CAMC to receive $3.9 million in public funding for rural health training and worker support

Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) will receive three awards totaling more than $3.9 million to train rural healthcare providers, prepare fellows for rural practice and help people with chronic health conditions stay in or return to work.

Governor Patrick Morrisey outlined the awards October 30 in a release from his office. They come through the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program, which is paid for by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

The $500,000 award will pay for rural providers to learn through clinical work, simulations and remote mentoring. Training resources will include portable ultrasound, telehealth and digital teaching tools, with attention to chronic conditions and other priority health needs.

Another $1,693,946 will support an effort focused on Kanawha County to prepare advanced practice provider fellows for rural work. It will fund curriculum development and training for faculty and clinical supervisors, along with rural telehealth stations. Housing, travel and help getting started at rural clinical placements are included.

Eligible fellows may receive $15,000 a year, up to $75,000, if they commit to working at Vandalia Health facilities for five years after graduation.

Those two awards fall under the Mountain State Care Force initiative, which focuses on developing and keeping rural healthcare providers.

The third award, $1,736,320 through the Health to Prosperity initiative, will fund CAMC’s Pathways to Success program. It is intended to help West Virginians manage chronic health conditions while continuing to work or preparing to return.

Workforce Health Liaisons will work with participants to identify their needs and find care. They will also involve employers and help develop individual plans for returning to work.

The governor’s office said more awards are planned. A recording of Morrisey’s announcement is available online.