Washington, D.C.
Congressman Tom Perriello today announced that the Blue Ridge Medical Center in Nelson County will receive a $5,000,000 grant to expand care throughout Central Virginia. The funding comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which Perriello supported. He joined Ms. Peggy Whitehead, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Medical Center, for the announcement today at the White House.
“Blue Ridge Medical Center is critical in delivering quality, affordable health care to our rural communities. I’m thrilled that this major investment from the Recovery Act will allow the Blue Ridge Medical Center to expand its services to more patients throughout Central Virginia while creating new jobs in this expansion process,” said Rep. Perriello.
Nationwide, nearly $600 million in ARRA funds were awarded to support major construction and renovation projects at 85 community health centers. The awards are expected to not only create new job opportunities in construction and health care, but also help provide care for more than half a million additional patients in underserved communities. Blue Ridge Medical Center was the only community health center in Virginia to receive an award through the Facility Investment Program.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our community health center to accommodate the growing need for improved access to health care,” stated Weeta Bell-Phillips, the President of the Board of Directors for Blue Ridge Medical Center.
“The grant will enable us to almost double the number of exam rooms, provide additional space for our Pharmacy and once again house our Rural Health Outreach Program at the Center,” Executive Director, Peggy Whitehead reported. “We are eager to get started.”
Part of the overall expansion plan includes the addition of dental services for which other funding resources are being pursued.
Many of Blue Ridge Medical Center’s patients come from Nelson and Amherst Counties, both of which are officially designated as “Medically Underserved Areas” (MUAs). Access to health care for many low income and/or uninsured area residents is often difficult, and the area has experienced an increase in unemployment and people in economic distress. Blue Ridge Medical Center provides care for members of the community at all income levels, whether insured or uninsured.
Last year, over 2,000 new patients sought care at BRMC, for a total of 9,255 patients served. This year, an average of 150 new patients a month continue walk in the door. To meet the increasing health care demands in Nelson County and the surrounding communities, Blue Ridge Medical Center began planning for the expansion project in 2007. “We have had excellent community support for this project,” said Bruce Bertelsen, Board Vice-President, “and we will continue to actively seek feedback and ideas from all members of the community as we move forward with our plans.”
“People know that if they need quality primary health care, Blue Ridge Medical Center is accessible and has a sliding fee scale to make care affordable,” Whitehead added. The Center will celebrate 25 years of service to the community in 2010.
Blue Ridge Medical Center is located on Highway 29 in Colleen in Nelson County.
What a great Christmas present to Nelson County!
Congratulations to Peggy Whitehead for making this happen.
You go, girl!
Thanks to Peggy and all of the others who have worked so hard to make this a reality. Keep up the good work.
Congratulation Peggy. Truly this is “Service Above Self”.
Congratulations Peggy and to everyone at Blue Ridge!
This is wonderful news! A huge thank you to all who worked so hard to make this happen. The need for expanded services is so great, and this will surely add to the quality of life for many of our residents and our neighbors.
Congratulations!! This is wonderful news for all of us in Nelson County. Peggy Whitehead, you are a treasure! Thank you so much for your tireless efforts.
Congratulations to all at Blue Ridge Medical Center, and thank you Tom Perriello for your support. Blue Ridge Center is so deserving of this grant. It is a real model of care for many similarly hard hit rural communities across the nation.
Wonderful news for everyone living in Nelson and Amherst County. Thank you, Peggy Whitehead and her staff and Tom Perriello! Hard work is being rewarded!
Great News about a great project! Congratulations Peggy
CONGRATULATIONS to Blue Ridge Medical Center! This is such wonderful news for ALL residing in Nelson and Amherst counties. Hard work, a collegial aura, and kindred sprits are abundant in this beautiful area……God Bless and Merry Christmas gifts to ALL.