Tyler receives Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award

Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital (CGMH) Administrator James E. Tyler holds the 2008 Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award presented to him by the Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA) for his outstanding commitment and service to the advancement of rural health care in the state of Virginia. VRHA President Kirk Ballin presented the award.

James Tyler receives Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award from VRHA

The Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA), at their annual meeting in Staunton, awarded the 2008 Charles D. Crowder, Jr. Award to James E. Tyler, Hospital Administrator of Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital in Pearisburg, Va.

The Charles Crowder, Jr. Award was established in honor of Dr. Crowder and the VRHA to recognize those individuals that provide outstanding commitment and service to the advancement of rural health care within the state of Virginia.

Tyler, through his work at the hospital, has led his staff in the following accomplishments: re-establishment of the Free Clinic, in coordination with the New River Valley Free Clinic, in Pearisburg; the Giles Medication Assistance Program (GMAP) being recognized by the state of Virginia as the top program for indigent medication assistance; the establishment of the FREE Program, a program that recycles medical equipment at no cost to those in need; securing a grant for continued funding of the Women’s Shelter in Giles County; Carilion Giles Memorial hospital was one of only two hospitals in the state that participated in the TeamSTEPPS, a program to improve communication and clinical quality within the hospital; the implementation of the "Just Culture" program to reduce medical errors; and the certification of the hospital’s Diabetic Education program by the American Diabetic Association.

In addition, Tyler, along with Giles County Administrator Chris McKlarney and Pearisburg Town Manager Ken Vitim, have been successful in their efforts to bring a brand new replacement hospital to Giles County. The new hospital, Carilion Giles Community Hospital, had its groundbreaking in April of this year and is slated to open in 2010.

Tyler joins the list of past prestigious recipients of the Crowder award: 2004 – Delegate Albert D. Pollard; 2005 – Dr. Charles Miller; 2006 – Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins; and 2007 – Dr. Gregory Byrd, Jr. Tyler stated "I am humbled to receive this award and to be in this esteemed company; however, I would be remiss if I did not point out that all of these accomplishments have occurred as a direct result of the diligent and committed work of my staff at Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital. They are the true recipients."

Read the Wednesday, November 19, 2008, edition of the Virginian Leader for these stories and more:
Giles County PSA moves forward on project funding application
Narrows Town Council members tackle a varied and busy agenda
Jeremy Hagerman-Student of the Month: November
Narrows Junior Woman's Club holds auction