WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health

Redefining obesity care in West Virginia. Dr. Treah Haggerty, WVU School of Medicine

So many ways to explore your interests through community outreach!

WVU Today | WVU exercise physiology prepares alum for future in medicine Gracen Purkey, a WVU exercise physiology alum, used her undergraduate years on the Morgantown Campus to combine classroom learning, research, and clinical experience in preparation for a future in medicine. (WVU Photo/Davidson Chan)

Big challenges require bold partnerships. 🤝 As part of the new collaboration between Johns Hopkins University and WVU, we're introducing the Rural Health Initiative series to connect researchers tackling today's most pressing public health issues.

The first virtual session features WVU School of Public Health Professor Gordon Smith and Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Associate Professor Sean Allen discussing substance use in rural communities.

🗓 Thursday, July 16
🕛 Noon–1 p.m. ET
💻 Register at https://publichealth.hsc.wvu.edu/wvu-and-jhu-health-conversation-substance-abuse/

Interested in learning more about rural public health? Looking for new research collaborations? As part of a new Rural Health Initiative series, research@BSPH is partnering with West Virginia University School of Public Health to host a series of virtual discussions between investigators on rural health topics of mutual interest. To register: https://jh.zoom.us/meeting/register/KrZl83f0Qt6JqtlUF5fBDA #/registration

Health Careers A-Z

C is for Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) provide hands-on care to patients by helping with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, mobility, and checking vital signs. CNAs work alongside nurses and healthcare teams in hospitals, nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and home health settings.

To become a CNA, individuals complete a state-approved training program with classroom and clinical experience, then pass a competency exam to earn certification.

CNAs are one of West Virginia’s most in-demand entry-level healthcare careers, with a 20.9% vacancy rate as of