Hello SWVCNP and SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Members,
🗓Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 10 A.M., we will be having our October monthly meeting!
📍The Venue is Fiddlers: (off exit 73) 120 Malin Dr, Wytheville, VA 24382.
We look forward to discussing our upcoming events, education initiatives, financial updates, government relations, plans for Nurse Practitioner Week, awards, raffles, and group updates. 🤸♀️ We need some exciting ideas for all of our upcoming events! 🤩
We have four UVA Wise BSN Students who have signed up for our Honor Guard!!! I will be bringing raffle tickets for you to sell for the nurse honor guard. Dr. Patti Vanhook made us a quilt to raffle, and it is beautiful. 🎫 🙏
I can’t wait to see you all. See you soon!!👩⚕️👨⚕️
Chrissy Mullins, DNP, FNP-c, CNE, FAANP
SW-VCNP Public Relations Officer
All News
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October Meeting!
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Health Commissioner Update: Update on COVID-19 2025–2026 Vaccines
Virginia Department of Health distributed the letter below sharing an update on COVID-19 2026-2026 vaccines.
This information is also available on the VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals web page.
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Pharmaceutical Dinner: 9/11/2025
Title: Make a Change in cGVHD Treatment Strategy
and Provide Rapid, Durable ResponsesSpeaker: Karolina Faysman, NP
UCLA Medical Center I Los Angeles, CAPlease join us at Burton’s Grill on 9/11/2025 at 6:00 PM.
Register Here: Online https://sphase.info/inc12696
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Piedmont Region Social/networking event
Please join us for an end-of-summer social and networking event at Random Row Brewing Co. on August 14th from 6:00-8:00 PM on the patio. Two drink tickets and pizza will be provided.
Catch up with your Piedmont Region friends and bring a non-member NP colleague! I would love to meet them.
RSVP Here: https://evite.me/W7wCzJYx8u
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Richmond Region August Dinner Meeting
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 6:00-8:30 PM
Sedona Taphouse
Registration Required
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August Meeting
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Southwest Region-Summer Updates
Supporting Recovery & Community Wellness in Southwest Virginia The Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners – Southwest Region (SWVCNP) was proud to sponsor refreshments at the Choose Recovery Event held in Clintwood, VA, hosted by C. Jane Phillips and Dickenson County Behavioral Health Services. This inspiring event brought together professionals, advocates, and community members to support recovery, share resources, and uplift those on the journey to healing. Together, we stand for hope, healing, and community. #SWVCNP #ChooseRecovery #CommunityMatters #NursePractitionersLead #RecoveryIsPossible #DickensonCounty #SouthwestVirginia #PeerSupport
🕊️ Honoring Ms. Teresa Helton, LPN – Our Largest Nurse Honor Guard Service to Date 🕊️
The Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard had the solemn privilege of honoring the life and legacy of Ms. Teresa Helton, LPN, during her funeral service at Hurst Funeral Home in Cedar Bluff. This service, led by Spencer Swinney, was our largest to date—a testament to the deep impact Teresa had on her community, colleagues, and loved ones.
The SWVA Nurse Honor Guard said goodbye to a special nurse in Haysi, VA, Ms. Tracy Geiger. Thank you to Haysi Funeral Home and the family for allowing us to recognize Tracy’s dedication to nursing and service. Prayers for all family and friends and may God bless and comfort each one of you.
Thank you to all the members who came out for this special service. 
Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard Service We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved coworker, Colleen Lenz, who passed away at the age of 59. Leigh Ann Begley, member of the Southwest Virginia Nurse Honor Guard, led the service honoring Colleen’s life, service, and dedication to nursing on Wednesday, June 11 at 4:00 PM in the chapel at Holston Valley Medical Center. Pictured left to right: Wren Carr, Sarah Mauk, Sinead Tipper, Leigh Ann Begley, Albert Lenz–Colleen’s husband, Makayla Kennedy, Diane Clark, April Rhoten, Sherry Dykes, and Casey Ward.
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Health Commissioner Update: Updates on Measles and Syphilis in Virginia
Virginia Department of Health distributed the letter below sharing an update on Measles and Syphilis in Virginia.
This information is also available on the VDH Resources for Health Care Professionals web page.
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📣 VCNP SWVA Region Update – April & May Highlights!
We’re excited about all the meaningful work happening in our region! 💙
🩺 The Nurse Honor Guard is growing! We’re welcoming new volunteers and planning service events—including honoring veterans on May 17 at the Dickenson Co. Courthouse with the Girl Scouts. 🇺🇸💐
📚 SWVCNP and SWVANHG Student Engagement is strong! Shoutout to Lyndzee Boyd for connecting LPN and RN programs and stepping into a student liaison role as she pursues her DNP! We are adding SWVA Nurse Honor Guard Cords for student participation!!
💰 Our treasurer report shows a healthy balance with support for the Norton Homeless Shelter and Dickenson County Community Events.
📆 Big things ahead:
- Relay for Life (Sept 6): Help us raise funds by purchasing paper chain links—just $1 each!
- AANP Conference & Mission Trip: Our members are headed to the national stagein San Diego, CA, and serving in Belize with The Health Wagon.
- RAM Event in Grundy this October!
💡 Training spotlight: Thanks to Moe Thompson for providing REVIVE training and Narcan for participants.
🗓️ Next meeting: June 7 @ 9:30, JMH
VCNP and SWVANHG Member Coetta Neece and Tammy Branham giving food/water donation to Norton, VA Homeless Shelter. 
May 5, 2025 Meeting at the Girl and the Raven, Abingdon, VA 
Moe Thompson presenting the REVIVE Training from MRC. 
Member Chrissy Mullins and Coetta Neece volunteering for Drug Take Back, Big Stone Gap, VA 
Members Kristen Beverly, Tammy Branham, Tauna Gulley, Coetta Neece, and Chrissy Mullins conducting SWVANHG Service 
$1 to purchase a link with a cancer survivor link–for Relay for Life. 
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Reflections from Halifax County’s first NP
Former VCNP Southside Region member Judith Anderson discussed the role of NPs and how she navigated the changing healthcare landscape as the first practicing NP in Halifax County in the 1990s in this SWVA Today story.
