Virginia Telehealth Network

New Research Shows the Reality – and the Promise – of Telemedicine

Telemedicine doctor wear headset talking to patient by online video call.

This past summer, the Virginia Community Healthcare Association (VACHA), the nonprofit organization that represents the interests of Virginia’s 30 community health centers (and look-alike centers), released research it had commissioned related to the use of telemedicine, especially how COVID-19 had affected its use. To the extent possible (since a great deal of data is not […]

Read More… from New Research Shows the Reality – and the Promise – of Telemedicine

Telehealth Growing Pains: Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Strives to Maintain Its Pandemic-Fueled Momentum

image of a young girl sitting on a couch and reading

When the Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance (BRTA) was created about seventeen years ago, there was a pioneering spirit among the member healthcare providers serving Virginia’s Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. At the time, the promise of telemedicine helping expand access to care and reducing health disparities was still more aspirational than practical. After all, there […]

Read More… from Telehealth Growing Pains: Bay Rivers Telehealth Alliance Strives to Maintain Its Pandemic-Fueled Momentum

Expanding access to broadband in the Commonwealth

image of hands using a touchscreen

While telehealth is an instrumental tool in expanding access to health care for underserved localities, demographics and others in need, it’s nearly impossible to conduct without access to broadband – for both providers and patients. And in today’s day and age, it is an essential need for quality living. That’s why the state of Virginia […]

Read More… from Expanding access to broadband in the Commonwealth

The Tele-Charge of Health Brigade

Health Brigade

How Virginia’s oldest free clinic transitioned to telehealth Richmond’s Health Brigade has a long history of meeting patients where they are. Created more than a half century ago in Richmond’s “Fan” district – a largely residential neighborhood that gave the community health clinic its first name – the former Fan Free Clinic became the first […]

Read More… from The Tele-Charge of Health Brigade

Free Clinic’s Transition to Telehealth Is Helping Grow its Practice

Lackey Clinics collage

For more than a quarter century, the Lackey Clinic has been providing free medical care to those in need in the Yorktown community. Founded in 1995 when local physician Jim Shaw and his wife Cooka began seeing patients from a Sunday school classroom at a local church, the clinic has grown significantly over the years, […]

Read More… from Free Clinic’s Transition to Telehealth Is Helping Grow its Practice

Telehealth Provides Platform for Mutual Learning During Pandemic

image of elderly person's hands

  It was the spring of 2020, and Dr. Christian Bergman – like so many physicians specializing in the care of patients in the senior population – was concerned. Reports that COVID-19 was spreading quickly in Washington State and then New York, especially among older Americans, had him fearing a worst-case scenario. “If the virus […]

Read More… from Telehealth Provides Platform for Mutual Learning During Pandemic

Physician and nurse practitioner collaborations are a win-win-win

Mike Rodriguez, MD

The past year has brought many challenges – including new practice safeguards that for many limited how many patients could be seen in a day – as well as many opportunities. Many of our practices have embraced telehealth, new collaborations, and creative staffing models as we sought to meet our patients’ needs during this time. […]

Read More… from Physician and nurse practitioner collaborations are a win-win-win

Early Telemedicine Champion Now Seeing Remote Services Taking Hold

image of patient communicating with a doctor via facetime

The pace of what’s referred to as “digital adoption” – the embrace of online tools – has accelerated dramatically during the pandemic. According to research by McKinsey, consumers are driving digital adoption across their daily lives, from the way we shop and order food to how we communicate with one another. (Zoom, anyone?) One digital […]

Read More… from Early Telemedicine Champion Now Seeing Remote Services Taking Hold

Virginia Board and NP-led clinic provides free clinical services to local, underserved community

When the Rockingham Free Clinic in Harrisonburg ceased operation at the end of 2020, and during a pandemic, local health care professionals stepped up to ensure those without access to healthcare would have their needs met. In April 2020, the Blue Ridge Free Clinic was established. Overall, the clinic is led by a very engaged […]

Read More… from Virginia Board and NP-led clinic provides free clinical services to local, underserved community

Telehealth Sustains Momentum Toward Improving Health Equity

image of patient holding stress ball

VCU’s Richmond Health and Wellness Program works to create equitable solutions for older adults. The topic of equity in healthcare – an evening-out of the playing field when it comes to access to care among all populations – has been a gathering concern over the past several years. While the Affordable Care Act has been […]

Read More… from Telehealth Sustains Momentum Toward Improving Health Equity