I've had the honor of serving as the Corporate Director of Food and Nutrition for the past year. Prior to joining Centra, I spent 15 years as a senior leader in the Nutrition and Food Service Department at UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where we provided meals for over 900 patients daily. It's been an incredible journey in the healthcare field.
Before delving into my true “Mission Moment,” I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all the remarkable Caregivers who have made me feel like a part of the Centra family over the past year. Thank you for your support and guidance in 2023. I'm eagerly anticipating the exciting new adventures that 2024 will continue to bring!
In my role as Corporate Director, I've had the privilege of meeting dedicated Caregivers who contribute significantly to Centra’s true mission in various ways. Working alongside these remarkable individuals who strive daily to assist others and support our community has been a humbling experience. One outstanding example of our department's collaboration in advancing Centra’s mission of, “improving the health and quality of life for the communities we serve,” is the Meals on Wheels program supported by Virginia Baptist Hospital.
Every day, our Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) team provides approximately 600 hot meals to Meals on Wheels team members who then deliver them to community members in Campbell County, Lynchburg, Madison Heights and Amherst. These meals are essential for community members in need, serving as a vital part of their everyday lives. The Meals on Wheels program goes beyond simply delivering food; it involves providing care and concern for community members in need.
The enduring partnership between Centra FNS and Meals on Wheels, spanning over four years, is something we hope to maintain for many more years to come. Currently, we're collaborating with the Meals on Wheels team to implement a discharge program that identifies patients in the hospital who could benefit from the program. We believe this initiative will not only aid in the healing process for patients returning home but also reduce the likelihood of readmission for care.
The FNS team, responsible for preparing, cooking and packaging these meals, finds great satisfaction in knowing that their daily efforts make a significant difference in our community. Thank you for allowing me to share my Mission Moment and how our FNS team remains committed to helping and supporting Centra's mission to ultimately give back to and support our community members.