Education: Family Medicine, Marshall University, 2022

Memberships/Certifications: American Academy of Family Physicians, WVAFP, American Medical Association

Treats: Patients of all ages

Medical Interests: Wellness, pediatric and adult diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and thyroid disease

Hobbies: Spending time with family and friends, target shooting, traveling, politics and law

Year Started at Valley Health: 2022

Wednesday, January 11, 2018

Perdue is currently accepting patients of all ages at Valley Health – East Huntington located at 3377 US Route 60. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call (304) 399-3310.

May 18, 2018

Huntington, W.Va. – The employees of Valley Health Systems, Inc. were pleased to donate $10,000 across five local charities on Friday, May 18. At the organization’s headquarters at 3377 U.S. Route 60, Huntington, Valley Health Executive Director/CEO, Steven Shattls, surrounded by employees, handed out checks to representatives from the agencies, which included: CONTACT 24 Hour Rape Crisis Center; Branches Domestic Violence Shelter; Hospice of Huntington; Ronald McDonald House of Huntington and Ronald McDonald House of Southern West Virginia. “These donations are another way – beyond the doors of our health centers – that the Valley Health team is supporting the health and well-being of people in our communities,” Shattls said. “These five agencies were selected by our employees – each providing valuable and needed services. Our team is glad to make these contributions toward the important work they do.” The money was raised by a unique internal campaign that took place in December 2017, in which Valley Health employees purchased specialty t-shirts for $40 each. The organization covered the cost of the shirts to make all money raised by t-shirt sales available to directly benefit the selected charities. In return, employees could wear their tshirts and jeans every Friday in 2018 as a reward for participating in the project. Numerous employees paid over and above the stated t-shirt price to bolster the amount raised by the campaign. Most employees allowed their contributions to be divided equally toward the five charities, but some wanted their money to be directed to a particular agency.

May 7, 2018

Valley Health – Coal Grove is located at 205 Marion Pike, Coal Grove, Ohio. In addition to behavioral health, the health center offers family medicine, Ob/Gyn and pediatric services to members of the community. The practice is accepting patients and appointments may be made by calling (740) 532-1188.

Surber is a graduate of Stonewall Jackson High School of Charleston, W.Va. He attained a Regents Bachelor of Arts degree from Marshall University in 1997, and went on to earn a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling degree in 2000 from Marshall.

Surber most recently served as a therapist at the Barboursville School Psychiatric Residential Treatment facility in Barboursville, W.Va., a position he held from 2012. Prior to that, he was a therapist on the Child and Adolescent Units at River Park Hospital. Surber spent many years (1998 to 2011) working as a therapist, supervisor and program director for the KVC child welfare and behavioral health organization.

Surber brings a long history of serving as a principled patient advocate and assessing and treating trauma with a variety of theories and approaches.

May 16, 2018

Milton, W.Va. – After nearly 46 years and more than a thousand shows, the Mountaineer Opry House is soon preparing to close the curtains for the last time. Only a few performances remain for the venerable music house, and then it will become local lore as the building will make way for a new community health center.

After being on the market for years, Valley Health Systems, Inc., recently committed to purchase the property on which the Opry House sits to enable the construction of a modern health center and offer an expanded level of services to the Milton community.

Valley Health’s new health center, when completed, will replace its existing facility on One Habour Way in Milton which has outgrown its boundaries due to demand for medical services. The new center will be approximately 15,000 square feet and will provide the community access to family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, behavioral health and walk-in/drive-through pharmacy services under one roof.

“Valley Health has always had a strong commitment to the community,” said Associate CFO and Pharmacy Operations Director, Mary-Beth Brubeck. “We understand the sentimental attachment of this property to the community, and we are very respectful of it. As we move forward in providing meaningful medical services to members of the community, it is our intention to commemorate the Opry House as we move through the construction process so that the history of this property is preserved in equally meaningful ways.”

As a first step toward that commemoration, Valley Health is hosting a Commitment to Community & Heritage event at Mountaineer Opry House this Saturday, May 19, to mark one of the final performances at the venue. As a treat to the community, Valley Health is sponsoring the performance and will be offering free admission to all concertgoers as well as an opportunity to win prizes. Admittance will be on a first-come, first-seated basis, with doors to the theater opening at 5 p.m. The building can seat up to 500 people.

Prior to the Williamson Branch Performance, Valley Health is also sponsoring a Front Porch Pickin’ where all lovers of bluegrass are invited to bring their instruments and/or lawn chairs and enjoy impromptu jamming sessions beginning at 4 p.m. under a tent outside the Mountaineer Opry House.

Pre-concert activities on May 19 will also include clogging workshops by Williamson Branch at 4:15 p.m. and at 5:15 p.m. Community members are welcome to participate and learn the techniques of this traditional dance that is unique to Appalachian heritage.

Valley Health’s Chief Quality Officer and Family Medicine Physician, Mathew Weimer, M.D., offered his perspective, saying, “I’ve been seeing patients at Valley Health in Milton for the past seven years, and I have come to know just how important the Opry House is to this community. As a Huntington resident, I also understand the impact that this venue has had on the entire region over the past 40 years. We at Valley Health are excited to partner with the Opry House in honoring their legacy as the final season winds down.”

The Mountaineer Opry House has been a local hot spot for country, gospel and bluegrass music in the Huntington/Charleston area for over four decades. Located at the Milton exit of I-64, the facility has offered quality musical shows and concessions in a family-friendly atmosphere with no smoking or alcohol.

The Mountaineer Opry House was founded in 1972 by Paul King, which he modeled off the famous Grande Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee. King and his wife and family managed the venue until 1991, when Mrs. King died and he lost interest in overseeing operations. A local couple who were fans of the Opry House, Larry and Mary Stephens, began managing the venue in 1991, following Larry’s retirement from many years in law enforcement.

“The Opry House has been a gathering place for bluegrass enthusiasts for many years,” stated Larry Stephens. “This place and the people who we’ve come in contact with have offered a lot of enjoyment to my wife and I through the years. Music has always been our thing. With that said, the Opry House could not have been sustained due to deterioration of the building. I am happy that an organization like Valley Health is taking it over. There couldn’t have been any nicer group of people to work with, and I know that they will be offering services that are needed to the community.”

Some of the most notable performers at the Mountaineer Opry House have been The Grascals, Ralph Stanley, Rhonda Vincent and The Rage, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Although they weren’t able to book Alison Krauss, the Opry House has hosted most of the members of her band, Union Station.

Many local musicians got their start performing on the stage in Milton. The Opry House has also sponsored bluegrass competitions where local musicians competed for prizes and recognition.

The Milton Opry House will finish its planned final performance season, which includes Williamson Branch on May 19, Hammertowne on May 26 and a grand reunion of bands and artists on June 2.

June 19, 2018

Huntington, W.Va. - Valley Health is now offering audiology and hearing aid services at its FoodFair location in Barboursville.

This expansion will allow the convenience of scheduling hearing screenings, making hearing aid product selections, and getting hearing aids fitted – all in one routine trip to the grocery store. Audiology services are offered by appointment on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by stopping in Valley’s health center at FoodFair or by calling by calling (304) 523-3490.

Audiology services at Valley Health – FoodFair will be provided by audiologists Pamela V. Adkins, MS, CCC-A, Kimberly D. Legg, MS, CCC-A, and Robin Porter, MA, CCC-A, all of whom also work at Valley Health – Ear, Nose & Throat (formerly Tri-State Otolaryngology) on Stonecrest Drive in Huntington. The three providers have a common goal of helping patients of all ages experience life to the fullest with improved hearing. The team is also experienced and highly qualified to administer and evaluate hearing tests and offer knowledgeable solutions with hearing aid product brands that include Resound, Phonak, Signia and Starkey.

“Making a full breadth of primary care services accessible to the community is an important part of our mission,” stated Valley Health Executive Director & CEO, Steve Shattls. “Since the inception of our company in 1975, our organization has believed in taking medical services to the people. This is another example of that. We have been operating a health center and offering walk-in family medicine services within FoodFair’s Barboursville store for the last two years. Having access to audiology services and hearing aid products in that type of retail environment is something that the community needs. We also think patients will enjoy the practicality and convenience.”

Valley Health – at FoodFair is located at 6350 U.S. Route 60, Barboursville, W.Va.

August 14, 2018

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Very soon, Milton residents will not need to leave town to receive a full range of healthcare.

Valley Health broke ground Monday morning on a new 15,000-square-foot community health center that will house everything from family medicine to behavioral health, and even dentistry. It will also have an in-house, drive-through pharmacy. Construction of the $4 million center should be completed by April. A portion of the center will be paid for using federal Health Infrastructure Investment Program grants.

The new center, located on the site of the former Mountaineer Opry House, will replace the existing Valley Health location on One Harbour Way. The lobby of the new center will include a tribute to the historic Opry, and Steve Shattls, executive director and CEO of Valley Health Systems Inc., said they still have the lease on the current location for a few more years and they are in the planning stages of what they will use that space for.

“Healthcare in rural communities and communities like Milton is economic development,” Shattls said. “We employ approximately 35 people, maybe more, at the current health center and we will be employing 10 to 15 to 20 more. Our payroll is about $3 million. That turns over in this community and it has a great impact on this community and the surrounding community.”

Valley Health has been operating in Milton since the 1980s, beginning at Grant Medical Center before moving to the space on Harbour Way. Grant Medical was one of Valley Health’s first outposts for rural primary care, Shattls said.

Debbie Zuberbuehler, nurse and operations officer for Valley Health, was there from the beginning, working a Grant Medical Center straight out of college. She said she always wanted to work at a community health center.

“When you work at a community health center, you have the opportunity to develop a lot of relationships,” Zuberbuehler said. “You develop relationships with the families that come in and you serve and care for. It’s just a privilege to get to know them and you get to know them very well.”

Zuberbuehler said she has worked with limited resources. At one time, they had just one pediatrician and especially for those with little to no insurance, it was a struggle to find a place to refer them to get specialty care.

“The barriers of the past are no longer,” she said of the new center.

The groundbreaking was the kick off to Valley Health’s celebration of National Health Centers Week. Every year, community health centers provide primary and preventative care to over 27 million patients nationwide. In West Virginia, 1 in 5 people receive healthcare at a community health center and Valley Health is the largest community health provider in the state, according to U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., a former Valley Health board member.

To play into the National Health Center Week 2018 theme, “Community Health Center Super Power,” Valley Health is recognizing three Healthcare Heroes of its own who have displayed exceptional acts of patient care. The public is invited to vote throughout the week for the Valley Health “Healthcare Hero of the Year” by visiting valleyhealth.org, reading about the three nominees, and clicking “vote” to recognize the physician they feel is most deserving of the honor. Voting opened Monday and closes at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16.

Tuesday is Children’s Health Day, and all Valley Health family medicine and pediatric locations are offering immunization services. Immunization appointments are encouraged, but not required. Valley Health’s Hurricane, Southside, Point Pleasant Pediatrics and Coal Grove locations will also be giving away free bike helmets, while supplies last, thanks to a sponsorship from McKesson.

On Wednesday, Valley Health’s 10th Street location in Huntington will provide free health screenings, including blood pressure, glucose and vision tests. Appointments are not required, and participants do not need to fast.

On Thursday, Valley Health will be partnering with the American Red Cross to facilitate a blood drive at its East Huntington health center from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Members of the community are invited to participate, particularly those with blood types A, B, and O, for which there is currently a shortage.

Valley Health Wayne and Valley Health Upper Kanawha on Friday will host farmers markets at their locations to observe Agricultural Health Day and the importance of eating fresh, healthy produce.

Valley Health Systems Inc. is a network of more than 30 non-profit community health centers and public programs providing healthcare since 1975. Operating in southern West Virginia and southeastern Ohio, Valley Health provides services to more than 65,000 patients each year.

To read the article on the Herald-Dispatch Website, click here.

Aug 21, 2018

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Valley Health Systems culminated its National Health Center Week celebration by recognizing three providers as its Healthcare Heroes of the Year during a reception on Friday, Aug. 17.

Floyd earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing with a minor in psychology from Marshall University in 2011. Upon graduation, Floyd attended Ohio University to achieve a Master of Science in nursing in 2015. While studying at Ohio University, she was initiated into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Floyd began her nursing career in 2011 working as a Cardio/Pulmonary-Telemetry Registered Nurse at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, W.Va. She then moved to Cabell Huntington Hospital in 2012 to work as a Medical–Surgical Registered Nurse, where she was eventually promoted to Charge Nurse. Before starting her career with Valley Health in 2016, Floyd migrated back to Thomas Memorial Hospital to serve patients as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Lauren is now accepting patients at Valley Health – 10th Street, 540 10th St. Suite 1, Huntington, W.Va. 25701. To make an appointment, please call (304) 399-3366.  The health center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Before working at Valley Health, Huddleston was a social worker at Thomas Memorial Hospital, Charleston, W.Va., where she had served since 2010. She was a program supervisor at Burlington Family Services in Charleston from 2008 to 2010, and prior to that position, Huddleston was the lead family service specialist with KVC Behavioral Healthcare in Huntington from 2006 to 2008.

Huddleston earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 2006 from West Virginia State University. She graduated with honors, was president of Alpha Delta Mu, the National Honor Society for Social Workers, and was the top graduating student in the Social Work Department. Huddleston completed a Master of Social Work degree in 2008 from West Virginia University.

Valley Health – Highlawn is located at 2585 Third Ave., Huntington, W.Va.  Parties interested in more information or an appointment may call (304) 781-5139.

Lewis became an R.N. in 2001 after completing an Associate of Science in Nursing at St. Mary’s School of Nursing/Marshall University. She worked as a Pediatric nurse, charge nurse and preceptor at Cabell Huntington Hospital from 2001 until 2017. Lewis completed a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2014 from Ohio University, and earned a Master of Science in Nursing in 2017 from O.U.

Valley Health – Southside is located at 723 Ninth Ave., Huntington, W.Va.  The practice, which offers pediatric, Ob/Gyn, and psychology services, welcomes new patients by appointment at (304) 529-0645.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Family Medicine physician Mansoor A. Raja, MD, has joined the Valley Health team of healthcare providers at its Highlawn health center.

Raja will be providing services in the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program and will work in collaboration with psychologists, counselors, primary care providers and case managers to address the needs of individuals with substance use disorders.

Dr. Raja started his higher education with a B.S. in Biology in 2001 from Augusta State University, Augusta, Georgia. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree in 2008 from Spartan Health Sciences University, Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. He completed a residency in Family Medicine in 2011 from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

Raja is SCUBA Schools International certified Master Diver and is certified in Diver Stress and Rescue and Search and Recovery. He has worked on international disaster relief teams during the Kashmir earthquake of 2005 and the Haiti earthquake of 2010. He helped organize a Humanity First surgical mission in 2010 in Guatemala to provide public health education and cataract surgeries.

Valley Health – Highlawn is located at 2585 Third Ave. in Huntington and welcomes new patients for services that include family medicine, psychology, counseling and substance use treatment.  For more information or to schedule an appointment please call (304) 781-5138.

Wayne, W.Va. – Valley Health is expanding the comprehensive optical care it offers at its Wayne health center by welcoming optometrist Dr. Elizabeth DiStefano, OD, and optician Ted Lambert to its team of experienced providers.

With the addition of these new, full-time optical team members, a wide range of optical services are now accessible four days a week at Valley Health – Wayne. Services include routine eye exams, detection and diagnosis of eye diseases, prescription treatment for eye diseases, OCT exams, removal of foreign bodies from the eye, children’s optical care, contact lens prescriptions and fittings, and glasses prescriptions and fittings. In addition, Valley Health – Wayne also operates a retail optical store that offers a wide selection of eyeglass frames, including designer options such as Kate Spade, Oakley, Ray-Ban and more.

“Since expanding our Wayne facility in January 2017 to better meet the demands of the community, we have continued to look for ways to improve accessibility to the full breadth of primary care services our network offers,” stated Valley Health Executive Director and CEO, Steve Shattls.  “While we have been offering optical services on a limited basis in Wayne for a period of time, the addition of Dr. DiStefano and Ted Lambert gives us the opportunity to take the optical care we provide in Wayne County to a new level.”

Dr. DiStefano, who is originally from Ripley, W.Va., brings six years of optometry experience to her new position with Valley Health.  She is actively accepting patients, and appointments can be made on Mondays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. For those seeking a Friday appointment, Dr. DiStefano will accept patients at Valley Health – East Huntington from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. To make an appointment with Dr. DiStephano, please call Valley Health – Wayne at 304-272-5136.

In addition to optical care, Valley Health – Wayne, located at 42 McGinnis Drive in Wayne, W.Va., offers family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, ob/gyn, behavioral health, dentistry, and on-site pharmacy and lab services.

Dr. DiStefano, a Ripley native, has six years of optometry practice experience in a variety of clinical settings. In her most recent position, she was solo practitioner at a busy corporate optometry office in Danville, Va.

Dr. DiStefano completed a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in management from Glenville State College before earning her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Indiana University School of Optometry, Bloomington, Ind. She performed optometric externships at Atwater/Community Eye Care Center, Bloomington, Ind.; Indianapolis Eye Care Center, Indianapolis, Ind.; Quantico Naval Clinic, Quantico, Va.; and Aran Eye Associates in Miami, Fla.

To make an appointment with Dr. DiStefano, patients may call Valley Health – Wayne at (304) 272-5136 or Valley Health – East Huntington at (304) 399-3335.

Floyd earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing with a minor in psychology from Marshall University in 2011. Upon graduation, Floyd attended Ohio University to achieve a Master of Science in nursing in 2015. While studying at Ohio University, she was initiated into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Floyd began her nursing career in 2011 working as a Cardio/Pulmonary-Telemetry Registered Nurse at Thomas Memorial Hospital in South Charleston, W.Va. She then moved to Cabell Huntington Hospital in 2012 to work as a Medical–Surgical Registered Nurse, where she was eventually promoted to Charge Nurse. Before starting her career with Valley Health in 2016, Floyd migrated back to Thomas Memorial Hospital to serve patients as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Lauren is now accepting patients at Valley Health – 10th Street, 540 10th St. Suite 1, Huntington, W.Va. 25701. To make an appointment, please call (304) 399-3366.  The health center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Valley Health Pharmacy Tech Receives National Recognition

Lisa Summers, FNP, Joins Valley Health

Valley Health – Wayne Welcomes Jordan Adkins, PMHNP-BC

Psychologist Kellee Boster joins Valley Health, will serve in several health center locations

Addition of Dr. Lindsey Kitchen expands service offerings in Cedar Grove, W.Va.

CEDAR GROVE, W.Va. – Valley Health Systems announces the addition of psychologist, Dr. Lindsey Kitchen, to its team of primary care providers at Valley Health–Upper Kanawha in Cedar Grove, West Virginia.

Dr. Kitchen’s addition to the Cedar Grove-based health center marks an expansion in service offerings, making psychology services accessible to adults and children above the age of five for the first time in that location.

In her role as a psychologist, Dr. Kitchen will support an integrated model of care that will allow patients to be treated both body and mind. She will provide behavioral therapy to treat depression, grief, life transitions, relationship issues, and more. She can also help support people as they cope with medical conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Dr. Kitchen completed a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology in 2007 from West Virginia State University. She earned a M.A. in Clinical Psychology in 2012 and a Psy.D. in 2018, both in Clinical Psychology, from Marshall University’s APA accredited program.

Dr. Kitchen previously served as a supervised psychologist and psychometrician with Saar Psychological Group in South Charleston, West Virginia. At Saar Psychological Group, Kitchen performed forensic evaluations for civil and family court as well as evaluations for general or treatment purposes for adults and children, with particular focus on children with a history of abuse and/or neglect.

Kitchen also gained experience as an intern and student clinician in a number of settings since 2006, including the West Virginia Resolve Program assisting adult and child clients in a domestic violence shelter; Charleston Area Medical Center, where she was part of a research team that conducted a project related to methadone and trauma-related incidents; Marshall University Community Clinic performing intakes for services and evaluations; Marshall University Psychology Clinic conducting intakes and evaluations; providing psychological services to adult clients with Marshall Psychiatry; and working one-on-one with caregivers and patients receiving treatment services at the Charleston Area Medical Center David Lee Cancer Center.

Valley Health – Upper Kanawha is located at 408 Alexander Street, Cedar Grove, W.Va. Behavioral health appointments with Dr. Kitchen can be scheduled on Mondays and Wednesdays between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Thursdays between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Those interested in making an appointment may call the health center at 304-595-1770.

For a complete list of Valley Health’s services and locations, visit www.valleyhealth.org. Other information, including Valley Health news, is also available by following Valley Health’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVvalleyhealth.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Valley Health’s in-house counsel and compliance officer Jenna Walker Misiti, Esq., MHA, CHC, recently contributed an article that was featured in the Health Care Compliance Association’s October issue of Compliance Today. 

The Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) is a nonprofit, member-based association for compliance professionals in the healthcare provider industry. Compliance Today is a monthly publication that is delivered to HCCA members. The magazine features original articles submitted by working compliance professionals on issues they encounter related to the many complex regulatory and legal standards in healthcare.

Misiti’s article, titled “First impressions: Integrating compliance into onboarding,” focused on the positive impact of including compliance professionals in new employee orientation programs, a practice that is done at Valley Health.

“Although HR usually orchestrates onboarding, this introduction to new staff provides the perfect opportunity to take ownership of a critical part of the process: setting the tone for the organization’s values, code of conduct and culture of compliance,” she wrote. Additionally, Misiti stated that members of the board of governors of healthcare institutions should also undergo compliance training since they are ultimately responsible for organizational oversight and may not have healthcare backgrounds and training.

“We’re proud that Valley Health was in the national spotlight as a result of the publication of Jenna’s article,” said Steven Shattls, President & CEO.

For a complete list of Valley Health’s services and locations, visit www.valleyhealth.org. Other information, including Valley Health news, is also available by following Valley Health’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVvalleyhealth.

Huntington, W.Va. – Valley Health welcomes counselor, Stephanie R. Moran MA, NCC, LPC, to its East Huntington health center.

In her position, Moran will be joining Valley Health’s growing behavioral health team by offering services such as individual and group counseling to both children and adults. She is actively accepting new patients.

Moran holds a CACREP Master of Arts degree in counseling from Waynesburg University in Waynesburg, Pa., as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from studies completed at University of Charleston, Alderson-Broaddus College and West Virginia University.

Moran comes to Valley Health with eight years of working experience in a variety of settings throughout West Virginia in roles that have included resident assistant, family liaison, crisis stabilization specialist and crisis support specialist. Most recently, Moran worked as a therapist at Damous Psychological Services.

Located at 3377 U.S. Route 60 in Huntington, Valley Health – East Huntington offers integrated medical and behavioral services, providing a wide range of care for patients, both body and mind. The health center gives patients access to family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, behavioral health, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and QuickCare providers under one roof. To make an appointment with Stephanie Moran or another Valley Health – East provider, please call (304) 399-3310.

For a complete list of Valley Health’s services, locations and providers, visit www.valleyhealth.org.

Huntington, W.Va. – Valley Health announces the addition of family nurse practitioner Ellen Newhouse to the QuickCare provider team at its FoodFair walk-in clinic in Barboursville, W.Va.

In her new position, Newhouse will be treating patients of all ages on a walk-in basis for minor illnesses that include sore throats, ear infections, urinary tract infections, mild asthma, rashes without fever, minor burns, minor cuts that require stitches, nausea, dizziness and other conditions that are not life-or-limb-threatening, but that require immediate care.

Newhouse also welcomes patients wishing to establish care with a primary care physician for their ongoing family medicine needs. In addition to managing unexpected illnesses, she is also experienced and qualified in offering preventive care and managing chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease.

Newhouse is highly qualified to support patient needs. She brings 27 years of nursing experience to the role with numerous healthcare organizations, including Three Rivers Medical Center in Louisa, Ky.; St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, W. Va.; Highland Medical Center, Inc. of Monterey, Va.; Meadowview Regional Medical Center in Maysville, Ky.; Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Weston, W.Va.; and most recently at Pikeville Medical Center, Pikeville, Ky. Newhouse has a wide scope of patient care experience including rural family practice, urgent care, trauma care and GYN.

Newhouse attained her associate degree in nursing from Marshall University, earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Ohio University, and completed her master’s degree from Walden University.

When not at work, Newhouse enjoys reading, watching movies, camping and most of all spending time with family.

Valley Health – at FoodFair, located at 6350 U.S. Route 60, Barboursville, W.Va., is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Advance appointments are not required, but patients may contact the health center, when needed, by phoning 304-399- 3350.

For a complete list of Valley Health’s services and locations, visit www.valleyhealth.org. News and health information is also available on Valley Health’s Facebook page at facebook.com/WVvalleyhealth.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Valley Health is pleased to announce that pediatrician, Dr. Ryan Cicenas, MD, will join the care team at Valley Health–Coal Grove beginning December 17, 2018.

Dr. Cicenas describes himself as “a caring, competent, and hardworking pediatric and internal medicine board-certified physician with 14 years of experience.” He is a father of four daughters, ages 2, 4, 6 and 8 and has a special interest in newborn well visits to ensure that the youngest patients are achieving expected developmental milestones, receiving required vaccinations and potential health concerns are detected as early as possible.

In his role at Valley Health, Dr. Cicenas will care for infants and children up to age 18 offering services that include well-child visits, treatment for unexpected illnesses, minor injuries and management of chronic pediatric conditions. He will serve as a resource for referrals to pediatric specialists when that type of care is required. He will further maintain privileges at Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he will perform rounds in the newborn nursery.

Dr. Cicenas earned his medical degree and completed his residency training in internal medicine and pediatrics from the Marshall University School of Medicine. He completed a B.S. in Mathematics from Marshall University. As part of his undergraduate program, Cicenas studied for a summer at Oxford University, Oxford, England, and spent another summer at Universitas Nebrissenses in Madrid, Spain.

Dr. Cicenas most recently served patients at Charleston Area Medical Center - Teays Valley Hospital, and CAMC Primary Care Teays Valley in Hurricane, W.Va. He practiced for more than 10 years at Bluefield Regional Medical Center and at Bluefield Family Medicine in Bluefield, W.Va. He held leadership positions with Bluefield Regional Medical Center including Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and as a member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee. From 2005 through 2017, Cicenas served as assistant professor of Pediatrics and director of Student Medical Education with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at its Bluefield, W.Va. and Blacksburg, Va. locations.

The Coal Grove health center is located at 205 Marion Pike, Coal Grove, Ohio, and operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dr. Cicenas works alongside a complement of providers that offer a full range of services including OB/Gyn, Family Medicine and Behavioral Health. The center also provides laboratory and ultrasound services.

Dr. Cicenas is accepting new patients. To make an appointment, call (740) 532-1188.

For a complete list of Valley Health’s services and locations, visit www.valleyhealth.org. Other information including Valley Health news is also available by following Valley Health’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WVvalleyhealth.

Ms. Kelly-Moore completed a master’s degree in Social Work in 2010 from West Virginia University, having previously earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Marshall University (1999). She is currently in the process of completing the final steps to become a Masters-level Addiction Counselor.

Ms. Kelly-Moore most recently was a psychotherapist with St. Mary’s Medical Center as well as an adjunct professor of Social Work for master’s level students at Marshall University. During her 18-year career, she has also served as a therapist/counselor with Point Pleasant Behavioral Health, a case manager and program coordinator with the Prestera Center, and a social worker III with the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources at the Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital.

She has experience working with groups as well as individuals, using evidence-based interventions to promote change in behaviors and thinking, resulting in healthier coping and successful discharge planning or transition to the community. She specializes in co-occurring disorders and working with families.

Valley Health – Highlawn is located at 2585 Third Ave., Huntington, W.Va. Those interested in more information or an appointment may call (304) 781-5138.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Valley Health Systems, Inc. is pleased to announce key administrative and clinical promotions within its organization.

Promoted to vice president positions are Mathew Weimer, MD, as Vice President of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer; Josh Hammonds as Vice President of Data Informatics and Chief Information Officer; and Mary-Beth Brubeck as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Other clinical promotions include the announcement of Brett Wellman, FNP-C, as Chief Quality Officer and Associate Operations Officer; and Debbie Zuberbuehler, RN, as Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Operations Officer.

Valley Health President and CEO, Steve Shattls, states, “In light of Valley Health’s growth and in response to leaders who are preparing to retire, these leadership transitions within our organization have been designed to meet the needs of our dynamic and progressive organization.”

Shattls, continued, “At Valley Health, we are highly dedicated to leadership development, and the individuals who have been flagged to take on larger roles – all of whom have proven track records of success within our organization – are products of that development. They have rightfully earned their promotions, and we have confidence that as a team, they will take Valley Health to even higher levels of clinical, operational and financial performance.”

In their roles, Valley Health’s new leaders are responsible for the following:

Valley Health Systems, Inc. is a network of more than 30 non-profit health centers and public programs. A Tri-State leader in the delivery of primary healthcare since 1975, Valley Health provides services to nearly 70,000 across southern West Virginia and southeastern Ohio every year. Those services include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, ob/gyn, behavioral health, dentistry, otolaryngology, audiology, optical care, school-based health care, x-ray services, lab services, pharmacy services, WIC and other specialized medical programs.

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Valley Health Systems, Inc. is among a select group of West Virginia healthcare organizations that recently were recognized by the American Heart Association for meeting a high standard of blood pressure control among their adult patients.

The recognition program, called “Target: BP,” developed in a partnership between the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association, was launched in response to the rising incidence of uncontrolled blood pressure in the United States – a health issue that is particularly prevalent in West Virginia.

A growing body of evidence shows high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, as a contributing factor in many serious health conditions like heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure and other disease consequences. The Target: BP initiative aims to reduce the number of Americans who have heart attacks and strokes by urging medical practices, health service organizations and patients to prioritize blood pressure control.

Healthcare organizations participating in the Target: BP initiative focus on proper blood pressure control in adult patients and monitor improvements over time. The AHA Target: BP program partners with organizations throughout the year to support blood pressure management strategies and to measure and maintain successes. Participating agencies are recognized with Gold Awards when the targeted patient population averages 70 percent or greater blood pressure control.

Valley Health Systems not only received participant certificates for being part of the 2018 Target: BP campaign, five of its health centers achieved Gold Awards. Those Valley Health sites included Harts, Huntington High, Hurricane, Prestera and Coal Grove.

Mathew Weimer, M.D., Valley Health Vice President of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer, said, “Valley Health is pleased that five of our health centers were recognized with Gold Awards. As a system, it is an ongoing goal of our provider and chronic care management teams to manage, control and improve patient blood pressure levels among patients experiencing hypertension. At Valley Health, patient education has been an important part of this effort. It’s been very encouraging to see how many patients have benefited from this evidence-based model.”

High blood pressure is when the force of blood flowing through the blood vessels is consistently too high. It is known as “the silent killer” because it has few symptoms, and many do not know they have the condition. A simple test by a clinician with a pressure cuff and stethoscope, or with an automatic blood pressure monitor, helps determine if a patient has high blood pressure. The condition can be treated with lifestyle changes and prescription medication at the direction of a primary care provider.

A grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation enabled the American Heart Association in 2018 to bring its Target: BP program to West Virginia for the first time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, West Virginia leads the nation in rates of hypertension, at 43.5 percent.

Valley Health officers accept the organization’s Target: BP Awards. Pictured, from left to right, are Kim Tieman – Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation Program Director; Dr. Mathew Weimer – Valley Health Vice President of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer; Brett Wellman, FNP – Valley Health Chief Quality Officer and Associate Operations Officer; and Johnna Beane, RN – American Heart Association Health Strategies Coordinator.

At Valley Health – Milton, Johnson is accepting new patients of all ages and will be working alongside a team of physicians that provide a wide range of services including family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, ob/gyn, and behavioral health. Routine well exams, treatment for unexpected illnesses and injuries, referrals for specialized care and management of chronic illnesses are among the wide range of services Johnson will provide.

Johnson brings with him over 18 years of field experience to his new role at Valley Health – Milton, having served patients across the Tri-State in southern W. Va. and eastern Ky. Johnson’s scope of patient care experience ranges vastly in specialization and patient demographic. He has practiced at healthcare organizations that include Huntington Internal Medicine in Huntington, W.Va.;  Ashland Digestive Disease Associates in Ashland, Ky.; Premier Physicians Services at St. Mary’s Medical Center, Huntington, W.Va.; Whittaker NES, Huntington, W.Va.; Greg Spears PSC at Boyd and Carter County Detention Centers, Ky.; Pinnacle Physician Resources at Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, Ashland, Ky.; and most recently at TeamHealth at Kings Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Ky.

To schedule an appointment with Thomas Johnson, PA, or to inquire about the availability of a same-day, work-in visit, please contact Valley Health – Milton at 304-743-1407. The health center, which is located at 1 Harbor Way in Milton, W. Va., operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Christopher joins Family Medicine providers Korey Mitchell, M.D., and Molly Bennett-Beckley, certified physician assistant, at the health center. Appointments for new patients are being scheduled and can be made by calling (304) 393-4090.

Christopher completed a Master of Science in Social Work degree in 2004 from the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work, Louisville, Ky. He earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 2002 from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Ky.

Christopher most recently served as director of Crisis Services at Prestera Center in Huntington. Prior to that he was the Crisis Center director with the Prestera Center location in Logan, W.Va.  Other experience includes 10 years as a child and adult protective services social worker and supervisor with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. During his time with the State of Kentucky, Christopher organized, participated in and wrote grants for various community outreach activities. He also served as a liaison with county and state officials, judges, community partners, schools, health departments and statewide resources. He has experience with individual and family services for substance use disorders and dual diagnosis, case management and treatment of persons with trauma and abuse, as well as teaching, training and investigation skills.

Christopher also served a six-year enlistment as a Combat Engineer – Specialist with the Kentucky Army National Guard from 1997 through 2003.

The Valley Health–Stepptown center is located at 3 Adena Drive, Kermit, W.Va. and is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

In her role at Valley Health, Amy addresses patients’ behavioral health needs through evaluations, therapy sessions and the development of treatment plans, including referrals to Valley Health’s Medication Assisted Treatment program.

Amy completed a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Marshall University in 2012 and is a licensed psychologist, an advanced alcohol and drug counselor (AADC), a master addiction counselor (MAC) and a substance abuse professional (SAP). She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology that she earned in 2003 from Marshall University.

Amy has 14 years of experience working in behavioral health in the Huntington area. She most recently served as an addictions therapist with Barboursville Behavioral Health. She previously worked at the Mildred Mitchell Bateman Hospital as a MICA therapist, meaning she worked with patients who have a dual diagnosis of a mental illness and a substance use disorder.  She worked with Forensic Psychiatry, PLLC as their MAT program administrator and therapist before taking on a role as a psychometrician. Her background also includes time working for Huntington Treatment Center.

Amy is accepting new patients, and appointments can be scheduled by calling Valley Health – Highlawn at (304) 781-5138.  The health center is located at 2585 Third Ave., Huntington, W.Va.

Valley Health Systems, a network of nearly 40 community health centers and public health programs, has entered into a partnership with the prestigious NYU Langone Health. Under the partnership, post-doctoral residents from NYU Langone Dental Medicine will enter into a one-year advanced education in General Dentistry Program.

Five dental residents will be placed in Valley Health dentistry training sites in East Huntington, Wayne and Westmoreland, WV.

Upon successful completion of the program, residents are well prepared to meet the challenges and complexities of modern dentistry.

The program is a good fit for Valley Health given the high need for dentists and dental care in West Virginia. According to a recent report by WalletHub, an online financial service, West Virginia has the worst dental health in the nation. The state also ranked 47th in the U.S. for the number of dentists per capita.

Valley Health President and CEO, Steve Shattls, commented, “For decades Valley Health has been engaged in training medical students, resident physicians, and more recently, pharmacy residents and behavioral health doctoral students at our health centers. Our leadership team and Board of Directors felt that having the opportunity for the organization to train dentists at the post-graduate level would be a natural progression for us. It is an important step given that oral health professionals are desperately needed in West Virginia.  Partnering with NYU Langone will not only allow us to offer residents training from exceptional providers and exposure to the health center patients and rural West Virginia environment, it will also enable additional access to care for our populations. Furthermore, it will afford the potential for residents, upon completion of their training, to stay in West Virginia and be the next generation of dentists in Valley Health communities across the region.”

Valley Health’s dental director, Andrea Kelly, DDS, and Daniel Brody, DMD, Program Administrator, will provide local oversight to the AEGD program.

“We are delighted that Valley Health has been approved as a training site for the AEGD program with NYU Langone Dental Medicine,” Dr. Brody, said. “This partnership is beneficial to all parties – the patients, the dental residents and both organizations. The residents will bring the latest techniques and knowledge to our health centers, while they learn the practical aspects of patient care from Valley Health’s experienced dental team.”

Dr. Kelly expanded on Dr. Brody’s thought by saying, “The residents will live in the Huntington area while in the program, and their training will provide them the opportunity to diagnose, treat and manage the oral healthcare needs for patients of all ages. The residents will also be involved in business experiences, such as taking part in dental section meetings, listening to case studies and discussions of staff, personnel management, insurance, billing and accounts receivable issues. They will be invited to attend multidisciplinary meetings that focus on organization-wide themes such as risk management, quality assurance and improvement, and leadership training.”

Dr. Kelly further stated that the centers at Wayne, Westmoreland and East Huntington are all modern facilities that each house a medical, dental and behavioral health department. “Our centers provide integrated, holistic care, so the AEGD residents will not only work with dental practitioners, they will have exposure to the medical and behavioral health side of care as well.”

NYU Langone Health is among the top ranked hospitals in the country on U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals” list and supports the largest postdoctoral dental residency program in the U.S.

“We’re excited to have Valley Health as our newest affiliated health center,” said Dr. Martin Lieberman, DDS, Vice President, Graduate Dental Education at NYU Langone. “The NYU Langone Dental Medicine Postdoctoral Residency Program is proud to partner with Valley Health to address the need for high quality affordable oral health care and train the next generation of generalists and specialists in seven postgraduate programs across 31 U.S. states and the Caribbean.”

The NYU Langone Dental Medicine AEGD Program, a 12-month program/optional second year is accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) of the American Dental Association (ADA) and has been granted the accreditation status of approval without reporting requirements. The Commission is a specialized accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education. Valley Health underwent an application process to receive approval from CODA to become an affiliated program residency clinical training site.

Valley Health currently offers dentistry services for patients of all ages at six health center sites that include East Huntington, Fort Gay, Harts, Upper Kanawha, Wayne and Westmoreland.

In addition to dental care, Valley Health provides a comprehensive assortment of primary healthcare services to more than 72,000 patients in southern West Virginia, southeastern Ohio and eastern Kentucky.  Those services include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, QUICKcare, ob/gyn, optometry, behavioral health, audiology, ENT, pharmacy, lab and X-ray.  Valley Health also supports specialized programs such as Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition services, school-based health, black lung treatment, CareConnect chronic care management, Medication Therapy Management (MTM), MedSynch services and programs for the homeless.

“It is rare to identify an individual who has the wisdom, maturity, intelligence and capabilities to work in a complex health care environment – at a young age of 26,” said Steven Shattls, Valley Health President and CEO.  “Rachel’s ability to work with and lead the team that has developed such a large behavioral health and substance use disorder program has been critical in allowing Valley Health to have an impact on a population with a great need for these services in our region. Rachel being named an “emerging leader” by the prestigious Geiger – Gibson program at George Washington University makes us so very proud!”

Merino commented about the award, “I feel honored to have received this award. The experience of being in a room with so many other people who share the same mission of meeting the healthcare needs of their communities was powerful and something I will never forget.”

Merino was hired by Valley Health in September 2016 as the Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) program coordinator. In January 2017 she was promoted to administrator of Behavioral Health Operations, and in fall of 2018 her duties were further expanded to include dentistry services. It is a role that encompasses working with 50 behavioral health and dental providers at 15 locations.

During Merino’s tenure, 22 new behavioral health providers have joined Valley Health, and the organization’s substance use disorder treatment program patient volume has tripled. Merino has also played an instrumental role for Valley Health in fostering community partnerships and collaborative projects, such as PROACT, with the local hospitals, Marshall Health, Thomas Health and Recovery Point.

“The unique thing about my role at Valley Health, and what I really love about my job, is that it is not solely focused on healthcare administration,” Merino said. “It also has a public health component. I have a passion for policy and public health, especially for vulnerable and underserved communities. That, coupled with the fact that I work with others who share my strong belief in providing holistic care to patients, makes working at Valley Health very special. Here, we place equal importance on mental and physical health.”

Merino was born in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in a suburb near Portland, Oregon. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health degree from Oregon State University in 2014 and completed a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration degree in 2017 from Marshall University.

Merino said Huntington has been a welcoming place to her. “I’ve learned that this is a close-knit community and a place where you can have a great sense of belonging. People seem to be interested in and care about others here, and that’s why I like it so much.”

Each year, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health in Washington, D.C., honors young professionals from across the country who are making significant impacts to community health and health centers. The winners are selected from a competitive pool of candidates from across the nation, who are nominated for the significant contributions they make in their communities and who exemplify the mission and vision of Drs. H. Jack Geiger and Count Gibson, pioneers for community health and human rights.

This year’s 12 award recipients represent both large and small population centers and have a wide range of titles and responsibilities. In addition to West Virginia, the winners are from New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, California, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Linda Salem, who has been a nurse practitioner with Valley Health since 1993, will begin working at the Gallipolis Ferry practice full time beginning June 3.  She is currently accepting new patients of all ages and has a special interest in women’s health. Her services also include preventive care, treatment of short-term illnesses, management of chronic diseases and referrals to specialists.

Effective with this transition, Valley Health – Gallipolis Ferry will be open Monday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Friday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Valley Health – Gallipolis Ferry also provides behavioral health services for adults and children. Dorothy Boston, PsyD, has been with Valley Health since 2016 and is also accepting new patients.

Valley Health – Gallipolis Ferry is located at 15167 Huntington Road. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 304-675-5725.

Surgeons of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology have served as the primary surgeon in more than 150 minimally invasive procedures and have performed at least 30 procedures annually. To attain the designation, Dr. Kellar underwent a rigorous review by a panel of independent reviewers.

SRC develops and administers best-in-class accreditation programs for surgeons, hospitals and freestanding outpatient facilities throughout the world, with the goal of improving patient safety, satisfaction and outcomes.

Dr. Kellar is a board-certified obstetrician gynecologist who joined Valley Health in 2011 after receiving her medical degree and completing residency at Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. While specializing in the performance of minimally invasive hysterectomies, operative laparoscopies, operative hysteroscopies through use of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System, Dr. Kellar also has special interest in treating patients with low and high-risk pregnancies and in providing contraceptive and general gynecologic care.

Dr. Kellar cites many benefits to minimally invasive procedures. “When using the da Vinci Surgical System, recovery is so much faster. For example, the recovery time for a traditionally performed hysterectomy can be up to six weeks. With a minimally invasive approach to that same procedure, I’ve seen patients be able to return to work and normal activities in less than two weeks.”

Other benefits to minimally invasive surgery include shorter hospital stays, less post-operative pain, less risk of infection and less scarring.

Dr. Kellar accepts patients at Valley Health – A Woman’s Place located at 1630 – 13th Avenue in Huntington, W.Va. Interested parties may request an appointment by calling 304-697-2014.

She also accepts patients at Valley Health – Hurricane, 3729 Teays Valley Road in Hurricane, W.Va. Patients may contact that office by calling 304-760-6040.

Dr. Kellar maintains hospital privileges with Cabell Huntington Hospital, Cabell Huntington Surgery Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Olivia Rockwell comes to the residency program as a graduate of the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in Morgantown, while Minh Trinh comes as a graduate of the Western University of Health Sciences College of Pharmacy in Pomona, California.

The Valley Health pharmacy residency is a 12-month, post-graduate, community-based program that is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). Residents rotate among Valley Health’s pharmacy sites and other health center sites as needed. Residents also conduct a yearlong research project during training that they will present to the Eastern States Conference at the conclusion of the residency.

The pharmacy residency program meets specific goals and objectives of the accrediting body to give residents practical experience in serving patients, managing diseases, analyzing data, evaluating medication use processes and implementing best practices. Upon completion of the ASHP accredited program, individuals are awarded a residency certificate.

Through the duration of their residencies, Rockwell and Trinh will interact with Valley Health’s pharmacy team. Valley Health currently operates three community pharmacies from the system’s East Huntington, Huntington and Wayne health centers. In addition to operating traditional pharmacies, Valley Health is unique in that it also operates a clinical pharmacy program. The system’s clinical pharmacists work in direct collaboration with the primary provider and treatment team as resources to answer medication questions and optimize medication management processes for patients.

Residents will be further exposed to Valley Health’s innovative, customer-focused pharmacy programs. Those programs include a Competitive Pricing Program to offer prescription medications at the lowest possible prices; a Medication Therapy Management Program (MTM) to help patients better manage their medications; a Transitional Care Management Program (TCM) to monitor and help patients in the transition from hospital to home; a Med-Synch Program to coordinate prescription refills so patients can pick up all their prescriptions at one time; and a Diabetes Education Program to optimize patients’ medication plans. Residents will also gain experience in Targeted Drug Monitoring with lithium and digoxin. Targeted Drug Monitoring is a clinical practice of measuring specific drugs at designated intervals to maintain a constant concentration in a patient’s bloodstream, thereby optimizing individual dosage regimens.

In addition to the pharmacy residency program, Valley Health administers residency programs for family medicine, behavioral health, and most recently, dentistry. Residency programs provide healthcare professionals with opportunities to build and improve their skills while serving patients and sharing knowledge with Valley Health personnel. Residencies also present opportunities for Valley Health to hire young, skilled professionals when they finish their programs.

Dr. Dillon returns to the Huntington area from Danville, Va., where she recently completed a two-year Family Medicine residency at Sovah Health-Danville Regional Medical Center. Previously, she completed a two-year medical residency with Southern Ohio Medical Center in Portsmouth, Ohio.  She has a special interest in geriatric medicine but welcomes patients of all ages for their preventive care needs and for the treatment of both acute and chronic illnesses.

Dr. Dillon completed her Doctor of Osteopathy degree in 2015 at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg, W.Va. She is the recipient of the WVSOM Alumni Association Roland P. Sharp Graduate Award, which is bestowed to a graduating student who exemplifies Dr. Sharp’s vision of holistic care and service. Dr. Dillon’s undergraduate degree is from Marshall University.

Dr. Dillon comes to Valley Health in anticipation of the health system’s expansion in Milton where she joins a primary care team that includes Thomas Johnson, PA-C; Artina Lane, MD; David Morris, FNP-C; Mathew Weimer, MD; and Christine Westfall, MD.

Valley Health – Milton is located at 1 Harbour Way, just off I-64 Milton exit 28. Appointments can be made by calling (304) 743-1407.

Gonzalez has 14 years of experience as a nurse, a medical provider and a leader, and will contribute her clinical and administrative skills to Valley Health.

She most recently served as an administrator at the West Virginia Center for Nursing, Charleston, W.Va., and prior to that she worked as the deputy medical director and a provider with another local healthcare center.

Gonzalez earned a Masters in Business Administration with a health care concentration in 2017 from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio and completed a Master of Science in Nursing in 2009 from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2005 from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

The mission of Valley Health is to make quality healthcare accessible across the Tri-State, emphasizing outreach to those who are underserved.

Previously, Houchin served as a nurse practitioner at the St. Mary’s Medical Center Emergency Department. She also worked as a nurse practitioner for Med Express Urgent Care centers. Houchin has experience serving as a RN and charge nurse at King’s Daughters Medical Center and as a preceptor at St. Mary’s Emergency Department.

Houchin completed a Master’s in the Science of Nursing degree in 2014 from Walden University, Minneapolis, Minn., and is a certified Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. She earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing degree from Marshall University in 2007.

Valley Health Systems and Fruth Pharmacy are excited to announce a new partnership that will provide progressive service opportunities for patients of both organizations and for all Milton area residents.

“Valley Health set the stage a year ago to strengthen healthcare opportunities in Milton when ground was broken on a new 15,000-square-foot, $6.5 million community health center to better meet the demand for services in the market,” stated Valley Health President and CEO, Steve Shattls. “As construction of the new health center nears completion, we are pleased to announce that Fruth Pharmacy will be our partner for pharmacy care in the new Milton site. We are two community-based and community-minded organizations that together look forward to improving the health and well-being of all those we serve.”

“This is a great opportunity,” Lynne Fruth, President of Fruth Pharmacy began, “Valley Health is a key provider in the Milton area.   We have a long-standing partnership with Valley Health in other communities Fruth serves.  The services Valley Health offers will be a benefit to the Milton community and Fruth customers,” she concluded.

Located immediately off I-64 exit 28, the new state-of-the-art health center, which will replace Valley Health’s existing facility at One Harbour Way in Milton, has been funded in part by HRSA Health Infrastructure Investment Program grants.

Valley Health’s Vice President of Health Services and Chief Medical Officer, Mathew Weimer, MD, commented, “This collaboration will greatly benefit the nearly 7,000 patients Valley Health serves today in Milton. We are very excited for the opportunity to enhance their care experience in a new, modern facility with convenient, on-site access to Fruth’s prescription and retail pharmacy. The benefits of this collaboration, however, extend to the entire Milton community and beyond, as the new Valley Health and Fruth Pharmacy location will provide the community comprehensive family medicine, internal medicine, pediatric, ob/gyn, psychiatry, psychology, dentistry, lab, QUICKCARE and pharmacy services all in one location.”

Fruth Pharmacy customers benefit from the collaboration as well. Advantages for Fruth customers will be having a local pharmacist provide patient care while gaining access to Valley Health clinical pharmacists who will work on individualized pharmaceutical care and counseling, including follow-up after hospitalization.

The new facility will have a drive-thru pharmacy pick-up window for prescriptions and a retail space for over-the-counter medications and other pharmacy related items. Fruth will continue to offer delivery services, AutoFill, Text Messaging Alerts, and the Med-Sync Program.

“Fruth Pharmacy will provide all of its current pharmacy services for our patients while adding new conveniences, like a drive-thru window and counseling opportunities,” Drew Massey, Fruth Pharmacy Director of Pharmacy Operations shared, “we are looking forward to improving the healthcare amenities in the Milton area.”

Fruth Pharmacy and Valley Health will be in the new health center by mid-October.

Fruth Pharmacy has been a family-owned company for 67 years.  Currently, Fruth Pharmacy has locations in West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.

Valley Health Systems, Inc., a HRSA funded and deemed entity, operates a network of nearly 40 non-profit health centers and public health programs in southern West Virginia and southeastern Ohio. The organization has been a Tri-State leader in the delivery of quality, patient-centered primary healthcare services since 1975, and today provides care to more than 75,000 patients each year.

Dr. Brody said patients with a history of SUD can pose unique challenges for health care providers representing different specialties, including dentistry. He and other providers at Valley Health have seen an increasing number of patients throughout the region in need of specialized dental care due to conditions and ailments related to SUD. Dr. Brody recently gave his presentation at the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers Annual Conference in Columbus, Ohio, and the Indiana Primary Health Care Association Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“I hope to raise awareness about oral health issues related to SUD, the importance of oral health in the rehabilitation process and to improve collaboration between dental, medical, and behavioral health care providers who are serving SUD patients,” Dr. Brody said. “Management of substance use disorders and its health effects requires a multidisciplinary approach.”

In the coming months, Dr. Brody is scheduled to present to the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, the Health Center Association of Nebraska, and at the National Network for Oral Health Access Annual Session.

Dr. Brody has been with Valley Health since 1984 and practices at Valley Health – Fort Gay. He treats adults and children age one and older.

“We are excited about the collaboration with Valley Health knowing that it will bring the availability of additional services to the children we have been serving,” Lambernedis said. In addition to improved connections to specialized services such as behavioral health, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy and WIC, she added, “We will even be able to offer qualifying patients access to a Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program to help with the cost of care.”

The new Valley Health pediatrics center specializes in care for infants and children through young adults. It accepts patients by appointment and can also accommodate walk-in patients.

Valley Health – Teays Pediatrics, located at 111 Great Teays Blvd., Suite 101, in Scott Depot, is Valley Health’s fourth Putnam County site. The organization also operates Valley Health – Teays Valley, a family medicine practice; Valley Health – Hurricane, a Family Medicine, OB/GYN and Behavioral Health practice; and Valley Health – Putnam WIC, a resource for breastfeeding and nutrition support.

“At Valley Health, it is so important for us to be able to offer a value-added program, such as the Target: BP Program, at no cost to any enrolled patient,” said Brett Wellman, FNP-C, the organization’s chief quality officer and associate operations officer. “I represent the entire provider team in saying that we are committed to positive health outcomes for all patients.”

The 11 individual Valley Health sites to receive Gold Awards, six more than in 2018, include A Woman’s Place, Coal Grove, Prestera, Harts Intermediate School, Huntington, Huntington Middle/Southside Elementary, Hurricane, Southside, Spring Valley, Stepptown and Teays Valley. Sixteen additional Valley Health sites received Participant Level awards.

The American Heart Association and the American Medical Association launched the Target: BP™ program in response to the rising incidence of uncontrolled blood pressure in the United States. West Virginia leads the nation in rates of hypertension at 43.5 percent, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program focuses on supporting, encouraging and rewarding healthcare agencies in the state that practice and support blood pressure management strategies, and both measure and maintain success. Participating agencies are recognized with Gold Awards when 70 percent or more of the targeted patient population achieves blood pressure control.

Valley Health’s focus around improving patient hypertension rates includes ongoing training and monitoring for blood pressure measurement techniques among the nursing staff, development of a patient education program led by the clinical pharmacy and chronic care management teams, and a blood pressure cuff loaner program for patients made possible through a partnership with the American Heart Association and the Benedum Foundation.

“This new location represents our first direct health center presence in Charleston,” said President and CEO Steve Shattls. “We continue to explore opportunities to offer expanded, high-quality services to Valley Health patients.”

The staff includes Erin Nethercutt, FNP-BC, and Candace Vinson, FNP-BC, who bring years of experience to the new practice location.

Nethercutt’s clinical expertise developed over 13 years at Cabell Huntington Hospital, where she served in various roles, including charge nurse, clinical preceptor, superuser for computer programs on labor and delivery, and transport nurse for high-risk maternity patients. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing degree from Walden University in 2018 and is certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Vinson obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from Marshall University in May 2019. In 2015, Vinson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University, where she graduated with Cum Laude honors. While working toward her undergraduate degree at WVU, Vinson completed a nurse externship program in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Charleston Area Medical Center. Following board certification as a registered nurse, Vinson took on a similar role working in the MICU at Cabell Huntington Hospital in Huntington.

The Oakwood Road health center is Valley Health’s second collaboration with Fruth Pharmacy within the last year. Valley Health’s new Milton site, which opened last fall, includes a full-service Fruth Pharmacy.

Valley Health – Oakwood Road is open from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Appointments are not required but can be scheduled by calling 304-352-1191.

Housed within the Tower FoodFair in Barboursville, the health center features evening and weekend hours and services that include family medicine, laboratory, audiology and QUICKCARE, for patients seeking treatment for minor illnesses and injuries without an appointment.

Coiner completed her FNP training in 2018 at Wheeling Jesuit University, after earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Marshall University in 2013. She most recently worked with Huntington Hospitalist Group, providing family medical care as well as MAT (medication-assisted treatment) oversight. Coiner began her nursing career at Cabell Huntington Hospital in the Mother/Baby unit and worked as a nurse practitioner at Kid Care West Pediatrics in Charleston.

Valley Health at FoodFair is located at 6350 U.S. 60, Barboursville. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 304-399-3350.

“Sherry is an institution at Valley Health, someone who’s experience, insight and wisdom I have found to be invaluable,” Shattls said. “Her record of service over the years has been incredible.”

Perry began her initial involvement with Valley Health in 1987 by serving on the community board for what was then the Grant Medical Center in Milton, one of three original Valley Health sites that formed the network beginning in the mid-1970s. She later transitioned to the Valley Health Systems Board of Directors in the early 1990s when the organization’s 10 community boards were consolidated into one.

Today, Perry is the secretary of the board and is on the Executive Committee. She also is a member of the Finance Audit and Compliance Committee and the Bylaws Committee. Through her years as a board member, she has seen and helped guide Valley Health’s substantial growth. The growth in Milton, the place where her work with Valley Health all started, has been particularly fulfilling.

Perry said, “Grant Medical Center eventually evolved into Valley Health – Milton, and the health center had to move several times to larger facilities to keep up with demand. Today, we are so proud of the newly constructed, 15,000-square-foot location that we opened just off the I-64 Milton exit last October. It’s a facility that’s proving to be a tremendous asset to patients and to the community as a whole.”

Shattls noted, “I am profoundly grateful to Sherry, as I am to all of our board members. Their leadership has helped Valley Health make facilities like VH – Milton possible and our organization grow into a network that now operates 40 health centers and public health programs.”

In addition to her contributions to Valley Health, Perry is co-director of the Eastern Cabell County Humanities Organization, commonly known as ECCHO. She helped develop the food and clothing pantry in 1981.

Valley Health Systems, Inc. announces accessibility to two new services to assess and potentially screen patients for coronavirus COVID-19 infection.

Effective March 20, Valley Health will launch telehealth services to assess patients’ needs for COVID-19 testing. During the telehealth assessment, a member of Valley Health’s medical provider team will evaluate each patient by reviewing symptoms, exposure risk factors, medical history, medications and other relevant information. Based on the evaluation, the provider will give recommendations, which may include testing.

In addition to the launch of telehealth services for COVID-19 assessments, Valley Health will begin offering drive-thru screening at two locations. Drive-thru screenings will ONLY BE AVAILABLE to individuals who have completed a telehealth assessment and have been advised by the telehealth provider to proceed to a drive-thru testing location. All charts will be reviewed before any testing begins to verify provider orders. Tests available at the drive-thru locations include flu, strep and respiratory panel, including COVID-19. Valley Health’s physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants will follow CDC guidelines for Person under Investigation (PUI) in making determinations for testing Telehealth patients for COVID-19.

These services are available for all community members. This includes individuals who are not currently accessing services through Valley Health, who see healthcare providers at private practices or other entities such as Marshall Health and regional hospitals. As a community health center, we serve all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

To schedule a telehealth assessment, patients must call 304-399-3358, a centralized line handled by Valley Health employees, who will register the patient for a telehealth appointment with the next available telehealth provider. During the call, the patient should have all necessary items available for reference, including insurance information, if applicable. Upon completion of registration, patients must then go to the Valley Health telehealth webpage and complete the Informed Consent for Telehealth electronic form before an assessment can be completed.

Patients will be able to call and request a telehealth assessment starting Friday, March 20, at 8 a.m.

Access to Valley Health’s drive-thru testing services will begin on these dates and at these locations:

Starting Friday, 3/20: Former Valley Health – Milton, 1 Harbour Way, Milton, WV 25541.
Starting Monday, 3/23: Valley Health – East Huntington, 3377 US-60, Huntington, WV 25705.

Hours of operation for screening and telehealth services will be 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department testing site will bring Valley Health’s number of drive-thru testing sites to three. Valley Health also operates testing sites at its East Huntington health center, located at 3377 U.S. Route 60 in Huntington, and at its former Milton health center, located 1 Harbour Way in Milton.

In order to access testing at a Valley Health drive-thru testing site, patients must first call (304) 399-3358 to register for a Telehealth visit with a Valley Health provider.

The patient will be asked to visit to Valley Health’s website, www.valleyhealth.org/telehealth/ to learn more about Telehealth services and to complete an online Informed Consent for Telehealth. If unable to go through this online process, staff will assist patients with registration and consent on the telephone.

Patients will be asked to then complete a virtual Telehealth visit with a Valley Health provider using a free app, Google Duo, which can be downloaded to a smartphone or computer.  The Valley Health provider will review symptoms, exposure risk factors, medical history, medications and other relevant information. Based on the Telehealth evaluation, the provider will give recommendations, which may include testing. Patients unable to access care at Valley Health using Google Duo may have a visit over the telephone.

In addition to using Telehealth for COVID-19 assessments, Valley Health has been granted temporary permission to use Telehealth technology to meet the ongoing medical and behavioral health care needs of other patients. While Valley Health is still seeing patients in their health centers for urgent and time-sensitive needs, Telehealth now provides a means for patients and providers to practice social distancing for behavioral health, MAT, family medicine, internal medicine and pediatric visits. For these types of Telehealth appointments, patients may call the Valley Health location of their choice to schedule a Telehealth visit with their regular provider.

Valley Health’s Telehealth services are available for all community members. As a community health center network, Valley Health serves all individuals regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

For complete information about Telehealth services, a list of Valley Health locations and hours of operation for drive-thru testing sites, click here.

For information about all accessible community resources in response to COVID-19, visit the Cabell-Huntington Health Department’s website at www.cabellhealth.org.

The oldest brother Nate is deeply familiar with 3-D printing technologies and has been the driving force behind the project. Shield production itself is an involved process, requiring much more than the flip of a switch on Nate’s 3-D printer.

Through each phase, Nate has been collaborating with institutions and businesses locally and beyond state borders in order to get much-needed PPE to organizations like Valley Health.

Mentors from Marshall University’s Robert C. Byrd Institute (RCBI) assisted with the initial design and development of Nate’s shield template. Following the prototype stage, the fourteen-year-old was tasked with sourcing highly sought-after material suitable for medical-grade PPE. Research ultimately led Nate to an unsuspecting infant safety gate manufacturer based in Georgia, that agreed to supply the necessary materials.

Production is a slow and steady process, requiring round the clock attention and adversity amidst inevitable hiccups. So far, Nate and his younger brother Samuel have donated upwards of 40 shields with plans to more than double that quantity within the next week.

The Bowens’ father, Thomas, explained that for Nate and Samuel, seeing first-hand how their hard work is being applied in the clinical setting has been one of the most rewarding and encouraging parts of the experience.

When the family arrived at Valley Health’s East Huntington health center to donate masks last week, they were provided with a guided tour of select clinical areas inside the facility. They also had the opportunity to meet some of the faces that will be protected behind their shields.

Recalling their recent experience at Valley Health, Mr. Bowen said, “Nate and my younger son Samuel really connected with the story of how Valley Health serves underserved populations in the community and decided this was an organization they want to continue to support.”

As a federally qualified community health center with a strong footprint in the Tri-State region, Valley Health has been at the forefront of addressing community needs during the Coronavirus pandemic.

While patient interaction at Valley Health is largely restricted to telehealth platforms at this time, there are still instances where patients and staff must meet face-to-face. Screening for COVID-19 is a particular situation where that scenario holds true.

“Our goal is to remain highly accessible to patients during this unprecedented time while also taking the necessary precautions to keep our staff and other patients safe,” said Valley Health’s Chief Quality Officer Brett Wellman. “We feel very grateful to have young, proactive community members like the Bowen brothers supporting us in those safety efforts and working hard to protect those on the frontline. These two have much to be proud of.”

Valley Health continues to offer testing for COVID-19, now available onsite at select Valley Health locations across the region. Patients must call 304-399-3358 to schedule a telehealth visit with a Valley Health provider prior to screening and be directed by that provider to proceed to a testing location most convenient to them.

“The work that’s being done at Lily’s Place and at the Cabell Huntington Hospital NTU is so important. These babies who need such specialized care have a special place in my heart.” said Dr. Bartam. “Our combined teams work collaboratively to transition affected infants from the NTU to Lily’s Place with a collective goal of providing care that makes a difference in not only their comfort, but in how they grow. I have personally been rounding in the NTU for seven years and have worked at Lily’s Place since it opened six years ago. I have further had the opportunity to provide continuity of care over the years for many of these children in my pediatric practice at Valley Health. It has been exceptionally rewarding to watch them grow and thrive.”

Lily’s Place Executive Director Rebecca Crowder commented, “We are excited to have Dr. Bartam as our new medical director. We think she will be a great asset to our team. We are continuously impressed by the level of compassion and commitment she shows for the babies and families we serve.”

Lily’s Place provides services to infants affected by the opioid epidemic in a caring and non-judgmental environment. Opened in October 2014, the treatment center offers observational, therapeutic and pharmacological care to infants suffering from prenatal drug exposure. The center uses proven therapeutic handling methods and the latest weaning techniques to ease withdrawal symptoms.

Valley Health has been an important part of Lily’s Place’s story from the start. As an organization whose mission it is to serve underserved populations, three of Valley Health’s pediatric providers have been integral to the care offered at Lily’s Place. Of the five physicians who round at Lily’s Place, three are from Valley Health. In addition to Dr. Bartram, Drs. Zach Hansen and Jordan Nash offer their services. Valley Health pediatricians and family medicine providers also offer follow-up care for infants who have been patients of Lily’s Place. They offer care for many of the parents of the children as well.

Dr. Bartram is a graduate of the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, where she also completed her residency training. She is board certified by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to serving as the Medical Director at Lily’s place, she will continue to maintain her full-time pediatrics practice at Valley Health – Southside, located at 723 Ninth Avenue in Huntington.

Valley Health – Ear, Nose and Throat lead physicians Dr. Thomas Jung, MD, PhD, and Dr. Mark Sheridan, MD, FACS, are both very pleased to welcome Aeling into the fold. “Her arrival will allow our practice to provide care in a timelier manner while continuing to emphasize quality and compassion for our patients,” said Drs. Jung and Sheridan. “Otolaryngology is a sought-after specialty among patients in the region, and Tiffany’s addition to our care team will enable us to further expand access to our service for patients in need.”

Prior to joining Valley Health – Ear, Nose and Throat, Aeling worked at Bellefonte Urological Associates. During her time at Bellefonte Urological Associates, she conducted new patient visits and follow-ups, assisted with outpatient surgical procedures, performed urodynamic studies and developed treatment plans for common urologic conditions.

Aeling, a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, holds two master’s degrees, completing Alderson Broaddus University’s physician assistant program in 2018 and a biological sciences master’s program from Marshall University. She completed her bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Marshall University in 2014 and was a part of the Swimming and Diving Team.

Valley Health – Ear, Nose and Throat is located at 3 Stonecrest Dr., Huntington. The practice accepts Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance, and offers patient discounts for those who financially qualify. For more information about Valley Health – Ear, Nose and Throat, or to schedule an appointment, call 304-522-6388.

Medical Education: Spartan Health Sciences University

Professional Memberships: American Medical Association (AMA) American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFM), Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS)

Certifications: ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, ATLS, The Difficult Airway Course: Emergency & Medical Disaster Response

Treats: Adults

Language(s) Spoken: English, Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi (working knowledge)

Valley Health: 2018

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A conversation about Chuck Yeager and the Yeager Scholarship with Dr. Mathew Weimer

What did receiving the Yeager Scholarship mean to you? 

My experience in the Society of Yeager Scholars meant that I had the opportunity to learn in a small group, seminar format that encouraged debate, discussion, and critical thinking. The program also allowed for many once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including studying literature at Oxford University in the UK. 

How did being a Yeager Scholar positively impact your life? 

The most important impact of this program on my life was that it brought me to West Virginia, where I have been ever since (with the exception of a 4 year hiatus when I went to medical school in Ohio). I’m very fortunate to live in Huntington with my family and to serve my patients and the community in the work that I do with Valley Health. I wouldn’t change a thing, and the decision to apply for the Yeager program back in the late 1990s was, as it turns out, a watershed moment for me.

Did you have the opportunity to meet Chuck Yeager? 

I was fortunate to meet General Yeager on multiple occasions, the most memorable of which was flying with him in the fall of 1997 in a P-51 aircraft to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his sound barrier-breaking flight.

Is there anything additional about Chuck Yeager or the Yeager Scholars Program that you would like to share? 

The Yeager program is a great asset for Marshall University and the state, especially with regard to recruiting and potentially retaining young people to live in and contribute to the state and region.

How receiving the Yeager Scholarship impacted my life

By Dr. Ryan Cicenas

Receiving the Yeager Scholarship was incredible.  Of course, having college paid for was a blessing for me (and my parents).  However, the opportunity to be part of something bigger was the reason I chose Marshall.  Most schools give out scholarships based upon academic achievements.  You go to school and earn good grades and they leave you alone.  With the Yeager Scholarship, I was joining a program (and a tough one at that).  My initial Yeager class started with ten students but only seven graduated together.  Each semester for the first two years we had our “Yeager Seminar”.  It was a five hour class that replaced the college basic requirements but was much more intense.  Each class consisted of three or four professors.  Considering the ratio of one professor to 3 students, we were intimidated.  The classes helped us to think critically.  Extensive writing and speaking assignments never seemed to end.  The goal was to produce well rounded students able to tackle any career.  Between our sophomore and junior years my class studied together at Oxford University in England.  Before that trip, I thought little of the plays of William Shakespeare.  Now I can say that I not only appreciate them but enjoy them immensely.  The Yeager Scholarship also provided a semester abroad.  The following summer I studied at Universitas Nebresenses in Madrid, Spain.  I was able to study the language and culture while living with a family in the city.  My art class was conducted while walking through the world famous Prado Museum.   

The program looked for and encouraged extracurricular activities.  As a walk-on, I played football for the Thundering  Herd for two years. I was also involved with my fraternity (Alpha Tau Omega) and my church (The Newman Center). The culmination of the scholarship was completing and presenting our senior projects before we were allowed to graduate as Yeager Scholars.  My project was titled:  The Evolution of Continuity from Aristotle through Calculus.  Last came he medallion ceremony where we were given medallions made of the same material as the Bell X1 plane that Chuck Yeager flew to break the sound barrier in 1947. 

Graduating as a Yeager Scholar gave me the confidence to tackle any problem and helped me find my career.  After finishing my Med-Peds residency at Marshall, I started working as a physician in Bluefield Virginia in a job recommended to me by Joseph Hunnicutt, one of the original forces behind the creation of the Yeager Program.  I then met my wife, Susan Stinnett (now Cicenas) at a Yeager Symposium dinner in 2006.  She was in the Yeager class of 2000.  When leaving my previous job, I interviewed at Valley Health with the administration.  Matthew Weimer was present that day and also just happened to be a Yeager scholar at Marshall.  So in essence, I can thank the Yeager Program for helping me with my jobs and my family. 

I met General Yeager for the first time at the Yeager Symposium dinner in October of 1991 and a few times thereafter.  He had a larger than life personality.  People naturally flocked to him.  He was personable and so down to earth.  And stories – he had so many of them and would always share.  He was always so proud of the program and the students and never hesitated to express that feeling.

***FOR IN-PERSON VISITS ONLY***

Please seleect the location where your appointment is scheduled to take place and fill-out the check-in form.

After submitting your form successfully you should receive directions for entry procedures.  If you need assistance, please call your health center.

Valley Health’s Behavioral Health providers have started a series to help our staff cope with the stress of COVID-19. Our employees have benefited from these stress management tips from our experts, and we want to offer that same benefit to you. Listen as Rebecca Denning leads a Progressive Muscle Relaxation exercise.

Valley Health’s Behavioral Health providers have started a series to help our staff cope with the stress of COVID-19. Our employees have benefited from these stress management tips from our experts, and we want to offer that same benefit to you.

Valley Health’s Behavioral Health providers have started a series to help our staff cope with the stress of COVID-19. Our employees have benefited from these stress management tips from our experts, and we want to offer that same benefit to you.

COVID Coach Resources:

COVID Coach is a government-developed, free mobile app, designed to provide resources and enhance emotional support during this pandemic. The app is private and secure, no email account or password is required, and user data are not collected. This app is intended for EVERYONE in the community and is available for iOS and Android.

COVID Coach offers access to anxiety management tools such as audio-guided mindfulness and deep breathing, as well as exercises designed to address anxiety, trauma reactions, and relationship conflict. It also has quick links to resources for finding crisis care and mental health support, and service agencies for families and those seeking basic fundamentals. Developed by the National Center for PTSD at the VA, it joins other free, widely-used mental health apps like PTSD Coach and Mindfulness Coach.

Click here to download here for iPhone.

Click here to download here for Android.

Other Resources:

Click here for the COVID Communications Playbook and other resources for healthcare settings.

Click here for the online course mentioned during the video, Incorporating Mindfulness into Clinical Practice.

Click here for Mindful at Home Live Guided Mediations.

Valley Health’s Behavioral Health providers have started a series to help our staff cope with the stress of COVID-19. Our employees have benefited from these stress management tips from our experts, and we want to offer that same benefit to you.

Valley Health’s Behavioral Health providers have started a series to help our staff cope with the stress of COVID-19. Our employees have benefited from these stress management tips from our experts, and we want to offer that same benefit to you. Listen as Britni Ross leads you on a Guided Imagery tour.

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Board of Directors

At Valley Health our Board of Directors plays a critical role in leadership and organizational oversight. Comprised of Valley Health patients and leaders in the community, our Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that our communities continue receiving access to the healthcare they need and deserve. The Board of Directors is responsible for approving the Policies for Valley Health, annually evaluating corporate activity which includes annual audits, addressing challenges and opportunities, and works closely with the Executive Leadership Team to continue fulfilling the company’s mission

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We are currently providing telehealth appointments for behavioral health, dental, MAT, family medicine, OB/GYN, internal medicine, pediatrics and QUICKCARE services, as well as COVID-19 Assessment.

To request a telehealth appointment, please complete the form below. Please be sure to review the Informed Consent for Telehealth and/or Telemental Health Services prior to submission. A Valley Health staff member will contact you within 24 hours of receiving your request to schedule your appointment. 

Click for More Information on Telehealth

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