All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Private philanthropy aids WVU Medicine advanced practice providers

Advanced practice providers Stacy Forst, P.A.-C. (from left), Janet Johnson, A.P.R.N., and J. Brandon Arruda, A.P.R.N., are working together to boost recognition for WVU Medicine APPs through private philanthropy. (WVU Foundation photo/Garrett Cullen)

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Private philanthropy is boosting support for WVU Medicine’s growing team of advanced practice providers (APPs). 

The Grateful Patients, Families, and Friends Program recently contributed $10,000 to establish a new Advanced Practice Professionals Discretionary Fund. All contributions will be used by the WVU Medicine Office of Advanced Practice Professionals to support recognition, professional development, and other program enhancements. 

APPs are medical professionals who have completed specialized training to perform exams, prescribe medications, and provide other healthcare services traditionally performed by doctors. Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives are all examples of APPs.

Numerous studies have shown APPs increase access to healthcare, and national workforce projections indicate the number of APPs will increase exponentially in the coming years. More than 1,000 APPs work within the WVU Medicine system, and that number continues to grow. 

“As a vital part of the provider workforce, advanced practice professionals work in a variety of healthcare settings within the WVU Medicine system,” J. Brandon Arruda, A.P.R.N., chair of the Office of Advanced Practice Professionals Recruitment and Retention Committee, said. “We are managing acute and chronic health disparities, focusing on health maintenance, and leading in research and teaching opportunities.”

Joe Weir, of Grant Town, West Virginia, has seen Arruda, an advanced practice registered nurse and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, for a few years as a patient at WVU Medicine Urology. Weir said he has always received excellent care from APPs and finds that they offer greater flexibility and convenience when it comes to scheduling.

“My experience has been fantastic,” Weir said. “[Arruda] is very knowledgeable, has a great bedside manner. It feels like he’s known me forever. I can’t say enough good things about him, because he just does a great job.”

WVU Medicine hosted its first day of recognition for APPs in 2018. WVU Medicine joined 40 other hospitals and health systems nationwide to launch the first National APP Week in September 2021.

Recognition activities are organized by the Office of Advanced Practice Professionals’ Recruitment and Retention Committee. In years past, WVU Medicine has provided small gifts to APPs systemwide and hosted a luncheon with guest speakers and photo booths for APPs at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital

Arruda and others hope to build upon those recognition activities for National APP Week 2022 and beyond with the aid of private philanthropy. They have already garnered additional support from Friends of WVU Hospitals, which provided $1,000. 

“Increased support for recognition activities, professional development, and other efforts helps to ensure we can recruit and retain the very best providers to meet our patients’ needs,” Arruda said. “WVU Medicine has generously provided funds at an institutional level, but additional dollars from grateful patients and others will bolster our efforts to support the advanced practice providers working to improve the health and well-being of patients in West Virginia and the surrounding region.”

To contribute to the Advanced Practice Professionals Discretionary Fund, visit Give.WVU.edu/APP to make a gift securely online. All gifts are made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University and its affiliated entities.

Established in collaboration with the WVU Foundation, the Grateful Patients, Families, and Friends program provides opportunities for individuals, family members, and friends to recognize the exceptional care provided by WVU Medicine physicians, nurses, APPs, and other healthcare professionals.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

WVWC Golf

WVWC golf teams compete at UC Invitational

West Virginia Wesleyan men’s and women’s golf teams competed at the University of Charleston Invitational Sept. 8–9, with the men finishing 19th (+101) and the women 15th (+185); Robin Heidenreich and Sydney Baird led.
BUHS Boys Soccer Feature Image

Soccer Bucs can’t get it going in 3-1 loss to Robert C. Byrd

Robert C. Byrd beat Buckhannon-Upshur 3-1, capitalizing on second-half goals by Carson Bennett and Orion Rohrbaugh as the Eagles dominated shots and corners while Coby Smith scored B-U’s lone goal.

SSAC releases first set of playoff ratings; B-U is 15th in Class AAAA

The WVSSAC released its first playoff ratings after three weeks of the regular season, with Buckhannon‑Upshur ranked 15th in Class AAAA despite a 0‑3 record due to strength-of-schedule bonus points.

Upshur County FFA hosts tailgate party with Philip Barbour FFA

Upshur County FFA hosted a pregame tailgate that doubled as its September meeting, bringing members and administrators from Philip Barbour County together to celebrate school spirit, games, food, and the new officer team’s leadership.

Buckhannon woman arrested for allegedly sending money from grandfather’s card via Cash App

A Buckhannon woman was arrested after allegedly using her grandfather’s bank card to send herself about $9,690 via Cash App over 22 transactions.

Patricia Gayle “Patty” Boone

Patricia Gayle Boone, 52, of Buckhannon, died Sept. 14, 2025, after a three-year cancer battle; she is survived by her children, grandchildren, companion and stepfather and worked as a receptionist at Spectacle Family Eyecare.

Delores Ann Smith

Delores Ann Smith, 62, of Mabie, West Virginia, died September 15, 2025; a nurses aide who loved gospel music, she is survived by her mother, a sister, nieces and nephews.

Upshur County Commission Agenda: September 18, 2025

Upshur County Commission’s agenda for its September 18, 2025 meeting, posted September 16, lists items commissioners will consider.

Five athletes, one team inducted into B-UHS Athletic Hall of Fame in Saturday ceremony

Five athletes — Brian Bergstrom, Terry Brake, Lauren Cvechko, Mackenzie Leigh and J.R. Tenney — and the 1958 Buccaneer baseball team were inducted into the Buckhannon-Upshur Athletic Hall of Fame Saturday.