W.Va. HEPC Awards Grants to Place Health Professionals in Needy Areas of the State

A handful of health science students from across West Virginia are receiving help to pay for their final year in graduate education.

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission awarded $315,000 to twelve students studying to become dentists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physical therapists, and social workers.

The awards are part of the state’s Health Sciences Service Program. Each student will receive between $15,000 and $30,000 toward finishing their education.

The program chooses students based on academic achievement who demonstrate commitment to advancing rural health and service to underserved populations.

Recipients must practice in a rural or underserved community in West Virginia following graduation.

“The financial support provided through the Health Sciences Service Program is critical to meeting the health care needs of our communities throughout West Virginia,” Commission Interim Chancellor, Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker said in a news release. “The grants not only provide much needed assistance for the health care professionals receiving them, but also to those in areas of the state where health care services are minimal or not at all. The commitment of these award recipients to providing quality health services to all West Virginians should be applauded.”

Since its inception in 1995, the program has provided $3.1 million in funding to help 229 awardees cover education expenses in exchange for a commitment to practice at community health centers, rural health clinics and long-term care facilities in West Virginia.

Awardees by program:

Dentistry

• Seth Hamrick from Webster County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University
• Siera Hardy from Hancock County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University
• Christopher Mallow from Pendleton County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University
• Brennan Wood from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University

Medicine

• Michael Amos from Wayne County, West Virginia, who graduated from Marshall University
• Carrie Beard from Mt. Morris, Pennsylvania, who graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Donald Brubaker from Winchester, Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University
• Caleb Judy from Randolph County, West Virginia, who graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
• Janet Kowalsky from Monroe County, West Virginia, who graduated from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Nurse Practitioner

• Katelynn Ally from Mingo County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University

Physical Therapy

• Kylee Gear from Randolph County, West Virginia, who graduated from West Virginia University

Social Work

• Stephanie Mooney from Fayette County, West Virginia, who graduated from Concord University

**Editor’s Note: This web post was edited on Jun. 6, 2019 at 8:15 a.m. An earlier version of this web article incorrectly stated Kylee Gear resided in Jackson County.