Centra Virginia Baptist Hospital's Centennial Year comes to a close
From its founding on July 12, 1924, Virginia Baptist Hospital (VBH) established itself as a facility marked by hope and healing. Our centennial year has been a time to honor that legacy, celebrating the stories, milestones and people who have shaped our history. From pioneering achievements to community connections, this year-long commemoration highlighted VBH’s enduring commitment to innovation, excellence and compassionate care.
January: Celebrating “Firsts”
The centennial celebration began with a historical retrospective, spotlighting VBH’s groundbreaking accomplishments. From becoming the first hospital in Lynchburg to receive unqualified approval from the American College of Surgeons in 1938, to opening the region's first neonatal intensive care unit in 1972, VBH has consistently been characterized by medical advancement. Each milestone is a testament to the hospital’s role in leading innovation and improving lives across generations.
February: Honoring Black History Month
In February, we celebrated Black History Month and Caregivers who have been pivotal to VBH's success, including Cleveland Muhammad, a dedicated member of our Environmental Services Department for nearly 50 years. Cleveland’s journey from a high school graduate to Environmental Services Manager exemplifies resilience, leadership and the sense of community that defines VBH. His story is a shining example of how every role contributes to patient care and the hospital’s enduring success.
March: Provider Legacy
March spotlighted the legacy of our providers including Dr. Peter W. Houck, a pioneering neonatologist whose groundbreaking work in neonatal care revolutionized treatment for premature infants. Under his leadership, VBH became the first non-university-based hospital in Virginia to open an intensive care nursery in 1972 and developed one of the first neonatal transport systems on the East Coast. Dr. Houck’s innovations drastically reduced mortality rates for preterm infants and cemented VBH’s reputation as a leader in neonatal care.
April: Celebrating Nurses & School of Nursing Alumnae
In April, the spotlight shifted to the personal journeys of VBH nurses. One nurse, Melissa Carrico, shared her inspiring story of being a pediatric surgery patient at VBH in the 1970s, which led to her 34-year nursing career at the hospital. Her narrative of mentorship and growth underscores the generational impact of VBH on both Caregivers and the community.
May: Born at the Baptist
May’s spotlight featured the inspiring story of Cindy Tweedy, a neonatal nurse whose connection to VBH began when her firstborn son, Justin, was cared for in the Intensive Care Nursery. This year, Cindy, Justin (now a Lynchburg firefighter) and his neonatal nurse, Lezley Scott, were reunited when he transported a newborn to the nursery–an illustration of the enduring relationships fostered within the VBH Family.
June: Architectural Legacy and Museum
June focused on VBH’s architectural history and museum, celebrating the Georgian Revival design by Stanhope Johnson. The museum’s refreshed exhibits highlighted VBH’s pivotal milestones, including the founding of its nursing school and the launch of its neonatal care programs, connecting the hospital’s past to its present.
July: Centennial Celebration on the Lawn
On July 12, the front lawn of VBH hosted a centennial celebration for Caregivers and the community featuring remarks from hospital leaders, a look at the newly refreshed museum exhibit Reflections on Healing and heartfelt moments of connection between attendees and VBH’s storied history.
August: Summertime Fun
In August, VBH celebrated families and graduates of its Intensive Care Nursery during the ICN Graduate Celebration at Milkapalooza. Milka is a classic summertime event that’s hosted each year on the front lawn of VBH.
September: Celebrating our Volunteers
September focused on VBH Auxiliary Volunteers, whose efforts have supported the hospital for decades. From assembling comfort kits to crafting blankets, their contributions are a testament to selflessness and service.
October: Homage to Food
In October, we paid homage to the many meals that have been prepared at VBH by sharing about Fran Concklin and one of her signature recipes. Fran has been a cherished member of the Centra Team for over five decades, and her recipe for stuffed peppers, which first appeared in the VBH Cookbook called, “Nurses Can Cook, Volume II,” recently found its way into the commemorative cookbook published this year in celebration the Baptist’s centennial.
November: Spiritual Care
November highlighted the enduring legacy of VBH’s chaplaincy program, established in 1953, which continues to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and their families to this day.
December: Holiday Traditions & Looking Towards the Next 100 Years
As this centennial year comes to a close, VBH remains committed to honoring its legacy while looking toward the future. From the hospital’s humble beginnings—when its first patient was admitted for a dental procedure—to today’s cutting-edge medical advancements, VBH’s journey has been characterized by unwavering dedication to the Lynchburg community.
Here’s to 100 years of history—and the next century of transforming lives in central Virginia. The best is yet to come.
