Warm Springs, VA – On October 3, 2024, Bath Community Hospital (BCH) hosted a presentation led by CEO Jeff Lingerfelt, showcasing the hospital’s significant growth and unwavering commitment to providing top-notch healthcare to the residents of Bath, Alleghany, and Highland counties. The event brought together community leaders, members of the hospital board, media representatives, and local rescue squad members to celebrate BCH’s achievements and its enduring mission to adapt to the evolving healthcare needs of the region.
Lingerfelt emphasized the hospital’s rich history, which dates back to 1913 when Gladys Ingalls Robertson initiated a visiting nurse program. Since its establishment in 1916, BCH has grown into a vital healthcare provider with over 200 dedicated team members, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and support staff.
A highlight of the presentation was the successful “Bring It Home” campaign, which raised more than $4 million to build a state-of-the-art healthcare facility, significantly improving access for local residents. As a designated critical access hospital, BCH plays a crucial role in a rural area where healthcare access can often be limited.
The hospital’s recent accolades reflect its dedication to patient care and clinical excellence. Lingerfelt announced that BCH’s Emergency Department received the Guardian of Excellence Award, placing it in the top 5% of all 40,000 hospitals assessed by Press Ganey, a recognition shared with prestigious organizations like Bon Secours and Cleveland Clinic. The hospital boasts an impressive average patient satisfaction score of 4.8 out of 5.
In response to community needs, BCH has significantly expanded its services. Since the opening of clinics in Covington, Hot Springs, and Millboro, patient visits surged from 6,500 to over 16,000 in 2023—a remarkable 150% increase. Additionally, the hospital’s Behavioral Health Specialists have made strides, with over 50% of visits conducted via telehealth and a 75% increase in overall patient visits. Other substantial increases include a 41% rise in surgery cases and nearly 100% growth in the Medicare funded Swing Bed program. Lingerfelt shared stories of individuals who received exceptional care through the hospital’s award-winning Emergency Room and it’s Swing Bed Program stating the difference is recovering close to home with family there to support healing avoiding traveling a distance, elsewhere.
The hospital also offers a variety of services such as physical and occupational therapy, on site state-of-the art imaging and full service lab, sleep-study, a drive-thru pharmacy, 24/7 gym access, and wound care services. Lingerfelt highlighted the hospital’s Bistro, which serves local residents, and its involvement in community outreach, such as youth sports physicals conducted in schools and community education.
Despite the challenges faced by rural hospitals—192 of which have closed since 2005—BCH continues to thrive, drawing inspiration from community leaders like Lettie Pate Evans, who championed the health and well-being of local residents. Her legacy continues to support the hospital’s mission to this day since her passing in 1953. Thanks to the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation, the hospital is able to write off over $1 million in outstanding debt each year. The hospital is fortunate to be supported by this and other generous donors who believe in the critical need for healthcare services in the region.
As the presentation concluded, Lingerfelt recognized the board of directors who now represents a more diverse sample of the communities served, for their successful governance and thoughtful direction; and invited the community to join BCH in its ongoing commitment to health and wellness, ensuring that the hospital remains a vital resource for future generations.
Bath Community Hospital is one of only eight Critical Access Hospitals in the state of Virginia and remains independent and unaffiliated with any health system.
For more information about Bath Community Hospital’s services and upcoming community events, please visit the website at www.bathhospital.org.
