BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV) has been awarded $944,874 through the Appalachian Regional Commission's (ARC) Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative to support healthcare workforce development and expand educational opportunities across West Virginia.
Through the award, CCWV will partner with 10 education and workforce development organizations, providing $75,000 to each partner to support efforts that strengthen healthcare education, expand training opportunities, and introduce students to careers in the healthcare field.
The POWER Initiative represents a collaborative approach to address healthcare workforce shortages in rural West Virginia. It also brings together educational institutions and community organizations to develop pathways into healthcare careers at multiple stages, from early career exploration to advanced clinical training.
"Developing a strong healthcare workforce requires investing in people at every stage of their educational and professional journeys," said Patricia "Trish" Collett, CEO of Community Care of West Virginia. "We're proud to work alongside these outstanding partners to expand educational opportunities, strengthen existing programs, and help prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. By investing in education today, we're helping build a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system for our communities tomorrow."
The 10 participating organizations and initiatives include:
Appalachian Impact: Expand the Adventure After School program for 6th-8th grade students to include career exploration and leadership development opportunities.
Fred Eberle Technical Center: Purchase equipment to provide students with hands-on, real-world training for healthcare careers.
West Virginia Junior College: Support the development and expansion of healthcare education programs.
West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing: Implement communication-simulation training to strengthen clinical communication skills.
Davis & Elkins College: Support and expand healthcare programs.
Pierpont Community & Technical College: Expand enrollment opportunities, strengthen clinical preparation, and improve alignment between educational programs and healthcare workforce needs.
Glenville State University: Provide free, comprehensive health and fitness assessments, including body composition analysis, resting metabolic rate, aerobic fitness, muscular ability, and other measures.
West Virginia University: Support community immersion experiences for medical students, providing opportunities to gain firsthand exposure to the healthcare needs of local communities.
Marshall University: Support expansion of the university's Physician Assistant Program.
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine: Fund a new Program Manager for Clinical Engagement position to support clinical engagement initiatives.
Together, these initiatives will support opportunities for students to explore healthcare careers, gain practical experience, and pursue educational pathways that prepare them to serve communities across the state.
The project also aligns with the ARC POWER Initiative's mission to expand economic opportunities and support workforce development in Appalachian communities impacted by changes in the coal industry.
Building a Long-Term Vision for Rural Healthcare
Beyond the immediate impact of the grant, the initiative represents an important step in CCWV's long-term vision to become a leader in healthcare workforce development in rural West Virginia.
That vision is also reflected in plans for the new Community Care of Buckhannon Integrated Health & Education Center, a four-story facility that will expand access to healthcare services while creating new opportunities for education and professional development. The building is currently under construction and is anticipated to be open in the spring of 2028.
The facility's fourth floor is envisioned as a dedicated education and workforce development space, providing a foundation for future training programs, academic partnerships, and efforts aimed at recruiting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals in rural communities. Beyond healthcare, the space will also be available to community organizations for educational programming, professional development, and workforce training across a variety of industries. The goal is to support broader economic growth and opportunity throughout the region.
The relationships strengthened through the ARC POWER grant will help lay the groundwork for these future opportunities, further connecting healthcare education with the evolving needs of communities throughout West Virginia.
"This award is about much more than expanding individual programs. It's about creating lasting partnerships and building a stronger foundation for the future of healthcare in West Virginia," continued Collett. "Our vision for the fourth floor of the new Buckhannon facility is an extension of that commitment. We want to create an environment where education, innovation, and healthcare come together to create meaningful career opportunities and develop the professionals our communities will depend on for years to come."
As CCWV continues to expand its services, facilities, and educational partnerships, workforce development will remain a central component of its mission to help our communities live the healthiest lives possible by meeting their immediate and long-term healthcare needs.
Community Care of West Virginia (CCWV) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in West Virginia serving over 50,000 patients from 30 West Virginia counties with twenty (20) community health center locations, thirty-nine (39) school-based health sites, ten (10) 340(b) pharmacies, and one (1) dental office. Community Care of West Virginia employs a dynamic team of more than 600 health professionals including MD, DO, FNP, PA-C, adult and adolescent psychiatrists, licensed and master's level behavioral therapists, RPH, and DDS’s. www.ccwv.org