Students at WVU Parkersburg will soon have access to a new community-based health clinic scheduled to open on campus in the year 2021-2022. The new clinic is the latest example of the college’s commitment to providing students the resources necessary to achieve academically and personally.
Coplin Health Systems and WVU Parkersburg have formed a partnership to establish a clinic to serve the needs of the college and Mid-Ohio Valley for greater access to health care. The clinic’s opening will mark an important milestone in WVU Parkersburg’s student services and Coplin Health’s community outreach.
“I believe the greatest service we can give our students, faculty, staff, their families and the community at large is high quality, free or reduced-cost healthcare available to them right on our Parkersburg campus,” said Dr. Chris Gilmer, WVU Parkersburg president. “Coplin will be a wonderful partner because of our shared commitment to serve those who are currently underserved.”
Coplin Health Systems, established in 1978 as the Wirt County Health Services Association, currently services Wirt, Jackson and Wood counties in W.Va. and Meigs county in Ohio with nine different facilities, including three school clinics.
Now, more than ever, it is important to support the medical needs of the community. A new survey from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics show an increase in patients seeking no/low-cost medical care. The survey shows the ongoing needs of at-risk patients during the pandemic.
Services offered will include primary and acute (walk-in) care for all ages. The clinic will also have behavioral health and on-site laboratory services.
“WVU Parkersburg and Coplin Health have large goals for the campus and community,” said Rob Dudley, Coplin Health Systems chief executive officer. “It is our priority to offer quality, yet affordable, healthcare and advocate for children and families. We have wonderfully skilled providers and would like to grow our services with the needs of our community.”
Coplin Health Systems is a Federally Qualified Health Center. As such, providers will care for individuals and families with full, partial or no insurance coverage. The organization also offers a sliding scale payment model to make care affordable regardless of a person’s income.
“Our employees have health insurance they can use, and WVU Parkersburg plans to work through its Foundation to develop a fund to cover the cost for students who might not be able to afford healthcare so the WVU Parkersburg community is fully served,” Gilmer said. “Students and employees from our Jackson County Center will also be welcome at Coplin’s Jackson county clinics.”
Jackson County Center students, faculty and staff will be able to receive the same services at the Ripley Family Care, Jackson County School Wellness Center or River Valley Family Care in Ravenswood.
“I am very excited for an on-campus health care facility,” said Sarah Weeks, WVU Parkersburg student. “WVU Parkersburg excels at putting its students first. Not only will the clinic provide care for the campus and community but it also has the potential to be a place of learning for our nursing, patient care technician and other health sciences students.”
Beyond medical services, the clinic hopes to serve as a learning environment for WVU Parkersburg nursing and health sciences students. Coplin Health Systems offers practicums to aspiring medical students and will discuss arrangements with the college to provide clinical experiences for those pursuing their certificate or associate degree in a qualifying program.
“Our two Boards have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which will hopefully culminate in the opening of this new facility,” said Gilmer. “We still have to work out the details, but we are very excited and optimistic about this partnership for our college family.”
Dudley is also hopeful about the opening of the clinic. “We are excited to fulfill the vision for a university-based clinic,” Dudley said. “There is still much work to do, but we are excited to know Coplin Health and WVU Parkersburg will offer quality health and wellness services to the campus and surrounding community.”
