And the Two Become One

Halifax Regional, Sentara commemorate affiliation with Signing Ceremony

Officials from Halifax Regional Health System (HRHS) and Sentara Healthcare (Sentara) came together July 16 to celebrate the affiliation between the two not-for-profit healthcare systems. The affiliation, which was official July 1, signifies change and growth for Halifax Regional at the same time the previously independent community healthcare provider marked its 60th year of providing patient care to residents in Southern Virginia.

Recognized with an “Honoring Our Past, Strengthening Our Future” title, the ceremonial signing event included comments from officials in each organization as well as the reading of a proclamation by Lucien Roberts, M.D., a long-standing member of the HRHS medical staff from 1954 through 1991, and his granddaughters, Virginia and Talley Roberts. The shared reading was meant to symbolize the rich history of Halifax Regional and a bright future with Sentara. The ceremonial signing event culminated as top officials in each organization signed copies of an official proclamation commemorating the important occasion.

HRHS encompasses a 192-bed hospital, three long-term care facilities comprising 348 beds, including The Woodview, Seasons at The Woodview and MeadowView Terrace, Halifax Home Health and Halifax Regional Hospice, and the Physician Hospital Enterprise. More than 125 physicians make up the System’s medical staff, representing over 25 specialties. HRHS is the largest employer in Halifax County, with more than 1,250 employees, and is accredited by The Joint Commission.

Sentara, an integrated health system which operates more than 100 sites of care, serves residents across Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, offering a solid reputation of outstanding quality and service. With the addition of Halifax Regional Hospital in South Central Virginia, the system is now comprised of 11 acute care hospitals, including seven in Hampton Roads, one in Northern Virginia, and two in the Blue Ridge region. Sentara also includes advanced imaging centers, nursing and assisted-living centers, outpatient campuses, a statewide home health and hospice agency, a 3,700-provider medical staff, medical groups with more than 600 providers, medical transport and a 450,000-member health plan.

After exploring partnership and affiliation options for more than 18 months, the HRHS Board of Directors selected Sentara, in large part because they believed the affiliation would help HRHS achieve its long-term mission and preserve core values, despite facing the ever-changing healthcare environment.

“We are thrilled to partner with this outstanding organization to ensure HRHS can continue to meet the healthcare needs of our community and region and offer even more services than before,” states David H. White, Jr., Chairman of the HRHS Board of Directors.

Chris A. Lumsden, president of HRHS, echoes White saying, “A huge time commitment has been dedicated to ensuring Sentara is the right selection for Halifax Regional, and Sentara has shown its commitment to enhancing the services offered to our community and the region. We are convinced our affiliation with Sentara will be positive and yield long-term benefits to both organizations and to the patients we serve for years to come.”

To learn more about Halifax Regional Health System visit www.hrhs.org, and to learn more about Sentara Healthcare visit www.sentara.com.