National Public Health Week 2024

Public health goes beyond doctor’s offices and medications. It’s making small changes daily to be healthier as individuals, families, and communities. It’s making sure our food is safe to eat, water is safe to use and consume, and the environment around us is clean. It’s tracking the spread of infections, as well as preventing them with immunizations whenever possible or treating them once we have them. It’s keeping records of major life events and staying prepared for when emergencies arise. It’s not only having community resources, but using, promoting, and sharing them, too.  

This week, National Public Health Week 2024, we thank our amazing BRHD team for being the embodiment of public health! To our community members and partners throughout the District, thank you, as well, for continuing our mission for a healthier community. Happy National Public Health Week! 

As we wrap up this special week of public health awareness, we are excited to kick off our “BRHD Employee Highlight” feature! In our future newsletters and on social media, you will be introduced to BRHD staff and learn more about their daily life and work roles.

We are starting our Employee Highlights with Val, BRHD's Workforce Development Manager, who was just accepted into the prestigious Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership. This outstanding group of leaders across the Commonwealth will visit nine Virginia regions and work together to build trust and respect, explore civil discourse, and study ethical and effective leadership, and more. Congratulations to Val for this program acceptance and we look forward to you sharing your newfound knowledge and experiences with BRHD!

We’re starting with a special highlight on: Val, Workforce Development Manager 



When did you start working at BRHD? August 2022 

What do you do in your role? I work on district professional development, recruitment, retention, and employee engagement. What I do looks different every day. Some days I'm delivering district onboarding or other training and others I'm organizing a March Madness bracket challenge. I love the chance to do many different things and utilize my educational and professional backgrounds in new ways. 

Who are you outside of BRHD? I love to read all types of books, but particularly rom-com style books, general fiction, and narrative nonfiction about interesting topics. I also love hanging out with my husband and golden retriever. I love trying new foods and my favorite Cville restaurant is The Market (yes the ones in gas stations)! 



Favorite part of working at BRHD? I love working with other dedicated public servants. The people at BRHD have the biggest hearts and I love getting to be a small part of the work we do every day. 

Free Rapid HIV and Hepatitis C Testing at Yancey Community Health Center

We’re bringing free HIV and Hepatitis C testing to a special evening clinic at the Yancey Community Center! Our Blue Ridge Rapid team will be onsite with rapid HIV and Hep C tests – they use one tiny finger prick and in just 20 minutes, results are ready. No appointment or ID required. 

• Monday, April 22 4:30-6:30pm Yancey Community Health Center (7625 Porters Road, Esmont VA) 

Visit our Sexual Health Services webpage for more information on our Blue Ridge Rapid team, or call us anytime at 434-989-3292. 

A New Tobacco Toolkit is Available

BRHD is committed to helping everybody to live healthier lives by making sure everyone has access to free tobacco and nicotine cessation support and living and playing in environments with tobacco-free policies. Learn more about this by going to our updated website: Blue Ridge Health District Tobacco and Nicotine.  

Also, make sure to check out the updated Tobacco and Nicotine Use Among Youth: A Toolkit For Adults. This free, downloadable toolkit provides educational resources for addressing youth electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use and aims to prevent middle and high school students’ use of tobacco and nicotine. 

Rabies Vaccination Clinic in Fluvanna County

Keep those fur babies safe from rabies!

The Fluvanna County SPCA is hosting a drive-thru rabies clinic on Saturday, April 27 from 9:00am-12:00pm at Pleasant Grove Park (271 Plesant Grove Drive, Pamyra, VA). Rabies vaccines are $10 each (cash only).  



To pre-register, complete this online form or call the Fluvanna County SPCA at 434-591-0123. 

BRHD Job Opportunities

Why just celebrate National Public Health Week, when this time next year, you can be National Public Health Week?

BRHD is currently hiring a number of positions that might be the right fit for you. To learn more about our current openings, visit our Job Opportunities webpage. 

Visit often as we keep this webpage updated as new positions become available!