Did you know that central Virginia is home to 37% of the world’s Alpha-Gal Syndrome cases? Tick-borne illnesses are a growing public health concern across the country, and our region—with its warm, humid climate and wooded environments—has become a hotspot for diseases like Alpha-Gal. In 2024 alone, Centra reported more than 2,100 cases systemwide, underscoring the need for local solutions to this complex condition.
In response, Centra has launched an innovative initiative to support individuals living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome by creating a cookbook and educational guide that brings clinical expertise into the kitchens of our communities.
Developed by a multi-disciplinary team from across Centra, this cookbook is a comprehensive tool designed to help individuals with Alpha-Gal manage and understand their disease in order to thrive. The cookbook includes recipes for snacks, salads, soups, entrees and desserts that are safe to eat without sacrificing flavor!
One Caregiver who helped to spearhead this project is Johnathan Martin, Associate Director of Nutrition Services. Diagnosed with Alpha-Gal himself, Johnathan experienced months of feeling unwell before receiving his diagnosis. His own personal journey reshaped how he thought about food and his role in the food services industry.
“As a food service director, I had many questions about how I could do my job— cooking and handling foods that could trigger an allergic reaction—and whether I could taste-test the dishes I was preparing,” he shared.
The cookbook’s educational section offers practical, accessible guidance on identifying Alpha-Gal symptoms, foods to avoid, prevention strategies, treatment options and safe tick removal. By blending medical insights with everyday recipes, Centra is empowering community members with the knowledge they need to manage their health confidently.
Tiffany Covarrubias-Lyttle, who spearheaded this project and serves as the corporate director of Cultural Integration shared, “Knowledge is power, and our community is where we find strength. We created this cookbook and guidebook because too many of us—our families, our friends, our communities—are living with Alpha-Gal and often feel like we’re navigating this journey alone. But no one has to walk this path by themselves; there is support and community here, too. That’s why we needed to create the cookbook and guidebook. It’s a tool for our community to use to get to their best version of life and wellbeing.”
Centra’s efforts have also extended beyond the pages of the cookbook through Alpha-Gal-friendly meal options for patients within our four hospitals, ensuring that appropriate meals are always available for our patients no matter their health condition.
This forward-thinking project was made possible through the generous support of the Centra Foundation, further demonstrating Centra’s commitment to meeting the unique and evolving needs of the communities we serve.
If you would like to add Centra’s “A Cookbook & Guide for Alpha-Gal” to your home library, you can purchase a copy at one of our gift shops which are located within Lynchburg General Hospital, Virginia Baptist Hospital, Bedford Memorial Hospital and the Alan B. Pearson Regional Cancer Center.