Salem VA Medical Center and local media outlet partner to discuss health care for Veterans

Since August, experts from the Salem VA Medical Center have appeared each Wednesday on WFXR’s morning show to discuss the exceptional health care services and resources available to Veterans.

This exciting partnership began when the award winning WFXR News, a local Fox affiliate located in Roanoke, VA. expanded its programming with the launch of Living Local in Virginia, which airs weekdays from 8-9 a.m. The live broadcast lifestyle show features a variety of local community organizations, local businesses, and local events happening across Southwest and Central Virginia.

“Appearing weekly on Living Local in Virginia morning show is a great opportunity for us to be able to discuss many of the exceptional health care services and resources available to the ones that have served our great nation,” said Rebecca Stackhouse, director of the medical center. “Working with WFXR has been a positive experience that we look forward to every day.”

Left to Right – Brett Robbins, Public Affairs Officer for Salem VA Medical Center; Kianna Price, Host for WFXR’s Living Local in Virginia; Jason Caterina. Meteorologist for WFXR; and Lauren Wood, Producer for WFXR’s Living Local in Virginia.

The Salem VA Medical Center has provided Living Local in Virginia subject matter experts on important topics such as mental health treatment available for Veterans, telehealth services, women’s health, suicide prevention, health aging for Veterans, career opportunities and the Choose VA and Whole Health initiatives.

To see last week’s segment, go to Salem VA Healthy Aging Services for Veterans.

“This is an exciting partnership that helps to provide resources for Veterans in our community and a perfect way to help the community learn more about some of the health care services and resources available to Veterans in our area,” said Lauren Wood, Producer for Living Local in Virginia.

The Living Local team is led by two Roanoke Valley natives. Host Kianna Price has been involved in the community her entire life. She currently serves on the board of The Jefferson Center, is Chairperson of Apple Ridge Farm, and is a founding member and the current President of the Urban Professional League (UPL). Ms. Wood, the show’s producer, grew up in Southwest Virginia and has been working with the local media for nearly twelve years.

“After working with Brett Robbins, Public Affairs Officer at Salem VA Medical Center for many years, I knew he would be a valuable resource for interviews that included information about the services available at the Salem VA Medical Center,” Wood said. “I think I can speak for us both when I say that we are very excited to be working together on this project.”

WFXR and Salem VA Medical Center plans to continue their successful partnership by looking ahead to explore more opportunities to promote a greater understanding of the resources and health care available to Veterans.

Written by: Brett Robbins, Public Affairs Officer for Salem VA Medical Center and Lauren Wood, Producer for Living Local in Virginia, WFXR