Panel members were Linda Boyd , DO , vice president for academic affairs and chief academic officer of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine ; David Gozal , MD , vice president of health affairs and dean of the Joan C . Edwards School of Medicine ; Clay Marsh , MD , chancellor and academic dean for health sciences of West Virginia University ; Jeff Sandene , executive vice president and CFO of Vandalia Health ; Debbie Hill , CEO of Montgomery General Hospital ; David Hess , MD , President and CEO of WVU Medicine and United Hospital Center ; and Kevin Yingling , MD , CEO of Marshall Health Network .
Panel members discussed the sustainability of current workforce models , retention of healthcare professionals in rural areas and the integration of technology without dismissing patient care relationships . They noted the breadth and depth of the healthcare workforce in West Virginia , highlighting key initiatives , challenges , and strategies to enhance the overall healthcare system .
Community Education : Educate local communities on healthcare issues to foster informed advocacy .
Workforce Development : Expand successful programs to attract more professionals .
Reimbursement : Continue adjusting Medicaid and PEIA reimbursement to retain healthcare talent .
Opioid Crisis Strategies : Support data-driven initiatives and comprehensive treatment programs . Enhance longitudinal tracking to ensure sustained recovery and integration .
Legislative Advocacy : Encourage lawmakers to prioritize evidence-based policies over partisan agendas .
MetroNews Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval moderated several presentations by elected officials including presentations by U . S . Senate candidates Jim Justice and Glenn Elliott , along with presentations by gubernatorial candidates Democrat Steve Williams and Republican Patrick Morrisey . These were not debates . Candidates spoke separately and were not in the same room when their opponents were speaking .
Dr . Tom Takubo , Senate majority leader , and Dr . Matthew Rohrbach , deputy speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates , provided those attending a legislative update .
They encouraged the following :
Relationship Building : Medical professionals should proactively engage legislators outside the legislative session .
AUTHOR
John D . Law
Executive Director for West Virginia State Medical Association
Drug or Alcohol Problem ? Mental Illness ?
ALL CALLS are CONFIDENTIAL
West Virginia Medical Professionals Health Program 4013 Buckhannon Pike Mount Clare , WV 26408
If you have a drug or alcohol problem , or are suffering from a mental illness , you can get help by contacting the West Virginia Medical Professionals Health Program . Information about physician ’ s , podiatrist ’ s and physician assistant ’ s participation in the program is confidential . These practitioners entering the program as self-referrals without a complaint filed against them may remain confidential and are not reported to their licensing board .
( 304 ) 933-1030 | www . wvmphp . org
West Virginia Medical Journal • December 2024 • 11