&
West Virginia Area
Health Education Centers
Minutes
Days Inn,
Chairman: Dennis
McCutcheon
Panel Members in
attendance: Dennis
McCutcheon, Tom Hefner, Shirley C. Neel, William O’Dell, Dave Brown, Richard
Meckstroth, Georgia Narsavage, Sue Coyle, Carla See, David Bowyer, Allison
Witte, Anna Reno
Guests: Lora Adkins, Malinda
Turner, John Walters, Kathryn Greenlief, Sonnie Strader, Elizabeth Richmond,
Lew Holloway, Parr Thacker, Billie Garrett, Sherri Douglass, Marilyn Fox,
Patricia Crawford, Glenna Michael, Shauna Popson,
Alicia Tyler, Sharon Landsdale, Ralph Utzman, Amanda
Heaton
Staff: April L. Vestal, Sandra
Y. Pope, Hilda R. Heady, Jacki Novacich, Jodie, Jackson, Rose McCluskey, Sharon
Giles, Kim Robinson, Derrick Day
The
meeting was called to order with a role call of the Advisory Panel Members in
attendance.
Dennis
McCutcheon, chairman asked for a motion to approve the consent agenda (David
Brown/Alison Witte) Approved.
Introductions:
Gerry
Stover will be working part time with WV Higher Education Policy Commission (WV
HEPC) as Director of Rural Programs.
New Business:
Presentation:
Michael Stitley, MD, ObGyn,
Chair Central Advisory Council and WVU Faculty Member on “Perinatal Partnership.” The Perinatal Partnership is a statewide partnership of
healthcare professionals and public and private organizations working to
improve perinatal health in
Recruitment and
Retention Report:
The
committee reviewed the scholarship applications for the Health Science
Scholarship Program. The program had
more funding available due to the Legislature increasing appropriations to
expand into mental health fields, in terms of eligibility. The committee approved the recommendation of
seven medical students and they will receive $20,000 each, a total of $140,000,
with a two year obligation to practice in rural
Policy Approval:
Several
policies requiring wording revisions that were to be brought before the
committee for approval, were tabled until the new
Director of Rural Programs Gerry Stover has a chance to review the policies.
Vice Chancellors Report:
Dr.
Walker reported on the addition of Gerry Stover. He and Mr. Stover will be meeting with the
leadership of the medical schools and work with them on the vision of the
WVRHEP program. They will also meet with
the Advisory Panel discuss the vision for the program.
Executive/Associate
Directors Report:
Hilda
R. Heady announced her resignation. Her
last day will be
Associate Director
WVRHEP report:
April
reminded the Advisory Panel Members to please fill out the form in their
packets regarding preference on receiving panel packets. They are to turn them into April or Jacki
Novacich, her assistant.
The
2010 meeting dates are in the packet. We
would like some feedback regarding holding any meetings using the web
conferencing this year. It was recommended
by Alison Witte that we hold the meetings face to face until we have an understanding
of the future of the program.
All
meetings will be scheduled as face to face at the Days Inn,
Associate Director
WVAHEC report:
Sandra
reported that on a federal level, the 2010 budget is on a continuing
resolution. For the first time in 18
years, there was federal funding in the President’s budget at $32.5 million. The Senate will go through committee at the
same level and House has already passed their budget at an increase of $1.5 million,
raising the funding to $34.5 million. Once the Senate passes their budget, it will
go into conference.
AHEC
reauthorization language is in the Senate Health Care reform bill for 5 years
at $125 million.
On
a state level, Sandra reported the they had applied
for SEARCH funding from HRSA. We
received the funding at $176,000 for a contract of 3 years.
Dennis
McCutcheon presented a plaque to Hilda for her work and dedication to the
program.
With
no further business, the meeting was adjourned.