Barbara Holt has been named Executive Director of the Center for Rural and Community Health (CRCH) at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM).
CRCH’s mission is to stimulate engagement in rural health through education, research and community engagement. Holt said she is delighted to oversee the operation, management and expansion of the center.
“Since I started at WVSOM, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and working with inspiring people,” Holt said. “The CRCH has had great leaders, and it is an honor to have this opportunity. We will strive to continue to grow, develop and achieve our vision of building an infrastructure that enables communities to achieve their highest level of health and well-being through outreach, education and research. evidence-based and community-engaged.
There are several ongoing CRCH projects involving Greenbrier County residents and organizations, Holt said.
“With our new grant-funded project, we are partnering with the Greenbrier County Health Alliance for the OASIS Community Care Corps, which will connect people in need of non-medical help with volunteers who want to help others in Greenbrier County,” she said.
A new Inspire grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will assess the needs of people in recovery in Greenbrier County to obtain employment at a living wage. This involves determining what is working, what needs improvement, where gaps exist, and what can be done to fill those gaps to help with work recovery efforts.
“With this grant, we’ll be asking community members for their help and guidance to find out what’s working and where the gaps are for those in work recovery efforts,” Holt said.
CRCH also received a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for Rural Health Disparities. In partnership with the Greenbrier County Health Department, the CRCH will use a rented vehicle as a mobile COVID-19 testing unit. Mountain Transit Authority will also join as a partner to provide non-emergency medical transportation to rural residents in Greenbrier County.
As CRCH employees prepare for projects in 2022, Holt said she’s excited to work with community members.
“We look forward to sharing additional details on how community members can be involved or benefit from these grant-funded projects. We are determined to continue our outreach efforts,” she said.
“I am delighted to welcome Barbara Holt as Executive Director of WVSOM’s Center for Rural and Community Health,” said Drema Hill, Ph.D., MSP, the school’s vice president for engagement and community development. “Barbara has the energy, heart, and expertise to lead the expansion of our role in communities across the state. WVSOM is committed to improving the health of the people of West Virginia.
Holt, who joined WVSOM in 2019 as CRCH Education Coordinator, holds a Master of Science in Human Resources and Management from Southern New Hampshire University and a Regents Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia. University. She is a master trainer/t-trainer in chronic disease self-management, diabetes self-management and chronic pain self-management. In addition, she has extensive experience working with grants.
Prior to joining WVSOM, Holt served as Director of Population Health for the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Health Department.
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