A day at the park combines free and fun educational activities to teach kids how to keep themselves safe
(Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU – June 23, 2026)

A guided tour of a fire truck, police car and ambulance, a front row seat to lessons about staying safe in and around water or in the sun and knowing the dangers lurking in the medicine cabinet—those were just some of the lessons learned at this year’s Summer Safety Fair, held at Chimborazo Park. Registered daycares and Richmond families took a turn visiting the exhibits where CHoR team members and volunteers shared life-saving information, equipping the tiny fairgoers with information that could prevent injuries in the future. “Injuries are a leading killer for children,” explained Corri Miller-Hobbs, RN, our pediatric injury prevention outreach and education coordinator and program coordinator for Safe Kids Virginia. “We want kids to learn and grow because it’s important for their development to be able to participate in various activities, but we also know that they have to do so safely, using the right safety tools.”

Allergic reactions: Warning signs and when to seek emergency care
(HCA Virginia – June 22, 2026)

If your child breaks out in hives or starts sniffling after eating something new, it’s normal to wonder: Is this something I can watch at home, or do I need urgent care or emergency care? Most allergic reactions are mild and improve with simple treatments at home. But some can become serious quickly, so it helps to know the warning signs. What causes allergic reactions? Allergic reactions occur when the immune system overreacts to a substance such as food, medication, insect stings, latex or environmental allergens. Allergies affect millions of people each year and can vary widely in severity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These reactions happen when your body responds to something it sees as a threat — even if it’s harmless to most people.

Fireworks safety tips you should be aware of this summer
(HCA Virginia – June 22, 2026)

Summer is in full swing, and with the Fourth of July coming up, you may be planning to celebrate with fireworks. Although fireworks can be beautiful to watch, they can have short- and long-term health effects, in addition to potentially causing injury. Before you light that fuse, learn more about how to practice fireworks safety. How do fireworks work? To understand why fireworks can pose a health risk, it’s important to know how they work. The main ingredient in fireworks is black powder, according to the Library of Congress. Also known as gunpowder, black powder explodes when ignited. Fireworks are made up of stars containing chemicals or metals that create different colors. For example, a star that contains copper will produce a blue firework. Other minerals used to make different colored fireworks include barium, strontium and sodium, says the U.S. Geological Survey. Minerals can be mixed together to produce different colors.

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
(WDBJ7 – June 22, 2026)

June is Migraine and Headache Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most prevalent and disabling neurologic conditions worldwide. Migraine is one of the most common health conditions in the world. According to Carilion Clinic, roughly 1 billion people globally experience migraine. Over 40 million Americans live with migraine, affecting approximately 12% to 15% of the U.S. population. Migraine is not just a bad headache. It is a neurological disorder that causes moderate-to-severe throbbing head pain, often on one side, along with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and difficulty with daily activities. Attacks can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours.

Mary Washington Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center earns national re-accreditation from the American College of Surgeons for Breast Cancer
(Mary Washington Healthcare – June 23, 2026)

Mary Washington Healthcare has earned re-accreditation from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered breast care. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in the United States, excluding skin cancers. NAPBC accredited programs follow a model that supports a multidisciplinary approach to care, ensuring patients have access to coordinated services across the continuum, including prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Miss Virginia Delegates to receive lifesaving CPR training during competition week
(WSLS – June 23, 2026)

More than 50 Miss Virginia Competition delegates will learn how to save a life during a special CPR training session on Tuesday afternoon. The training is part of the 2026 Miss Virginia Competition week and will take place in the Pocahontas Room at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center. The session is scheduled for 2 p.m. for Miss Virginia delegates and 3 p.m. for Miss Virginia Teen delegates. “Since heart disease is the number one cause of death for women, this is a cause that’s very near and dear to our hearts,” said Mark Schreier, co-executive director for Miss Virginia Opportunity, Inc. “Education is the best form of prevention. Our titleholders are learning very important life-changing skills by volunteering for the American Heart Association, raising money for research and learning CPR skills, too. We’re proud to be part of this important mission that has such a direct impact on so many people.”

New blood score may help identify patients most at risk of liver failure, liver cancer or death
(VCU Health – June 23, 2026)

A blood-based score may help predict which patients with fatty liver disease are more likely to have serious problems, according to a new study led by a Virginia Commonwealth University hepatologist. The metabolic vulnerability index, or MVX, is a score calculated from several substances in the blood that reflect inflammation and metabolic stress. It captures biological signals that tests based on liver scarring alone may not show. Fatty liver disease affects about 1 in 3 adults worldwide, but only some get very sick, progressing to serious complications such as liver failure, liver cancer or death. A key challenge for physicians is identifying which patients are at greatest risk. Currently, risk assessment may include routine laboratory testing to measure the level of scarring, or fibrosis; diagnostic imaging; and, in some cases, liver biopsy.

Project SEARCH Celebrates New Graduates, Expanding Opportunity and Building Workforce Pathways
(Prince William Living – June 22, 2026)

With proud families, friends, mentors, former interns, community partners, and UVA Health leaders filling the room, the 2026 Project SEARCH graduation ceremony celebrated far more than the completion of an internship program. It celebrated growth, confidence, achievement, and the limitless potential of young adults entering the workforce. With proud families, friends, mentors, former interns, community partners, and UVA Health leaders filling the room, the 2026 Project SEARCH graduation ceremony celebrated far more than the completion of an internship program. It celebrated growth, confidence, achievement, and the limitless potential of young adults entering the workforce. The success of Project SEARCH is made possible through a strong partnership among UVA Health Prince William Medical Center, Special Education for Prince William County Public Schools, the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), and Didlake Inc., all working together to provide meaningful workplace experiences and career pathways for young adults with disabilities.

Sentara 1st in nation to earn AWHONN Respectful Maternity Care designation
(Sentara Health – June 22, 2026)

Sentara Health has become the first health system in the nation to have all ten of its family maternity centers earn the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) bronze designation, a national honor recognizing our commitment to equitable, evidence-based, and person-centered maternity care. “This recognition reflects the work our teams have already been doing and strengthens our focus on making sure every patient, every interaction, and every moment of care reflects that same level of respect and communication,” said Amber Price, Sentara’s system chief nursing officer. “As we move forward, it’s about building consistency, so every family feels the difference.”

She shines the light – and leads the way – on the national challenge of gambling addiction
(VCU Health – June 23, 2026)

For years, Carolyn Hawley has dedicated herself to addressing a crisis hidden in plain sight: gambling addiction. One of the nation’s leading researchers on the issue, Hawley, Ph.D., is a professor in Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions and director of the Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health. Her specialty is what experts often call a “hidden addiction”: Unlike substance abuse, the warning signs of gambling addiction can remain invisible until someone reaches financial, emotional or legal collapse. For millions of Americans, gambling no longer requires a trip to Las Vegas or a casino floor. It lives in their pockets — on smartphones, via sports betting apps, video games and social feeds. And according to Hawley, the country legalized this new era far faster than it built protections around it.

Alaska: State advances over four hundred projects in bid for Rural Health Transformation Program funding
(Alaska Public Radio – June 22, 2026)

The state of Alaska has advanced more than 400 projects to the next step in its grant application process for the Rural Health Transformation Program. That’s a federal program to strengthen the state’s rural health infrastructure, as the country faces huge cuts and eligibility changes to federal healthcare programs. Alaska is expecting to get and distribute more than a billion dollars over the next five years. The state requested that organizations, hospitals and clinics send letters of interest outlining potential projects, as they compete for funding. State Health Commissioner Heidi Hedberg said the project has three primary goals, first and foremost being improving Alaskans’ health.

HRSA Program Seeks to Bolster Health Networks in Mississippi Delta
(Healthcare Innovation Group – June 22, 2026)

As part of the effort to strengthen rural health systems, the federal Health Resources & Services Administration is making a total of $2.8 million in grant funding available in the Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program. The goal is to develop and strengthen integrated healthcare networks in the eight rural Mississippi Delta region states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

Michigan hospital closes despite federal lifeline
(Healthcare Finance News – June 22, 2026)

Sturgis Hospital in Michigan stopped seeing patients Friday at noon, closing all hospital departments and services after years of financial strain. The hospital announced June 16 that it would cease operations pending closure, citing “declining reimbursement rates, rising operational costs, and a sustained decrease in patient utilization.” Hospital leaders said they had pursued acquisition opportunities and partnerships but could not find a sustainable path forward. The closure affects the emergency department, endoscopy, surgery, laboratory, medical imaging, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, outpatient clinics and ancillary departments, according to the hospital. Sturgis said active patients with upcoming appointments will be notified so those visits can be canceled and care can be arranged elsewhere.

States are embracing AI to help manage safety-net programs
(Axios – June 21, 2026)

States are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence to help manage their social safety net programs and reduce worker caseloads, but advocates warn there’s little evidence of safeguards around the technology. Why it matters: AI systems can hallucinate and make errors, and without proper oversight, a machine’s mistake regarding program eligibility could strip Americans of essential benefits.

The feds promised Minnesota’s rural hospitals grant money to ease massive Medicaid cuts. Hospitals are still waiting.
(MPR News – June 22, 2026)

Rural health care providers in Minnesota and across the country are bracing for heavy Medicaid funding cuts next year. They’re part of President Donald Trump’s tax breaks and spending cuts package known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act he signed into law last year, and includes nearly $1 trillion in Medicaid spending cuts over 10 years. As it made its way through Congress, lawmakers worked to appease some congressional Republicans concerned about how cuts could disproportionately impact rural hospitals and health providers, which see a larger portion of Medicaid patients.

West Virginia Plans ‘Data Spine’ and Statewide Scheduling Platform
(Healthcare Innovation Group – June 22, 2026)

As part of West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), the state is envisioning  a “Data Spine” initiative to serve as a digital network that integrates data from a wide range of sources, including EHRs, claims, emergency medical services, public health systems, and community-based organizations. The state also wants to build a new statewide patient scheduling platform to give patients the option of a single place to see real-time provider availability — whether for in-person, telehealth, or in-home services — and book appointments through a smooth, simple process.

Wisconsin’s Medicaid work requirements: Here’s what to know
(The Cap Times – June 22, 2026)

Tens of thousands of low-income Wisconsin residents could lose health insurance under new federal Medicaid work requirements that state officials say will reshape eligibility for BadgerCare Plus. Wisconsin health officials estimate roughly 63,000 beneficiaries are at risk of losing coverage as the state prepares to implement a federal mandate, which will take effect on Jan. 1, requiring certain adults to prove they are working, attending school, participating in job training or volunteering in order to remain enrolled in the public health insurance program.

Medicare’s residency push isn’t growing primary care: Study
(Becker’s Hospital Review – June 22, 2026)

A federal effort to expand the physician workforce through new Medicare-funded residency positions may not be increasing primary care training or rural physician development as policymakers intended, according to a study published June 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, both in Boston, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, also in Boston, conducted a national analysis of 1,000 Medicare-funded residency positions created under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and 200 additional positions created under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023. The cross-sectional study examined residency slots allocated between 2023 and 2025.

What to know about the temporary Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program
(The Hill – June 21, 2026)

Starting in July, some Medicare beneficiaries will be able to access GLP-1 medications by paying one flat fee per month. The temporary program is set to run for a year-and-a-half through the end of 2027. But with less than two weeks before its launch, questions remain over how it will operate. The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge, described by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a “time-limited demonstration,” will officially run from July 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2027.

A new medical school is opening nearby. What do health systems do first?
(Becker’s Hospital Review – June 18, 2026)

A wave of new medical schools has opened across the country in recent years, and more are in the planning stages. For health system leaders, each represents a rare opportunity to address one of the industry’s most pressing long-term threats. The U.S. is projected to face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. New medical schools will not solve that problem on their own. But how quickly and strategically health systems move to build relationships with them could determine whether those schools become a meaningful part of their physician pipeline — or someone else’s.

Confirmed Ebola cases in outbreak zone top 1,000
(The Hill – June 22, 2026)

Congo’s Ministry of Health on Sunday confirmed that there are more than 1,000 cases of Ebola in the country. The ministry reported that there have been 1,003 cumulative confirmed cases and 254 cumulative deaths. Most cases are in the Ituri, North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Health workers fear that a displacement camp in Ituri filled with 20,000 people will soon become a breeding ground for the virus. On Friday, camp officials said 10 people died from unusual circumstances, increasing concerns for a potential outbreak, although there are no confirmed Ebola cases on-site, according to The Associated Press.

Conjoined twins surgically separated using cutting-edge VR tech, medical charity says
(13 News Now – June 22, 2026)

Conjoined twins from Nigeria will now be able to see each other face to face after surgeons were able to separate their skulls in a groundbreaking surgery using VR tools and surgical techniques that had never been used before.  U.K. charity Gemini Untwined focuses its efforts on helping children with severe or complex head and face issues throughout the world. The 3-year-old girls, Mercy and Goodness, were first referred to Gemini Untwined when they were 6 months old. They were born with a condition known as craniopagus. In the case of the twins, they were born conjoined, meaning parts of their bodies fused together in the womb. In the girls’ case, their skulls became fused together, their brain tissue intertwined, and their blood vessels connected.

Enterprise debt plagues healthcare’s AI future, says report
(Healthcare IT News – June 19, 2026)

Four enterprise debts trap the value of artificial intelligence investments, according to a new report from Genpact and HFS Research. Researchers identified nearly $18 trillion in recoverable enterprise value across these known debts within Global 2000 companies and examined how some organizations are charting a path through them. For payers and providers, the biggest challenge is not whether AI can work, but whether existing operating models and workflows can enable scaling.

Health services M&A is active in 2026, but uncertainty slows volume: PwC
(Healthcare Dive – June 22, 2026)

Policy and reimbursement uncertainty slowed the number of health services mergers and acquisitions early this year, but overall deal value has remained strong, according to a new report from consultancy PwC. The sector recorded $18 billion worth of M&A in the first quarter, and another $11 billion in the second quarter through the end of May. In comparison, health services M&A was worth a respective $9 billion and $8 billion in the first and second quarters of 2025. Still, deal value was down from a recent peak of $29 billion in the fourth quarter. Buyers are looking for assets with proven reimbursement stability, PwC said. For example, though artificial intelligence capabilities are attractive, firms will need to prove financial returns from the technology — not always an easy task for AI tools.

Healthcare organizations still struggle to operationalize AI at scale: Arcadia survey
(Fierce Healthcare – June 18, 2026)

Despite its increasing use, artificial intelligence integration is lagging at healthcare systems and organizations across the U.S., according to a new survey from Arcadia. Fifty-two percent of respondents report that AI can fundamentally transform healthcare in correct applications, though about half (53%) of AI insights are “only partially embedded” into decision-making processes and only 14% report full integration at “key decision points.”

Hospital margins inched higher in April, but still remain below 2025
(Fierce Healthcare – June 22, 2026)

Hospitals’ operating margins improved from March to April but generally remain under siege as expenses rise and shifts in coverage, per Kaufman Hall’s latest monthly benchmark data. The firm outlined an increase in its sector-wide single-month operating margin index from 3% to 3.4% (both inclusive of health system allocations for the cost of shared services). On a calendar year-to-date basis, the index rose to 2.5% through April—an improvement considering the sector’s weak opening in January amid storms and low respiratory activity, but still well below the 3.6% operating margins logged across 2025.

The Exec: Keys to success in actually reducing hospital readmissions
(HealthLeaders Media – June 22, 2026)

To reduce readmissions, hospital CMOs and other senior leaders need to focus on discharge planning, complex care coordination, and the social needs of patients, this new CMO says. Several factors are involved in reducing hospital readmissions, according to the new CMO of Northwell Greenwich Village Hospital. Erin Muckey, MD, MBA, became vice president and CMO of the Northwell Health hospital in April. A board-certified emergency medicine physician, Muckey’s prior leadership experience includes serving as associate CMO and emergency department medical director at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey.

The hantavirus quarantine is over. Here’s what cruise passengers and scientists learned.
(NBC News – June 22, 2026)

After six weeks in quarantine, the Americans evacuated from a cruise ship struck by a deadly hantavirus outbreak are set to return to their regular lives starting Sunday afternoon. The moment ends a painful chapter of isolation and uncertainty for those exposed, who say they are looking forward to hugging parents, getting haircuts and touching grass.

Updated COVID vaccines cut risk of hospital care, heart complications, new data reveal
(CIDRAP – June 22, 2026)

Two studies published this week suggest that updated COVID-19 booster vaccines continue to provide meaningful protection against major adverse outcomes, cardiovascular complications, hospitalization, and all-cause death, even as both the virus and the population’s immune status have evolved and the protections conferred by the booster have become more modest. The studies offer a broad look at the impact of 2024-25 COVID vaccines six years after the initial phase of the pandemic and as politicization of the COVID booster, and mRNA vaccines in general, persist. election.

US healthcare affordability hits 5-year low: Gallup
(Becker’s Hospital Review – June 22, 2026)

Healthcare affordability among U.S. adults fell to its lowest level since 2021, according to a June 18 article from Gallup. The findings are based on surveys of 5,660 U.S. adults conducted by the West Health-Gallup Center on Healthcare between Oct. 27 and Dec. 22. Six things to know: 1. About half of U.S. adults (49%) were classified as “cost secure,” a designation for people who reported being able to afford needed care, prescription medications and access to quality healthcare.

Axios-Ipsos poll: Health affordability is shaping the midterms
(Axios – June 22, 2026)

Majorities of Americans say they’re more likely to vote for candidates in November who support ideas to lower their health costs, according to the latest Axios-Ipsos American Health Index. Why it matters: Their support for ideas across the political spectrum — from renewing Affordable Care Act subsidies to expanding direct sales of prescription drugs — shows the power of voters’ demands for relief. The big picture: Health care policy was pivotal in the 2018 and 2022 midterms. The economy impacts every election.

CMS tightens grip on $50B rural health fund with clawback threat
(Modern Healthcare – June 22, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

In Maine, state health officials hoped to steer a slice of $190 million in new federal rural health funding to shield hospitals and clinics from the fallout caused by cuts to federal health programs.

FDA to launch pilot program to speed up early-stage clinical trials
(STAT News – June 22, 2026)

Federal health officials announced a pilot program Monday to speed up early-stage clinical trials, which they say will reduce development timelines by six to 12 months, in hopes of encouraging U.S.-based trials and combating Chinese dominance in the field. The pilot comes as the Food and Drug Administration, through the president’s 2027 fiscal budget, asks Congress to establish a permanent, faster process for the existing Investigational New Drug pathway. That proposal was championed by former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary before he resigned last month, though officials said on a Monday morning call that this program had been in the works since the start of the administration.