDICAL CENTER

Community IS Where

OUR STORY

2011-2021 — Celebrating Ten Years as Sentara

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For many of us in the Shenandoah Valley, our story begins at our community hospital.

Rockingham Memorial Hospital opened in 1912 next to The State Normal School, now James Madison University. Almost a century later, the hospital moved to its present home as Sentara RMH

Community Health

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Medical Center. Thousands of babies have entered the world under our care during this time, starting a new chapter for their families and creating this wonderful community we call home.

Enhanced Services

As our community has grown, so has our commitment to you.

In 2021, we celebrate our 10th year as part of Sentara Healthcare.

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This partnership has allowed us to expand and enhance services to bring you superior care. Together, we are better, stronger and more able to care for our community.

While health care is constantly evolving, one thing never changes: our commitment to serving you. That was true in the early 1900s, and it rings true today as we continue through a

Clinical Excellence

Community pandemic that has tested us all. We believe the past year’s

events have strengthened the bonds among our healthcare team and the community we serve.

We look forward to continuing our story with you.

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Community Giving

Many photos featured in this report were taken in years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Community Health 4

Vascular surgeon Tara Balint, MD, cares for a patient.

Primary Care

Primary care forms the foundation of our overall health.

From infancy to our golden years, primary care providers check in with us, treat us, monitor conditions, discover potential health concerns and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Preventive care is the key to ensuring good health. The goal is to detect conditions early or prevent them in the first place. Your primary care provider is also your link to specialized care. Sentara RMH Medical Group providers work seamlessly with specialists across the system.

For 109 years, Sentara RMH

Medical Center has been dedicated to the health of our community. While we are always here when you need medical care, we also focus on preventive care and behavioral health, with services throughout the Valley for your convenience.

We grow stronger when we work together with those we serve. Sentara RMH Medical Center partners with nonprofits, schools and a long list of community groups to enhance our community’s health. We also appreciate the boost our healthcare teams have received from our generous community, especially during the COVID-19 crisis. The donations of meals, PPE, cards and so much more lifted our spirits during one of the most challenging times our world has faced.

Meeting Community Health Needs: At Sentara RMH, we’re committed to being your healthcare partner — not just within the walls of our hospital and physician offices, but also through educational programs provided where our community lives, works and goes to school.

• Through the Continuum Case Management program, nurses and community health workers form strong bonds with our high-risk patients. Patients receive regular visits

Glucose and A1C testing at the 2019 Rockingham County Fair.

and phone calls at home, with the goal of preventing readmissions to the hospital and improving their overall health. In addition to monitoring patients’ physical health, the program assesses for needs related to financial roadblocks, community resources, and housing or medication assistance. We also provide diet education and can help with grocery shopping.

• Diabetes educators at Sentara RMH are located at the main hospital and in Sentara physician offices throughout the community, making them readily accessible to patients and physicians in outlying areas. Sentara RMH has the largest diabetes education program of the Sentara system, seeing nearly 900 unduplicated patients 5

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Parents are the first and most important teachers in every child’s life. Through Healthy Families of the Blue Ridge, we coordinate with other programs in the community to make sure that parents have what they need to support their child’s health, growth and development from birth to five years of age. Our Hand in Hand Resource Mothers Program supports moms 19 years and younger during their pregnancies and after their babies are born.

Tobacco Use Prevention Education: Tobacco use and vaping often begin at an early age. To help middle school students make positive choices and

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yearly, according to Julie Pierantoni, diabetes services quality coordinator at Sentara RMH. Diabetes educators assist in the self-management of diabetes, influencing patients’ behaviors of taking medication, healthy eating and being active.

“I enjoy everything I’ve been learning about myself and my baby. It has helped me be motivated to be a better parent.”

— Healthy Families of the Blue Ridge parent

prevent a lifelong addiction to nicotine and the ill health caused by tobacco use, Sentara RMH has partnered with the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, along with Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City Public Schools. For the past decade, Sentara RMH respiratory therapist Ron Cople has led a passionate fight in our community to help keep our young people free of nicotine addiction. Ron provides comprehensive tobacco and vaping prevention programs in six middle schools. He addresses issues including peer influence and self-esteem, as well as the immediate, chronic and potentially fatal consequences tobacco has on nearly every organ in the body.

Mental Health Hand in Hand Resource Mothers Program

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Our physical and mental health are intertwined — we can’t have one without the other. We’re there for our patients and their families struggling with depression, substance abuse, anxiety, bipolar disorder, grief and loss.

Emergency Department team leads a session for local youth at Camp RMH.

Sentara RMH Behavioral Health Services offers a full continuum of care with: • Emergency Department psychiatric emergency response team • Testing and assessment • Inpatient care • Intensive outpatient day program • Individual counseling • Couples counseling • Employee Assistance Program

Diversity and Inclusion

Sentara RMH took the lead as the first hospital in the Sentara system to create a cultural diversity program.

The program engages in community outreach, provides scholarships, facilitates hospital staff training and assists non-English-speaking patients.

“A big focus has been meeting the language needs of our community,” says Silvia Garcia Romero, diversity and

inclusion manager. “Patients recall in the past when they would come to the hospital and had to bring a family member to help [translate]. Now they know we are providing services to make it welcoming to different language speakers. They feel more comfortable coming to the hospital.”

Sentara RMH can provide interpreters for more than 200 languages.

Sentara Cares

Nurse connects a non-Englishspeaking patient with a translator.

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Improving health in our communities cannot be addressed by access to health care alone. Research has shown that social determinants of health — the conditions in which people live, work and learn — have a significant and lasting impact on health outcomes.

Sentara’s Corporate Social Responsibility Program, Sentara Cares, officially launched in 2020, to continue our legacy of community work, with a focus on social determinants of health that are more closely aligned with Sentara’s integrated care model. Sentara Cares is also closely aligned with the long-term, impactful work of the RMH Foundation.

“My blood sugars are now very well controlled, better than they have been for over 5 years.

I feel so much better and I’ve saved so much money.

I wish I would have seen a diabetes nurse sooner.”

Team preparing to pack “We Care” boxes.

— Tracy

Sentara partners with community organizations to address long-standing health disparities, with a focus on five areas: • Affordable housing • Skilled careers and higher-paying jobs • Food security • Behavioral health • Community engagement As part of Sentara Cares, Sentara, Optima Health, Truist, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks joined efforts in 2020 to provide free food boxes statewide. The 20-pound “We Care” boxes contained heart-healthy, nonperishable food.

At Sentara RMH, providers offered the boxes to patients affected by COVID, whether they were discharged after recovering from the disease, waiting at home for test results or quarantining at home after a positive test. Providers in the Emergency Department, Cancer Center, physician practices and Continuum Case Management Program had access to the boxes.

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COVID Response

Long before COVID-19, Sentara RMH regularly prepared for crisis situations. However, many unknowns and a scarcity of various supplies were paramount when the virus first struck.

Sentara Healthcare reacted quickly, pooling information among its hospitals to develop best practices, treatment protocols, PPE logistics and other puzzles, most recently with COVID vaccine distribution.

While the dark cloud of COVID fell, rays of hope and light emerged from our devoted community. Our team continues to be grateful for the outpouring of generosity and support from the community throughout the pandemic.

Other Community Outreach and Initiatives • (2012-present) Safe Routes to School: Supporting and expanding active transportation for K-8 public school students • (2012-2019) Dr. L. Daniel Burtner Trauma Trot and Kids Safety Expo: An event focused on fun and safety, organized by the Sentara Emergency Department • (2013-Present) Camp RMH: Middle school students are invited to cultivate their interest in healthcare careers through a one-week, on-site camp

» “While COVID turned our world upside down in so many ways, it also illustrated kindness, empathy and generosity,” says Donna Hahn, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, vice president of acute care services and chief nurse executive for Sentara RMH. “Our staff gave all it had to our patients, often at the expense of seeing their own family.

The support from the community warmed our hearts when we needed the boost.”

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• (2021) Walk With a Doc: Community members are invited to walk outdoors with a cardiologist • (Annual) Rockingham County Fair: Sentara RMH staff provide health education and thousands of free health screenings

By partnering with Sentara

Healthcare, Sentara RMH Medical Center has been able to expand services and introduce new technology to improve the lives

Enhanced Services

of our patients and contribute to a healthier community.

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Cardiology •

“No matter what it was with Dr. Zhukov, no matter what questions you had, he would go out of his way to be there for you. That’s why I consider him a friend. He said, ‘When we get you healthy, I’m going get you flying again so you can tear holes in the sky.’”

Cardiothoracic Surgery Program — Our cardiothoracic surgery program launched in 2008.

As we’ve expanded our staff, we’ve also been able to treat more patients and give them access to the most effective current cardiac procedures, such as: coronary artery bypass surgery and heart valve replacement and repair.

Structural cardiologist Matthew Cauchi, DO and interventional technologist Jason Herr care for a patient in the OR.

• Electrophysiology — Electrophysiologists are

cardiologists with advanced training in the electrical rhythms of the heart. Our electrophysiology team offers a full range of ablations, pacemakers and defibrillators. This program allows patients to have these critical procedures close to home. New procedures include:

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Heart Failure Clinic — One of our newest additions, the heart failure clinic opened in March 2021 for heart patients recently discharged from the hospital. Our goal is to reduce readmissions and improve care at a time when patients need it the most.

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Advanced Cardiac Imaging — We are proud to

Watchman™ — Minimally invasive procedure

for patients who are unable to tolerate long-term anticoagulation.

Cutting Edge Device Technology — Latest

technologies include Micra AV (world’s smallest pacemaker), subcutaneous defibrillators and complex lead extractions.

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Structural Heart Surgery — Structural heart disease

occurs due to heart conditions present at birth or problems that develop due to aging, injury or infections. Our structural heart surgery program focuses on the structure of the heart — chambers, valves and vessels. With our structural heart specialists and advanced cardiac imaging, we can treat many conditions that affect how the blood flows through the heart.

This includes TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), a procedure that allows Sentara teams to replace a diseased aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery.

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— Heart patient and pilot Bernie Sasscer about cardiothoracic surgeon and fellow pilot Yuriy Zhukov, MD.

bring advanced cardiac imaging services to Sentara RMH, such as cardiac MRI and coronary CTA (computed tomography angiography).

Cardiothoracic surgeon Yuriy Zhukov, MD, prepares for surgery.

The RMH Foundation has donated automated external defibrillators to equip all ambulances with these lifesaving devices. When evaluating stroke patients, emergency crews can issue a “stroke alert” to the hospital. Our partnership also gives patients the advantage of being transported directly from the ambulance to a CT scanner at the hospital to look at the brain.

Sentara RMH also fosters an excellent teaching relationship with Emergency Medical Services.

Paramedic students rotate in the cath lab every month to help them become more familiar with heart procedures.

• Awards — In 2020, and again in 2021, Sentara

RMH Medical Center was named one of the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the nation by IBM Watson Health. Learn more on page 12.

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Partnership with Rockingham County Emergency Services — Rockingham County emergency crews

coordinate with our cardiac and stroke teams to deliver emergency treatment as quickly and efficiently as possible. Emergency crews can check the status of heart patients with a 12-lead electrocardiogram and administer medication and IV treatments while en route to Sentara RMH.

Orthopedics:

provide increased screenings, suggestions for lifestyle modifications and genetic counseling/testing.

Sports Medicine Center

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• The Sentara Sports Medicine Center acts as a “one-stop shop” at multiple locations in the Valley for state-of-the-art orthopedic care, advanced imaging and therapy services. These services include physician services, physical therapy and athletic trainers. Our sports medicine program isn’t just for professional and student athletes. It’s for anyone who lives an active lifestyle and needs some help to get back on track.

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Sports in Schools — For more than eight years, Sen-

tara RMH physicians have volunteered as medical directors and team physicians for Rockingham County Public Schools. They also assist the Eastern Mennonite University and Bridgewater College athletic training staffs. Sentara RMH athletic trainers support the James Madison University (JMU) student population, including club and intramural sports through JMU UREC. As our services have continued to expand, we also serve as the medical directors for Augusta County Public Schools, Waynesboro City Schools and Eastern Mennonite High School.

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More Precise Treatment — The Varian TrueBeam® linear accelerator delivers radiation with a high degree of precision, resulting in enhanced patient safety and outcomes.

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Cooling Caps — Hair

loss due to chemotherapy adds another layer of heartache for those going through cancer treatments. Cooling cap technology reduces the amount of chemo that reaches hair follicle cells and can prevent some hair loss.

» “Sentara RMH and our awesome team of athletic trainers, nurses, physical therapists, physician assistants and doctors work tirelessly every day to provide instant access for our injured athletes. Our goal is to give our local athletes the same high level of care as the professionals receive, which helps us get those players back to the sports they love as fast as we can.”

— Thomas Weber, MD, director, Blue Ridge Region, Sports Medicine.

both 2D and 3D digital mammography services, the van is available to visit businesses, neighborhoods, churches and other locations throughout the community to provide convenient service that is identical in quality to that offered by the Funkhouser Women’s Center.

Ben Mwanika, DO, sports medicine physician, evaluates a patient.

Oncology and Women’s Services

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High-Risk Breast Program — Factors such as age, family history and health history can increase breast cancer risk for women. We can identify these women with our high-risk breast program and

Mobile Health Services Van — With

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3D HD Mammography — Early

detection is the most effective tool in treating breast cancer effectively. Tomosynthesis technology, also known as 3D mammography, allows radiologists to see cancer sooner than ever before.

Quick List of Additional Advanced Technologies Added in the Past Decade • Da Vinci Robotic Surgery System (2021) • Neonatology Services (2020) • Prostate MRI and Prostate Biopsies (2019) • 3T MRI (2019) • Omnicell XR2 Automated Central Pharmacy System Robot (2018) • Cardiac CT and Cardiac MRI (2017)

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Excellence Clinical

At Sentara RMH, our patient

care, outcomes, efficiency, financial health and innovative services have been recognized nationally with numerous healthcare awards.

Our partnership with Sentara Healthcare over the years has made us even more competitive in achieving these levels of excellence.

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IBM Watson Health Top 100 Hospitals™ Award (2021) — Sentara

RMH received the prestigious IBM Watson Health Top 100 Hospitals award in 2021. Sentara RMH was one of only 20 community hospitals in the country to achieve this award.

IBM Watson Health identifies top hospitals after a rigorous evaluation of nearly 2,700 facilities, recognizing excellence in clinical outcomes, operational efficiency, patient experience and financial health.

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Magnet® Designation (2014, 2019) — The

highest national honor for nursing excellence, Magnet designation is awarded every five years.

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Central Sterile team

Sentara RMH has received this prestigious designation consecutively in 2014 and again in 2019. Currently, only 9 percent of all U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition.

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IBM Watson Health Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals™ Award (2020, 2021) — Sentara RMH

Medical Center has been named one of the nation’s top-performing hospitals for its cardiovascular service line by IBM Watson Health two years in a row. For the 2021 awards, evaluators studied 980

U.S. hospitals with cardiovascular service lines to determine the top hospitals. The winners delivered better outcomes while operating more efficiently and at a lower cost.

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U.S. News and World Report named Sentara RMH

Medical Center the No. 9 best hospital in Virginia in 2021. “Sentara RMH’s rise to one of the top 10 best hospitals in Virginia this year is a testament to our long-standing commitment to improving health every day. The steadfast work of every member of our team, aiming to provide consistent, high-quality health care for our community, showcases the ongoing dedication of everyone at the hospital, and this honor highlights these efforts,” says Doug Moyer, president of Sentara RMH.

Nurses celebrate at the Magnet® Designation announcement.

» “The Gold Beacon award is one of the biggest honors to be bestowed upon our Critical Care Unit. This recognition from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses

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Beacon Award for Excellence (CCU) — The

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) named Sentara RMH a recipient of the gold level Beacon Award for Excellence on the Critical Care Unit (CCU) this year. Gold is the highest-level Beacon Award granted. The award recognizes unit caregivers who improve patient outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six healthy work environment standards.

(AACN) reflects the high quality of care that the bedside nurses provide to our patients.

This honor reflects the collaboration of the multidisciplinary team to provide the most current, evidence-based practices/medicine to our patients. This is a testament to the dedication of the critical care nurses to provide exceptional care to achieve quality patient metrics and outcomes.”

— Christy Crawford, CCU Nurse Manager

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Giving

Community One out of every two

people in our community uses services at Sentara RMH each year, and most everyone who walks through our doors benefits from the generosity of RMH Foundation donors. Gifts to the Foundation elevate the care our patients receive by: 14

• Supporting and expanding compassionate programs

• Purchasing lifesaving equipment

• Improving and building new facilities

• Funding training and scholarships for our care team

• Providing patients with assistance for their care and equipment, including hospice care

Sentara RMH Funkhouser Women’s Center: Shortly after Rockingham Memorial

merged with Sentara, plans got underway to build a $6.6 million, 15,400-square-foot women’s center that would offer a range of women’s services all under one roof.

Fundraising efforts supported by the RMH Foundation contributed more than half of the costs, including: » •

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A $2 million gift from the Fred O. Funkhouser Charitable Foundation $1.84 million from the “Women for Generations” capital campaign The women’s center opened in 2013.

RMH Foundation’s Institute for Nursing Excellence and Innovation: Nurses serve as a critical link between

physicians and patients, providing the hands-on attention that is critical to each patient’s health — and in some cases, survival. Thanks to the generosity of our community and the work of the RMH Foundation, we are working to improve patient care by offering nurses scholarships to obtain their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, specialty certifications and ongoing education. At the end of 2020, 71.5 percent of Sentara RMH nurses held a BSN or higher — an increase from 57 percent when the effort began at the end of 2013. We are also dedicated to training our entry-level nurse aides — or “nursing care partners” — through a 16-week course that sets nurses on a path to provide better care to our patients.

RMH Foundation

The 100% Promise: At the RMH Foundation, we promise that 100% of any gift you give will stay local, be put to your desired purpose and strengthen the care our community receives.

New linear accelerator improves cancer treatment:

For patients undergoing cancer care, the addition in 2019 of a new linear accelerator, which radiates tumors with precise targeting, has been a game-changer.

The RMH Foundation helped raise $2.25 million of the $3.7 million cost. The new linear accelerator dramatically reduces treatment times and allows patients to wear a more comfortable, open-faced mask.

The newly designed linear accelerators also offer a movable treatment table that can rotate in any direction.

As a result, radiation can be pointed at the optimal angle to reach a tumor.

The RMH Foundation presents a $100,000 check to the Blue Ridge Community College healthcare education initiative.

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Sentara RMH Medical Center 2010 Health Campus Drive Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801 Sentara.com Change service requested

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