December 2, 2015
GOVERNOR’S EMS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT ANNUAL EMS SYMPOSIUM
(RICHMOND, Va.) – The 2015 Governor’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Award winners were recently announced at the 36th Annual Governor’s EMS Awards Ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia. Governor Terry McAuliffe recognized 10 outstanding EMS providers and organizations from across the Commonwealth for their dedication to EMS and excellence in the field. more>>
November 9, 2015
VIRGINIA’S FOCUS ON THRIVING INFANTS DELIVERS RESULTS
State Receives National Recognition for Text4baby Enrollment and lowering Preterm Birth Rate
(Richmond, Va.) The start of November 2015 brings national recognition to the Commonwealth for its strides in ensuring babies in Virginia get a healthy start in life. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) accepted honors from both the March of Dimes and Text4baby on behalf of the many partners throughout the state who help establish infant wellness. more>>
October 16, 2015
Virginia Department of Health Launches 31-Day Countdown to Help Tobacco Users Quit
Daily posts on Facebook and Twitter Lay Groundwork for Success
(Richmond,Va.) The Virginia Department of Health is helping tobacco users get ready to quit by sharing tips and resources during Countdown to Quit Day. The countdown kicks off Oct. 20 and offers a different tip on VDH’s Facebook and Twitter platforms each day through Nov. 19. more>>
October 15, 2015
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESCINDS EMERGENCY CLOSING OF JAMES RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the emergency condemnation of the James River downstream of the James River Bridge, including the tributaries of Ragged Island Creek, Chuckatuck Creek and the Nansemond River, is reopened effective immediately. This action returns all James River and tributary harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the October 8 emergency closure. more>>
October 8, 2015
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REOPENS PART OF THE JAMES RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health announced the reopening of a portion of the James River closed to shellfishing last week. Today’s announcement reopens nearly 20 miles of the river that was initially closed on October 5 due to heavy rainfall and tidal flooding. The area still closed includes the James River downstream of the James River Bridge including Ragged Island Creek, Chuckatuck Creek and the Nansemond River. Department of Health staff will continue to assess the situation throughout the region and may further revise the closure as conditions indicate. more>>
October 2, 2015
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES THE JAMES RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.) — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the James River downstream to the Monitor-Merrimac Bridge Tunnel will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to severe weather associated with inland heavy rains. The emergency closure will be effective October 5, 2015 through October 13, 2015. VDH staff will continue to assess the situation throughout the region and may revise the closure as conditions indicate.more>>
August 26, 2015
THE END OF SUMMER VACATION DOESN’T MEAN THE END OF MOSQUITOES
Continue to Protect Your Family against West Nile Virus this Fall
(RICHMOND, Va.)—Summer may be ending, but mosquitoes are still breeding and biting in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) urges everyone to pay attention to prevention. It is the best way to combat mosquito-borne illnesses, such as those caused by West Nile virus (WNV) and La Crosse encephalitis (LAC) virus. more>>
July 21, 2015
VDH and Walgreens Free HIV Testing Collaboration Expands
Program now serves 32 locations across Virginia
Richmond, Va. – Access to HIV testing is even more convenient now in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Walgreens recently expanded no-cost, rapid HIV testing sites from 13 to 32 Walgreens locations across the state. more>>
June 23, 2015
Secretary of Health and Human Resources announces appointments to Certificate of Public Need Work Group
RICHMOND – Secretary of Health and Human Resources William A. Hazel, Jr., M.D. today announced the appointment of the Certificate of Public Need (COPN) Work Group. more>>
June 4, 2015
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES A PORTION OF THE YORK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that a portion of Back River will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to potential contamination from a sewage spill. more>>
June 2, 2015
MILLIONS OF VIRGINIA VITAL RECORDS NOW DIGITIZED AND INDEXED
Virginia Department of Health and Ancestry complete massive records project.
(Richmond, Va.) — Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced the completion of a two-year, public-private collaboration between the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and Ancestry that fully digitizes the state’s vital records. To date, more than 16 million records have been digitized and indexed. Scanned images of the original, public* documents are available online through Ancestry.com. Access to the indexed information on the records is available free of charge, beginning Friday, June 5, through the VDH Division of Vital Records’ and the Library of Virginia’s websites. more>>
May 18, 2015
Virginia Department of Health Offers Tips for Recreational Water Use
Prevent Illness and Injury this Summer
(Richmond, VA) The weekend before Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer and the beginning of visits to swimming pools, water parks, lakes and local beaches. As warm days arrive the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reminds Virginians to take precautions to keep you and your family healthy and safe while enjoying the water this summer. more>>
May 18, 2015
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK RECOGNIZES VIRGINIA’S DEVOTED PROVIDERS
May 17 – 23 is EMS Week in Virginia
(RICHMOND, Va.) – In the blink of an eye, you could be faced with a life-changing event that requires assistance from Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel. From the moment a call is received at the 911 center until the patient arrives at the hospital, first responders are ready to provide quality prehospital care. Last year, EMS providers responded to just over 1.3 million calls for help in Virginia, approximately 3,679 incidents per day. more>>
May 7, 2015
Health Commissioner Announces State and Regional Public Health Nurses of the Year
Arlington, Chesterfield and Norfolk Nurses Recognized for Outstanding Service
(RICHMOND, Va.)— Nguyet “Nga” Nguyen, public health nurse supervisor in the Arlington County Public Health Division, received this year’s Virginia Department of Health Public Health Nurse of the Year award. State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP recognized Nguyen today during National Nurses Week. more>>
April 20, 2015
VIRGINIA VOLUNTEERS TO HELP INDIANA BATTLE HIV OUTBREAK
Public health professionals will support disease intervention efforts.
(Richmond, Va.) Health specialists from Virginia are on their way to Indiana today, lending their expertise to that state’s HIV outbreak response. The two are disease intervention specialists from the Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Epidemiology, Division of Disease Prevention, who work in Richmond and Norfolk. The specialists will work for two weeks, assisting the Indiana State Department of Health to contain the spread of HIV in southeastern Indiana (http://www.in.gov/isdh/26649.htm). Specifically, the pair will provide public health assessments, including interviewing individuals and collecting their blood or other samples for laboratory testing for HIV. more>>
April 15, 2015
VDH Reminds Virginians of Importance of Advance Health Care Directive
Registry makes planning ahead easy
(Richmond, Va.)-National Healthcare Decisions Day, April 16, is an excellent time for Virginians to make sure they have plans in place for advance health care and that those plans are up-to-date. It also provides an opportunity for health care providers to discuss the subject of advance planning with their patients. more>>
April 6, 2015
VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLOSES A PORTION OF THE YORK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING
(RICHMOND, Va.)— The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that a portion of the York River will be closed to shellfish harvesting due to potential contamination from a sewage spill. more>>
March 11, 2015
Virginia Receives Federally Funded Support to Advance Pay for Success in Early Childhood Health Care
~ Third Sector Capital Partners, Inc. to provide federally funded technical assistance for a joint initiative between Department of Health and Virginia Pay for Success Council to accelerate exploration of implementing Pay for Success ~
RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced that the Commonwealth of Virginia has been selected as part of a national competition to assess the feasibility of implementing Pay for Success to expand nurse visiting programs to the high-risk pregnant women in Virginia who need these services, but are not receiving them. more>>
March 9, 2015
Milestone Marks One-Year Anniversary of DMV/VDH Vital Records Partnership
~ More than 100,000 Virginia Birth Certificates Issued at DMV Since March 1, 2014 ~
Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced a major milestone in the partnership of the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Division of Vital Records to offer birth certificate service at DMV. Customers have purchased more than 100,000 Virginia birth certificates at DMV offices since March 1, 2014. At just over the one-year mark, the partnership has proven to be a success. more>>
February 13, 2015
State Officials Advise Virginians to Take Precautions in Extreme Cold Weather
(Richmond, Va.) — The Virginia Departments of Health and Emergency Management encourage everyoneto protect themselves against serious health problems that can result from prolonged exposure to the cold.
“With the bitter cold forecast for this Valentine’s and Presidents’ Day long weekend,” said State Health Commissioner Marissa J. Levine, MD, MPH, FAAFP, “we all need to take precautions and be mindful of how much time we are spending out of doors. When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced, causing cold-weather health problems such as frostbite and hypothermia,” added Dr. Levine. “Neither of these conditions should be taken lightly, and all Virginians should take the necessary steps to lower their risk of exposure.” more>>
January 28, 2015
Funding Available for Organizations Serving Summer Meals to Virginia Children
Deadline to apply for this year’s Summer Food Service Program is April 24, 2015
(Richmond, Va.) —Virginia’s children need and deserve nutritious meals continuously throughout the year to maintain healthy minds and bodies. Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to an individual’s learning process. Lack of access to nutritional meals during the summer sets the stage for a student’s poor performance once the next school year begins. Remember, childhood hunger doesn’t take a summer vacation. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) fills the nutrition gap when school’s out and children do not have access to the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. more>>