2023 WV AHEC Annual Report

The WV AHEC Program Office works with the five WV AHEC Centers to provide quality programs that expose and recruit high school students in grades 9–12 into health careers, including public health, with an emphasis on serving individuals from underrepresented populations and rural and/or medically underserved settings. Centers provide high school students with the opportunity to shadow different health professionals at Federally Qualified Health Centers, participate in health professions careers clubs, health career presentations, and health career expositions. Centers also collaborate with the WV Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) and Health Occupations Students Association (HOSA) chapters to expose students to science and health-related careers through interactive activities.

A total of 1,416 high school students completed pipeline activities in FY 2023. Most of these participants (96.0%) were from a rural or disadvantaged high school or self-identified their race/ethnicity as an underrepresented population.

Structured Programs

Health Sciences & Technology Academy Camps and Clubs

HSTA’s goal is to increase college attendance of students from underrepresented population, disadvantaged, and/or rural backgrounds and increase healthcare providers in rural and underserved communities. Students join HSTA clubs in the 9th grade and remain in HSTA for four years. They engage in rigorous academic programs within the nurturing environment of a small after-school club. They develop research projects under the mentorship of teachers and researchers that examine, and address health issues faced by their communities.

• HSTA Senior Camp (Virtual). Rising seniors attended West Virginia University for three weeks. Through this mini-college experience students earned four free college credits in Statistics and Service Learning.
• HSTA Junior Camp (Virtual). Rising juniors attended the BioMed Camp at West Virginia University. Topics ranged from public health to zebra fish. Community engaged research skills were taught, and students developed research projects focusing on their community’s issues that they will conduct during the school year.
• HSTA Freshmen and Sophomore Camp (Virtual). Students were immersed in a forensics experience where they learned forensics and science techniques, evidence protocols, and presented their findings to the magistrate. Curriculum included leadership skills and multicultural evening activities.

Healthcare Exposure Week (CCAHEC)

High school students from Kanawha, Roane, Jackson, and Clay counties were exposed to multiple disciplines, working within the healthcare system and shadowing providers at Cabin Creek Health Systems (CCHS) clinics in Kanawha City, Sissonville, Clendenin, and Dawes. Students obtained certification in Red Cross Basic Life Support, Mental Health First Aid, and American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed. Training topics included working with healthcare teams; healthcare team professionalism and communication; motivational interviewing; evidence-based medicine; networking, interviewing and resume building; diversity, equity and inclusion; teamwork and collaboration; basic life support; wound care; addiction and harm reduction; and Narcan training. Program partners included Charleston Area Medical Center Institute, West Virginia University Office of Health Services Research, and West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Health Careers and College Expo (NWVAHEC)

172 northern West Virginia high school students from nine schools in eight counties attended a Health Careers and College Expo at the Brushy Fork Event Center in Buckhannon. Students had the opportunity to visit exhibits, participate in hands-on activities, and talk with representatives from technical schools, colleges, and universities. Health care practitioners and students in health professional programs hosted Q&A sessions for the students.

Health Careers Virtual Job Shadow Program (NWVAHEC)

The Health Careers Virtual Job Shadow program identifies junior and senior high school students interested in health careers and provides them with virtual shadowing experiences in health professions. The student selection process is accomplished through a collaborative arrangement with the high school’s HSTA teacher (when an active club is in place), the school’s guidance counselor and NWVAHEC Center staff. Utilizing an online platform, the Health Careers Virtual Job Shadow program allows students to explore a wide range of health careers and experience a typical day for someone in a specific health profession. For each health career, students learn about education/skills needed, salary, colleges/universities with applicable programs, and they can explore actual job postings. Students can also complete online assessments to determine careers highly suited to their personal interests.

Health Career Shadowing Program (SWVAHEC)

A group of students from Mingo Central High School and Tug Valley High School shadowed various healthcare professionals and disciplines at Williamson Health and Wellness Center and Mingo County Health Department. Disciplines shadowed were dentistry, primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, and behavioral medicine. The students had the opportunity to shadow various healthcare professionals such as dentists, dental hygienists, physicians (DO, MD), registered nurses, medical assistants, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed professional counselors, social workers, medical laboratory technicians, phlebotomists, and community health workers.

2023 Senior Portfolio Evaluation (SWVAHEC)

A group of Mingo Central High School Seniors developed Senior Portfolios that consisted of a cover letter, resume, letters of recommendation, certifications, and hours of clinical experience during their senior year. Students interviewed with a panel of evaluators that included various healthcare professionals and administrators. The health professionals reviewed and provided feedback to student portfolios and interviews. Students gained valuable insight and knowledge on application processes and interviews for health profession programs in West Virginia.

Students learned about educational opportunities and programs, West Virginia specific financial aid, college readiness, and loan repayment program opportunities provided by HRSA and WV Department of Health and Human Resources.

2023 Petersburg High School Career Club (EAHEC)

Health career club for students at Petersburg High School (PHS) in Grant County. Activities included monthly club meetings with health care presenters; a field trip to Bridgewater College with a Gross Anatomy Lab tour; CPR, First Aid and Stop the Bleed Training; and the PHS Health Career Fair with displays and activities by local health care providers. Students also participated in the Virtual Job Shadow online program.

2023 Berkeley County Health Career Club (EAHEC)

Health career club for high school students attending Martinsburg, Hedgesville, Spring Mills, and Musselman high schools.

Global Public Service Academy (SWVAHEC)

Rural healthcare and shadowing program for high school students from The Webb School of Knoxville in Tennessee. During the week, students shadowed various healthcare professionals and disciplines at Williamson Health and Wellness Center. Disciplines shadowed were primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, dentistry, and behavioral health. Students shadowed various healthcare professionals such as physicians (DO, MD), registered nurses, medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, and community health workers. Other activities included participation in health fairs, health screenings throughout the community, home visits with community health workers, and Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder recovery group meetings. Students also learned about the history, culture, and barriers within rural West Virginia.

2023 Moving Onward and Upward (NWVAHEC)

The Moving Onward and Upward (MOU) project identifies junior and senior high school students interested in health careers and provides them with extended shadowing experiences in health careers. The selection process is accomplished through a collaborative arrangement with medical or mid-level staff working at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), NWVAHEC staff, and the high school’s HSTA teacher or guidance counselor. Six MOU students rotated with appropriate health professionals from a variety of departments within the FQHC for a total of 50 hours each.

FQHC staff supervise these shadowing opportunities and act as coordinators to manage the activities of the MOU students while completing their rotations. NWVAHEC staff meet weekly with MOU students to discuss their rotation experiences, plan community projects, coordinate health career enrichment education, and schedule activities with one of the state’s schools of medicine. When available, undergraduate and graduate health profession students rotating in the NWVAHEC region meet with the MOU students to increase their knowledge of health careers. In addition, NWVAHEC staff direct the MOU students while they complete independent learning projects including public health research, health career research, and health professional interviewing. Students also complete assignments in the Virtual Job Shadow platform which exposes them to additional career choices, college/program information, scholarship opportunities, and resume building skills.

Additional Pipeline Programs in 2023

• Health career presentations at Mingo Central High School and Tug Valley High School (SWVAHEC) to learn about health career tracks, educational opportunities, and financial aid.
• WV HOSA Student Leadership Conference (CCAHEC), a two-day event for nearly 300 students who participated in multiple, juried health topic competitions.
• Health career fair at Petersburg High School (EAHEC) for students in grades 10–12.
• Two Mini Med Schools for high school students held at the WV School of Osteopathic Medicine Clinical Evaluation Center (SEAHEC).

At the completion of structured activities, participants are asked about their intentions for their future careers. In FY 2023, survey response rates were 96.1% (699 of 727 students responded to at least one question on the survey). Of those who responded to at least one survey question, approximately half intend to pursue a health profession, work in a medically underserved area, and work in a rural area.

Interprofessional collaboration is practice and education where individuals from two or more professional backgrounds meet, interact, learn together, and practice. WV AHEC weaves interprofessional education into team-based activities, rural immersion activities and the Rural Community Health Scholars Program.

Following Interprofessional Education Activities, Health Professional Students Reported

• 87% gained a better understanding of their own approach to care within an interprofessional team.
• 88% gained an appreciation for the benefits of interprofessional teamwork.
• 83% see themselves preferring to work on an interprofessional team.
• 85% are confident in their ability to work collaboratively with other health professionals to achieve a goal.

The four figures above are the report’s highlight callouts. The tables that follow give the report’s detailed evaluation figures for the same activities.

Evaluation of Interprofessional Education for Training Activities for Current Health Professional Students, Residents and/or Fellows

Response scale: Not at all 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 To a very great extent.

Response scale: Not at all confident 1 – 2 – 3 Very Confident. The report shares one set of column headings across both sections of this table and does not state separately which scale points are counted in n for the post-assessment.

IPT – Interprofessional Team; values reflect total participation and not unique individuals.

Didactic Module Topics and Learning Objectives in 2023

Addiction in Rural Populations

• Identify the major theories of the etiology and drives of addiction.
• Define the continuum of addiction treatment options and the basic characteristics of the treatment and recovery process.
• Define the basic characteristics of opioids as an addictive substance and describe the factors that led to the current opioid epidemic.
• Describe key attributes of 12-step peer support groups and learn about 12-step meetings through direct experience.
• Describe how the Drug Court model compares to traditional criminal justice approaches to drug-related crimes and addiction.

Community-based Chronic Disease Prevention

• Learn strategies for preventing chronic disease.
• Explain connection between food insecurity and chronic disease.
• Explain connection between physical activity and chronic disease.
• Identify programs to engage children and youth.
• Identify challenges related to long term stability of behavior change.
• Reflect on your role for chronic disease prevention.

Cultural Competency

• Recognize the role of cultural competence in health care access, delivery and diagnosis and be able to articulate disparities in health care settings.
• Articulate a public health framework for culture’s role in healthcare.
• Reduce unconscious bias and stereotyping in health care delivery.
• Develop skills to optimize settings for diverse patient populations.

Interprofessional Education

• Define interprofessional education and explain the four core competencies for interprofessional education.
• Understand the IPE concepts: educational theory, assessment, debriefing and simulation.
• Utilize your knowledge of IPE and your profession to contribute to HSC IPE sessions focused on the core competencies.
• Use the knowledge and skills developed to serve as an active participant throughout IPE Week.

Substance Use Disorder: Pregnant and Parenting Women

• Become familiar with the biopsychosocial model of risk that often sets the stage for Substance Use Disorder in women of childbearing age in Appalachia.
• Become familiar with the developmental impacts of in-utero substance exposure to substances on infants at birth and the interactive impacts of this exposure with other environmental risk factors throughout childhood.
• Become familiar with recommended best practices for working with women and their families to help them move toward successful recovery.
• Become familiar with the characteristics of rural West Virginia/Appalachian culture that create risk and resilience factors for these women.

Trauma Informed Treatment Practices for Children and Families in Rural Areas

• Articulate the varying definitions of “rural” including those used by the federal government as well as the colloquial definitions used by community members.
• Understand the biopsychosocial model that surrounds families raising children with complex medical conditions and developmental disorders.
• Define the risk and resilience factors that function in nuclear and extended families in rural and urban areas and integrate an understanding of cultural impact on these factors.
• Understand the unique role that profession plays in meeting the needs of these families as a functioning system embedded in a culturally grounded community and the importance of working in integrated care teams.

Veterans in Rural Healthcare

• Understand the characteristics of rural veterans and how service experiences and social determinants of health contribute to veteran health care needs.
• Identify current and emerging health needs and issues and the role of culture and how the values within the context of military service impact health outcomes and access to care.
• Become familiar with current evidence-based practices and interprofessional approaches to meet veterans’ health care needs.
• Become familiar with locations and models of care in the rural health landscape to meet veterans’ health care needs.

Rural Immersions

RCH Scholars attend a rural immersion at least once during their two years in the Scholars program. Rural immersions include community experiences through which students learn about Appalachian culture and the unique healthcare opportunities available while contributing to healthcare prevention and promotion programs that address health disparities. In FY23, students could choose from the following immersions hosted by the five AHEC Centers:

Rural Maternal Health (SEAHEC)

Objectives for this immersion included understanding barriers to, and opportunities for improving access to high quality maternal health services in rural communities; the impact of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) on maternal and obstetric care; the role of government and non-government agencies in the provision and management of maternal care; the interprofessional role of healthcare workers within the maternal healthcare continuum of care; and using evidence based, maternal health interventions appropriate for rural communities.

Nutrition, Food Insecurity and Chronic Disease Prevention (NWVAHEC)

During the two-day immersion in several northern West Virginia rural communities, students participated in hands-on learning activities related to food preservation including canning and freezing, learning about food insecurity, chronic disease, and cooking on a budget. Students toured the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway and participated in Volunteer Saturday where they packed 234 food boxes that were distributed to seniors.

Health Inequities and Disparities in Rural Communities (SWVAHEC)

Students learned about the history, culture, growth, initiatives, assessments, and programs that support and address health inequities and disparities in rural communities; and about barriers that rural underserved communities face in southern West Virginia. They also gained knowledge and skills on gardening and canning, school-based mental health services, and services provided by local FQHC programs.

Health Policy and Advocacy in Rural Communities (CCAHEC)

Students learned about provider advocacy and involvement in addressing health policy and practice guidelines, legislative policy changes, regulatory enforcement in clinical practices, and how to work with the media to educate rural communities about emerging health concerns. Students attended Rural Health Day at the West Virginia Legislature, Black Lung presentations at an FQHC and pulmonary rehabilitation center, and met with local reporters to discuss media outreach.

Nutrition and Food Insecurity in Rural Communities (EAHEC)

Students participated in an interdisciplinary experience in Berkeley Springs to learn about food insecurity and nutrition. Presenters included WVU Extension, Glascock’s Produce, and Starting Points of Morgan County. At the Morgan County Senior Center, students volunteered at a community kitchen, preparing meals for community members. Students also worked with WVU MedCHEFS faculty and participated in a Chopped!-style Pantry Challenge and visited War Memorial Hospital to meet with their diabetic educator/dietician.

Central Counties Area Health Education Center (CCAHEC)

Charleston, WV. Host agency: Cabin Creek Health Systems. Staff: Jennifer Kayrouz, Executive Director.

Counties Served

• Clay
• Jackson
• Kanawha
• Roane

Mission Statement

The mission of Central Counties AHEC is to promote the health and well-being of all people in our communities, especially the most vulnerable, through health care that is guided by science, compassion, and respect and to contribute to the education of skilled and caring health professionals.

About the Center

CCAHEC has been working with Cabin Creek Health Systems, a federally qualified health center, to meet the mission and goals of the WV AHEC Program since 2006. Partners include the Boys & Girls Club, Coplin Health Systems, Community Care of WV West Virginia, WV Higher Education Policy Commission, WV Farmer’s Market Association, West Virginia University, Marshall University, Orchard Manor, and Charleston Area Medical Center Institute.

CCAHEC implements programs designed to support the AHEC goals of promoting healthcare professions, providing community education, supporting interprofessional collaboration, and workforce development. Programs include support of the West Virginia Social Work Conference, Healthcare Exposure Week, Mental Health First Aid Trainings, FARMacy health screenings, and health career presentations.

Program Participants Say

• “Learning about substance use and harm reduction makes me want to change to social work.”
• “I enjoyed visiting the state capitol building. I learned how accessible our state government representatives truly are.”

Eastern Area Health Education Center, Inc. (EAHEC)

Martinsburg, WV. Host agency: the Eastern AHEC is a stand-alone 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Counties Served

• Berkeley
• Grant
• Hampshire
• Hardy
• Jefferson
• Mineral
• Morgan
• Pendleton
• Tucker

Staff

• Aaron Henry, Executive Director
• Morgan Wright, Associate Director
• Candus Sutphin, Center Director
• Malinda Turner, Rural Experiences Specialist

Mission Statement

Central to the mission of the Eastern Area Health Education Center is service to the community. These services are provided in two ways: 1) the provision of service to the community via AHEC faculty and trainees. 2) The provision of education to the community via community-based outreach education.

About the Center

Eastern AHEC is housed in the WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Campus and has been serving the eastern panhandle since 2002. EAHEC is an independent 501(c)(3) organization governed by an advisory board of directors. Community partners include Grant Memorial Hospital, American Geriatrics Society, WVU Extension, Glascock’s Produce, Starting Points of Morgan County, Morgan County Senior Center, WVU MedCHEFS, War Memorial Hospital, Grant County Schools, and Berkeley County Schools.

EAHEC addresses issues related to community health and wellness, nutrition and obesity, elder care, substance use disorder, pain management, diabetes education, rural rotations, continuing education, and pipeline education for students. Programs include health career clubs in Berkeley and Grant counties, support for HSTA students and continuing education programs on osteoporosis, dementia, and reducing medication related falls in older adults.

Program Participants Say

• “The fact that you are able to hear different points of view about careers and know about careers that you might not have heard of. It is just a really good environment to learn about the medical field if one intends to go further into pursuing a career there.”
• “I enjoyed the speakers as I learned so much from them and it really inspired me to keep pushing for my career in medicine and health sciences.”

Northern WV Area Health Education Center, Inc. (NWVAHEC)

Glenville, WV. Host agency: Glenville State University Research Corporation.

Counties Served

• Barbour
• Braxton
• Brooke
• Calhoun
• Doddridge
• Gilmer
• Hancock
• Harrison
• Lewis
• Marion
• Marshall
• Monongalia
• Ohio
• Pleasants
• Preston
• Randolph
• Ritchie
• Taylor
• Tyler
• Upshur
• Wetzel
• Wirt
• Wood

Staff

• Amanda Fisher, Executive Director
• Kalan King, Project Coordinator
• Donna Rollyson, Instructor, Americorps Mental Health First Aid

Mission Statement

NWVAHEC’s mission is to bring quality healthcare to the underserved populations in 23 West Virginia counties by training, recruiting, and retaining health care professionals.

About the Center

NWVAHEC is located on the Glenville State University campus and has been operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit since 2003. Partners include WVU Medicine United Hospital Center, West Liberty University, Camden Clark Hospital, Normantown Historical Community Center, Mountaineer Food Bank, WVU Extension, West Virginia State University, Marshall University, and Project ECHO.

NWVAHEC provides resources and rural healthcare experiences to undergraduate and graduate students and residents, continuing education to healthcare professionals, and pipeline programs that expose high school students to health careers. Programs include Project ECHO, continuing education for healthcare professionals, support for HSTA camps, Virtual Job Shadow, Moving Onward and Upward, and Health Occupations Today (HOT) Expo for rural high school students.

Program Participants Say

• “My favorite experience was being able to shadow each department to see what each department/career field is like, so I get the choice to learn more about my future before it happens.”
• “I enjoyed shadowing the different healthcare professionals and learning how they all work together to give quality care to patients.”

Southeastern Area Health Education Center (SEAHEC)

Lewisburg, WV. Host agency: Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (MSOPTI).

Counties Served

• Fayette
• Greenbrier
• Mercer
• Monroe
• Nicholas
• Pocahontas
• Raleigh
• Summers
• Webster

Staff

• Angela L. Alston, Executive Director
• Amy McIntire, Administrative Assistant

Mission Statement

To advocate for quality primary and preventive health care delivery to rural and underserved populations by improving the distribution of health care professionals through academics and community collaboration.

About the Center

SEAHEC is located on the campus of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) and has been providing programs since 2002. Partners include WVSOM, Rural Health Initiative, West Virginia Perinatal Partnership, HSTA, Project ECHO, Drug Free Mother/Baby Program of Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia Breastfeeding Institute, and Family Care Health Centers.

The Center coordinates community health education, creates opportunities to expose health profession students to the health needs of rural underserved areas, and provides continuing medical education to health care professionals. Programs include support for HSTA camps, continuing education on pain management and opioids, and mini-med school site visits for high school students covering a range of health topics, such as wellness and self-care, healthy habits, heart health, physiology, anatomy, a discussion on the impact of social determinants of health, and an interdisciplinary health professions career presentation.

Program Participants Say

• “I enjoyed the Rural Maternal Health immersion—it was a thorough 3-day in-depth study, and it made me aware of issues I may personally have to navigate through myself”
• “The discussions enhanced my understanding and made me look deeper into the topic at hand.”

Southern West Virginia Area Health Education Center (SWVAHEC)

Williamson, WV. Host agency: Williamson Health and Wellness Center. Staff: Audrianna Ray, Executive Director.

Counties Served

• Boone
• Logan
• McDowell
• Mingo
• Wyoming

Mission Statement

The mission of Southern West Virginia AHEC is to improve the overall health of rural and underserved populations in southern West Virginia through exceptional education, training, recruitment, and program activities.

About the Center

Since 2018, SWVAHEC has been housed at Williamson Health and Wellness Center, a federally qualified health center in southern West Virginia. Partners include WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health, WVCTSI, Global Public Service Academy, Mingo County Schools, Marshall University, Mingo County Family Resource Network, New Heights Consortium, ABLE Families, and HSTA. SWVAHEC improves healthcare in their region by training healthcare professionals, encouraging high school students to pursue careers in healthcare, and helping health profession students expand their knowledge of rural healthcare disparities and increase their skills in caring for people in rural communities. Programs include motivational interviewing, health career shadowing, support for HSTA, health careers presentations, crisis prevention and intervention, and health center tours.

Program Participants Say

• “The community health workers taught me about how someone’s health is affected by public transportation, education, where they live, and access to healthy foods”
• “I learned so much about being a dentist in our rural community. The dentists and dental assistants I shadowed inspired me to pursue a dental career in West Virginia.”