WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health

08/27/2026

The WVU CED has introduced a new online course, "Patient Care for Patients with Disabilities in Rural Primary Care," as a flexible training opportunity.

This training is free for all students and medical residents.

This training will equip providers with the knowledge and skills to:

- Assess the unique needs of patients with disabilities.
- Develop tailored care plans to improve health outcomes.
- Overcome common challenges in rural primary care settings.
- Enhance patient engagement and satisfactions.
- Improve care coordination with specialists and community resources.

Why this micro-credential matters:

- 1 in 5 adults has a disability, and this number is projected to increase.
- Rural areas face significant disparities in access to disability care.

What you'll gain:

- 5 hours of interactive online content.
- Certification CE credits and/or community service hours.
- Ongoing support and networking opportunities.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and improve patient care. Enroll now and start making a difference in the lives of patients with disabilities!

Learn more and register: https://cedwvu.org/badges/patient-care-for-patients-with-disabilities-micro-credential/

WVU School of Medicine
WVU School of Nursing
WVU School of Public Health
West Virginia University- Occupational Therapy

08/26/2026

Health Careers A-Z

G is for Geriatrician!

Geriatricians are physicians who specialize in caring for the elderly population. They are specifically trained to evaluate and manage the unique healthcare needs of older adults. Rather than focusing on a single organ or disease, geriatricians specialize in the overlapping, complex health challenges that come with aging like memory loss, frequent falls, and managing a long list of medications safely.

On average, rural areas are aging faster than urban areas, resulting in a higher proportion of geriatric patients. This growing population increases the demand for geriatricians and specialized age-related care in rural communities, who often already have limited access to healthcare.

08/26/2026

Dr. Alyson Leo found her passion for rural healthcare.

Old-fashioned primary care is alive and well in Elkins, thanks in part to Dr. Alyson Leo. While a student at WVU School of Medicine, the Institute for Community and Rural Health’s programs pinpointed her passion to practicing medicine in her hometown—and now she’s giving back.

08/20/2026

Why PREP? Are you a West Virginia University junior or senior looking to make a meaningful impact in healthcare? The Pipeline Rural Education Program (PREP), an initiative of the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health, introduces undergraduate students to vital pathways in rural healthcare professions.
Apply now! https://health.wvu.edu/rural-health/students/pipeline-rural-education-program/

08/18/2026

WV AMP Hepatitis Training

Mark your calendar for the upcoming WV AMP Hepatitis training on September 8, 2026.

This training provides healthcare professionals and community partners with an opportunity to expand their knowledge and strengthen their skills related to hepatitis prevention, screening, treatment, and care.

Help us spread the word and encourage colleagues who work with rural communities and healthcare populations to take advantage of this educational opportunity.

September 8, 2026

Learn more and register:
https://wvrha.org/wv-amp-hepatitis/

Share this opportunity with your network.

08/18/2026

SAVE THE DATE

The 2026 West Virginia Rural Health Conference is coming to Morgantown!

Join WVRHA November 11 to 13, 2026, at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place for the 34th Annual West Virginia Rural Health Conference.

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Rural Health: Successes, Solutions, & Stories,” celebrates the people, partnerships, and ideas strengthening rural healthcare across West Virginia.

Plan to join healthcare professionals, community leaders, educators, advocates, and rural health partners from across the state for three days of learning, connection, collaboration, and inspiration.

November 11 to 13, 2026
Morgantown, WV
Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place

Mark your calendar and plan to be part of the conversation.

Learn more:
https://wvrha.org/wvrha-conference/

08/18/2026

What is a Rural Immersion?

A Rural Immersion Experience allows students to explore a unique healthcare topic in the state through the lens of medically underserved communities and cultures while interacting with regional Area Health Education Centers, community members, health professionals, interprofessional teams, and expert faculty in the region.

These experiences are designed to promote empathy and understanding that can be critical in future healthcare practice!

WV AHEC Rural Immersion Experiences for the AHEC Scholars 2026-2027 Academic Year:

Physical Activity and Nutrition, Glenville, WV, October 8-10, 2026

Rural Maternal Health, Lewisburg, WV, November 18-20, 2026

Aging in Rural America: Policy and Outreach, Charleston, WV, February 23-25, 2027

Increasing Quality Healthcare in Rural Communities, Williamson, WV, March 17-20, 2027

Food Insecurity and Nutrition in Rural Communities, Berkeley Springs, WV, April 23-25, 2027

08/18/2026

Future Healthcare Leaders: Serve Rural West Virginia with the 2026 RUSH Program Apply today!

2026 RUSH (Rural Undergraduate Shadowing in Healthcare) Program application opens Tuesday, August 18, 2026 | Health Sciences Hub | West Virginia University

Are you a WVU undergraduate student passionate about making a real difference where it’s needed most? Do you see yourself practicing medicine, dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, or behavioral health in a rural or underserved community?

08/16/2026

The Bureau for Behavioral Health seeks feedback from anyone who received behavioral health services in West Virginia since October 2025.

Your confidential answers help BBH understand how services are going in the state and what might be improved.

Participation links and printable surveys for adults, youth, or family of a youth who received services can be found at: wvaso.acentra.com/announcement/2026-wv-behavioral-health-consumer-satisfaction-surveys.

08/14/2026

For 17 years Megan Govindan has worked at the intersection of food systems, agriculture, and health, the last two of those at WVU ICRH. She leads Nourish West Virginia, an initiative that works to improve West Virginia’s health and prosperity through food system innovation.

“Food is our most intimate relationship with our body,” Megan says. “I'm passionate about helping people be able to have a relationship with their food and the people who produce it—and really understand there’s transformative power there that we can shift and share. And it’s also delicious!”

One little-known fact Megan touts is that West Virginia leads the nation in small family-owned farms, growing crops for their communities more than for large-scale markets. She says, “Typically small family-owned farms are motivated by the needs of their communities, to be able to rise up and meet that need, versus motivated to scale up production.” This makes farmers “frontline healthcare workers,” as Megan says, and crucial for their community’s health in many facets.

Thank you Megan for all you do!