Clinch Valley Health announced that Katelyn Bartley’s genetic testing testimonial is featured nationally by Federation of American Hospitals as part of its Rural Hospital Week 2022 campaign.

Federation of American Hospitals celebrates Rural Hospital Week from November 14th through the 18th - in conjunction with National Rural Health Care Day, which is on November 17th.  As part of the celebration, the FAH features healthcare stories from rural facilities across the country.

In 2015, Buchanan County resident Katelyn Bartley’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and was a carrier for the BRCA2-genetic mutation. Katelyn who is a registered nurse at Clinch Valley, took a hereditary cancer test offered at the facility and found out that she was also positive for BRCA2. Ultimately, she decided to have a bilateral mastectomy.

Bartley said, “I feel like the best way to beat cancer is prevent it. At Clinch Valley, you have that option.”

“Katelyn’s courage to share her story will certainly impact people who have already seen it and those who will see it across the country. If one life is saved, this would be fantastic and serve as testament to Katelyn and her mother,” said Clinch Valley Health CEO Peter Mulkey.

Sadly, Bartley’s mother Leslie Burr passed away on Sunday, November 6 after her lengthy, courageous battle against cancer.

Bartley remarked, “I know it would make my mom so proud. I am so happy to see that my story will have the ability to reach a national audience. My hope is that more people will be informed about genetic testing, and I truly hope it will prevent a family from going through what we have.  If you have a strong family history of cancer, please ask your healthcare provider about genetic testing.”

To learn more about genetic testing at Clinch Valley Health and watch Katelyn’s testimonial video you can go to https://www.clinchvalleyhealth.com/

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About Clinch Valley Health: For more than 80 years, Clinch Valley Health has been an integral part of the lives of people throughout southwest Virginia and southern West Virginia. Our 175-bed acute care hospital offers a range of inpatient and outpatient services including medical and radiation oncology services, specialty care for the heart, lungs and vascular system, cardiac catheterization lab, 24-hour emergency services, physical rehabilitation, sleep studies, skilled nursing, pediatrics & obstetrics, an advanced wound care center, and advanced diagnostics. For more information, please visit ClinchValleyHealth.com.

About Federation of American Hospitals (FAH): Founded in 1966, is the national representative of more than 1,000 tax-paying community hospitals and health systems throughout the United States. FAH members provide patients and communities with access to high-quality, affordable care in both urban and rural areas across 46 states, plus Washington, D.C and Puerto Rico. Our members include teaching, acute, inpatient rehabilitation, behavioral health, and long-term care hospitals and provide a wide range of inpatient, ambulatory, post-acute, emergency, children’s and cancer services.