CM : First of all , we have great leadership and very smart people in our state . From our elected officials and educational and business leaders to our community leaders and each citizen , we have understood the power that exists in this state and in its people . Our people and our state have done so much better than we would have ever anticipated . If you had told me today that this would be where we are in the pandemic , that this is the number of deaths we would have and these are all the metrics , I would have taken it in the bat of an eye because the Kaiser Family Foundation had us ranked as the most vulnerable of all states given our rural status , health care metrics and average age . We were thought to be the most likely state to do poorly during this , but we have done pretty well . We know people within our state still care about and for each other , and that has made a huge difference .
We have learned that we are a smart and innovative state . We were the first state to test all the nursing homes and the first to vaccinate these highly vulnerable people . We declared a state of emergency before we had a single documented case . We are among the best in the country in testing our population and have become the model for America on vaccine distribution and vaccination . West Virginia is acting as a beacon for our country and beyond .
We are changing the narrative , and not just to those outside West Virginia . We are changing the narrative our citizens tell themselves . In the past , we may have felt like the world passed us by , but we are a place that maintains a foundation of love for each other , of strong community , of service . We went underground to mine the coal , to build the Industrial Revolution , to fight the world wars . We have a huge per capita veteran population and understand the sacrifices of great service . That spirit is a huge benefit for us . We have smart , innovative people who care about each other . We have great communities , we serve , we elevate our behavior to help each other . We look out for each other , and that is such a powerful strength . I think we are changing that narrative in our own minds , seeing ourselves as a place that is really changing , as the phoenix rising , the place of ascension .
WVU Innovation Allows Patient Simulation Program to Continue through COVID-19
By Daniel Walsh
After COVID-19 stopped in-person simulated training for West Virginia University ( WVU ) medical students , leaders of the interprofessional education ( IPE ) program and Simulation Training for Education and Patient Safety Center , or STEPS , got creative , using a remotecontrolled robot to interact with patients in their homes .
“ Having the robot is really a huge advantage ,” says Dr . Gina Baugh , a clinical professor in the WVU School of Pharmacy . “ It enables the students to do the simulation safely and provides the connectivity needed for it .”
WVU ’ s InterDisciplinary Education Apartment Simulation project provides pharmacy , physical therapy , occupational therapy , physician assistant , public health , nursing and medical students the ability to use their training in a simulated environment . The overall intent of the activity is to foster interprofessional teamwork and communication skills and to promote compassionate care . The experience also gives students a look into a mock patient ’ s home environment and how they live their daily lives .
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Since the robot was introduced , multiple IPE simulations have taken place , and the students involved thus far have loved the experience .
“ Using the robot was a great experience that allowed valuable patient assessment ,” says Morgan Adams , a physical therapy student who was involved in the first simulation with the robot . “ Given the circumstances , it was a great resource that got us as close to interpersonal patient care as we can .”
The simulation allows students to connect to the event from WVU ’ s regional campuses in Keyser and Beckley and even allows students to see patients who are not in Morgantown .
“ We ’ re really looking into the future with this device ,” says Baugh . “ Though there is a personal side that is lost , it is still very beneficial to see a device being used that can connect people in the health care world to those who wouldn ’ t have the resources to be met in person .”
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