includes individuals with any form of SUD. The other, funded by the West Virginia Bureau for Behavioral Health, is limited to participants with a history of stimulant use and collects electronic medical records data. The distinction is intended to address a lack of effective medication-based treatment for people who misuse stimulants. Evidence-based treatment strategies for people who misuse stimulants target specific behaviors, with effective treatments including motivational interviewing and contingency management( for example, rewarding or reinforcing positive health behaviors).
Hendricks said workplaces integrate many of these concepts naturally and therefore could be an effective complement to behavioral therapy.
Rural communities in the United States receive less federal funding from agencies such as the NIH. Thus far in 2025, only 0.14 % of NIH dollars awarded to states have gone to West Virginia, according to an NIH report.
This is a problem in the case of intervention-based research, Hendricks said, because West Virginia communities are unique, and strategies that improve health in other communities might not apply in this state.
The trials not only position WVSOM to join other universities in conducting rigorous clinical research, but they also provide opportunities for medical students. Interested students are contributing to participant recruitment and data collection, Hendricks said. That’ s important because the most desirable residency programs increasingly require research experience.
“ These trials offer students the opportunity to get involved with clinical research prior to leaving WVSOM,” Hendricks said.“ That’ s good for their CVs because when they go to work at a hospital tied to an academic center, they’ ll want to know that our students have had experience with clinical research in addition to taking care of patients.”
While the long-term implications of the studies remain to be seen, James W. Nemitz, PhD, WVSOM’ s president, said this kind of research is essential to the school’ s future and the well-being of the state’ s population.
“ These trials mark a new stage for WVSOM— one that includes not just training future physicians but contributing to research aimed at addressing the health challenges West Virginians face,” Nemitz said.
Image: Brian Hendricks, PhD
SAVE THE DATE Advocacy Day 2026
Health Care Providers’ Legislative Reception & WVSMA Advocacy Day Wednesday, February 11, 2026
West Virginia Medical Journal • December 2025 • 29