5 Sentara hospitals ranked best in Hampton Roads by U.S. News & World Report
(Sentara Health – August 6, 2026)

Eight Sentara hospitals have earned rankings in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Hospitals report, with Sentara Norfolk General Hospital leading the way as No. 1 in Hampton Roads and No. 3 in Virginia. Sentara Norfolk General Hospital is a regional Level I trauma and burn center, and a tertiary referral center for complex patients transferred from community hospitals for higher levels of care. It is the primary teaching hospital for Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University, and home base for the Sentara Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance.

Carilion Clinic taps Jefferson Health executive as COO
(Becker’s Hospital Review – August 5, 2026)

Christopher Cullom has been appointed COO of Roanoke, Va.-based Carilion Clinic. Mr. Cullom brings experience leading complex healthcare organizations and improving operations while prioritizing quality, safety, patient experience and employee engagement, President and CEO Steve Arner wrote in an Aug. 5 LinkedIn post. He joins the system from Philadelphia-based Jefferson Health, where he served as COO of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals since September 2023, according to his LinkedIn profile. He oversaw Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Jefferson Methodist Hospital and Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience.

Centra Lynchburg General Hospital Earns 2026 Chest Pain – MI Registry™ Top Performance Achievement Award
(Centra Health – August 6, 2026)

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized Centra Lynchburg General Hospital (LGH) with the 2026 Chest Pain – MI Registry™ Platinum Performance Achievement Award. program recognizes hospitals participating in the registry who have demonstrated sustained, top-level performance in quality of care and adherence to guideline recommendations. Through full participation in the registry, hospitals engage in a robust quality improvement process, using data to drive improvements and positively impact patient outcomes for heart attack patients. Since 2012, LGH has earned platinum status, the highest level of recognition, 11 times.

Doctors refocus alpha-gal research to determine who gets red meat allergy and why
(WDBJ7 – August 5, 2026)

Tick populations in Virginia have grown significantly in recent years, and researchers say a warmer climate and a greater number of deer are contributing factors. Alpha-gal, a red meat allergy caused by tick bites, is one of the most common tick-related illnesses in Southwest Virginia. Now, doctors are shifting the focus of their research to determine who actually develops the allergy — and why.

From warehouse worker to registered nurse: One patient’s words reveal the impact of compassionate care
(13 News Now – August 6, 2026)

Willie Scott spent years walking the halls of Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, but he wasn’t wearing scrubs. Instead, he was delivering supplies from room to room, stocking units and watching nurses care for patients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. “I always knew I wanted to help people,” Scott said. “I just wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do.” He explored careers in law enforcement, the fire department and even considered the military before taking a job in Sentara’s supply chain and warehouse department.

Inova continues to set the national standard for excellence in health care
(Inova – August 6, 2026)

Inova continues to earn national recognition as one of the country’s leading health systems, reinforcing its commitment to clinical excellence, patient-centered care and innovation. U.S. News & World Report once again recognized Inova Fairfax as one of the top hospitals in Washington, DC and Virginia, reflecting outstanding performance across numerous specialties, procedures and conditions, including #41 in the nation for obstetrics and gynecology.

Lifepoint Division II Leadership Visits Clinch Valley Medical Center
(Clinch Valley Health – August 6, 2026)

Clinch Valley Medical Center recently welcomed members of Lifepoint Health’s new Division II leadership team for a visit focused on strengthening partnerships, engaging with caregivers, and learning more about the exceptional work taking place throughout the organization. On Tuesday, Bob Barrett, Bill Ziesmer, and Caryn Iverson visited the hospital for a comprehensive tour of the facility, meeting with several department leaders and staff members along the way. The visit provided an opportunity to highlight Clinch Valley Medical Center’s commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate healthcare while showcasing the dedicated teams who make that mission possible every day.

Medicaid covers doula care in Virginia, but access to a ‘birthing bestie’ is often out of reach
(WAMU – August 5, 2026)

Doula Taja Iglesias and her business partner have built a space in Alexandria, Virginia, that’s all things pregnancy, birth, and childcare. Comfortable couches in one area invite expectant parents to settle in for birth education classes. In another, a colorful pile of toys await the babies and toddlers. And there’s a free supply of diapers and food. Years ago, as Iglesias was giving birth and expressing her wish not to have an epidural for pain, she said she felt isolated and that her preferences were dismissed by the medical staff. Today, she works hard to make sure other parents can have the support of a doula.

Sentara leaders talk to Attorney General Jay Jones about health care challenges
(Daily News-Record – August 5, 2026)

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones made two stops in the region Wednesday, one in Charlottesville to talk about consumer protection and another in Harrisonburg to meet with leaders at Sentara RMH Medical Center to discuss challenges and barriers to administering health care in the region. During the Sentara stop Tuesday afternoon, Sentara RMH Interim President Jeff Joyner talked about some of the challenges that hospitals face in trying to meet the health care needs of multiple generations.

Sovah Health Welcomes New Orthopedic Surgeon
(Sovah Health – August 6, 2026)

Sovah Health announced that Todd Pierce, MD has joined its medical staff and is providing orthopedic care for patients at Sovah Orthopedics & Sports Medicine – Danville. “We’re pleased to welcome Dr. Pierce to the Sovah Health team,” said Steve Heatherly, Market President, Sovah Health. “His experience in orthopedic surgery and commitment to delivering high-quality patient care makes him a valuable addition to our orthopedic team.” Dr. Pierce received his Doctor of Medicine from the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences (Washington, DC). He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Saint Joseph’s University Medical Center (Paterson, NJ) and his fellowship training in adult reconstruction at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX).

Twin County Regional Healthcare Participates in National Night Out
(Twin County Regional Healthcare – August 6, 2026)

Twin County Regional Healthcare was proud to participate in National Night Out on Tuesday evening alongside the City of Galax and Carroll County. The event brought community members together for an evening focused on building relationships, promoting safety, and connecting residents with local resources. Representatives from Twin County Regional Healthcare enjoyed the opportunity to meet families, engage with community members, and share information about the healthcare services and resources available throughout the region. National Night Out serves as an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships between local organizations, public safety agencies, and the communities they serve. Twin County Regional Healthcare is honored to be part of events that support healthier, safer, and stronger communities.

Virginia AG visits Sentara RMH to discuss rural healthcare challenges
(WHSV – August 6, 2026)

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones visited Rockingham County on Wednesday, meeting with leaders at Sentara RMH Medical Center to discuss challenges facing rural healthcare. Jones said the visit allowed him to hear directly from those providing care daily, and that those conversations would help guide how his office advocates for rural communities across the commonwealth. “Having these conversations today will better inform me to go have some conversations with not just the governor, but the General Assembly and how we in Virginia can be dynamic about changing our policies to make sure that we’re reflecting the realities of right now because of the chaos in Washington,” Jones said.

Virginia leaders launch effort to help residents keep SNAP and Medicaid benefits ahead of federal changes
(13 News Now – August 6, 2026)

As changes tied to the federal spending bill H.R. 1 are set to take effect in January 2027, state officials, community advocates and nonprofit leaders say they’re already working to ensure eligible Virginians do not lose access to SNAP and Medicaid benefits because of paperwork or administrative hurdles.

Can social determinants deliver ROI? North Carolina’s Medicaid pilot says yes
(HealthLeaders Media – August 6, 2026)

As hospitals prepare for Medicaid funding pressure, North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots suggest targeted investments in housing, nutrition and transportation can reduce utilization while generating measurable financial returns. Healthcare can’t seem to decide whether Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) deserve a permanent place in the spotlight. North Carolina, however, has recently signaled that—for now, at least—the answer is yes. An evaluation of the state’s Healthy Opportunities Pilots found that Medicaid beneficiaries who received non-medical services addressing food insecurity, housing instability, transportation barriers and interpersonal safety needs generated average savings of $164 per member per month while experiencing fewer emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

For more than 100K Ohio Medicaid recipients, worries build about the future of home care
(News from the States – August 6, 2026)

Few nonresidents of nursing homes know more about what they’re like than Dorothy Valentine. For decades, she worked in them, caring for “her” residents. Despite the hard work, weird hours, and low pay, it was her favorite job, she said. “I loved my residents,” Valentine said. “I always spoiled them. I almost got fired for spoiling my residents. I love people.” Valentine, 80, spoke last week surrounded by medicines and medical devices in the living room of her modest duplex just west of downtown Dayton. She said that as much as she loved caring for people in nursing homes in Ohio and Texas, she dreads being in one herself because she knows how the quality of care can slip.

Indiana Medicaid ‘back in black’
(News from the States – August 5, 2026)

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration returned $310 million to the state’s general fund this year, a dramatic turnaround for an agency once staring down a $1 billion deficit for Medicaid. FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob credited the reversal to a series of reforms the agency enacted during his tenure: regular financial reviews, must-return mailers, stricter oversight of Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy and urging senior Medicaid members to enter into dual enrollment with Medicare — without any changes to eligibility. Roob offered his outlook on Medicaid Wednesday during FSSA’s quarterly financial review to close out fiscal year 2026.

Massachusetts health systems test new hospital-to-home initiative
(Modern Healthcare – August 5, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Massachusetts is investing nearly $1.4 million into a new initiative aimed at getting older patients out of the hospital faster. Seven hospitals will partner with aging services organizations and use the money to help patients line up nonmedical services such as meals, medication management and transportation after an inpatient stay. The program, if it is successful and overcomes long-term funding challenges, could serve as a model for other states and health systems grappling with delayed discharges.

Missouri and Kansas can expect double-digit Obamacare premium hikes again
(News from the States – August 6, 2026)

Kansas Citians who buy health insurance through hearthcare.gov can expect to pay much more for monthly premiums next year. According to preliminary rate filings submitted to state insurance regulators in Missouri and Kansas, every insurance company selling individual plans in the region through the Affordable Care Act marketplace wants to raise prices in 2027. Across both states, average premium increase requests range from 10% to 35% more than 2026 rates. And that follows a similar trend last year, when almost every carrier offering plans in the Kansas City area requested an increase.

An early look at the rollout of Medicare’s pilot program for GLP-1s
(Healthcare Brew – August 6, 2026)

On July 1, Medicare patients gained access to GLP-1s for just $50 a month. The 18-month program’s success, so far, depends on who you ask. The pilot, known as GLP-1 Bridge, covers drugs like Eli Lilly’s Foundayo and Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy for weight loss. Previously, Medicare patients could only get coverage for GLP-1s for other indications, like diabetes or sleep apnea, through their Part D plans. This program may potentially expand GLP-1 access to millions of patients. This could add to growing evidence about the broader health impacts of these drugs, and even provide data to help employers decide whether to start covering GLP-1s for obesity treatment. KFF’s 2025 employer health benefits survey found just 1 in 5 employers with 200+ workers cover GLP-1s for weight loss.

Cigna, UnitedHealthcare pitch ‘level-funded’ plans to employers
(Modern Healthcare – August 5, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

A decades-old spin on traditional employee health benefits is making a comeback. Cigna Group subsidiary Cigna Healthcare, UnitedHealth Group subsidiary UnitedHealthcare division and a bevy of insurers and emerging companies are offering “level-funded” products to employers desperate to reduce rising healthcare costs.

How Much and Why Premiums Are Going Up for Small Businesses in 2027
(KFF – August 6, 2026)

Small businesses that offer health insurance to their employees could see health costs rise in 2027, according to an analysis of preliminary rate filings from all 50 states and DC. Nearly 300 insurers offering small group coverage reported a median proposed premium increase of 14% for next year. Small group insurers say rising medical prices, including for hospitalizations, physician care, and prescription drugs, and increased utilization are major drivers of the premium increases. Among the other drivers, insurers point to the continued decline in small group plan enrollment, as more small businesses shift to alternative coverage options like self-insurance or stop offering health coverage altogether to lower costs.

UnitedHealthcare eyes more Medicare Advantage exits
(Modern Healthcare – August 5, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

UnitedHealthcare is making moves in Medicare Advantage for 2027. The UnitedHealth Group subsidiary is considering departures from 34 counties in 12 states, according to a preliminary list the company distributed to third-party marketing organizations last week. That represents 1.2% of the counties where it sells Medicare Advantage policies this year. UnitedHealthcare is the only Medicare Advantage insurer in three of the counties it may exit.

10 AnMed facilities remain closed a week after cyberattack
(Healthcare Dive – August 5, 2026)

Ten days after a cyberattack disrupted its network, 10 locations at South Carolina health system AnMed remain closed, including several outpatient imaging facilities. The nonprofit health system initially closed 83 of its facilities in response to a cyberattack on Jul. 26, which involved malware and forced it to temporarily take down its MyChart patient portal and other computer systems. AnMed did not respond to a request for comment and hasn’t said when it expects the health system to fully reopen.

2026 hospital layoffs less frequent, not as deep: 6 notes
(Becker’s Hospital Review – August 5, 2026)

Hospital and health system layoff activity is down modestly in 2026 compared to 2025, and the number of jobs lost per reduction has nearly been cut in half, according to Becker’s reporting. Here are six trends to know about health system layoffs in 2026 and 2025: 1. So far in 2026, 45 hospitals and health systems have announced workforce reductions between January and July, the most recent on July 28, compared to 59 between January and July 2025. In total, 93 hospitals reduced their headcounts in 2025, accounting for roughly 18,000 lost jobs. 2. The 2026 layoffs have included about 5,800 disclosed jobs total, compared to roughly 13,850 year over year. Average positions per reduction fell from about 235 in 2025 to about 140 in 2026 among employers that disclosed a figure. Several employers did not disclose a headcount, so the true totals are likely higher.

Cases of potentially deadly fungus detected in 27 states, CDC data shows. What to know
(ABC News – August 5, 2026)

Cases of a potentially deadly fungus have been detected in 27 states so far this year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As of the week ending July 25, there have been 3,437 cases of Candida auris (C. auris) identified. This is about 1,000 fewer cases than the 4,290 figure detected at the same time last year. California has recorded the most cases with 873, followed by Texas with 433 and Tennessee with 283.

Healthcare job openings drop sharply as organizations turn to internal talent
(HealthLeaders Media – August 6, 2026)

Demand for healthcare workers is easing, potentially indicating a change in how organizations are approaching their workforce strategy. Healthcare and social assistance job openings fell by 147,000 month-over-month, declining from 1.494 million in May to 1.347 million in June, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The decrease was the largest among all major industries and marked the sector’s biggest monthly drop since July 2025, Reuters noted. The decline suggests healthcare employers may be becoming more measured in their hiring after several years of aggressively recruiting workers to address staffing shortages that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic.

How proactive tele-ICU models are reshaping critical care
(Healthcare IT News – August 6, 2026)

Critically ill patients often need immediate access to specialized expertise, yet many hospitals – especially rural and community facilities – struggle to staff intensive care units with board-certified intensivists around the clock. As workforce shortages deepen and patient acuity rises, tele-critical care is evolving from a technology centered on remote monitoring into a collaborative clinical model designed to extend expert critical care wherever it is needed.

Most health systems lack dedicated AI testing platforms: Report
(Becker’s Hospital Review – August 6, 2026)

More than 90% of health systems have deployed third-party AI solutions, but only 44% have a dedicated platform for testing those tools before rollout, according to a new report from the Center for Connected Medicine at UPMC and KLAS Research. The report, “Validation and Trust: How Health Systems Are Testing and Governing AI Solutions,” draws on responses from more than two dozen health system leaders. It examines how organizations are adopting and governing AI amid rapid deployment across administrative and clinical workflows.

Salmonella vs. cyclosporiasis: How to tell what you have
(The Hill – August 6, 2026)

t’s been a tough summer for the nation’s food supply, with multiple outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including what appears to be the largest outbreak of the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasite cyclospora. As of Wednesday, there have been more than 20,000 suspected cases of cyclosporiasis in the U.S. Two residents of Michigan, the hardest-hit state in the outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, died after becoming ill. Health officials noted, though, that “both individuals had significant underlying health conditions.”

When does it make sense to build software instead of buy? One health system’s answer
(Healthcare Dive – August 6, 2026)

NYU Langone Health and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have teamed up to develop a homegrown digital oncology tool, designed to help clinicians access and evaluate the latest research, guidelines and therapies for cancer patients. The organizations piloted the tool, called Solavia Decision Suite, at NYU Langone in June. With it, oncologists are able to align patient data with a body of relevant clinical research inside the health system’s electronic health record and make treatment decisions accordingly.

Yet another cyclosporiasis outbreak appears as cases linked to recalled lettuce grow
(The Hill – August 6, 2026)

Yet another outbreak of cyclosporiasis not linked to lettuce is now under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, the outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has expanded to more than a dozen states. The FDA reported the new outbreak of the “explosive” diarrhea-causing parasite on Wednesday. Ten cases have been reported in the outbreak, and investigators are conducting traceback efforts to identify a common cause. We may never know the cause of the outbreak. Because of how long it can take for people to experience symptoms, and the difficulties of sequencing cyclospora, investigations can “take a significant amount of time,” Gwen Biggerstaff, the deputy director of the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, said last month.

First mRNA flu shot gets FDA approval, raising hopes for a more effective vaccine
(CIDRAP – August 6, 2026)

A first-of-its-kind flu shot using mRNA technology has been approved for adults 50 years of age and older by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Moderna’s mFlusiva is the company’s fourth mRNA-based product approved in the United States, according to a Moderna press release. The vaccine has full approval for people 50 to 64 years of age. For those over 65, the FDA granted “accelerated approval,” which is temporary: Full approval depends on the long-term safety and real-world effectiveness of the vaccine in this age group.

How the Trump administration has quietly gutted the AHRQ
(Modern Healthcare – August 6, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

The Trump administration has effectively shut down most of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s activities, closing the spigot on federal funding estimated to have saved thousands of lives and billions of dollars over the past 27 years by improving medical practice.

Rural hospitals fear CMS red tape will limit impact of $50B fund
(Modern Healthcare – August 7, 2026) SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

A group of Washington hospitals received more than $5.4 million as part of a federal grant program that aims to increase access to care in rural communities. Red tape may limit its impact.

Senate committee advances Fauci contempt referral; Schwartz confirmed as new CDC director
(Fierce Healthcare – August 6, 2026)

Senators green-lighted two votes in the past 24 hours centered on the country’s past and future public health leadership. This morning, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 on party lines to advance a contempt vote for Anthony Fauci, M.D., the longtime former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the face of the federal government’s COVID-19 pandemic response. The 85-year-old had been summoned by the committee last week but without exception invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when questioned, describing the scrutiny as an “unhinged obsession” on the part of Chairman Rand Paul, M.D., R-Kentucky.

The Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Review: Reorganization of U.S. Global Health Programs
(KFF – August 6, 2026)

Historically, U.S. global health programs have been overseen and managed by three main federal departments and agencies: the State Department, USAID (now dissolved), and CDC. The State Department is home to the Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), which leads and oversees PEPFAR (which receives direct appropriations from Congress) as well as global health security and, more recently, other global health programs. USAID, an independent agency established by Congress, had housed and managed most other U.S. bilateral global health programs (before its dissolution in 2025), including TB, malaria, maternal and child health, and nutrition, receiving direct appropriations from Congress for these efforts. Because the State Department had not historically served as an implementing agency, USAID also managed more than half of PEPFAR’s funding, through State Department transfers and direct appropriations from Congress.

The Trump Administration’s Foreign Aid Review: Status of U.S. Global Maternal and Child Health Efforts
(KFF – August 6, 2026)

The U.S. government has been involved in supporting global maternal and child health (MCH) efforts for more than 50 years, as a top donor and provider of technical assistance and other support, helping to contribute to worldwide success in reducing maternal and child mortality. Still, in 2024, 4.9 million children under the age of 5 (more than 13,000 every day) died, with the highest rates of under-5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. About 260,000 women (or nearly one every two minutes) died during and following pregnancy and childbirth in 2023 – 92% of them in low- and middle-income countries. The majority of these deaths are preventable with proper interventions and access to care.