2024 WV AHEC Annual Report

Central WV Area Health Education Center (CWVAHEC)

Charleston, WV. Host agency: Cabin Creek Health Systems. Staff: Adam Flack, Center Director.

Counties served: Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Roane.

Central WV AHEC: Strengthening the Pipeline through Partnerships and Immersive Learning. Central WV AHEC fostered powerful connections between students, providers, and communities this year through immersive experiences that emphasized advocacy, service, and holistic health. In partnership with community organizations across their service area, Central WV AHEC launched the West Side Youth Intervention, a summer program designed to engage local youth in health education, mindfulness, and exploration of healthcare careers. Working alongside the Jr. Master Gardeners Program, students participated in weekly lessons that combined hands-on science and wellness — from handwashing and garden safety to understanding nutrition, movement, and mental well-being. Health professions students and behavioral health providers from Cabin Creek Health Systems joined the sessions, sharing their own journeys into healthcare and inspiring campers to imagine futures in the field.

Throughout the fall, Central WV AHEC expanded learning through a two-part workshop series on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and Implicit Bias, guiding students to explore how community context and personal awareness influence patient care. Participants compared national screening tools, identified local referral resources, and practiced strategies like PAUSE to address bias in healthcare decision-making.

The Center also provided interprofessional clinical experiences through its Rural Women’s Health Interprofessional Team (IPT) experience, where a group of interprofessional students including individuals studying to be nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants worked with Cabin Creek Health System and partner clinics to provide care for women and families. The experience exposed learners to the realities of healthcare system access barriers and the social and cultural factors that shape women’s health in rural West Virginia.

Rounding out a year of impactful learning, Central WV AHEC hosted the Rural Immersion Provider Advocacy in Rural Communities through Policy and Outreach, an intensive three-day experience that immersed students in the state’s policymaking process. From blood pressure screenings at Rural Health Day at the Legislature to candid discussions with lawmakers, advocates, and service providers, participants gained firsthand insight into how clinical voices can influence health policy. Through panels with community partners such as the United Way of Central WV, WV Center on Budget and Policy, and Solutions Oriented Addiction Response of WV (SOAR WV), students learned that advocacy begins with understanding — and that lasting change often starts at the intersection of community, care, and policy.

Eastern WV Area Health Education Center, Inc. (EWVAHEC)

Martinsburg, WV. Host agency: The Eastern WV AHEC is a stand-alone 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Staff: Morgan Wright, Executive Director; Candus Sutphin, Center Director; Ashlee Hedrick, Rural Experiences Specialist.

Counties served: Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, Tucker.

Eastern WV AHEC: Empowering Communities and Inspiring Future Healthcare Leaders. Eastern WV AHEC brought students into the heart of Berkeley Springs for a three-day Rural Immersion on Food Insecurity and Nutrition in Rural Communities, blending hands-on service, interprofessional learning, and community connection.

Participants explored how access to healthy food shapes overall health by engaging directly with local organizations, farms, and families in Morgan County. They began their experience by joining a Farm to You event at the Berkeley Springs Family Medicine Clinic, where they toured the rural practice, spoke with providers about their work, and helped share fresh, seasonal produce with patients. Students also toured Glascock’s Produce Farm to see local agriculture in action before preparing a group dinner using the same ingredients provided at the clinic event.

Throughout the immersion, teamwork and reflection were built into student learning. They bonded during horseback riding at Good Luck Stable and volunteering at the local community kitchen, where they prepared and served meals to residents in need. Representatives from Starting Points of Morgan County shared their efforts to reduce food insecurity through family-focused initiatives, and the experience concluded with an interactive session led by Morgan County’s WVU Extension Agent, where students learned about SNAP, tended a small gardening activity, and packed boxes for the community food pantry.

By the end of the weekend, participants left with a deeper understanding of how food access, community engagement, and rural healthcare intertwine — and how collaboration can create lasting change in the health of West Virginia’s communities.

Eastern WV AHEC strengthened its youth pipeline this year through two active Health Careers Clubs serving high school students across Berkeley and Grant counties. The Berkeley County Health Careers Club engaged students in grades 9–12 in public health career exploration and mentorship, offering 20 hours of interactive programming to help them understand pathways into the health professions. Similarly, the Petersburg High School Health Careers Club provided a comprehensive introduction to healthcare careers through presentations, hands-on demonstrations, CPR and First Aid training, and a college visit. Both clubs were delivered in partnership with local schools, healthcare organizations, and community collaborators, and together supported 24 students—all of whom completed the program. These clubs continue to play an important role in sparking early interest in health careers and preparing students for future training opportunities in the region.

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

Glenville, WV. Host agency: Glenville State University Research Corporation. Staff: Amanda Fisher, Executive Director; Donna Rollyson, Instructor, Americorps Mental Health First Aid.

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.

Northern WV AHEC: Building Bridges to Health Careers and Strengthening Rural Healthcare. Northern WV AHEC continued to foster hands-on learning and community engagement through immersive experiences that connect classroom knowledge to real-world impact.

During the Summer of 2023, nursing student Madison Brown from West Virginia Wesleyan College completed a Medical Clinic Internship at the office of Dr. Ali Khan in Buckhannon. Over 150 hours, Madison gained practical experience in nearly every aspect of clinic operations — from understanding medical terminology and navigating insurance reimbursement to exploring financial management and healthcare law. Her internship also included a special project focused on re-engaging patients who had been “out of care,” giving her a firsthand look at the importance of patient outreach and continuity in rural health systems.

Later in the year, Northern WV AHEC hosted a Rural Immersion on Nutrition and Food Insecurity in Rural Communities, where students from multiple health disciplines spent two days exploring the intersection of nutrition, chronic disease, and food access. Partnering with WVU Extension, participants learned practical food preservation and budgeting skills at the Normantown Historical Community Center before volunteering at the Mountaineer Food Bank in Gassaway. Together, students packed more than 300 food boxes for seniors, directly contributing to the fight against hunger in West Virginia while deepening their understanding of the social determinants of health in rural settings.

Southeastern WV Area Health Education Center (SEWVAHEC)

Lewisburg, WV. Host agency: Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (MSOPTI). Staff: Angela L. Alston, Executive Director; Amy McIntire, Administrative Assistant.

Counties served: Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster.

Southeastern WV AHEC: Leading with Community-Centered, Immersive Rural Training. In fiscal year (FY) 2024, Southeastern WV AHEC, hosted by the non-profit Mountain State Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institutions (MSOPTI), continued to lead with purpose, bridging education, local needs, and rural health. Southeastern WV AHEC brought health education to life through a series of hands-on, community-centered learning experiences that bridged the gap between clinical training and real-world impact.

In partnership with the WV 100 Million Mouths Campaign and the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) Center for Rural and Community Health (CRCH), students led a Diabetes and Periodontal Health outreach at a Raleigh County community health fair. Serving 59 participants, they offered blood glucose screenings and shared critical information on how diabetes and oral health are deeply connected. Their work didn’t end there — students created a community brochure and developed a literature review to be shared during an upcoming “lunch and learn” hosted by WVSOM CRCH, ensuring the project’s reach extends beyond a single event.

Southeastern WV AHEC also emphasized early prevention through a Substance Use Prevention in Adolescence project held at Ronceverte Elementary during National Red Ribbon Week. Partnering with the WVSOM Pathology Club, second-year medical students engaged more than 160 third through fifth graders with interactive lessons on the effects of alcohol, tobacco, and vaping — sparking early conversations about health and choice in a way young students could understand.

Rounding out the year, Southeastern WV AHEC hosted a three-day Rural Immersion on the Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health at the WVSOM. Under the guidance of state and national experts, students explored how oral and systemic health intertwine, practiced fluoride varnish application, and connected with community members during a local health fair. The experience highlighted how interprofessional collaboration between medical, dental, and public health disciplines can strengthen care in West Virginia’s rural communities.

Southern WV Area Health Education Center (SWVAHEC)

Williamson, WV. Host agency: Williamson Health and Wellness Center. Staff: Audrianna Ray Neil, Director; Rebecca Johnson, Program Coordinator.

Counties served: Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming.

Southern WV AHEC: Inspiring Health Careers and Strengthening Local Pathways. Southern WV AHEC continued its mission this year to connect students with meaningful health career opportunities through immersive education and community engagement. In FY2024, Southern WV AHEC delivered two Health Career Presentations at both Mingo Central and Tug Valley High Schools, reaching a total of 40 students. Led by Andrea Clark, APRN, Maxine Colegrove, RN, and Audrianna Ray Neil, Southern WV AHEC Director, the sessions introduced students to career tracks in medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry. Presenters shared information on educational pathways, available programs, and financial aid options, such as student loan repayment options, aiming to inspire interest in healthcare professions and provide students with practical tools to pursue careers in the field.

Southern WV AHEC continues to expand hands-on learning opportunities by coordinating clinical shadowing experiences for high school students pursuing patient care training. Students from Mingo Central and Tug Valley High Schools completed the clinical portion of their education at Williamson Health and Wellness Center and the Mingo County Health Department. They observed a wide range of healthcare disciplines—including dentistry, primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, and behavioral medicine—and shadowed professionals such as physicians, nurses, dental hygienists, social workers, and lab technicians. These experiences offered students a meaningful glimpse into the diverse roles and responsibilities within the healthcare field.

Together, these initiatives reflect Southern WV AHEC’s commitment to building a locally rooted, culturally competent healthcare workforce: one student, one experience at a time.

Learning Where It Matters Most

Across West Virginia, health professions students stepped out of the classroom and into communities, many of them rural or medically underserved, to complete their clinical training. Guided by dedicated preceptors from every corner of the state, these students gained firsthand experience in the realities of rural healthcare. Whether in small clinics, critical access hospitals, or community health centers, they didn’t just learn how to care for patients, they learned how to connect with and serve communities. This immersive, community-based training is a cornerstone of our mission to grow a healthcare workforce that’s not only skilled, but deeply rooted.

The tables below show that in FY 2024, many of these students completed their community-based clinical rotations in rural or medically underserved communities (MUC). Out of all clinical rotations completed by the students represented in the table below, 84% were completed in West Virginia. Out of all the West Virginia rotations, 94.8% of sites were in MUCs.

Preceptors by County

In the printed report the county rows are grouped visually by AHEC region. That grouping is carried here as a column so it reads correctly in any order. A dash in the percentage column means no percentage was printed, because the county had no preceptors.

Advancing Continuing Education Through Project ECHO

WV AHEC remains committed to supporting a well-prepared, continuously learning healthcare workforce in rural and medically underserved communities. The program prioritized the expansion of access to high-quality continuing education by scaling the reach of Project ECHO, an evidence-based model that connects frontline clinicians with specialist-led teams through virtual, case-based learning.

Throughout this reporting period, WV AHEC Centers supported awareness of and participation in a series of continuing education opportunities designed to enhance clinical knowledge, strengthen interprofessional collaboration, and address emerging public health needs across the state. These offerings ensured that health professionals could maintain licensure requirements while gaining timely, practice-relevant competencies. Project ECHO served as a central platform for this work, enabling providers from both West Virginia and out-of-state to participate in interactive learning networks without leaving their communities.

FY 2024 Project ECHO Topic Areas

• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Campus Mental Health
• Child Protective Services
• Chronic Lung Disease
• Diabetes/PAD Footcare & Amputation Prevention
• Endocrine
• Hepatitis & HIV
• Multiple Sclerosis and Neurodegenerative Diseases
• Pregnant and Parenting Women with Substance Use Disorder
• Psychiatry
• Substance Use Disorder

Our continuing education events attracted a broad spectrum of professionals, creating a rich, multidisciplinary learning environment. Participants spanned behavioral health, medicine, nursing, public health, allied health—including respiratory therapy, medical assistants, and other allied roles—along with paraprofessionals, physician assistants, and many additional professions captured in the “Other” category. This broad mix reflects the depth and diversity of engagement across our healthcare community.

The table below shows participation from each of West Virginia’s 55 counties, representing strength in statewide reach and engagement across diverse communities.

By investing in continuing education and leveraging the Project ECHO framework, WV AHEC continued to advance workforce capacity, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen the quality of care delivered throughout West Virginia’s rural and underserved regions. This model of collaborative learning not only equips providers with up-to-date, evidence-based practices but also fosters a supportive network that reduces professional isolation and empowers clinicians to address complex health challenges within their own communities. Together, these efforts reinforce AHEC’s commitment to building a skilled, connected, and resilient healthcare workforce across the state.