& so much more
Society & Culture
About
A bi-monthly podcast where we share the stories of our Caregivers, patients and community.
Episodes
- From Pain To Possibility, Diane's Brain & Spine Story
A stiff back and aching leg can look like a simple lower spine problem until the real culprit hides higher up. We share Diane’s journey from conservative care to targeted injections and, finally, two precisely timed surgeries that unlocked…
- Reimagining Virginia Baptist Hospital With Community Voice
What should a 30-acre, 537,000-square-foot hospital become after a century of care? We sit down with Centra’s Denise Woernle, urban planner Suzanne Schulz, and Lynchburg’s economic development director, Marjette Upshur, to map a community-…
- Why A Family Doctor Who Treats Mind, Body & Spirit Changes Outcomes
A stronger primary care relationship can be the difference between constant crisis and steady health. That’s the throughline of our conversation with Dr. Detwiler, the incoming Director of Osteopathic Medicine at the CMG Lynchburg Family M…
- Centra’s Digital Journey: The Digital Future of Scheduling and Registration
Healthcare has entered the digital chat, and Centra’s step into digital registration and online self-scheduling shows our dedication to patient care. We sit down with Jen Halikman, our Vice President of IT Applications, to share how digita…
- Adolescent Mental Health: Part 2, Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Counselors
What if the morning “I feel sick” isn’t a dodge but anxiety talking through the body? We invited two seasoned clinicians to unpack why elementary struggles often snowball in middle school, how neurological growth and puberty raise the stak…
- Adolescent Mental Health: Part 1, School Counselors
The school day doesn’t start at the first bell, it starts the night before, inside group chats where one message can snowball into a full day of distraction. We sat down with counselors from Lynchburg City Schools to unpack what kids are c…
- When is Weight Loss Surgery the Right Answer?
Most people are told to “try harder” while fighting a disease their biology is trying to keep. We sit down with bariatric surgeon Dr. Joshua Alley to cut through stigma and explain how modern metabolic care actually works: minimally invasi…
- Clarity & Care: Understanding Medicare Changes
The headlines are loud, the mailers are confusing and the clock is ticking. We’re making one thing simple: Centra will leave the Humana Medicare Advantage network on January 1, 2026, and you can protect your care by choosing the right plan…
- Nicole's Cancer Journey: Healing, Hope and a Little Help from April Sweetie
A frightening diagnosis can steal the air from a room. Nicole’s story gives it back. From the shock of hearing “breast cancer” to the rhythm of surgery, sixteen chemo infusions and now the daily focus of radiation, she lets us into the rea…
- From Diagnosis to Joy: Jamie Day on Cancer, Care, and Carrying On
A tumor that seemed to “smile” back in a flashlight’s glare set Jamie Day on a year-long path that tested his body, rewired his priorities, and strengthened every bond that mattered. From the first uneasy swallow after a film festival to t…
- From Diagnosis to Reconstruction, with Dr. Canzoneri and Erin Hagen
A routine mammogram set off a chain of decisions Erin Hagen never expected to make at 40. What the radiology report called DCIS felt both urgent and confusing, and the days that followed were a blur of consults, terminology and timelines.…
- Vaping Unveiled: The Truth Behind the Clouds
Misinformation surrounds vaping, despite its growing presence in our everyday lives. These sleek, rechargeable devices deliver not just fruit-flavored satisfaction but a potent cocktail of nicotine (sometimes exceeding levels found in ciga…
- Milk & Medicine: The Science of Breastfeeding
The journey of motherhood brings countless decisions, with feeding choices among the most significant. Rebecca Rose, an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant at Virginia Baptist Hospital, guides us through the complexities a…
- DaVinci Robots: Elevating Surgical Care at Centra
While surgical technology is not new to Centra, thanks to generous contribution from the Centra Foundation, the addition of our fifth DaVinci robot has opened doors for surgical care. Join us in the operating room with Jen Drudy, Vice Pres…
- Beyond Backpacks: The Hidden Health Priorities of Back to School
The transition from summer freedom to school structure affects every family differently. Whether you're celebrating the return to routine or mourning the end of family time, this critical period demands special attention to your child's ph…
- Women's Health Through the Decades
"Your periods shouldn't be unbearably painful. Most women in their 50s will experience dryness. Muscle mass matters more than being thin." These are just some of the straightforward truths nurse midwife Claire McStacy shares in this compre…
- Men's Health Beyond the Surface with Cody Sliger, DNP
Nurse Practitioner Cody Sliger reveals the hidden crisis in men's healthcare through both professional expertise and personal experience. Despite significant advances in medical science, men continue to suffer worse health outcomes than wo…
- Finding Strength in Clinical Trials: Carol Harvey's Breast Cancer Story
Carol Harvey's powerful journey from experienced nurse to breast cancer survivor offers a unique dual perspective that changes everything. Carol shares her unexpected triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis in September 2020 during the hei…
- Defined by Dreams and Determination, not Disabilities
What happens when we focus on strengths instead of limitations? R'Kel Mosely takes us on an unforgettable journey through his experience with Project Search, a program that's transformed his outlook on life, work, and his own capabilities.…
- The Many Doors of Healing: Mental Health Care at Centra
Mental health needs have consistently topped community health assessments in our health system's area for years, reaching critical levels that demand immediate attention. Ismael Gama, Vice President of Centra's Psychiatry and Behavioral He…
- Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Applied Behavior Analysis and Its Impact on Children
Crystal Collette and Jennifer Watson Jamison share their journey to achieving Autism Commission on Quality accreditation for Centra's Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy program and explain how modern ABA helps children with autism through…
- "Skip the Bull" Raw Truths, a Legacy of Wisdom and the Reality Behind a Journey Through Cancer
What wisdom would you choose to leave behind for your children if you suddenly weren't there to guide them? After losing his wife Johanna to breast cancer in August 2023, Daryl Calfee found himself confronting this profound question—leadin…
- Balancing Facts and Fears: A Measured Conversation on Measles
Dr. Travis Engel, Chair of Pediatrics, brings his expertise and compassion to a thoughtful discussion on the current measles situation affecting parts of the United States. With just under 500 cases nationally—concentrated primarily in Wes…
- No One Fights Alone: Finding Hope After a Terminal Cancer Diagnosis
When 26-year-old Cody Towler walked into an emergency room for an unrelated issue, he never expected to walk out with a stage four colorectal cancer diagnosis that would transform his life forever. Despite his prognosis, Cody radiates a re…
- Building the Future of Healthcare by Educating the Next Generation
Join us as we explore how Centra is addressing critical healthcare shortages by engaging local students through innovative educational programs. Our guests share how local healthcare camps provide students with exposure to a multitude of c…
- Living with Heart Failure, Insights from Experts and Personal Journeys
Join us for a timely conversation during Heart Month, where clinical cardiac navigator MaryAnne Poling, cardiologist Dr. Parichart Junpaparp, and heart failure patient Ken Mueller offer invaluable insights and personal stories. Through an…
- Proactive Health Management: The Power and Benefits of Biometric Screenings
Unlock the secrets to proactive health management with the expertise of Dr. Cindy Hanawalt and Dr. Micki Hall from HealthWorks. This episode delves into the essential role of biometric screening in personal health management, dispelling my…
- Establishing a Baseline for Health to Master your Health Goals
Establishing a health baseline is critical for effective personal health management. By working closely with your primary care provider, you can tailor a plan that addresses your unique health needs and sets manageable goals for lifelong w…
- Centra Emergency Care: Access, Innovation, and Community Collaboration in Mental Health
Unlock the transformative power of mental health care with our insightful conversation featuring James Bryant, Vice President for Emergency Services at Centra. Together, we shed light on the pressing issue of mental health accessibility, a…
- Centra Emergency Department: What to Expect
Together with James Bryant, Vice President for Emergency Services, we discuss the specialized capabilities of Centra Health's Emergency Departments. Learn when to go the ED and when to go to urgent care, what to expect when you go to both…
- Navigating Grief Heartache with Hope During the Holidays
Grief is a journey many of us embark on, often without warning, and the holiday season can amplify these emotions unexpectedly. Join us as we engage with Ashley Butt and Brynn Davis, who help us unravel the complexities of grief. Together,…
- Inclusive Holiday Celebrations for Neurodiverse Families, with Dr. Emily Bradshaw and Daniel Sullivan
Unlock the secrets to a inclusive holiday season for neurodiverse families with insights from Dr. Emily Bradshaw and Daniel Sullivan of Centra's Autism and Developmental Clinic. Together, we redefine the holiday experience by honoring each…
- The Centra Foundation: The Transformative Impact of Local Giving
How can we bridge the healthcare cost gap and enhance community wellness with the resources we have? Join us for a captivating conversation with Allison Ebert, the Director of Development at the Centra Foundation, as we unravel the critica…
- Support & Strategies to Prioritize Mental Health Over the Holidays
Better understand depression with insights from Dr. Sibcy, a licensed clinical psychologist from Centra Piedmont Psychiatric Center. Discover how depression's isolating nature can trap individuals in a cycle of avoidance, and learn strateg…
- From Doctor to Patient: An Emergency Physician's Stroke Survival Story
Lauren Brown, an emergency physician at Centra found herself in the most unexpected situation of becoming a patient herself. In this episode she shares her personal narrative of experiencing a stroke that forever altered her life. Through…
- Empathy and Empowerment in Family Healthcare
In this episode, alongside Kelly Griffiths and Dr. Travis Engel, who are at the forefront of Centra's work in Advance Care Directives and Perinatal Loss and Palliative Care for newborns, we illuminate the importance of a holistic approach…
- Transform Your Work Life with Emotional Insights
Can emotional intelligence transform your professional life, especially in the high-pressure world of healthcare? Robin Moore from Centra Human Resources joins host Cami Smith to explore this question and share her journey to becoming cert…
- STI Myths & Realities, Building Trust in Sexual Health Care
Discover the hidden truths about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that could save your health and the health of others. Join host Cami Smith as she reunites with Tiffany Little, head of patient education, and Lance Dorsley, head of i…
- Mental Health, emPATH and the Crucial Role of Connection in Suicide Prevention
Can proactive mental health care actually shorten hospital stays and enhance recovery? Join us as we unravel this intriguing question with Drew White, a dedicated psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at Centra's Psychiatry and Behavioral Health…
- Navigating the Emotional Journey of Caregiving our Parents and Grandparents
Caregiving for aging parents can be an overwhelming journey filled with emotional, mental, and physical challenges. In this episode, we sit down with Miriam Dakin, the manager of pastoral care at Centra's ambulatory services, who sheds lig…
- Live your healthiest life, with Dr. Tuladhar
Finding the right primary care provider is key to building a partnership to live your healthiest life. Dr. Tuladhar shares her approach to care that considers the mind, body and spirit of her patients, and addresses care from adolescent th…
- See Something, Say Something, Water Safety with Kerry Cofer from the YMCA
It is important to be safe in and around the water, whether you are at the pool, the lake, the beach, or even a fountain or the bathtub. In this episode we sit down with Kerry Cofer, Senior Director of Healthy Living at the Jameson Family…
- Trusting the Process: Comprehensive and Compassionate NICU Care
In this episode, we sit down with Lynchburg resident and new mom Erin Rupe to discuss her journey with a premature baby in the NICU at Virginia Baptist Hospital. We discuss Erin's pregnancy journey, her care through Centra Midwives at CMG…
- Healthy over Skinny pt. 2
Continue the conversation from our first Healthy over Skinny podcast! For years, cultural narratives have equated beauty and health with a thin, toned body, suggesting that being skinny is synonymous with being healthy. However, beauty, an…
- Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital's Centennial Celebration
In 1924, Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital opened its doors in Lynchburg, Virginia, becoming the state's first Baptist hospital. As the years passed, the hospital marked numerous milestones while expanding to serve the community's needs. In…
- Healthy over Skinny pt. 1
For years, cultural narratives have equated beauty and health with a thin, toned body, suggesting that being skinny is synonymous with being healthy. However, beauty, and even health, often go beyond appearances. In this episode, our guest…
- Neuro-interventional Radiology with Dr. Mary Lee Jensen
For years if you had a neurological disease or episode, a neurosurgeon would drill into the skull to work directly in the brain to treat and or locate the occurrence. Neuro-interventional surgery is minimally invasive surgery for neurologi…
- Expectations from 9 months before birth to 3 days postpartum
Dr. Travis Engel, Chair of Pediatrics at Centra Health shares that, 'the first 24 hours of your baby's life begins 9 months before." There are expectations, preparations, anticipation and so much more that goes into the first 24 to 72 hour…
- The Luth Sisters put Family in Family Practice
Meet the Luth sisters! Dr. Janice Luth, Dr. Virginia Blanks and Dr. Kathryn Sparhawk all provided care as physicians at Centra Medical Group (CMG) - Village in Moneta over the past almost 50 years. We had the privilege of sitting down with…
- Don't be caught unprepared! The basics of CPR and AED
We prepare for emergencies the best we know how. Put in plans, purchase necessary first aid necessities, and even practice drills. So why would we not train in CPR and AED use in case of emergencies? Don't be caught unprepared should you f…