WVU, state, healthcare partners get $2.4M to recruit, retain, expand medical profession statewide

Building on the foundational success of West Virginia's premier talent attraction and retention programs, West Virginia University will use $2.4 million to help recruit and retain state-licensed healthcare professionals by standing up three new programs: Ascend WV Healthcare, First Ascent Healthcare, and a new pilot program that extends beyond the current 23-county Ascend WV and First Ascent network.

As part of the West Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program, which has been funded through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Wednesday (Sept. 9) that WVU, in partnership with West Virginia Tourism and major healthcare organizations across the state, has been selected to receive the first grant to help strategically address gaps in the Mountain State's rural healthcare workforce.

To do that, the University will build on the success of recruiting and retaining specialized populations through Ascend WV, including First Ascent, Teachers Ascend, and Ascend Heroes.

"We've seen through Ascend WV and its associated programs the staying power of inviting people to experience everything West Virginia offers, from strong communities, world-class outdoor recreation, and a genuine sense of belonging to a low cost of living and affordable housing," President Michael T. Benson said.

"By applying this proven model to healthcare, we'll welcome professionals into open positions, immerse them in our unique culture, and give them every reason to put down roots while providing personalized care to the people they serve."

According to the WVU Bridge Initiative in Science and Technology Policy, Leadership, and Communications, West Virginia faces significant healthcare provider shortages, with a projected 14% deficit in physicians and a current 19% shortage of registered nurses.

Led by the WVU Brad and Alys Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, three new programs will be developed to build on the existing infrastructure and programming of Ascend WV's tested and scaled model.

• Ascend WV Healthcare will focus on attracting healthcare professionals to the state to fill open positions in the six Ascend communities: Charleston Area, New River Gorge, Greenbrier Valley, Morgantown Area, Eastern Panhandle, and Greater Elkins.
• First Ascent Healthcare will focus on retaining graduating students in the healthcare fields to fill open positions in the state through the six Ascend WV communities, plus the Huntington Area.
• A new statewide program will pilot an approach utilizing the first two programs, while providing opportunities for healthcare professionals to live anywhere in the state to fill critical roles outside Ascend WV's current network.

Gov. Morrisey said this creative approach to talent attraction and retention differentiates West Virginia and will elevate the state as the premier place for citizens to live, work, play, and thrive.

"West Virginia is competing for the best healthcare professionals in the country, and we have a great story to tell," Gov. Morrisey said. "This investment will help us recruit talented doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals while giving them more reasons to put down roots and build their lives here. By bringing together our universities, healthcare providers, and state partners, we can strengthen our healthcare workforce, improve health outcomes, and make West Virginia an even better place to live, work, and raise a family."

Along with WVU and the state, the program's partners include WVU Health Sciences, WVU Medicine, Marshall University, Marshall Health, Vandalia Health, the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, and West Virginia Tourism.

"There's no other place in the country that can bring together its universities, health systems, medical schools, and state government behind one mission," Vice Provost Mark Gavin said. "This level of statewide alignment doesn't happen everywhere, but it happens in West Virginia. We look forward to welcoming and retaining top medical talent to the mountains through this one-of-a-kind initiative."

The program will generate co-marketing opportunities for partners to recruit and fill open positions, stack benefits from multiple partnering organizations, and help match healthcare providers in targeted regions that offer wraparound services to support lasting retention. Career coaching, experiential learning, and mentorship programs will also be available to support recent healthcare graduates.

Applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 23.

"By winter, we hope to select our first cohort, continue rolling applications, and begin offering concierge services and career support to personalize the experience for each participant," said Danny Twilley, assistant vice president of economic, community, and asset development for the Smith OEDC.

Once the $2.4 million in funding is utilized, there is potential for additional funding to continue recruiting and retaining healthcare workers.

Twilley added, "There is tremendous potential to improve the quality of life for West Virginia residents, support economies, and grow West Virginia's population by filling critical healthcare provider needs. We are best positioned to help lead these important efforts. Let's Go!"

This communication 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/HS, or the U.S. Government.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Katie Farmer
Executive Director of Strategic Priorities
WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing
315-256-8509; [email protected]

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