Shenandoah Memorial Hospital

08/10/2023

Did you know antibiotics are only used to treat illnesses caused by bacteria, such as strep throat and UTIs? They have no effect on the common cold and other illnesses caused by viruses.

Valley Health's Dr. Mavis Agyeiwaah helps explain when to use antibiotics and what happens when you take them and don't need them.

Do you need an antibiotic, or just rest and an over-the-counter pain reliever? The answer depends on whether a virus or a bacteria has caused your illness. Antibiotics should only be used to treat illnesses caused by bacteria.

07/18/2023

Does your child have tummy troubles? Sometimes stress can give your child a stomachache. Valley Health's Emily Chan, MD, gives some insight into what to look for.

One common but often undiagnosed cause of tummy trouble is stress, often resulting from a major change in a child’s environment.

06/27/2023

Shingles affects about 1 in every 3 people in their lifetime. Kaitlyn Garnett, PA-C, Valley Health Wi******er Family Practice, provides answers about the painful virus and the vaccine to help prevent it.

About 1 in every 3 people in the United States will get shingles in their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Kaitlyn Garnett, PA-C, Valley Health Wi******er Family Practice provides some additional insight into this painful condition and the vaccine to help preven...

06/23/2023

What do people with lower back pain, sports injuries, heart disease, and concussions have in common? They can all benefit from working with a rehab therapist. The physical, speech and occupational therapists at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation are licensed experts that will develop a plan to help improve function, manage pain and possibly prevent the need for surgery. The office is open 5 days a week. Talk to your doctor today about a referral or call directly to schedule a physical therapy appointment, 540-459-1164.

06/16/2023

Shenandoah Memorial Hospital is proud to announce that Rafael Fonesca, a Certified Nurse Assistant on our Medical/Surgical Unit, is this year’s recipient of the Carnation Care Award. The honor is bestowed on an outstanding CNA who consistently exceeds job expectations and demonstrates extraordinary service and compassionate care. According to his many nominators, Rafael excels at patient care and has a knack for knowing what a patient might need even before the patient does! It’s not unusual for Rafael to skip meals and breaks so he can be available to assist his co-workers, and he answers patient call bells with lightning speed. His kindness, compassion and professionalism are just a few virtues that make him such a valued member of our team!

06/15/2023

You've got a runny nose and a sore throat. Is it allergies, a cold, or strep throat? Dr. Jennifer Cunningham, Valley Health Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Family Medicine | Mt. Jackson, describes some telltale differences between the three.

It is often challenging to distinguish between allergies, viral upper respiratory symptoms (common cold), and strep throat. So what’s the difference?

05/31/2023

Congratulations to Jo A. Tolley, RN, who has been selected as Shenandoah Memorial Hospital’s 2023 Daisy Award winner! According to her nominator, Jo is an amazing nurse who always has the best interest of her patients at heart. “Jo’s assessment skills are second to none, and her top priority is to do whatever she thinks will improve the patient's outcome,” her nominator offers. She is recognized regularly on patient surveys for the outstanding care that she provides. Thank you, Jo for your tremendous compassion and for always going above and beyond for your patients!

05/30/2023

Valley Health's Diabetes Management Program at all six hospitals has been reaccredited by the American Diabetes Association (ADA)! This means our program meets national standards for high quality care, education and support.

Fun fact: Wi******er Medical Center's Diabetes Management is celebrating 30 years of ADA recognition this month!

05/30/2023

Earlier this month, family, friends and coworkers of the late John Morgan, III, who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer late last year, gathered near the entrance of Shenandoah Memorial Hospital to plant a weeping cherry tree and pay tribute to the man whose favorite catch phrase was, “it is what it is.”

John, who would have celebrated his seventh work anniversary with SMH’s Environmental Services on May 9, will always be remembered as both kind and generous. A plaque installed at the base of the tree carries the inscription: “Planted in memory of John Morgan, III; rooted in love, always in our hearts.” Special thanks to the SMH Auxiliary for donating a commemorative bench, which reads: “Butterflies visit from Heaven above to bring us well wishes from those that we love.”

05/30/2023

The number of people choosing Valley Health for valve and other structural heart procedures increased by 30 percent in 2022 alone—a sign that more people and their doctors are aware that new treatment options are available here, close to home.

05/24/2023

Interested in becoming a member of our EMS team? Join us at our open house!🚑

Learn more: https://fal.cn/3yvvQ

05/23/2023

HealthLINK, Valley Health's magazine featuring healthcare news and stories, is now available! The summer 2023 edition features Valley Health's structural heart program, colorectal cancer awareness, a Q&A about Valley Health's Transition Clinic, and more. Read online at valleyhealthlink.com/healthlink.

05/19/2023

In a heartfelt tribute, doctors from across the Valley Health system came together to express their gratitude for our phenomenal nurses!

05/19/2023

Did you know that Valley Health works with medical companies to conduct clinical trials at Valley Health sites with the participation of our Valley Health patients? Through the work of our providers and our Clinical Research Department, we are working locally to improve health globally.

Thank you to the tireless work of doctors, nurses, scientists, and participating patients who make clinical trials possible.

Did you know that Valley Health works with medical companies to facilitate clinical trials with our patients?

05/18/2023

Colorectal cancer—America’s second-leading cause of cancer deaths—isn’t just a concern for older adults. Rates are rising quickly in those younger than 55. Learn more about symptoms and treatment options on our blog.

Colorectal cancer—America’s second-leading cause of cancer deaths—isn’t just a concern for older adults. Rates are rising quickly in people younger than 55.

05/15/2023

Experiencing back or neck pain?

Lee Selznick, MD, neurosurgeon with Virginia Brain and Spine Center | Valley Health, is now offering consults for qualified patients at Valley Health Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Multispecialty Clinic | New Market. Dr. Selznick offers comprehensive care for patients with back and neck pain, ranging from non-surgical treatments to precise minimally invasive techniques to relieve pressure on the spine, and more complex spine procedures when warranted.

Dr. Selznick will see patients in New Market on the 3rd Friday of each month, beginning on Friday, 5/19.

To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call 540-450-0072.

05/12/2023

We Are Health Care!
As National Hospital Week winds down, this is the perfect time to say thank you to all of the amazing men and women who make up our team here at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital. Thank you for how you continue to serve our community, day in and day out, one patient at a time. Thank you for the hope and healing that you provide. And thank you for choosing Valley Health as your "work family." Because of each of you we are all healthier, together!

04/24/2023

Effective today, Valley Health has changed its visitation guidelines to Level Green to better accommodate the needs of patients and visitors. This update to the visitation guidelines will benefit patients, visitors and staff while maintaining patient and staff safety. For most patients, (Adult Inpatient and Critical Care Units), four (4) guests are permitted at the bedside at a time, and guests may switch throughout the day. Learn more at valleyhealthlink.com/visit.

Visitors of one of our Valley Health hospitals should consult these pages for more information about visiting hours, directions, guidelines, and more.

04/21/2023

As National Volunteer Week winds down, we would like to once again thank all of the amazing women and men who give freely of their time and talents to make our hospital a better place for our patients, staff, visitors and our entire community. We're proud of the work you do and thankful you are on our team.

04/18/2023

This week, April 16 – 22, is National Volunteer Week. Please join us in thanking our 190+ volunteers, who collectively donate more than 15,000 hours per year to our patients, their families and our community. They are an integral part of our mission to serve our community by improving health, and this week, we thank them for the essential role they play.

04/11/2023

Staff at Shenandoah Memorial Hospital kept the Top 100 Critical Access Hospital celebration going with tasty treats from Strites Donuts 3LLC . Special thanks to Strite's for the ginormous donut they created to congratulation the hospital on its national ranking. A confectionary treat this big was meant to be shared, which the team did with our local partners in health, including police and EMS personnel!

03/30/2023

This year on Doctors’ Day, we would like to pause to recognize, applaud and celebrate our dedicated team of physicians, and thank each of you for your selfless commitment to delivering exceptional care for the patients we serve together.

03/22/2023

Colorectal cancer isn't just a 50+ disease. Routine screenings are recommended for men and women age 45 and older. Did you know:

• Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates are highest in African Americans.
• About 1 in 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime.
• Seven out of 10 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have no symptoms.

If you are age 45 or older, discuss your personal colorectal cancer prevention strategy with your primary care provider.

03/09/2023

Shenandoah Memorial is among the nation’s Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals for the second time in as many years, based on data compiled by the Chartis Center for Rural Health. SMH is one of just two hospitals in Virginia to receive the award for 2023.

"“We were honored to be recognized as a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital last year,” said N. Travis Clark, vice president of operations. “Now to have back-to-back recognition validates how hard our SMH team has been working to not only provide excellent patient care, but to sustain our efforts during what can only be described as a very challenging time.”

The Top 100 hospitals were selected based on publically available data that is used to assess and benchmark rural hospital performance based on 36 rural-relevant indicators, including quality, outcomes, patient satisfaction and costs.

Special thanks to our team at SMH for rising to the challenges we face in health care every day and continuing to provide our community with exceptional, compassionate, reliable care!

02/28/2023

Today's Tip: If you suspect you or a loved one is having a heart attack, always call 9-1-1 right away. Do not try to get to the hospital on your own.

Survive, don't drive! ❤️

02/09/2023

Valley Health teams were "red-y" for Wear Red Day! Held the first week of February, the annual tradition supports Women's Heart Health.

Learn more about the initiative and women's heart health: https://fal.cn/3vJkf

02/03/2023

When we take care of our hearts as part of our self-care, we set an example for those around us to do the same. This National , sport your favorite red clothing and show your heart some love!

01/31/2023

Our website, valleyhealthlink.com, is currently unavailable due to technical issues. We're working quickly to resolve the problem and bring the site back online. Please rest assured this does not impact direct patient care.

As always, if you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1 or go to your nearest emergency room. For Urgent Care locations, phone numbers and online reservations, please visit www.clockwisemd.com/groups/67. For direct MyChart access, visit https://mychart.inova.org/MyChart/Authentication/Login.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

01/24/2023

Check out our Winter 2023 edition of HealthLINK. Learn more about cancer screenings, maintaining a healthy heartbeat, interventional spine care and more. Read it at: https://fal.cn/3vmkC

01/19/2023

Do you get episodes of intense dizziness, room spinning or feeling unsteady?

One very common cause of dizziness is vertigo, and about 1 in 10 people will develop this in their lifespan. At Shenandoah Memorial Hospital – Rehabilitation Services, skilled physical therapists can assist with the diagnosis and treatment of your vertigo in only a few sessions.

01/04/2023

Community Partnership Grants, along with other collaborative efforts, aim to positively impact the health, welfare and quality of life of our communities. Healthy people build strong, stable communities, and by working collaboratively with community partners, Valley Health believes we can achieve meaningful results and improve health outcomes in our region.

Apply today for one of our Community Partnership Grants at: https://bit.ly/CommunityPartnershipGrantApplication

12/23/2022

Nutrition Services recently provided a delicious, festive meal for Shenandoah Memorial Hospital staff! Thanks to everyone who helped make this event possible!

12/20/2022

On The Valley Today last week, Dr. Jeffrey Feit, Valley Health Population and Community Health Officer, talked about the prevalence of COVID-19, RSV, seasonal flu and cold viruses and encouraged listeners to adopt a common-sense personal strategy to protect themselves and vulnerable loved ones as you gather over the next two weeks. We hope your holidays are happy and healthy!

Our conversation today about community health welcomed back Dr. Jeffrey Feit, 's Population & Community Health Officer (and my personal Dr. Fauci) to learn about the term tridemic and the effects it's having on our community. We talked about COVID variants, the flu, RSV, strep, and the common cold.....

12/20/2022

Tis the season! During her regular department visits, Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Vice President Tammy Landes delivered candy canes and hot chocolate to share the holiday cheer. From our hard-working team members to yours, Happy Holidays!

12/13/2022

We are proud to recognize Ashlee Stroop, a registered nurse in our Shenandoah Surgery Center, who has been selected to receive this year’s DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. Ashlee’s nominators cite her incredibly caring and friendly attitude along with her breadth of knowledge and skill as reasons why she should receive this national honor. “Ashlee has been my nurse during many [procedures], and she always explains exactly what is going to happen and what I should expect,” said one nominator. “Meeting and learning to know her has been a great pleasure!”
We couldn’t agree more, and we’re very thankful she’s part of the Valley Health team!

11/28/2022

We’re pleased to welcome Skyler Sharp, MSN, FNP-C, MHA, CDP, CRHCP to the team at Valley Health Family Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Multispecialty Clinic! Skyler joins us from Valley Health Shenandoah Memorial Hospital Family Medicine | Mt. Jackson.

Skyler brings over 20 years of experience to her patients. Her clinical areas of interest include Aging and Dementia (she holds a certification in Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia Care), Chronic Care Management and Family Healthcare including screenings, prevention of disease, family planning and pregnancy, nutrition and exercise, immunizations, psychological well-being and behavioral health.

To learn more about Skyler Sharp, NP, visit valleyhealthlink.com/Sharp and call 540-459-1315 to schedule an appointment.

11/17/2022

Today is National Rural Health Day! Valley Health has four Critical Access Hospitals and 18 Rural Health Clinics between Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland? We are committed to bringing communities together, ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare and is able to receive the care they need.

11/14/2022

11/11/2022

Thank you to the men and women who served our country. Today, and every day, we recognize and honor veterans whether they were in battle or not and are living with us now or have passed on. At each Valley Health hospital, a Veteran Honor Board is being displayed, featuring the immediate family member of a Valley Health employee.

11/10/2022

RSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies, has been spreading around the region and the country, and doctors are cautioning about the risks to young children.

For various reasons, the hospitalization rate of RSV patients younger than 4 is five times as much as it has been in recent years, said Dr. Leda Duck with Wi******er Pediatric Clinic.

RSV, a common respiratory illness that can cause severe breathing problems for babies, has been spreading around the region and the country, and doctors are cautioning about the risks to