Carilion Westlake Emergency Department: Smith Mountain Lake’s Next Step in Care

Carilion Clinic has announced plans to open a freestanding emergency department in Smith Mountain Lake’s Westlake area, bringing convenient, high-quality emergency care closer to home for lake residents and visitors.

The Westlake location, along with a companion facility planned for Daleville, just north of Roanoke, will be Carilion’s first freestanding emergency centers, providing care for adults and children 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The new facilities will enhance access to critical medical services while connecting seamlessly to Carilion’s regional network of hospitals and specialists across Southwest Virginia.

Both will feature advanced imaging, on-site laboratories, and telemedicine capabilities. Board-certified emergency medicine physicians and skilled clinical teams will staff the centers, treating a wide range of conditions—from infections and injuries to chest pain and other urgent concerns.

Many emergencies can be effectively managed at a freestanding facility without the need for hospital transfer. When higher-level care is required, patients can be transported quickly to the hospital of their choice, including Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital or Carilion Franklin Memorial Hospital in Rocky Mount.

“We’re always looking for the best ways to expand access to care for our communities,” said Wrenn Brendel, Vice President of Emergency Services for Carilion Clinic. “The new facilities in Westlake and Daleville will ensure families can get the emergency care they need, close to home, without delay. Each will feature dedicated parking and easy walk-in access for patients during critical moments.”

Carilion has not yet announced the exact site or projected opening date for the new Westlake Emergency Department. As plans take shape, Smith Mountain Lake Insiders will continue to share updates online and via social media. This will allow readers to stay informed about when and where this much-anticipated addition to the SML healthcare landscape will take place.

Life-Guard Helicopter Air Ambulance Delivers Rapid Emergency Care to Smith Mountain Lake

For residents and visitors alike, life at Smith Mountain Lake offers the quiet charm and natural beauty of a rural community.

However, when a medical emergency arises, that setting can present unique challenges. That’s where Carilion Clinic’s Life-Guard air ambulance service comes in.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the program deploys three fully equipped helicopters and specialized medical flight crews to cover more than 15,000 square miles in Virginia and bordering states.

Life-Guard teams respond to serious emergencies such as boating and vehicle accidents, cardiac events and other life-threatening conditions where time and access make all the difference.

Each helicopter functions as a flying intensive-care unit, staffed by critical-care nurses and paramedics. Each can provide advanced treatment en route to regional hospitals such as Carilion Roanoke Memorial or Carilion Franklin Memorial in Rocky Mount.

The service complements existing ground-based EMS agencies around the lake and will work in tandem with Carilion’s planned freestanding Emergency Department at Westlake Corner.