position , he served Cabell Huntington Hospital as vice president and general counsel for 35 years and has extensive experience in health care law , insurance and hospital operations . Smith also served as interim CEO for MHN in 2021 .
Melissa Eakle Leasure , J . D .
Melissa Eakle Leasure , J . D ., is joining MHN as vice president and general counsel . She will be responsible for directing all legal , insurance , risk management , new ventures and related affairs for the system . Leasure graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College , earned her Juris Doctor at West Virginia University College of Law and is a member of the West Virginia State Bar Association . She joins MHN from Bailes , Craig & Sellards , where she has practiced general business , health care , real estate and commercial transactions .
WVSU and UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia Announce Scholarship Program
The UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia Health Equity Scholarship will fund five students at the university in the nursing and social work programs . UniCare gave a $ 250,000 community investment grant to establish the new scholarship and enable more students to provide care in rural and diverse communities across the state .
“ We are thankful for this investment from the UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia that will provide meaningful scholarship opportunities for our nursing and social work students ,” says WVSU President Ericke Cage . “ This commitment will help ensure we are meeting the health and well-being needs of the citizens of West Virginia for years to come .”
According to the West Virginia Hospital Association , there were 20 % fewer staffed beds in hospitals across the state this past summer compared to August 2020 . Of the more than 34,000 registered nurses licensed in the state , 38 % are considering retirement . Staffing shortages , coupled with the state ’ s high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions ,
reinforce the need to expand the health care workforce in West Virginia .
“ UniCare recognizes the importance of investing in the future health care workforce to ensure that communities across West Virginia have access to essential health services to reduce inequities ,” says Tadd Haynes , president of UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia . “ We are proud to work alongside West Virginia State University to improve lives and communities in every area of the state and ensure institutions on the front lines of health care education and training , especially for rural and underserved communities of greatest need , are well supported .”
The scholarship program will begin with the 2023-2024 academic year and will support students pursuing a bachelor ’ s of nursing degree or a bachelor ’ s of social work degree .
Preference will be given to students who intend to practice as a licensed practical nurse or a licensed certified social worker in rural or diverse communities of West Virginia following graduation . •
WVSU and Unicare Health Plan of West Virginia announce scholarship program .
West Virginia State University ( WVSU ) and UniCare Health Plan of West Virginia recently announced the establishment of a new scholarship program at the university to expand the number of frontline workers in the state , increase access to care and improve health equity in West Virginia ’ s underserved areas .
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