West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute
The West Virginia Clinical & Translational Science Institute ( WVCTSI ), based at the West Virginia University ( WVU ) Health Sciences Center in Morgantown , is an academic home and catalyst for clinical and translational research . Its main focus is targeting priority health areas affecting West Virginians , such as substance use disorder , cancer , cardiovascular disease , chronic lung disease , neurologic disorders such as Alzheimer ’ s disease and stroke and emerging epidemics such as COVID-19 and HIV . With generous support from diverse Mountain State institutions as well as the National Institute of Health , the WVCTSI focuses on research partnerships with collaborating institutions for the purpose of improving health for all West Virginians .
The organization , led by Sally Hodder , M . D ., has developed a practice-based research network comprised of 107 sites throughout West Virginia that seeks to create and participate in medical research relevant to West Virginians . In addition , the WVCTSI focuses its multiple programs on the development of investigators who will discover tomorrow ’ s breakthroughs . The organization also advocates for equal pay and equitable recognition for women in science by supporting Females Advancing Clinical and Translational Science , or FACTS , a WVCTSI program .
For more information visit www . wvctsi . org .
State . Today , Hodder is applying her expertise to help combat the coronavirus pandemic . In September , she was awarded $ 1.5 million by the NIH to lead an eightstate consortium in the National COVID Cohort Collaborative , a national database that will help better understand COVID-19 .
“ Access to this data will enable us to answer questions that directly relate to our West Virginia population ,” says Hodder . “ As we learn more about this new virus , having current and comprehensive data will be an invaluable tool .”
Hodder was also awarded $ 4.7 million in partnership with the West Virginia National Guard , West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and Partnership of African American Churches to expand COVID-19 testing . Additionally , multiple NIH clinical trials are being brought to West Virginia , providing West Virginians opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research .
“ Rural populations have historically been underrepresented in clinical trials , which means that regional differences in response may be missed ,” says Hodder . “ Having lived through the HIV epidemic
when all my AIDS patients were dying and seeing that through research , that death sentence has been transformed into an easily treated chronic disease , I have no doubt that through research and effective communication of results , we will bring COVID-19 under control .”
While there is no question that Hodder is an asset in her current role , there are still many things she wants to accomplish .
“ A critically important area is harm reduction and HIV prevention among women who inject drugs ,” she says . “ Women with substance use disorders deserve more voice so as to inform successful programs to enable their recovery .”
Having grown up in rural Ohio , Hodder has loved returning to Appalachia for its wonderful people and natural beauty .
A self-described relentless optimist , Hodder loves working with others — especially those committed to excellence . Her intrepidity of character and commitment to improving the health outcomes of West Virginians exemplify the best qualities of the medical profession and reverberate throughout the country in a time when optimists such as herself are needed more than ever . •
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