The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) hosted representatives from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a two‑day site visit focused on advancing the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
The visit underscored continued progress across the RHTP, allowing CMS and State leaders to engage directly with local partners and hear firsthand accounts of navigating rural West Virginia’s healthcare landscape. The CMS delegation, featuring national program leadership, shared best practices from across the country to help West Virginia ensure the program remains highly effective, compliant, and sustainable for the long term.
“It was a privilege to host our CMS RHTP partners and show them firsthand West Virginia’s need, but, more importantly, our potential,” shared Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh. “We are incredibly proud of the work we are doing with RHTP. Our strong program model is going to truly transform our state’s rural healthcare, and the feedback we received from CMS is that we are on the right track. My team and I want to thank them for this program, this opportunity, and their collaboration. Together, we are going to see not just a healthier West Virginia, but a healthier nation.”
During the visit, CMS and State officials toured the Williamson Memorial Health & Wellness Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Mingo County. Leaders met with the providers, clinicians, and staff navigating the daily realities of rural care - including geographic isolation, transportation barriers, and high rates of chronic disease. These conversations provided valuable insight into local priorities, capacity, and community context, helping inform how program planning can best support rural providers and residents.
“Rural healthcare is often defined by its challenges, but this visit gave us an opportunity to showcase its possibilities,” said Chief Strategic Officer and Director of Behavioral Medicine for the Williamson Health and Wellness Center Durand Warren, LPC, MBA.
“Every day, our team sees the impact that trust, relationships, and integrated care can have on the lives of individuals and families across Southern West Virginia. This region is sitting on the edge of rural health transformation, and we believe we have helped build a foundation that can serve as a model for healthier communities across our state. By focusing on prevention, early intervention, workforce development, and relationship-based care, we are helping move healthcare beyond treating illness and toward building healthier lives. We are honored to share our work with CMS and the Department of Health and are grateful for the partnerships that continue to make rural health transformation possible.”
A dedicated panel discussion with the Food is Medicine Coalition highlighted West Virginia’s most pressing health challenges - including chronic illness, food insecurity, and limited nutrition access. Participants focused on how targeted nutrition, wellness, and preventative care can complement traditional clinical medicine, particularly in rural communities where health outcomes are heavily driven by social determinants.
CMS and State leaders also traveled to the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (RNI) in Morgantown to explore how innovation, research, and technology‑enabled care models may help inform future RHTP initiatives. These conversations centered on emerging ideas and research‑driven insights that could support program readiness and long‑term impact as RHTP advances toward implementation.
“We are grateful to Secretary Singh, Department of Health leadership, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services team for visiting the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute today,” said Executive Chair of the WVU RNI Ali Rezai, M.D. “Transforming rural health requires expanding access to innovation and delivering care for patients wherever they live. Secretary Singh’s vision aligns closely with our mission at the RNI to accelerate new technologies, research, and neurological care to the communities that need them most.”
Overall, the site visit underscored a strong and collaborative partnership between CMS and the State, driven by open dialogue, shared priorities, and a mutual commitment to improving rural health outcomes. The RHTP continues to gain momentum across multiple initiatives; currently, nine funding opportunities totaling more than $62 million are posted on wvOASIS, with additional projects moving through final review.
The Department of Health appreciates CMS’s continued partnership and engagement. Ongoing coordination with CMS, the Governor’s Office, and state partners will remain critical as RHTP enters its next phase, building on the collaborative foundation reinforced during the site visit.
This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the financial assistance award totaling $199,476,098.72 with 100% funded by CMS HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement, by CMS/HS, or the U.S. Government.
Photo Captions:
- Image 1: CMS and State leadership observe innovative technology at Williamson
- Image 2: RHTP Program Manager, Secretary Singh, and Durand Warren walk and talk through Williamson
- Image 3: CMS and State leadership participate in a roundtable discussion with RNI
- Image 4: Ali Rezai, M.D., Executive Chair of the West Virginia RNI, participates in the CMS site visit
