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

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital hosts signing ceremony for Aspiring Nursing Program recipients

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital held a signing ceremony honoring two West Virginia Wesleyan juniors selected for the Aspiring Nursing Program, which offers financial support, mentorship and liaisons to ease nursing students’ transition into practice.
Pictured are Karla Tucker, BSN, CCRN, NE-BC, St. Joseph’s Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer; Dr. Kimberly White, WV Wesleyan Director of Nursing; Skip Gjolberg, St. Joseph’s President & CEO; Recipients Lindsay Neel and Harley Linger.

WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital recently celebrated the future of nursing with a signing ceremony honoring two students selected for the Aspiring Nursing Program, a collaborative initiative with Davis & Elkins College and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

The event recognized Harley Linger and Lindsay Neel, both juniors at West Virginia Wesleyan College, as the latest recipients of the program’s support. Surrounded by faculty, hospital leadership, and family, the students formally committed to the program in a ceremony held at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The Aspiring Nursing Program provides selected students with financial assistance to help cover living expenses during nursing school. Additionally, each student is paired with a WVU Medicine local liaison, offering mentorship and professional guidance throughout their academic journey and into their transition as newly licensed registered nurses.

“This program represents more than financial support—it’s a commitment to nurturing and mentoring our future nurses,” said Karla Tucker, BSN, CCRN, NE-BC, Director of Nursing and Chief Nursing Officer at WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital. “Harley and Lindsay are outstanding students, and we’re proud to support them as they prepare to serve our communities with skill and compassion.”

The Aspiring Nursing Program continues to be a key component of WVU Medicine’s broader strategy to address workforce needs and invest in the next generation of healthcare professionals across the region.

If you are a nursing student at Davis & Elkins College or WV Wesleyan and would like more information about the Aspiring Nursing Program, please contact Angela Heavner at angela.heavner@wvumedicine.org.

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