CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced more than $3.9 million in West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program (WV RHTP) awards to Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) to train and retain rural healthcare providers, expand access to care, and help West Virginians with chronic health conditions remain employed or return to work.
Download and watch the Governor’s announcement here.
“These investments are going to make a real difference for West Virginians, whether it's helping someone manage a chronic health condition, stay on the job, or get the care they need closer to home,” said Governor Morrisey. “When more people are healthy and able to work, we're strengthening our economy, improving the standard of living, and creating a virtuous circle that benefits the entire state.”
The three awards include two investments through the Mountain State Care Force (MSCF) initiative focused on training, developing, and retaining rural healthcare providers, as well as one investment through the Health to Prosperity (HTP) initiative focused on helping West Virginians with chronic health conditions remain employed or successfully return to work.
A $500,000 award will expand hands-on clinical education, simulation-enhanced training, and virtual mentorship for rural healthcare providers. The investment will give providers access to practical training tools, including portable ultrasound, telehealth capabilities, and digital teaching resources, with a focus on chronic conditions and other priority health needs.
A $1,693,946 award focused on Kanawha County will strengthen the pipeline of healthcare professionals prepared for rural practice. The investment supports training for advanced practice provider fellows (including curriculum and faculty/preceptor development), telehealth stations in rural areas, and housing, onboarding, and travel support for rural clinical placements. Eligible fellows may also receive $15,000 per year, up to $75,000 total, in exchange for a five-year post-graduation employment commitment within Vandalia Health facilities.
A $1,736,320 award will support CAMC’s Pathways to Success program, helping West Virginians with chronic health conditions remain employed or successfully return to work. The investment includes Workforce Health Liaisons who will assess participants’ needs, help them navigate care, engage employers, and support individualized return-to-work planning.
“CAMC has been a trusted healthcare partner in West Virginia for years, with deep experience caring for our communities and training the professionals who serve them,” Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh said. “CAMC brings the clinical expertise, educational infrastructure, and strong community relationships needed to turn these investments into meaningful results. We know CAMC understands West Virginia, and we’re confident in its ability to help strengthen both the health of our people and our workforce.”
“A strong rural health system starts with a strong workforce,” said CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz. “Through President Trump’s Rural Health Transformation Program, West Virginia is investing in the people who deliver care, building stronger pathways into rural health careers, and helping more Americans get healthy and return to work.”
Additional awards will be announced as West Virginia continues implementing its RHTP to improve healthcare outcomes, expand access to care, strengthen the healthcare workforce, and help more West Virginians get healthy and return to work.
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/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
