Since becoming a founding member of the American Telemedicine Association’s (ATA) Center of Digital Excellence (CODE) in 2024, WVU Medicine Children’s has been advancing the standards of virtual care across West Virginia and the surrounding region. For their efforts, the team was recognized at the annual ATA NEXUS conference earlier this month in New Orleans.
WVU Medicine Children’s Pediatric Gastroenterology was selected as the recipient of the Advancing Access to Virtual Care Award, which recognizes outstanding teams that have improved quality, reduced the cost of care, increased efficiencies, improved clinical outcomes, increased patient and provider satisfaction, and delivered care to a large population of patients that include underserved or vulnerable populations via telehealth.
“This award is a powerful recognition of our team’s commitment to breaking down barriers to care for children in our state,” Audra Rouster, M.D., chief of pediatric gastroenterology, said. “By using telemedicine, we’re making it possible for families to receive subspecialty care in their communities. It means a lot to be recognized at the national level for the hard work we have put into creating a more equitable and accessible Health System.”
The Pediatric Gastroenterology team has been part of WVU Medicine Children’s Telemedicine Program since it began in 2018. Since then, it’s grown to four physicians providing care at five sites across West Virginia.
“Our clinic-to-clinic model is one of a kind,” Courtney Menchini, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist, said. “We are creating medical homes for complex pediatric patients, which is very different than the classic video services most people think of when they hear the term ‘telemedicine.’ You can see multiple subspecialists and have labs and imaging. The advanced practice provider at each site is an expert in the services WVU Medicine offers and community resources, too.”
WVU Medicine Children’s was also part of several panel discussions at the ATA NEXUS conference to showcase the multiple specialties and programs that provide telemedicine care.
“Healthcare delivery is complex, and WVU Medicine Children’s is coming to the table with solutions to some of the most pressing challenges to access to care,” Abigail Crawford, A.P.R.N., F.N.P-B.C., chief telemedicine advanced practice provider for WVU Medicine Children’s in Martinsburg, said.
“It’s creative programs like ours that will help to change the trajectory of the health and wellness of our state when resources are limited. Partnerships with organizations like the ATA provide us the opportunity to connect with other healthcare institutions, share our success, and learn from others.”
For more information about WVU Medicine Children’s, visit WVUKids.com.
