CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $291,403 award to the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education to expand nursing education capacity and help address critical nursing shortages across West Virginia. The award is being made through Mountain State Care Force, one of seven statewide initiatives under West Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program.
“A strong healthcare system starts with having the people in place to care for patients,” Governor Morrisey said. “This investment will help put more nurses in our hospitals and communities so West Virginians can get the care they need, improve their health, and get back to work. That is how we improve healthcare outcomes while building a healthier, stronger workforce across our state.”
The WVU Health System currently reports approximately 1,000 nursing vacancies across its network. The new investment will help address that shortage by expanding enrollment at the WVU Medicine Center for Nursing Education and establishing new instructional sites in Wheeling and Berkeley County.
The expansion is expected to create capacity for approximately 100 additional nursing students each year and increase access to nursing education for students from rural and Health Professional Shortage Area communities, including Hancock, Ohio, Marshall, Tyler, and Wetzel counties.
The program will provide tuition and fee assistance, academic services, wellness resources, and other support designed to help students complete their nursing education. Participating students will commit to serving in West Virginia’s healthcare workforce, helping turn the state’s investment in education into more nurses caring for West Virginians.
“Addressing workforce shortages requires more than recruitment alone. We also need to expand educational opportunities and help more West Virginians enter healthcare careers,” said Secretary of Health Dr. Arvin Singh. “This investment strengthens our nursing workforce while giving students the support they need to succeed and serve communities across our state.”
Mountain State Care Force is focused on recruiting, training, and retaining healthcare professionals in communities facing workforce shortages. It is part of West Virginia’s broader Rural Health Transformation Program strategy to improve healthcare outcomes, expand access to care, and help more West Virginians get healthy and return to the workforce.
“The Rural Health Transformation Program is built on the foundation that the best solutions come from the people who know them best,” said Alina Czekai, Director of CMS’ Office of Rural Health Transformation. “We’re proud to partner with states on practical, community-driven strategies that strengthen rural healthcare capacity, expand access to care and create lasting improvements for rural communities nationwide.”
Additional Rural Health Transformation Program awards will be announced as West Virginia continues implementing its statewide strategy to strengthen the healthcare workforce, expand access to care, and improve health outcomes.
This press release is supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of the financial assistance award totaling $199,476,098.72 with 100% funded by CMS HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
