LifeFuels CEO Focused on Fitness — “Not only is his company providing free online fitness classes, he’s also hiring fitness instructors and trainers who may have lost their jobs due to the pandemic to run those classes.” [Reston Patch]

Skipping the Silver Line — “It’s too early to tell if Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) will launch a Seattle-style shuttle service for its HQ2 employees, but the company has connected its Herndon and Arlington offices via shuttle, a spokesperson told the Washington Business Journal.” [Washington Business Journal]

How’s the Local Hospital Doing? — “Several hospitals in Virginia and Washington, D.C., received top grades for safety, while others didn’t quite measure up, according to new spring 2020 ratings released by the Leapfrog Group recently.” The Reston Hospital Center received an “A” grade. [Herndon Patch]

Photo via vantage hill/Flickr

Following the lifting of a state order, Reston Hospital Center has resumed elective procedures and surgeries.

Hospital officials say that the introduction is occurring “thoughtfully” and with continuous monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The hospital notes that scheduled or elective procedures are often not optional and cannot be delayed indefinitely.

“Deferring important medical procedures can result in patients unnecessarily suffering at home, and later seeking care only when their conditions have become more serious,” according to the center.

A statewide ban on elective surgeries was lifted on May 1. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam originally extended the ban by one week.

“My top priority is protecting public health, and that includes ensuring that our frontline medical staff have the equipment they need to stay safe as they treat Virginians who are sick,” said Governor Northam. “We have increased our supply of PPE, but before we allow elective surgeries to resume, we must first be assured that the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who are fighting this virus or conducting emergency surgeries have the necessary supplies. We are working with medical facilities on plans to ensure that we can resume elective surgeries safely and responsibly.”

The hospital continues to limit the number of entrances into the facility. Staff are also questioning anyone who enters the hospital center. Only one visitor — who is screened negative and masked — is allowed to accompany patients.

All COVID-19 patients are also isolated to specific areas.

(This story was updated to clarify that Reston Strong is an ongoing effort).

Several community organizations are banding together to power a no-contact donation drive in Reston.

Reston Strong, the name of the community-based action group, and the CORE Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, are collecting donations at various storage pods in the area. Community partners include Cornerstones, Helping Hungry Kids, Reston Hospital Center, and the CORE Foundation.

The no-contact storage pods were donated by UNITS, a national moving and portable storage company. Residents can drop off requested items at the pods. The locations are below:

• Cornerstones (11484 Washington Plaza West): Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• YMCA Reston (12196 Sunset Hills Road): Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• South Lakes Village Center, near Safeway (11120 South Lakes Drive): Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• North Point Village Center (1452 Reston Parkway): Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All the collected items will be donated to Cornerstones, Reston Hospital Center and Helping Hungry Kids — which support people within the Reston community who are in need of assistance.

Individuals interested in helping manage the project at specific sites can sign up online but must abide by safety rules and precautions. Volunteer slots are available through May 31.

Ashley Hopko and Fatimah Waseem contributed reporting.

Photo via Reston Strong/Facebook

A Tribute at Reston Hospital Center — Local officers and first responders gathered yesterday (Monday) for a tribute at Reston Hospital Center. The emergency responders turned on their sirens as they drove around the center. [WJLA]

Longtime Reston Citizens Association Board Member Dies — John Hanley, who joined RCA in 2009, played a vital role in considering nominations and planning for RCA’s Citizen of the Year award. He also helped shape RCA’s position on the issues of land use and planning. [Reston Citizens Association]

Easing of Business Closures in Sight — “Gov. Ralph Northam held a press conference this afternoon in which he announced that “Phase 1” of the Commonwealth’s easing of restrictions is likely to start on Friday, May 15 — in about a week and a half. In the meantime, Northam extended the closure of non-essential businesses through May 14, and said his stay-at-home order will become a “safer at home” recommendation.” [ARLnow]

Local Student Wins 2020 College Board Opportunity Scholarship — “Imani Irons, a senior at South Lakes High School, has been named one of 25 winners nationwide of a 2020 College Board Opportunity Scholarship.  The $40,000 scholarship was awarded to Irons for completing all six college planning steps laid out in the College Board Opportunity Scholarships program. Research shows that completing specific steps helps clarify the complex college planning process, especially for low-income and first-generation students.” [Fairfax County Public Schools]

Oversight Body Shoots Down Sale of Reston-based .org Operator — “The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has rejected the $1.13 billion sale of the Reston operator of the .org domain to private equity firm Ethos Capital. As the domain system’s nonprofit governing body, ICANN had to approve the deal.” [Washington Business Journal]

Photo via Walter Alcorn/Twitter

As hospitals around the region attempt to manage the number of beds and available equipment to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Reston Hospital Center says emergency planning began weeks ago.

Currently, RHC, which is part of the HCA Virginia Health System, has sufficient bed capacity, staff, and supplies. As the situation evolved, the hospital center has also developed a staff contingency plan, including the use of HCA Healthcare’s in-house staffing agency, said Todd McGovern, the hospital’s director of marketing and communications.

Virginia has roughly 17,469 beds, 69 percent of which are occupied, according to data from the Harvard Global Health Institute. Over the next six months, the institute estimates hospitals in the state will need more than triple the number of beds that are currently available.

Reston Hospital Center has 231 beds. Because occupancy varies daily, the hospital did not provide current capacity when asked by Reston Now.

McGovern also noted the hospital has the ability to add additional bed capacity in the hospital, if needed.

“Reston Hospital Center has well-established protocols in place to care for patients with infectious diseases, and our emergency planning efforts related to COVID-19 started weeks ago. We are working in partnership with local and state health departments and the CDC, and continue to monitor the situation closely,” he wrote in a statement.

Earlier this month, hospital staff began screening visitors and patients to protect the hospital and community.

“We also continue to work closely with state and local health departments and the CDC.”

Photo via Reston Hospital Center

Fellowship Square, which operates affordable housing facilities for seniors at Lake Anne Fellowship House and Hunters Woods Fellowship House, has launched a new approach to respond to the outbreak of coronavirus. The living facilities are home to residents who are identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as “high risk” due to age.

“The health and safety of our residents and staff is always our primary concern. Fellowship Square is an independent living facility and therefore relies upon the cooperation of its residents in jointly combating this dissimilar virus pandemic,” said Shelley Ducker, a spokesperson for Fellowship Square.

The company is working with its property management company, S.L. Nusbaum, to implement new cleaning procedures. All non-essential activities and programs have been canceled until further notice and bus trips are limited for medical and food supply purposes online.

As part of its “aggressive and pro-active approach,” Ducker also noted that signage at all entrances requests high-risk visitors from entering the building, including those who recently traveled overseas, took a cruise, or show symptoms of illness. sanitizer and hand wipes are also available in high traffic areas. One sign reminds staff to avoid shaking hands with residents and guests to decrease the spread of germs.

“We remain on high alert and continue to monitor news and other viable sources of information,” Ducker said.

This week, Reston Hospital Center also instituted new visitation restrictions. All visitors and patients are being directed to use specific entrances for health screenings.

“Any potential symptomatic patient who arrives can be properly masked and immediately isolated to protect our colleagues and other patients,” according to Todd McGovern, the hospital’s spokesperson. “We continue to work in partnership with the local, county and state health department and the CDC and will provide updates to our hospital and medical staff as necessary.”

Photo via Fellowship House

The Naderi Center for Plastic Surgery & Dermatology has relocated its offices from Herndon to Reston, according to a company release.

Facial plastic surgeon and founder Shervin Naderi says the move will improve patient’s access to specialized and advanced surgical care. The new location (1850 Town Center Parkway, Pavilion II, Suite 551), is within the Reston Hospital campus.

Here’s more from Tuesday press release:

Other benefits include easy access to Metro transportation, free parking, valet parking at a nominal cost and a convenient location on the hospital campus with plenty of accommodations and eateries nearby. Being on an HCA Hospital campus also provides extra unparalleled safety.

With two locations, one in Chevy Chase, MD, and the new office in Reston, VA, Dr. Naderi and his team will be able to better serve both local and out-of-town patients. Dr. Naderi says that he’s always been focused on providing exceptional service for patients and ensures that their needs are put first. He emphasized, “We never double book or rush patients through an appointment. I want patients to be treated like my own family, with the same care, respect, and attention to detail I’d give them.”

The center has one other location in Chevy Chase, Maryland. Free garage and surface parking is available at the Reston location, as well as valet parking for a fee.

Photo courtesy The Naderia Center/Facebook

Reston Hospital Trauma Center Receives Recognition — “Reston Hospital has received verification as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for a period of three years through the year 2022. This achievement recognizes the trauma center’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured patients.” [The Connection]

Comstock Acquires Hartford Building in Arlington — The Reston-based company and the developer of Reston Station has acquired The Hartford Building, a nine-story office building located at 3101 Wilson Boulevard. [Global Newswire]

Penzance Acquires 169-unit Development in Herndon –“Penzance, an owner, operator and developer in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region for more than two decades, has closed on the purchase of The Mark, a 169-unit, luxury mixed-use apartment community located steps from the future Innovation Center Metro Station in Herndon.” [Citybizlist]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Leidos Buys Hypersonic Weapons Contractor — “Leidos Holdings Inc. will ring in the holiday season with a new acquisition: The Reston company announced Tuesday it plans to purchase defense contractor Dynetics Inc. in a $1.65 billion cash deal.” [Washington Business Journal]

A Look at Reston’s Battle for Its Soul — “It’s been a fiasco–a rambling, wide-ranging dispute marked by bureaucratic false starts, allegations of manipulated photos, and the widespread belief that Reston as we knew it is slipping away.” [Washingtonian]

Reston Hospital Honored — “Reston Hospital Center this week earned a Top General Hospital designation from The Leapfrog Group, a watchdog organization that reviews heath care safety and quality across the U.S.” [Reston Patch]

Reston Hospital Center‘s $72 million expansion is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year, a few months later than originally estimated.

The completed pieces of the project include a new 18-bed inpatient rehabilitation center, an expanded 24-bed Intensive Care Unit, a second lab for the cardiac services unit, a new parking garage for patients and visitors at the West Wing entrance, and four rooms for high-risk obstetric patients.

A new cafeteria and seating area has also been opened.

Progress on renovations to visitor areas, including a new cafeteria, glass concourse, main entrance, and lobby, is underway, according to Todd McGovern, said director of marketing and communications for the hospital.

McGovern said the upgraded main entrance and lobby will improve navigation between the main entrance, west wing entrance, pavilion entrances, and the emergency department.

“We will be making an additional investment into the modernization of several patient care areas to elevate our entire facility to a consistent level for a best-in-class patient experience,”  McGovern said.

The new patient-visitor parking garage, which has more than 400 parking spaces, opened in the summer of this year.

The 231-bed hospital announced its plan to expand on its 30th anniversary. The phased project will add more than 63,000 square feet to the building, which is part of Tennessee-based health giant HCA Healthcare.

Photos via Reston Hospital Center

Flash Flood Warning in Effect — A flash flood warning is in effect for the area until 11:15 a.m. today. Drivers are encouraged to avoid flooded roads or roads with standing water. [Fairfax Alerts]

Lane and Ramp Closures This Week — Several roads, including Herndon Parkway, Edmund Halley Drive, and Sunrise Valley Drive will be closed for several hours this week due to construction on phase two of the Silver Line. All lane and ramp closures depend on the weather. [Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project]

The End of Small Change Consignment at Lake Anne Plaza — Susann Gerstein, owner of Small Change Consignment at Lake Anne Plaza, closed her business, which opened in late 1981. [The Connection]

Man Arrested for Threatening Reston Hospital Center Staff — Brian Baker, 47, was arrested on July 2 fro assault and disorderly conduct. Police said he threatened hospital staff and spat on a police officer. [Fairfax County Police Department]

Photo via vantagehill/Flickr

Reston Hospital Center is planning to improve its neonatology services for babies that need advanced or long-term care.

The center is partnering with Children’s National Health System in Washington, D.C. Beginning this month, the care team from Children’s National will provide services for babies at RHC who need advanced care due to premature birth, labor complications or birth defects.

Dr. Robin Steinhorn, senior vice president at Children’s National, said a board-certified neonatologist will be on site at Reston Hospital Center at all times, bringing services closer to home for patients.

The news comes as the center expanded its critical care unit for babies and high risk pregnancies.

“Children’s National is the nation’s leader in neonatal care. Partnering with them complements the recent expansion of our Women’s and Children’s Services,” says John Deardorff, president and CEO of Reston Hospital Center.

The pediatric hospital has been named the county’s sixth best pediatric hospital by the U.S. News and World Report. For the last three years, it has also been ranked number one in newborn care.

Photo via Reston Hospital Center

Local Nurse Earns Award for Excellence — Abby Desesso, a clinical coordinator and senior charge nurse at Reston Hospital Center, won the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award for Compassionate Care. It is the highest honor given to one nurse each year across HCA Healthcare facilities. [Reston Hospital Center]

DMV2Go at Reston Town Center — The DMV’s wireless office on wheels will be onsite at the pavilion in Reston Town Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today. Services offered include driving records, driver’s license and ID card applications, vehicle titles, plates and decals. [Reston Town Center]

Sunrise to Host Creative Conversations — “USA Today editorial page editor Bill Sternberg will visit Sunrise Senior Living in Reston to help launch an evening speaker’s series program that will be open to the public. The program, called “Creative Conversations,” will be the first of many such evening events that bring together noted journalists, authors and “literary luminaries” to Sunrise Senior Living for conversation and sharing of ideas.” [The Connection]

Seventeen area high school seniors were recently awarded scholarships by the medical staff at Reston Hospital Center.

The student, who are from Fairfax and Loudoun County high schools, were recognized for academic excellence and excitement for pursue careers in healthcare.

RHC offers $15,000 in scholarships to local schools annually. The program has been in effect for the last 21 years.

“We are thrilled to be able to support these young adults as they venture into the world in search of their dream careers,” Dr. Avisesh Sahgal, president of Reston Hospital Center’s Medical Staff, said in a statement.

This year’s scholarship recipients are below:

• Ansel Sanchez – Briar Woods High School
• Lindsay Marie Burns – Broad Run High School
• Anna Kate Erstling – Chantilly High School
• Ashley Arely Reyes – Chantilly High School
• Lillian Tran – Dominion High School
• Riya Hadvani – Herndon High School
• Christopher Ngo-Khang Nguyen – James Madison High School
• Mariana Fernandes Gragnani – Langley High School
• Yanni George Conomos – McLean High School
• Maxmine Irmhild Ayompe-Mody – Oakton High School
• Jasmine Chiann Foo – Oakton High School
• Allison Armstrong – Park View High School
• Rayness Mollinedo-Rodriguez – Park View High School
• Chelsea Lazatin – Potomac Falls High School
• Nicole Post – South Lakes High School
• Olivia Nicole Chandler – Westfield High School
• Daisy Allison Lopez Rosa – Westfield High School

Photo via Reston Hospital Center