September 8, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998
Prepare Today to Protect Yourself and Your Family from Disaster
Central Shenandoah Health District Supports National Preparedness Month
STAUNTON, Va. – It is important to plan ahead so you are ready before a disaster happens. September is National Preparedness Month, which is all about getting ready for emergencies. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) wants you to make a plan, put together an emergency kit or “go bag,” and use easy, low-cost ideas to get ready.
“Emergencies don’t happen on a schedule, they don’t happen when it’s convenient, and they don’t tell you when they’re coming,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “Preparedness month is a great time for you to create an emergency plan for you and your family, so that when an emergency does happen, you’re not caught off guard.”
Talking with your family and friends about being prepared is the first step. Even though it can be hard to talk about disasters, planning ahead will help you and your community be ready. Here are some tips to get started:
- Choose a time when everyone feels comfortable talking about emergency plans.
- You can have more than one conversation, so everyone feels good about the plan.
- Share what you have done to get ready and ask others what works for them.
All year the Central Shenandoah Health District partners with the community to help keep you safe. We plan, work together, teach, and act quickly to handle any health emergency, like disease outbreaks or other dangers.
Disasters can happen and have serious impacts, so talking about them now helps keep your community safe. For more information on how to get ready for different emergencies, visit www.ready.gov.
September 10, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998
We All Have a Role to Play in Making Suicide as Preventable as Possible
September is Suicide Prevention Month
STAUNTON, Va. – September 10 is Suicide Prevention Day. It’s a time to raise awareness, remember those we’ve lost, and strengthen our connections. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) invites you to join us by sharing resources that can save lives. Together, we can help prevent suicide.
Suicide remains a leading cause of death in Virginia. In 2023, 1,234 Virginians lost their lives to suicide. 50 of those deaths occurred within the Central Shenandoah Health District.
“Mental health is a vital part of our community’s wellbeing,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director for CSHD. “There are resources available for anyone who might need help, and it’s important to know you are not alone.”
Here are some ways to get involved during Suicide Prevention Month:
Take the free Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training to learn about limiting access to guns, medications, and other items that could cause harm. You can also access free, custom guidelines and resources from Lock & Talk Virginia.
For more on suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention, reach out to the VDH Suicide Systems Project.
August 29, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998
Central Shenandoah Health District Provides Services to Reduce Overdose Deaths
International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31
STAUNTON, Va. – August 31 is International Overdose Awareness Day, a day to remember and grieve loved ones who lost their lives to drug overdoses. The Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) is a key community partner in the fight to prevent drug overdoses. CSHD District provides support, encourages recovery, and spreads overdose prevention awareness.
Fatal drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in Virginia. In 2024, 1,403 Virginians tragically lost their lives to drug overdoses. 97 of those deaths occurred within the Central Shenandoah Health District.
“Even one overdose is too many,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, Acting Health Director of CSHD. “Overdose is preventable, and the health department is glad to offer free Naloxone to its residents.”
Central Shenandoah Health District overdose prevention services include:
- Naloxone kits,
- Overdose reversal education,
- Fentanyl test strips,
- Drug treatment services referrals,
- HIV and hepatitis testing, and
- Connections to medical care and support services.
Learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose at Central Shenandoah Health District’s REVIVE! Training. Call CSHD at (540) 332-7830 to schedule a training session today.
For more information on drug overdose prevention resources, contact Central Shenandoah Health District. You can also email questions to overdose@vdh.virginia.gov.
June 30, 2025
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998
Central Shenandoah Health District Shares Drowning Prevention Tips
Celebrate the Fourth of July Safely
STAUNTON, Va. –In Virginia, nearly 500 people have accidentally drowned over the last five years. In fact, drowning is a leading cause of death in children. Whether you are celebrating the holiday weekend at the pool, the beach, the river or the lake, Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD) offers drowning prevention tips to keep you healthy and safe while swimming.
“Beaches and pools are frequently associated with playful fun or casual relaxation, but they can pose a serious health risk – especially to young children,” says Dr. Allison Baroco, acting Health Director for CSHD. “Active supervision of children around water helps prevent childhood drownings. Supervising adults should avoid distracting activities, like being on a phone or reading a book.”
Drowning often occurs quickly and silently. Unlike the movies, drowning doesn’t usually involve thrashing and shouting. The signs of drowning are more subtle and last only 20-60 seconds before the person goes under.
Central Shenandoah Health District offers these prevention tips:
- Provide active supervision for all children in the water. A responsible adult should watch children closely when they are in or around water. Adults should not be distracted or engaged in other activities, even if lifeguards are present. For preschool-aged children, “touch supervision” is recommended, where the supervising adult is within arm’s reach of the child.
- Learn to swim. Knowing how to swim can reduce the risk of drowning.
- Learn CPR. Make sure we know what to do if someone needs help in the water.
- Always swim with a buddy. Never swim alone.
- Avoid swimming after dark. Signs of drowning are harder to see.
- Watch for swimming hazards like rip currents and rough waters.
- Observe any advisories and listen to lifeguards.
- “Floaties,” arm bands, water wings are toys, not safety devices. When these toys are in use, the caregiver must still provide active supervision. Wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Make sure pools have the proper safety features in place to help reduce the risk of injury.
Stay vigilant this summer. Let’s make our pools and beaches safer for everyone! Visit swimhealthyva.com for more information.
May 7, 2024
Media Contact: Rachel Dumene, Rachel.dumene1@vdh.virginia.gov, 540-480-4998
Central Shenandoah Health District Welcomes New Health Director
STAUNTON, Va. – The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) welcomes the new Health Director for the Central Shenandoah Health District (CSHD), Dr. Allison Baroco.
In 2011, she moved to the Shenandoah Valley with her family where she has proudly cared for our community as a board-certified infectious disease physician. Dr. Baroco has previously served as a Medical Director of Infectious Disease at Augusta Health and served as chair of the Infection Prevention and Control Committee and co-chair of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee for Augusta Health.
Following completion of medical school at the University of South Alabama, Dr. Baroco completed her residency and fellowship at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). She first partnered with VDH while treating patients living with HIV at EVMS throughout Hampton Roads from 2006 to 2008.
“By assuming this vital role with the Central Shenandoah Health District, I am looking forward to building and expanding relationships with community members to improve the overall health of our community,” said Dr. Baroco.
Dr. Baroco is a proud Fellow of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America, is certified in Infection Control, and has received a distinguished Achievement Award from the Augusta Health Board of Directors for her leadership in infection prevention control at Augusta Health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information about the Central Shenandoah Health District can be found at vdh.virginia.gov/central-shenandoah/
