L-R Vickie Wood, CNO, Bath Community Hospital; Pat Byrd, Perlista Henry, Pat Trees, Travis Braxton, Nikki Ryder, Jeanne Lindsay, Debbie Young, Jane Russell, President and CEO, Bath Community Hospital

Bath Community Hospital Extends Heartfelt Gratitude to Hot Springs Rescue Squad   Bath County, VA (May 19, 2026) - Bath Community Hospital (BCH) is pleased to express its sincere appreciation to the Hot Springs Rescue Squad for their invaluable support and dedicated service to our community. Recently, when our ambulance fleet faced challenges and one of our trucks was temporarily out of service, the Hot Springs Rescue Squad generously loaned us an ambulance. This vital partnership allowed us to continue providing essential transport services during a crucial time. In recognition of their unwavering commitment, BCH proudly donated $5,000 to the Rescue Squad and provided catering for their meeting on Thursday night. This gesture underscores our dedication to supporting the devoted volunteers who play a critical role in our community's safety. We are also thrilled to acknowledge Nikki Ryder, Chief of the Hot Springs Rescue Squad and a BCH employee, for her significant achievement in passing her paramedic certification. Nikki's dedication to enhancing her skills exemplifies the standard of excellence we strive for at BCH. Paramedics like Nikki are essential in delivering life-saving care, often making pivotal decisions in high-pressure situations that can significantly impact patient outcomes. In response to our transport needs, Bath Community Hospital has acquired a new ambulance van and secured funding to order a new truck-style ambulance. We are excited to announce that we have been awarded $289,000 for this purpose, made possible through congressionally directed spending (CDS) included in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies bill for Fiscal Year 2026. We thank Senators Kaine and Warner for their support, which has contributed to our project being included in the final appropriations bill. An order for the new ambulance will be placed soon, with an anticipated delivery lead time of two years. The new ambulance van is designed to meet a wide range of patient transport needs, including emergency responses, non-emergency medical transport, specialized transport, and long-distance care. As a small critical access hospital, BCH plays a vital role in providing a lifeline to individuals facing acute illnesses. Our teams stabilize patients with complex or high-risk medical conditions for transport to tertiary hospitals that offer specialized care and advanced surgical interventions. Navigating the mountainous roads of our region presents unique challenges, leading to significant wear and tear on our vehicles. The rugged terrain necessitates reliable and well-maintained ambulances to ensure our teams can respond quickly and safely to emergencies, regardless of conditions. In 2025, our Emergency Department recorded 2,790 ER visits and 230 ER transfers, a 9.5% increase year-over-year. However, transfers still account for less than 7% of total ER visits. Our ER throughput was recorded at 163 minutes, with an average door-to-doctor time of 19 minutes. “At Bath Community Hospital, we are profoundly grateful to the Hot Springs Rescue Squad and all the regional volunteers who form the backbone of our first response system. Without their unwavering dedication and service, our community would face significant challenges in emergency situations. I also want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our Transport team, who save lives every day, often in adverse weather and challenging conditions. Their commitment to excellence ensures that we can provide critical care when it matters most,” said Jane Russell, President and CEO of Bath Community Hospital. Since our establishment in 2005, the Bath Community Ambulance Service has proudly served the community with a dedicated team of 11 providers, including 2 paramedics, 3 advanced EMTs, 3 basic EMTs, and 3 drivers. Of the original team members, 2 continue to serve our facility, showcasing our commitment to continuity of care. When we began, our service operated with two used ambulances purchased from a defunct service and a donated van equipped with a wheelchair lift. In 2005, we acquired our first new ambulance. Today, our transport teams safely transport patients to tertiary care hospitals in Roanoke, Fishersville, and Charlottesville, with some routes extending as far away as Richmond and Duke. We are proud to support such a dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our residents safe. Thank you, Hot Springs Rescue Squad, for your unwavering service and commitment to our community. About Bath Community Hospital Bath Community Hospital is an independent not-for-profit healthcare organization dedicated to serving our communities. As a Critical Access Hospital, we are committed to providing high-quality healthcare to the residents of Bath County and surrounding areas. Our mission is to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care while fostering a healthy community. Bath Community Physicians Group has four locations in Covington, Hot Springs, and Millboro, Virginia. For more information, please contact Bath Community Physicians Group at (866) 839-7100, Option #2, or visit us online at /www.bathhospital.org.

* * * * *