LewisGale Regional Health System and MedExpress Urgent Care, a healthcare provider that recently opened a full-service, walk-in urgent care center in Southwest Virginia with plans to open several more, have signed a collaborative care agreement. This agreement will ultimately provide better access to quality care for patients seeking the services of either healthcare organization.

“Patients who visit urgent care centers often need more advanced care such as referrals to specialty physicians, lab or radiology services, or even a hospital emergency room,” said Victor Giovanetti, president of LewisGale Regional Health System. “Our agreement with MedExpress will help patients receive this kind of care from our health system in an expedited manner.”

“MedExpress’ vision of providing great care and exceeding patient expectations aligns with LewisGale Regional Health System, where the patient is at the center of all decisions and relationships,” said MedExpress CEO Frank Alderman, MD. “This agreement was developed to help patients navigate the complexities of the health care system in the most convenient, seamless way possible.”

As part of this relationship, LewisGale will provide a one-call system for MedExpress patients who require a follow-up visit with their regular physician or need to be seen by a LewisGale-affiliated specialist. MedExpress values and respects each patient’s choice to health care and physician selection. Working collaboratively with LewisGale, however, allows MedExpress to efficiently facilitate additional care. For continuity of care, MedExpress will also be able to electronically transfer patient records to a LewisGale facility or a physician office.

Patients who normally see a LewisGale-affiliated physician will be encouraged to use MedExpress for their urgent care needs during evenings and weekends when their physician’s office is closed.

“We are very pleased to form this partnership with MedExpress,” said Giovanetti. “It’s a win-win for our patients who, through MedExpress, will now have access to several convenient locations and extended evening and weekend hours. With both of our organizations being committed to high-quality, compassionate care, our community will benefit significantly from this new partnership.”

MedExpress’ center in Salem is located at 1336 W. Main St. A second center is coming soon to Cave Spring and will be located at 4902 Electric Road. MedExpress centers are open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

– Submitted by Joy Sutton, LewisGale Regional Health System

Hidden Valley varsity baseball defeated Patrick County 8-1 in the regional quarterfinal on May 29. The Titans will pay a visit to Pulaski when they take on Bassett in the regional semi-finals today at 4 p.m.

Photos and text by Danielle Dunaway

Hidden Valley varsity softball beat Magna Vista 4-3 during a Hidden Valley home game on  May 29. This is the first regional  softball win in the history of Hidden Valley High School. Titan  softball will travel to Abingdon  on Thursday to take on Richlands in the regional semi-finals.

Photos and text by Danielle Dunaway

Hidden Valley baseball defeated Patrick County 8-1 in the opening round of the regionals on Tuesday.

Kyle Green of The Roanoke Times has this photo gallery. The Titans play Bassett today at 4 p.m. in Pulaski.

Do you have photos from any of the tournament action? Of anything else involving Southwest Roanoke County? You can share at news@swo-co.com or use our “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

A book signing with local author Jessie Knadler will be held Tuesday, May 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the South County Library.

From the Roanoke County website:

Local author Jessie Knadler will discuss her autobiographical book “Rurally Screwed: My Life Off the Grid with the Cowboy I Love.” Books will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served.

Lucas Mobley. Photo courtesy of Vicki Hodges

Cave Spring Wrestling Club’s Lucas Mobley placed third in Greco States and fifth in Freestyle States in Richmond on May 19-20. He is now qualified to represent Team Virginia on the National Team in Fargo, N.D., on July 13-21.

Travel and training costs are very costly, and we are seeking donations to help send Lucas to Nationals in North Dakota. If you could make a donation to help Lucas – please send to:

CSWC
C/O Lucas Mobley
6020 Twelve O’Clock Knob Road
Roanoke, VA 24018-7704

– Submitted by Vicki Hodges

Future Knights Soccer Camp 2012 is coming up at Cave Spring High School June 25-27 from 9 a.m. to noon for boys and girls ages six to 11.

The camp staff includes Cave Spring Boys head coach Brad Collins and Cave Spring Girls head coach Whitney Huffman, as well as members of the Cave Spring coaching staff and Cave Spring players.

The camp will feature instructional emphasis placed on offensive and defensive fundamentals, as well as team play and sportsmanship. Bring a water bottle, light snack, shin guard and a ball. The camp fee of $75 includes a camp t-shirt.

Checks can be made payable to Knights Booster Foundation.  Contact Brad Collins at bcollins@rcs.k12.va.us or Whitey Huffman at whuffman@rcs.k12.va.us with questions.

The registration form is available here.

Submitted by Future Knights Soccer Camp.

Marine Corps Pvt. Isaac T. Padgett, son of Kathy M. Thurman Padgett of Roanoke, Va. and Dirk B. Padgett, of Roanoke, Va., recently completed 12 weeks of basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S. C. designed to challenge new Marine recruits both physically and mentally.

Padgett and fellow recruits began their training at 5 a.m., by running three miles and performing calisthenics. In addition to the physical conditioning program, Padgett spent numerous hours in classroom and field assignments which included learning first aid, uniform regulations, combat water survival, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat and assorted weapons training. They performed close order drill and operated as a small infantry unit during field training.

Padgett and other recruits also received instruction on the Marine Corps’ core values–honor, courage and commitment, and what the core values mean in guiding personal and professional conduct.

Padgett and fellow recruits ended the training phase with The Crucible, a 54-hour, team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits are presented the Marine Corps Emblem, and addressed as “Marines” for the first time in their careers.

Submitted by Navy Public Affairs Support Element.

Cave Spring defeated Hidden Valley 8-3 in the River Ridge District tournament championship on Friday. Both teams advance to regional play this week.

Matt Gentry of The Roanoke Times has this photo gallery.

Do you have photos from tournament action? You can share at news@swo-co.com or use the “share” tool to upload 10 at a time.

From left, Giselle Bailey, Hollins Vieth, Sydney Switzer and Lyndsey Switzer pose with Mary Badham, who played Scout in the movie "To Kill a Mockingbird." Photo courtesy of HVMS English teacher Cindy Curbow.

Hidden Valley Middle School teacher Cindy Curbow shares this photo and says:

Mary Badham was a guest speaker at Roanoke College on March 15th.  The girls met her and had posters and books signed. Ms. Badham played Scout in the movie “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Thanks, Cindy!

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