Announcements
WVU researcher studies how nursing homes can accommodate obese residents
About 30 percent of nursing home residents are obese. That can complicate their care. The facility may need to buy them special wheelchairs or motorized lifts. Nursing aides may struggle to help them shower. And doctors may grapple with how—or even whether—to restrict their diets.
Martin to participate in NIOSH forum addressing worker opioid use disorders
This month, Professor Chris Martin, MD, will represent WVU and the School of Public Health at a nationwide forum to address research gaps related to use of opioids after workplace injury and exposures.
WVU in the News: HIV Is Spreading in West Virginia. The Solution Is in Short Supply.
HIV cases are surging in Huntington, West Virginia, a city already ravaged by the opioid epidemic. Experts worry that the virus could proliferate farther still—particularly since Charleston, the state capital an hour away, shut down its syringe exchange last year. The move restricted access not only to clean needles but to HIV testing as well.
Public Health alumna earns spot as Olympic trials qualifier
Savanna Plombon has always had an interest in fitness and healthcare. Having achieved her educational goals in preventive healthcare and earning her Master of Public Health in 2018, Plombon is now chipping away at her personal fitness goals. She recently raced a full marathon in Minnesota and earned a chance to compete in the 2020 Olympic trials in Atlanta next February.
SPH internal announcements now on new HSC Employee Hub intranet site
The new and improved Health Sciences Employee Hub, formerly known as the HSC Intranet, was recently launched. It is the "new home" to all of the SPH's internal announcements found in the weekly Monday SPH ENEWS.
WVU to partner with Pitt to study opioid use in Appalachia
West Virginians may gain better access to investigational approaches to managing and preventing substance abuse disorders related to the ongoing opioid epidemic as part of a collaborative $5.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Welcome new ICRC team member
Tiffany Kline recently joined the Injury Control Research Center (ICRC) as a Project Coordinator. Tiffany received her bachelor’s degree in public relations and communication studies with a minor in social media from Ohio Northern University. Before joining the ICRC she served as an Online Undergraduate Admissions Counselor at Tiffin University, where she guided students through the enrollment process. Tiffany is currently completing her master of business administration through Tiffin University. You can contact Tiffany at 304.581.1681 or tiffany.kline@hsc.wvu.edu.
WVU ICRH opens survey on Opioid Use Disorder treatment; training sessions available
The West Virginia University Institute for Community and Rural Health is seeking participation from physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners for a survey, "Ability to Treat Opioid Use Disorder in West Virginia." The survey should take no more than 10 minutes, and will help assess providers' availability and willingness to prescribe medication-assisted treatment to patients with Opioid Use Disorder.
Alumni donation helps fund STEPS purchase of virtual dissection table
A recent donation by West Virginia University alumni Dr. John Mikita and his wife has helped the WV STEPS Center purchase an Anatomage Table, a virtual dissection tool.
From volunteer to employee, Seth Huggins continues to spread WVU values
Seth Huggins started volunteering at the West Virginia University Rack Food Pantry in 2017, and has been a positive inspiration to his peers ever since, making the pantry a welcoming and judgement free place for those who use it.