As a land-grant institution, West Virginia University was founded on serving the people of the state. WVU Health Sciences is guided by that mission, striving to improve the health and well-being of residents across West Virginia. In a state with the majority of residents living in a rural area, oftentimes that means meeting the needs of medically underserved communities.
In November, observed as Rural Health Month, two WVU Health Sciences faculty members were recognized by The Center for Rural Health Development, West Virginia Office of Rural Health and West Virginia Rural Health Association for their dedication to improving health and healthcare in rural communities. Valerie Perrine, DDS, associate dean for student affairs, community health and outreach in the WVU School of Dentistry, and Angel Smothers, DNP, associate dean for community engagement in the WVU School of Nursing, were selected as 2024 Rural Health Leaders and highlighted by the organization as part of its month-long celebration.
Perrine has worked in private practice with her father in Cowen for 15 years, providing comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages in rural Webster County. In her role at WVU, she directs the rural rotation program for dental and dental hygiene students. The unique experience provides hands-on learning for students and improves access to care for communities across the state.
“Our School of Dentistry was a pioneer in the development of this type of integrated outreach and has made this service-learning program one of a kind and one to emulate,” Perrine said. “It is the premiere model nationwide thanks to the vision and care taken to form, cultivate and grow the program coupled with the unwavering Mountaineer spirit and loyalty of our WVU alums, and the commitment to service from our School of Dentistry students. In addition, the network of our rural health preceptors and the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health have helped make this program a true success.”
Smothers has focused her efforts on community-based palliative care and faith community nursing as a nurse for 25 years and faculty member for more than 15 years. Under her direction, the Faith Community Nursing initiative at WVU works to improve health outcomes in rural areas through nurse-led care and community partnerships.
“Being born and raised in a close-knit coal camp community in Mercer County profoundly shaped my understanding of the unique challenges faced by rural residents,” Smothers said. “These early experiences instilled in me a reciprocal commitment to support the health-related needs of those who continue to live in these areas of West Virginia. Attending Bluefield State University, a historically Black college, for my undergraduate nursing education further enriched my perspective, grounding me in the values of resilience, community and equity. Now, as a nursing educator at West Virginia University, a land-grant institution, I’ve come full circle—continuing my mission to empower and uplift rural communities through education, service and advocacy.”
Rural Health Month and National Rural Health Day (Nov. 21) highlight the efforts of rural healthcare providers, communities, organizations and other stakeholders to address the unique healthcare needs of individuals in rural areas.
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