Appalachian Care Chronicles

Meet Eric Rodgers. As Director of Respiratory Care at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital, this proud California surfer is helping to bring a wave of welcome change to his southern West Virginia hospital. And in the process, he and his team of respiratory therapists are help...

Walking the nursing home halls with Dr. Catherine “Mindy” Chua and Jason Currence, LPN, the closeness they share with their patients comes through. A bit of a dynamic duo, together these two are bringing both deep knowledge and a well of warm...

Jump into Derrick Ray’s vehicle and speed off across the streets of Huntington, West Virginia to someone in need. After working in emergency services for 25 years, Derrick has seen a bit of everything, but that hasn’t eroded his empathy.

Get ready for the fifth season of Appalachian Care Chronicles!

Join our host, Kristen Carpenter, as we explore careers in diagnostic medical sonography and ultrasound, nursing home care, respiratory therapy, and emergency medicine. Stay tuned for all new episodes featuring stories from across West Virginia’s healthcare sector. 

This podcast is a production of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Health Sciences Divi...

Petra Howell-Vasale is proof it’s never too late to start over, and it’s never too late to help others. As an Emergency Room nurse based in Beckley, West Virginia, she takes listeners through her career journey from working in Charleston kitchens as a high-end pastry chef to standing at Raleigh General Hospital’s Emergency Room doors when critical...

From his farm in southern West Virginia to McDowell County’s only acute care hospital, Dr. Judd Lindley shows what it means to care for others with humility. He’s spent decades serving the state’s coalfields as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). In this episode, Dr. Lindley shares how his patients have pushed him to rethink his assu...

Join Larrecsa Barker, Community Paramedic, and Whitney Maxey, EMT, on the streets of Huntington, West Virginia as they care for patients days after an overdose. As members of Cabell County’s Quick Response Team, the pair are proving that sometimes it takes getting outside and meeting people where they are to help them find a new path for...

When babies born in rural parts of West Virginia need lifesaving care, Hannah Bowen rushes to them, sometimes even by helicopter. As a Neonatal Pediatric Intensive Care Transport Nurse, Hannah lets us in on what it’s like to hold families, and their tiny newborns, with a steady and caring hand whether on a winding ...

Appalachian Care Chronicles is back for Season Four! This season, we explore careers in neonatal intensive care, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, and community paramedicine.   

Join our new host, Kristen Carpenter, to learn about the lives of those who fight for better health every day—through long shifts, tough challenges, and victories big and small. Ever wondered what it’s really like be...

For Jordan Dennison, helping others in recovery is more than just a job—it’s personal. As a peer recovery specialist and part of Charleston’s Quick Response Team (QRT), Jordan draws on his own experience with addiction and homelessness to offer crucial, hands-on support. Whether responding to overdose calls or guiding individuals toward treatment, Jordan’s work with the QRT allows him to meet people where they are and give them the...

Sally Adams is claustrophobic. Yet, every day, she helps patients navigate the small, enclosed space of an MRI machine. As an MRI technologist, her own fears have made her especially empathetic to those she works with. She reassures anxious patients, guiding them through scans with a calm, steady presence. Over the years, Sally has seen the evolution of MRI technology, but what hasn’t changed is her dedication to making sure each p...

Dr. Tom Takubo is not only a pulmonary critical care physician but also a state senator, fighting to improve healthcare across West Virginia. Inspired by his father’s struggle with black lung disease, Dr. Takubo’s commitment to his patients extends far beyond the hospital. Whether he’s caring for critically ill patients or advocating for better healthcare policies, his work is driven by a deep connection to the people of his state....

Julie Osborne Young works at the intersection of life and death. As Director of Social Services at HospiceCare in Charleston, W.Va., she offers more than just practical support. Julie helps patients navigate deep emotional and spiritual challenges during their final stages of life. Her daily work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. By honoring each patient as a whole person, Julie provides compassionate care that ...

Appalachian Care Chronicles is back for Season Three! This season, we explore careers in hospice care and behavioral health, pulmonary medicine and medical expertise in the state legislature, innovations in medical technology, and peer recovery support.

Join host, Aryana Misaghi, to learn about the lives of those who fight for better health every day—through long shifts, tough challenges, and victories big and small. Ever wondered ...

In this episode, Greta shares firsthand experiences from her decade-long journey, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of providing comprehensive dental services to underserved areas like rural West Virginia. Discover how oral health is a window into overall health and the ways in...

Get a view into the world of rural healthcare with Drs. Mary Gainer and Peter Wentzel, a married couple of family physicians serving patients in northern West Virginia. Operating within federally qualified health centers, Mary and Peter discuss ...

Now, with a keen eye for detail and a dedication to public health, he works tirelessly to uncover the mysteries within patient samples. Zach’s journey from New York City to Charleston reflects his commitment to serving his home s...

In this episode, we explore the work of Angel Cunningham who gu...

In this episode we hear from the one and only Jan Rader, the first woman to lead a professional fire department in West Virginia and a TIME100 Most Influential Person in 2018. Over the length of her career, Jan’s dedication to combat...