History & Team
In October of 2014, a group of providers from six federally qualified health centers (Cabin Creek Health Systems, FamilyCare, Lincoln Primary Care, New River Health Association, Valley Health Systems, and Wirt Health Services Association) and one academic medical center (Charleston Area Medical Center Family Medicine) formed a primary care network dedicated to finding creative solutions to community health issues. The WVACHS has been maturing from that point to include additional primary care systems, organizations, and researchers. The network is a mixture of health care providers, health care administrators, and academic researchers. It was brought together by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission with funding and support from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
The WVACHS became an Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality registered practice-based research network in August, 2020 and became certified as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in May, 2021.
We love our communities and state, find great value in our work, and feel confident that together we can make significant impact on priority health issues in our state and region.
Meet the Team
Joanna Bailey, MD
Board Certified Family Physician, Tug River Health Association;
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Adam Baus, PhD, MA, MPH
Research Assistant Professor, West Virginia University School of Public Health; Director, Office of Health Services Research;
Executive Director, WVACHS
Laura Boone, JD
Senior Program Officer, Pallotine Foundation of Huntington
Jennifer Boyd, PA-C
Physician Assistant, New River Health Association; Co-Director, WVPBRN;
Board of Directors and Chair, WVACHS
Carolyn Canini
Director of Behavioral Health Program, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Martha Carter, DHSc, MBA, APRN, CNM
Former CEO, FamilyCare
Board of Directors and Treasurer, WVACHS
Amber Crist, MS
Chief Operating Officer, Cabin Creek Health Systems;
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Daniel Doyle, MD
Family Physician, Cabin Creek Health Systems
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Michael Grome, PA-C
Certified Physician Assistant who practiced with Lincoln Primary Care
Jandy Hanna, PhD, MSB
Associate Dean, Research and Sponsored Programs, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine;
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Sarah Hansen, APRN, AGNP-BC
Adult/Geriatric Nurse Practitioner, Cabin Creek Health Systems;
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Tracy Hendershot, MD
Family Physician, Camden-Clark Primary Care
Connor Levy, MPH
Medical student, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine
Mary Ann Maurer, DO
Family Medicine Specialist, Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, West Virginia University Health Sciences Charleston Campus
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Kevin McCann, MD
Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Health, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Alexandra Persily, BS
Medical student, University of Virginia School of Medicine
Cynthia Persily, PhD, RN, FAAN
Senior Director of Health Sciences, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Board of Directors, WVACHS
April L. Vestal, MPH
Director, West Virginia University Institute for Community & Rural Health
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Robert Walker, MD
Consultant to the Division of Health Sciences, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
Board of Directors, WVACHS
Mathew Weimer, MD
Family Physician and Chief Quality Officer, Valley Health Systems
Board of Directors and Secretary, WVACHS