By Shea Wright 

For patients accustomed to in-person visits, connecting with a physician on a screen can feel daunting or impersonal. But VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH) is changing that — delivering individualized, virtual, clinic-to-clinic care that removes stress from the process and puts connection at the forefront.

CMH utilizes a feature in MyChart to initiate secure video visits that connect patients from Southside Virginia and Warren County, North Carolina with specialists based in Richmond. These virtual options were first launched with the rheumatology department and are currently expanding to other services. This model allows patients to receive expert care close to home using tools they already trust, without compromising quality or continuity of care. 
 
Behind each virtual appointment is Shirley Wingfield-Anderson, a licensed practical nurse and the virtual clinic-to-clinic trainer. She doesn’t just make the technology work, she makes it personal by helping patients feel at ease every step of the way.

“It starts before patients even come into the clinic," Wingfield-Anderson said. “I do a lot of education and reassuring early in the process since many of our patients don’t have internet services at home. Before the patient is brought back for their appointment, I make sure everything is set up beforehand. I go at their pace to answer all their questions before connecting with the doctor. It’s about more than the technology — it’s about building trust.”

Access to specialty care should not depend on where you live. At [VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital], clinic-to-clinic care isn’t just a trend — it’s a vital, evolving solution to long-standing health care disparities. This is a game-changer for our South Hill community and beyond.

Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital

When a patient uses virtual services provided at CMH to connect to a Richmond-based physician, they are checked in and registered using the same process as a regular in-person visit. Wingfield-Anderson takes their vitals, reviews medications. and makes any necessary updates to their personal medical information. Once the patient is ready to talk to the doctor, Wingfield-Anderson initiates the secure video visit through MyChart.

While the patient is meeting with the doctor, Wingfield-Anderson remains connected to both the rheumatology team and the patient throughout the appointment from her office nearby. At the end of the appointment, she prints off the after-visit summary and ensures the next steps are clearly communicated with the patient.

“The time goes fast, but I like to make sure patients never feel rushed,” Wingfield-Anderson said. “We’re here to support them every step of the way.”

A vital service to rural communities

Virtual care is not just about getting patients used to using technology, it’s also meeting patients where they are to ensure they can receive specialty care without the burden of long-distance travel.

“What started as an interim way to care for patients has become the model for many of CMH’s other specialties to expand,” said Angela Wright, practice operations manager and the virtual care program coordinator. “Along with bringing these virtual specialty clinics to our community, it has provided us the opportunity to introduce new technologies, including USB stethoscopes that enable the providers to complete an assessment as part of the video visit.”

Rheumatologist Neha Gupta, M.D., one of the VCU Health specialists who is based in the Richmond office and sees patients in South Hill through the virtual clinic-to-clinic, agrees that “many patients from rural communities are understandably hesitant at first. But once patients realize they can still build strong relationships with their specialists virtually, Gupta says “those fears usually fade.”

“Through VCU Health’s virtual clinic-to-clinic care, I'm better able to reach patients I might not otherwise see and to do it in a way that’s still comprehensive and personal,” Gupta said. “I have been able to see the small changes that we make in individual patient’s lives.”

Neha Gupta, M.D., is a VCU Health rheumatologist who sees patients in South Hill through the virtual clinic-to-clinic. (Shea Wright, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Gupta credits the success of these services to strong partnerships with on-site staff, like Wingfield-Anderson.

“The collaboration with the CMH team is what makes this work so well. Wingfield-Anderson is our eyes and ears in the room. She helps patients feel comfortable and ensures everything runs smoothly,” Gupta said. Because of them, patients walk into their appointments feeling heard, cared for, and empowered.

Expanding virtual care services

The success of the rheumatology virtual clinic has paved the way for more growth. In late April, CMH added virtual options for nephrology and cardio-oncology. Each new specialty clinic is in direct response to the health care gaps identified in a recent Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by CMH.

“Access to specialty care should not depend on where you live,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. “At CMH, clinic-to-clinic care isn’t just a trend — it’s a vital, evolving solution to long-standing health care disparities. This is a game-changer for our South Hill community and beyond.”

Uncommon compassion for the needs of our patients drives these innovations. And with technology guided by trust, CMH is redefining what it means to care for rural communities one virtual visit at a time.

“Access shouldn’t be a barrier to better health. This model is helping us close the gap for rural communities,” Gupta said. 

Learn how VCU Health is finding unique ways to provide more care in rural communities

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