coming to the Morgantown market.
Cody Sustakoski, a Morgantown native and long-time First United employee, was recently named regional market president of the North Central West Virginia and Southwestern Pennsylvania region. In this role, he will oversee brand and strategy in the market, execute corporate strategies and values and work to increase sales and service performance.
In addition to Sustakoski, Morgantown also welcomes managing director of commercial banking, Keith Morgan, and director of commercial banking, W. Tanner Russell. Morgan and Russell each bring more than 15 years of banking experience to First United. Morgan will oversee the deposit and commercial team and increase the bank’ s presence in the market. Russell will focus on oversight of the commercial team and have an active role in commercial relationship business development.
“ These changes help to illustrate the bank’ s commitment to North Central West Virginia,” says R. L. Fisher, senior vice president and chief revenue officer at First United.“ We will continue to build on our solid foundation and strive to enrich the lives of our customers and the communities of North Central West Virginia. With the addition of Keith and Tanner and the promotion of Cody, we feel we have a great team that is positioning us to make a positive impact on our community.”
Cody Sustakoski, Keith Morgan and W. Tanner Russell.
Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Expands Access to Groundbreaking Alzheimer’ s Treatment
The West Virginia University( WVU) Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute( RNI) is providing greater statewide and regional access to a groundbreaking Alzheimer’ s disease treatment.
The RNI stands at the forefront of Alzheimer’ s care somewhat due to its use of monoclonal antibody( MAB) therapy to treat patients with mild cognitive impairment( MCI) or mild Alzheimer’ s disease. The rising demand for treatment, coupled with the treatment schedule and the state’ s rural infrastructure, drove the need to support patients closer to home.
Alzheimer’ s disease currently affects nearly seven million Americans age 65 and older, according to the Alzheimer’ s Association. In 2020, approximately 38,000 West Virginians had Alzheimer’ s. Nearly 14 % of West Virginians who are age 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline, diagnosed when a person experiences memory loss or confusion, but performs normally on cognitive tests.
The RNI team became one of the nation’ s early adopters in using MAB therapy to help slow progression of early onset or mild Alzheimer’ s. The drugs aducanumab( Aduhelm), lecanemab( Leqembi) and donanemab( Kisunla) work to reduce the buildup of plaques in the brain. Patients receive the drugs through IV infusion.
“ Over the past several years, 30 % and more of the referrals for our Memory Health Clinic have come from more than two hours away,” Larry Georgiana, senior director of clinical operations for RNI’ s Neurology Clinic, says.
RNI’ s treatment of early onset Alzheimer ' s and mild cognitive impairment using monoclonal antibody IV therapy is now more accessible to patients statewide.
Patients were not only coming from all over the state but also from surrounding states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland. While not ideal, a once-a-month trip to Morgantown for an infusion seemed doable for most patients.
Along with the Cancer Institute, Wheeling Hospital and Garrett Regional Medical Center, the program rapidly expanded to include WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg and Thomas Hospitals in Charleston.
“ For patients on a Leqembi treatment regimen, there are already a lot of stressors in their lives and for their families,” Stephen Cox, D. O., neurologist at Princeton Community Hospital’ s Neurology Clinic, says.“ Having access to Alzheimer’ s treatment right here in Southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia eliminates the need for hours of travel to an academic medical center. This not only eases the emotional and physical burden on families but also improves the likelihood that patients can consistently attend all their appointments, which is crucial for the effectiveness of this treatment.”
Mountain State Co-Hop Launches Appalachian Cellar Brand Across West Virginia
Mountain State Co-Hop has launched its Appalachian Cellar brand. More than 366 locally made gourmet foods, skincare items, artisanal products and value-added products are now available wholesale throughout the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Appalachian Cellar products are soon to be prominently featured at West Virginia State Parks, introducing guests to locally made skincare and the innovative Trail Blazer Breakfast line, designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts and travelers seeking authentic Appalachian experiences.
“ This expansion demonstrates the economic potential and versatility of West Virginia agriculture as well the ingenuity of what can happen when folks work together,” says Spencer Moss, executive director of the West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition, which has supported the cooperative’ s growth.
Appalachian Cellar products are available for wholesale purchasing through AppalachianCellar. com. Later this year, the cooperative anticipates expanding its direct-to-consumer capabilities, allowing customers nationwide to purchase, pack and ship individual products directly to their homes.
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