tants to consider rural primary care practice in West Virginia as many counties in the state are experiencing shortages of providers .
During the second and third years of the grant period , ImPAct WV will provide three scholarships of $ 20,000 to physician assistant studies students pursuing rural practice . Over the fourth and fifth years , the project will award four $ 20,000 scholarships .
Funding from the grant will also be used to provide stipends of $ 4,300 to physician assistant studies students who elect to complete an eight-week rural primary care rotation .
WVU School of Medicine Student Named to Prestigious Pisacano Scholars Program
“ The family medicine physician is a community leader ,” Lusk said . “ Many health issues stem from a patient ’ s access to care and resources . Everything from water quality to food access and reliability will impact a person ’ s mental and physical wellbeing , and I want to center my career around improving the entire patient experience .”
Lusk is only the second WVU student to ever earn the honor . Darrin Nichols , MD , earned the distinction in 2016 .
A native West Virginian and WVU alumnus , she is part of the rural and MATTER tracks within the school of medicine and has dedicated her time at the university to service , learning , and outreach opportunities within the state .
The American Board of Family Practice established the program in tribute to Dr . Nicolas Pisacano , who is credited as elevating and advocating for family medicine as a specialty practice .
Looking toward the future , Lusk hopes to implement programs that create healthy and strong communities .
“ I would love to create a health organization centered around holistic care of patients ,” Lusk said . “ I want to create a community where I am able to exercise my love for public health and be able to create positive interventions in these people ’ s lives where we work together to make each other healthy .”
In addition to being a Pisacano Scholar , Lusk is an alumna of the WVU Exercise Physiology program , a 2014 WVU Foundation Scholar , and a former Mountaineer Mascot alternate .
Image : WVU medical student Savannah Lusk has been named a 2022 Pisacano Scholar . Photo by Davidson Chan for WVU Photo .
WVU Occupational Therapy Simulator Puts Patients in the Driver ’ s Seat
Fourth-year West Virginia University ( WVU ) medical student Savannah Lusk has been named a 2022 Pisacano Scholar , the American Board of Family Medicine ’ s preeminent program for graduating medical students .
Honoring 10 students across the country each year , the program provides scholarship funding and career development opportunities to medical students pursuing family medicine as a specialty . Recipients must demonstrate leadership skills , academic excellence , and community service , among other requirements .
For Lusk , who is from Covel , WV , a rural town with a population that hovers around 150 residents , according to the United States Census , she ’ s experienced the leadership of family medicine providers , not just as healers but as community helpers . She credits those physicians with inspiring her to pursue her family medicine residency at WVU upon graduation this December .
On roads across WV , drivers may face a variety of conditions . From rain and fog to curves and sharp turns , drivers have to be prepared for the unexpected . For individuals recovering from traumatic injuries , these conditions can prove to be even more challenging .
Now , the WVU School of Medicine is providing new hope to help ease patients back behind the wheel , thanks to a new driving simulator .
The simulator , operated by faculty in the Division of Occupation Therapy , is designed to emulate a Ford Focus and mimics a real driving experience with varying weather conditions and day-tonight experiences .
According to Jacob Greenfield , MOT , OTR / L , ATRIC , CSRS , assistant professor of occupational therapy , the simulator is vital in helping patients become comfortable and confident behind the wheel following an accident or injury .
West Virginia Medical Journal • December 2022 • 45