accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists ( CAP ).
The CHH and SMMC laboratories are two of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities nationwide . The lab directors are Krista Denning , M . D ., professor and chair of the Department of Pathology at the Marshall University Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine and Thomas Dougherty , M . D .
“ Our laboratory teams play a key role in providing highly reliable health care to our community ,” says Matthew Brooks , MLS ( ASCP ) CM , director of clinical laboratory services at MHN . “ This CAP accreditation is confirmation of the excellent services our dedicated staff provides every single day .”
The federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program , which began in the early 1960s as being equal to or more stringent than the government ’ s own inspection program . During the CAP accreditation process , designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients , inspectors examine the laboratory ’ s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years . CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications , equipment , facilities , safety program and record and overall management .
WVSOM Vice President Helps Establish West Virginia First Foundation
WVSOM Vice President Drema Hill with Governor Jim Justice .
On March 22 , West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed into law Senate Bill 674 , creating the West Virginia First Foundation to manage funds the state received through settlements with opioid manufacturers and distributors , pharmacies , consulting firms and other organizations found to have played a role in the opioid epidemic . To date , West Virginia has received the largest per capita opioid settlements in the country , worth more than $ 1 billion .
The legislation establishes the private , nonprofit West Virginia First Foundation , which will be responsible for distribution of settlement or judgment funds from opioid litigation .
The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ( WVSOM ) was involved in the establishment of the West Virginia First Foundation through Drema Hill , Ph . D ., MSP , the school ’ s vice president for community engagement and development . Hill has also served as a consultant to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey ’ s office for three years , working on the abatement side of the process . Hill said she was pleased with the legislation . “ I have been around a long time , and I cannot remember the last unopposed bill in both the House and Senate ,” Hill says . “ I am proud of our lawmakers .”
The ability to distribute funds from the opioid judgement and settlements will create resources in West Virginia for prevention , care , treatment and recovery for individuals with substance use disorder and their families .
The West Virginia First Foundation will be managed by a board of 11 members . Six members will represent the six state regions outlined in the West Virginia First memorandum of understanding approved by all 55 counties , and five members will be appointed by the governor . An executive director , appointed by the attorney general , will run the foundation ’ s everyday operations .
Shepherd University Hosts New SBDC Office
Businesses and students are benefiting from a new partnership between Shepherd University and the West Virginia Small Business Development Center ( SBDC ).
Last summer , the SBDC named Carol Goolsby , clinical assistant professor of business administration , a part-time business coach for the eastern region . She joined full-time coach Michael Boyd , whose office is in the Shepherd University Martinsburg Center . Adding Goolsby to its staff gives the SBDC additional resources , including access to Shepherd ’ s Applied Business Lab and student interns who can play a role in helping small businesses succeed .
The Applied Business Lab has multiple workspaces , including offices , a well-equipped conference room and a reception area staffed by student interns . Housing the SBDC office in the lab allows business and entrepreneurship students to advance their skills , contacts and community relations by working with local and student-run small businesses .
“ Many small business startups fail due to the lack of access to critical support services that they cannot afford such as the development of business plans , marketing and social media plans , financial projections and cash flow analysis ,” Goolsby says . “ Providing access to College of Business students increases the probability of small business startup success and gives students valuable work experience . This significantly enhances the opportunity of success for both the small businesses and the students .”
Goolsby estimates Shepherd students have served 25 businesses since the new arrangement began . Future plans include asking small businesses in Shepherdstown , WV , if students can assist them , developing a business incubator and adding more experiential learning projects for students involving the community , student businesses , SBDC and the university . •
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