WV announces $4.2 million investment in healthcare transportation

West Virginia state seal. Used by written permission by Chief Deputy and Chief of Staff of West Virginia Chuck Flannery

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey announced a $4.2 million investment to improve healthcare transportation across the state on Friday.

The funding will support the Emergency Medical Service Collaboratives and Public Transportation Collaboratives in an effort to help patients connect to the right care, at the right place, at the right time.

The funding will help multi-county EMS departments and regional transportation networks work together to connect patients during a non-emergency to primary care clinics, urgent care centers, behavioral health providers or other Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Funding must be used to support transformation and system improvements rather than routine operational costs.

In the announcement Governor Morrissey said, “Too many West Virginians have difficulty getting the healthcare they need simply because of where they live or because they don’t have reliable transportation.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Laurel Ridge and Blue Ridge Hospice partner to strengthen workforce

Logo used by permission from Laurel Ridge Community College

Laurel Ridge Community College and Blue Ridge Care Hospice announced a new partnership to help strengthen the healthcare workforce for the future.

This collaboration through a clinical affiliation agreement is designed to provide valuable clinical experience for students enrolled in the College’s Emergency Medical Services and Nursing Programs.

Students will gain hands-on experience under the supervision of Blue Ridge Hospice and have access to their Inpatient Center and expert clinical team.

This collaboration will provide a meaningful learning opportunity for the students that directly benefits both organizations and the community while fostering the development of future healthcare professionals.

The agreement went into effect on January 1st, 2025.

Scott VanderKooi, Dean of Health Professions at Laurel Ridge said, “The collaboration with Blue Ridge Hospice is an incredible opportunity for our students. This agreement allows us to provide our students with practical, real world experience that is crucial for their professional development.”

To view the announcement for the collaboration, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Middletown mourns passing of former Mayor and volunteer firefighter

Our thoughts are with the Middletown community as Former Mayor Neil Stallings passed away over the weekend.

He served as Mayor from 1972-1976 and was a member of the Middletown Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company for over 50 years.

He was an instrumental part of the current EMS system used by the Company and was an instructor for 12 years, imparting his wisdom and technical knowledge to the next generation of first responders.

Stallings was dedicated to educating and helping young people in the community and he was able to guide numerous students in his role as a counselor at Laurel Ridge.

The official town announcement is found here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.