Sovah Health announced that Dr. Salma Khan has joined Sovah Family Medicine Residency Program as a core faculty member, and is also offering primary care for patients at Sovah Residency Clinic – Family & Internal Medicine.

As a Family Medicine Core Faculty member, Khan will devote a significant portion of her time to training resident physicians and providing assistance to the FM Program Director in the development and leadership of the residency program. She will also provide primary care services for patients of all ages.

“Dr. Khan cares deeply about her patients. She also cares that the resident physicians being trained today, are trained to be empathetic and compassionate doctors, committed to providing patients the care they need, when and how they need it,” Sovah Health Market President Steve Heatherly said. “We are excited to welcome her back.”

Khan received her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York Institute of Technology and completed her family medicine residency at Sovah Health Medical Residency. Khan is also a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association.

At Sovah Residency Clinic, Khan is specializing in annual physicals, geriatrics, management of chronic illnesses, immunizations and vaccines, primary and preventive care and minor procedures. She is accepting new patients, and appointments may be made by calling 434-799-4488. The practice is located at 109 Bridge St. Suite 201 in Danville.

Elks district lead

Kenneth Stewart Draper of Martinsville was chosen to lead District of Elks — USA.

Thousands of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America and guests gathered in Austin, Texas, from June 30 to July 3 for the BPO Elks National Convention.

During the convention Draper was installed as District Deputy for the BPO Elks for lodges in the Southwest District of the Virginia Elks Association and will serve a one-year term.

The BPO Elks is one of the premier patriotic and charitable organizations in the United States of America and is committed to making its communities better places to live, a press release states.

Last year, the Order donated more than $499 million in cash, goods and services to the needy, students, people with disabilities, active-duty members of the U.S. armed forces and their families, veterans and their families and charitable organizations. In the 156 years since the Order’s founding, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks has made charitable donations totaling approximately $12 billion.

As part of the Elks’ ongoing commitment to help students achieve their goals, the Elks National Foundation awards annual college scholarships worth a total of more than $4.5 million each year to students across the country. To help local lodges make positive changes in their communities, the Elks National Foundation’s Community Investments Program provides local Elks lodges with more than $15.9 million each year to help them build stronger communities.

Through the Elks National Veterans Service Commission, Elks give generously of their time, energy, and resources. Elks provide direct service to veterans at more than 380 VA medical centers, state veterans homes, and clinics; use grants to provide veterans with food, supplies, and support; and provide beds, supplies, and emergency assistance to veterans experiencing homelessness. Elks pledge never to forget our veterans and keep that pledge every day.

To learn more and join us in service, visit Elks.org. For membership information, visit Join.Elks.org.

New Piedmont Arts board members

On July 1, Piedmont Arts’ Board of Directors saw new appointments to its Board of Directors.

Piedmont Arts is proud to announce this new team of incredible community leaders and expresses its sincere gratitude to those who served previously, a press release states.

Joining the Board for the 2024-2028 term are William Gravely, Janet Lewis and Beverly Lyle. All three are dedicated to the improvement and care of Martinsville and Henry County and have displayed a long held and vested interest in the arts, the release states.

Gravely is a previous board member at Piedmont Arts. He is retired from the furniture business and has served on the board of Patrick & Henry Community College, the Boys & Girls Club of the Blue Ridge, Chatmoss County Club, Martinsville Kiwanis Club and the Martinsville Chamber of Commerce. He was the 2015 Hooker Award recipient for his longtime support of Piedmont Arts.

Lewis is the Secondary English Coordinator for Henry County Schools. She coordinates with Piedmont Arts annually to bring arts programming into the schools and has been a longtime supporter of Piedmont Arts who values the connection of the arts and education.

Lyle works in Community Development and Fair Lending at Carter Bank & Trust. She is currently on the board of Grace Network and a member of Vestry at Christ Episcopal Church. Previously, Beverly was on the board of The United Way of Henry County & Martinsville and Uptown Partnership. She annually coordinates volunteers from Carter Bank & Trust for Piedmont Arts’ Family Days.

They will serve with the current executive committee, which includes Anne Smith, President; Olivia Garrett, First Vice President; Ben Gravely, Second Vice President; Tracie Heavner, Secretary; Dru Ingram, Treasurer; and Shana LeGrant, Immediate Past President.

Other board members include DeShanta Hairston, Anne Smith, James Souter, Lucy Coleman, Charlie Knighton, Tim Parker, Effie Cuenca, Ben Gravely, Andy Hynes, Tekela Redd, Jason Spratley and McKay Ullstein.

Welcome Day

This August, Patrick & Henry Community College will once again host Welcome Day orientation events for students who will be attending in the 2024-2025 school year.

The Welcome Day mission is to make connections with students, make sure they are ready for their first day of school and get them acquainted with student services and departments. Last year, over 370 students and families attended the orientation event.

Attendees will receive important information to help them prepare for their first day of class. The event will be open to the public on Aug. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Aug. 7 from 4-6 p.m. in the West Building on P&HCC’s main campus. New and returning students are encouraged to attend this event.

At Welcome Day, students will log into their virtual accounts, create their student ID, learn about student clubs and programs, locate their classes and tour main campus.

Students who have not yet registered for fall classes will be able to do so on site at Welcome Day. There will be free prizes and giveaways, snow cones, games and fun activities for new PHamily members to enjoy as well.

“Being a first year college student can be very exciting. You are establishing a new community and future for yourself. However, it is not without nerves about academic expectations. Welcome Day is about helping the student navigate this transition with support and to feel set up for success before the first day of class. This event is not only a celebration for the new academic year, but it is also a part of P&HCC’s caring campus approach. The staff believes in taking time to help students feel comfortable on campus and confident about their new journey as a college student,” said Lindsey Bishop, P&HCC academic advisor.

Students who have already applied to P&HCC can RSVP to attend by emailing Lbishop@patrickhenry.edu or calling 276-656-0302. Prospective students who would like assistance in applying to P&HCC are encouraged to email admissions@patrickhenry.edu or reach out to advising at advising@patrickhenry.edu or 276-656-5482.