Our family recently spent 23 days at SOVAH Health in Danville while my 75-year-old mother underwent…read moremajor spinal surgery (T5-T12 spinal fusion, rods, and tumor removal) and inpatient rehabilitation. I don't write many reviews, but our experience here was important. Before surgery, we heard the warnings around town: "Do not have surgery at SOVAH." "Take her to Duke, UVA, or Greensboro." We took those concerns seriously. Ultimately, we chose to stay in Danville and trust SOVAH. We are incredibly thankful we did. For context, I am an active-duty Marine Colonel with 28 years of service, currently serving as chief of staff for a large Marine organization. I'm a straight shooter. I've spent most of my adult life leading organizations, and I know what excellence looks like. What I saw at SOVAH was excellence. Was everything perfect? No. No hospital is. We spent 23 days advocating hard for Mom--asking questions, following up, and ensuring care teams communicated. Advocacy only works when the people on the other side listen and collaborate. At SOVAH, they did. When something needed attention, we spoke up, they listened, and we worked through it together. From the beginning, I asked only one thing of the staff: Please treat her as if she were your own mother. And they did. I'll never forget Dr. Voos looking at Mom before a grueling surgery and simply telling her, "I'm going to take care of you." He did. Dr. Mirza, Mom's internist, was the conductor. She ensured underlying medical issues were integrated into the specialists' plans. Her textbook bedside manner made Mom feel like her only patient. She listened first, explained second, and answered our endless questions with boundless patience and a smile. I'll always remember Nurse Sandra sitting beside Mom, wiping her brow when the pain was at its worst. That wasn't a standard procedure; it was raw compassion when a frightened 75-year-old woman needed it most. When Mom transitioned to inpatient rehab, that exceptional care continued: Lori Ann (Physical Therapy) rebuilt Mom's confidence one step at a time. She had the patience of Job--encouraging and challenging Mom to navigate steps and milestones we take for granted. Jessica (Occupational Therapy) helped Mom regain independence with everyday tasks. She also understood that rehab requires a human touch, even bringing Mom her morning coffee from her own office. Dr. Taylor oversaw her rehab. He quickly recognized Mom's fierce faith and resilience. Before release, they made a deal: when she is strong enough, they will finish a 5K together. We intend to hold him to it. Ms. Hilda (Housekeeping) took such immense pride in her work that she even visited Mom after her transition to rehab just to ensure her environment remained spotless and germ-free. She simply cared. Great healthcare requires talented surgeons and physicians, but it is defined by these moments. The internist who slows down to listen. The nurse wiping a patient's brow. The therapists rebuilding physical and mental strength. The physician planning a future 5K. The housekeeper treating a room like it belonged to her own family. Mom is home now, starting "Phase III" of her fight with Dr. Akinleye and the hematology/oncology team. Because of the incredible team around her, we face this next chapter with total confidence. To Dr. Voos, Dr. Mirza, Dr. Taylor, Nurse Sandra, Lori Ann, Jessica, Ms. Hilda, and the many unnamed staff: thank you. You treated our mother like she was your mother. I can't think of a higher compliment. --The Bickford-Jones Family

I am writing to formally express my concerns regarding the care and communication my father has…read morereceived from Dr. Balasubram during his current hospitalization. My father has a serious medical condition and, based on our understanding of his needs, our family has requested that he be transferred to a university-level hospital with neurosurgical resources available to provide the level of care he requires. Dr. Balasubram recommended transfer to Lewis Gale; however, because our family previously had a negative experience with that facility, we declined that option. We understand there may be medical or logistical concerns related to refusing a recommended transfer, but our decision was made in an effort to advocate for the safest and most appropriate care for my father. Since declining the transfer to Lewis Gale, our interactions with Dr. Balasubram have caused significant concern. We felt that her communication with my father and my sister was dismissive, intimidating, and inappropriate for a patient-care setting. Rather than helping our family understand the available options and make an informed decision, the tone and manner of these interactions left my father feeling afraid to speak up for himself. I also want to emphasize that patients have the right, within the limits of the law, to refuse treatment and to advocate for appropriate care. My concern is not only for my father's current situation, but also for other patients who may not fully understand their rights or may not have family members available to advocate on their behalf. I hope that my concerns regarding Dr. Balasubram's communication and conduct be addressed to ensure that other patients and families do not encounter this type of demeanor.

Hello Virginia, I am from North Carolina. However, I go to school in the Danville area. If you are…read morereading this DO NOT visit this hospital under no circumstances. This hospital is unsanitary as you will see in my videos. I brought my friend here because she has the Flu and when asked my a Res life assistant from my university to go sit back and wait with this young woman they told her she was on fast track. However, she is sitting in a room with a bunch of others who also have the flu. Is that even proper conduct? I am not the kind of character to judge because look at the area. The sad thing about all of this is that right now is the time to be completely clean because the flu is spreading like a plague and if you are not keeping up with the news it is deadly at the moment. But, I know are some of the good citizens out there that believe in donating and serving their community. With that being said please somebody start helping this community get back on track and cleaning up. It is sad to see that patients have to be admitted into filth and they already are not feeling well. Please if you are reading this and you work at this hospital I beg you to show your Danville family better. This is a shame.

Some of the worst service ever in an emergency room.read more

So I just went in for screening for my employer. The staff was very nice as well as professional…read more Although they were super busy they had everyone seen in a timely manner. They worked well as a team! I had to wait for a while due to the test but it wasn't bad due to the upbeat staff! Well done!

Called to ask a simple question about the services they offer and immediately got attitude from the…read moreoperator.

Based on my personal experience working at this facility, I would not recommend it to anyone…read moreseeking long-term care for a loved one or considering employment there. In my opinion, the facility suffers from poor leadership, chronic understaffing, and a toxic work environment. There appears to be an ongoing shortage of registered nurses, with licensed practical nurses often filling management roles that are traditionally held by RNs. I believe the facility has the potential to become a much better place, but only with stronger, more qualified leadership. Based on what I personally observed and experienced, I do not believe the current leadership is adequate for the responsibilities of their positions. For these reasons, I would not feel comfortable placing a member of my own family in this facility, nor would I recommend it as a place of employment.

Got a call at 1 am Saturday that a family friend was going to ER. At 3 they called and said they…read morewere admitting her bc she was septic. Her catheter was barely in and not working. Her bladder was hard as a rock because she was full of infection and urine that couldn't get out. She is currently in ICU because of this place and now, wouldn't you know it, no one can be found for me to get her phone. No one knows where they lock them up except one person and she isn't available. As usual with this place I will have to go down there again to get anything done. No one answers the phone past the front desk. Let me be fair by saying that this isn't all on the staff, however, some of it is, this is about being underpaid and under staffed. Not knowing how to put a catheter in when that's your job, that's on the staff. She was supposed to be going to Urology....that never happened. There will of course be zero recourse for this place. HOWEVER, no matter how bad this place is, it's nothing compared to Piney Forest. Update: Also found out that staff put an access code on her phone. Don't even get me started on the legality of this. I haven't gotten a call back from the Director of Nurses or Director himself to see if they have figured out who it was or what the code is. I didn't expect the person would confess though. The real problem is that we give all of our resources to the department of corrections and treat criminals like kings and queens and we treat our elderly like trash.