OUR VIEW: Another step in the right direction for our hospital

» Culpeper Regional continues to benefit from its relationship with U.Va., this time in the form of adding a resident physician.

Culpeper Regional Hospital has had a relationship with the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville since January, and recently CRH added a face to represent that relationship. Megan Koontz joined the CRH staff as a resident in the emergency room, becoming the hospital’s first resident physician.

It’s the first big step in an agreement that will see U.Va. invest about $40 million in CRH over the next three years, and it should increase the quality of care available at the local hospital.

Welcome to Culpeper, Dr. Koontz.

In other health news, The Virginia Department of Education and the state’s Department of Health teamed up to produce educational videos about the prevention of the H1N1 virus and seasonal flu.

It’s good to see public organizations work together to inform the community, especially at a time when there is a high risk not only for contracting the illness, but also for hysteria surrounding potential epidemics.

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Kudos to Culpeper County Public Schools for introducing a new crisis plan to be implemented during emergencies. The action was spurred after an incident in August in which a 16-year-old student brought a gun to the annex building between Culpeper County High School and Culpeper Middle School.

The short-term plan is to install a public address system to announce emergencies and install larger windows so school officials can keep an eye on hallways. Security from CCHS and CMS will also patrol the annex. The plan will cost around $5,000, though long-term suggestions call for a full-time, trained security officer on site and a $20,000 phone system.

The plan would be money well spent to keep students and staff at the schools safe.