Occupational therapists test patients ’ driving abilities and reactions in an otherwise controlled environment , allowing patients to increase their confidence and fine tune their skills .
Patients are referred by their physician , assessed on the simulator , and then the care team works on the best path forward .
While patients may feel nervous to have their driving abilities assessed , Greenfield offers assurance that the process is meant to ensure patients can return to driving in a safe manner .
“ We ’ re here to help the drivers assess their own comfort level and safety , too ,” Greenfield said . “ Many patients report it as a positive experience .”
For more information on driving rehabilitation services contact the WVU Physical and Occupational Therapy Clinic at 304-293-3600 .
WVU ’ s Farm to You to Expand Services and Access to Produce in Eastern Panhandle
Medicine ’ s Eastern Campus and offered at participating WVU Medicine clinics across the region . Farm to You provides patients with access to fresh , locally grown produce through free , pop-up produce stands at each clinic twice per month from May through November each year .
“ Through partnership with our local farmers and primary care clinics , Farm to You harnesses the collaborative nature of our community to increase access to fresh , local produce and educational resources to help our patients and their families lead healthier lives ,” Emma Eggleston , MD , MPH , associate vice president and dean of the WVU School of Medicine ’ s Eastern Campus explained .
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture funding will allow the launch of Farm to You MOBILE , which includes a mobile food truck teaching kitchen , a formal produce prescription program , program expansion to four additional clinics , and a direct investment of $ 200,000 into local farms .
Expanding access to the program
Farm to You MOBILE geographically expands the program ’ s accessibility through a food truck that will travel between participating clinics to distribute produce prescriptions to patients . This mobile unit will also act as a site for instructors to host interactive cooking demonstrations on-location .
The funding will also double the program ’ s footprint by expanding from four to eight clinic locations . While the program currently only operates in Jefferson and Berkeley counties , the new participating clinics will include a location in Morgan County , giving Farm to You reach across all three eastern-most counties in the panhandle .
Investing in local agriculture
Approximately $ 200,000 of the grant funds will directly support local farms in the eastern panhandle , regardless of their operational size . Local farms include Blue Mountain Farm in Hedgesville , Young Harvests Farm in Charles Town , Red House Farm in Bunker Hill , and Town and Country Nursery in Kearneysville .
WVU will increase access to fresh , locally-grown produce and provide nutrition education in the eastern panhandle through a $ 500,000 US Department of Agriculture ( USDA ) grant awarded to the Farm to You program .
The grant funds will be disbursed over a three-year period to expand the program , which is run through the WVU School of
“ We ’ re prioritizing partnerships with small and mid-sized farms , which is a win-win for patients and farmers in the panhandle ,” Farm to You Program Manager Carla Toolan said . “ By investing in local farms , we ensure we ’ re stimulating the economy in the area while participants gain access to locally-grown , fresh produce .”
Produce as medicine
The produce prescription program will allow participating physicians to prescribe fully subsidized produce to patients to help them manage their diet-sensitive chronic conditions in the same way they prescribe medicine to their patients .
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