I’m continually impressed by the programming, services, community involvement and impact of Centra Southside Community Hospital.

Between the free programming and services, health care afforded to those who live and work in the region, stellar staff and support the hospital lends toward the community, we should feel blessed to have them in Farmville, serving the Heart of Virginia.

The hospital plays key roles in support and sponsorship of the Heart of Virginia Festival, has helped — in many ways — the Heart of Virginia Free Clinic, is lead sponsor of the monthly prayer breakfast at the Robert Russa Moton Museum and sponsors many events at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Farmville.

Centra’s PACE program — a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly — is organizing its second annual Senior Prom, set for late August. It’s an event that’s free and allows older residents to dance, enjoy food and beverages and fellowship with each other in a celebratory setting with balloons, dresses, tuxedos and music. It allows the elderly to relive memories of old or to make new ones with friends and loved ones.

The event that prompted me to pen this column was the involvement Centra Southside has had for many years with the March of Dimes’ March for Babies — named in honor of Henry M. Fulcher, a dear friend with whom I worked at WFLO Radio Station.

The hospital recently held a cookout to help one of the most vulnerable demographics across the region — newborns.

The hospital plays a major role in raising money and awareness for premature births annually.

I’ve always had a soft spot for babies born prematurely.

Both me and my brother, Seth, were born too early. I was born six weeks early, while he was born two months early. We were both born with neutropenia — or abnormally low white blood cell counts, which are crucial to fighting off illness or infection.

Though now we are both healthy, as babies, we both had our struggles and relied on the care and decisions of doctors and nurses like the ones at Centra Southside.

JORDAN MILES is managing editor of The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. His email address is Jordan.Miles@FarmvilleHerald.com.