Resource Center Locations

The Health Resource Centers were primarily established to provide education and resources on all diseases and health related issues to:

• Physicians & health care personnel

• Individuals with chronic disease (cancer, heart, lung, diabetes, etc.)

• Community groups

• Students and individuals doing health research

Physicians are finding our centers a place that they can send patients for additional education, support and advocacy. Often, nurses and other health workers will refer patients to us when they lack information or family support. Our advocates are often able to provide--or find other resources in the community--for physical, mental and spiritual support, as well as disease-specific education.

One of our goals is to provide physicians, and other health care providers, with a research resource on various illness, disease and health issues. Through our Resource Centers, we can help physicians find vital statistics and the latest information in updated medical journals on diagnosis and treatment of disease. Physicians may also choose to refer patients to us to obtain additional information about their condition.

Patient education and advocacy is a primary function of our Resource Centers. Anyone wishing to seek information on a particular health condition may come to our centers and obtain a variety of pamphlets, video tapes, audio tapes, and/or books about their diseases With the help of our Resource Center consultants, they may also search the Internet for the most updated information. 

Resource Center consultants may also act as advocates for patients, helping them understand information that their physicians give them and guiding them through the knowledge process. Often, a chronic disease diagnosis leaves patients overwhelmed and unable to comprehend all that is presented to them in initial visits with their physician.  We can help them sift through this information, find more information and help them develop a list of questions to ask their physician if they are confused or feel they are lacking information specific to them.

Community education is a key focus of our centers. Hospice is a relatively new concept (Britain 1967, US 1974) to the world and especially to Southwest Virginia.  Through our Resource Centers, our goal is to educate all residents of our service area as to the meaning and services of Hospice and Palliative Care, and to let them know they have a place to come should the need arise for them or for a loved one. We will do this by:

·         Providing speakers, seminars and materials to community groups and organizations

·         Placing information in hospitals and physician offices

·        Networking with health professionals, discharge planners and social workers

·        Participating in health fairs and community events

·        Establishing affiliations with care facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, assisted care facilities, rest homes)

·         Forming   partnerships with physician, nursing and allied health professional educational programs to provide Hospice education for health students and medical residents

·        Opening the resource center to the community for health-related programs and meetings

·        Holding “lunch-n-learn” sessions for doctors, individuals, support groups & community organizations.