For Riverside Tappahannock Hospital, 2020 began with high hopes and much anticipation. That culminated in a major announcement to the community about a new alignment with the VCU Health System, based in Richmond. Imme-diately following the highs at that moment, the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted the entire world, made its impact evident in our community’s everyday lives with stay-at-home orders, masking mandates and rising infection rates. Riverside’s focus, understandably, shifted first to preparation and then to providing care to COVID and non-COVID patients while keeping team members and the broader community safe.
“With visitation restrictions, temporarily suspending elective and non-emergency care, and providing services through telehealth, almost every aspect of health care delivery required innovative solutions and flexibility as we navigated uncharted territory,” explains Liz Martin, President of Riverside Tappahannock Hospital. “We are used to and prepared for any number of incidents that can be disruptive to providing service, but this was unlike anything that we had ever experienced.”
Riverside and other health systems in Virginia found ways to deliver care, uninterrupted, throughout the pandemic. That required partnerships and collaborations, community support and a very large collective effort – whether sharing data among hospitals, donations of personal protective equipment, volunteers making masks, or simply showing appreciation for all those on the frontline.
“In many ways, it tested us and it brought out the best in us,” adds Martin.
CONTINUING TO DELIVER SAFE, COMPASSIONATE CARE
In more recent months, Riverside has been working to reassure the community as health care services have reopened that they should feel safe seeking care. Screenings and preventative medicine are a necessary tool to keep the community healthy. Elective and non-elective surgeries have been performed safely at RTH for months and emergency care should never be delayed. The hospital, outpatient offices and physician practices continue to have added safety measures to confidently treat patients.
Volumes have started to rebound, and Martin and her team continue to reassure patients and the community that they are open and ready to handle all medical needs.
Even as residents continue to grapple with COVID restrictions, hospital leadership is stressing adherence to safe practices, including wearing masks, washing hands and social distancing.
“We know that people are not having fewer cardiac events or strokes just because of the pandemic,” says Martin. “We want the community to know that they should not hesitate to seek care when they need it.”
NEW YEAR, NEW NAME, SAME CARING TEAM
In October, Riverside Tappahannock Hospital moved ahead with its transition to VCU with the finalization of a purchase agreement. VCU Health System formally agreed to acquire the hospital, as well as physician practices in the Northern Neck and upper Middle Peninsula region, effective January 1, 2021.
Riverside and VCU recently hosted a public hearing as part of the integration process.
Rick Farmar, RTH Board Chair, spoke at the meeting to recognize Riverside Leadership, physicians and team members for 30 years of dedicated service to the community. While bittersweet, Farmar pointed to Riverside’s development of new services, investment in technology and the facility, improved access to physicians and advanced practitioners, and regional growth have given way to the promising future that lies ahead as part of VCU Health System. He also recognized Riverside’s long investment in the community through sponsorships, partnerships and civic engagement.
“The list of accomplishments is long, and I’m proud of everything the team has built,” Farmar said. “We know that VCU has a similar mission that focuses on community first, so we are confident that the progress will continue to move in the right direction.”
The leadership at VCU Heath System has echoed that sentiment, indicating that they want a smooth transition for everyone. They plan to listen to the community and prioritize having as many services available in the community, close to home.
As the holiday season approaches, Riverside’s team stays focused on what has always mattered – caring for patients – while looking ahead to a new and exciting 2021.