Emporia, Va (May 10, 2012) - Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center is joining the Office on Women’s Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating National Women’s Health Week 2012. In fact, SVRMC is going one step further by and making Women’s Health Week a month long celebration.

National Women’s Health Week is a nationwide initiative that calls attention to the importance of women’s health. The theme for National Women’s Health Week 2012 is “It’s Your Time,” a theme that empowers women to take small, manageable steps to lead longer, healthier and happier lives. The steps include encouraging women to visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventative screenings; get active; eat healthy; pay attention to their mental health, including managing stress and getting enough sleep; and avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

During the week, families, health organizations, businesses, communities, the government and individuals come together to raise awareness of women’s health issues and educate women about simple steps they can take for longer, healthier and happier lives.

“National Women’s Health recognition is important because it encourages women to take time for their health,” says Brit Phelps, Chief Executive Office of Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center. “Women are often the caregivers for their families and, as a result, forget to make their own health a priority. During Women’s Health Month at SVRMC, we remind women that they, too, need to visit the doctor, make sure their screenings are up-to-date, get active and just take time to think about their health.”

This May, join women across America as they take control of their healthcare.  Encourage the women in your life to participate by visiting their doctor, scheduling annual screenings and becoming more active.  For more information about National Women’s Health Week, please visit womenshealth.gov/whw.