Appalachian Care Chronicles

“I truly, truly love my job.” Working as a diagnostic medical sonographer in obstetrics and gynecology, Chloe Kinder gets a front row seat at the earliest signs of life. From her calm, dimly lit ultrasound room, she helps women to better understand what’s happening in their bodies and sometimes that can come with the happiest, or hardest, news. Want to learn more about healthcare careers in West Virginia? Level All has career profiles that walk through education requirements, salary, and more. Click here to explore further and sign up. 

“If you truly have a serving soul, respiratory provides you that ability to work with those patients who need you the most.” 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 helping people to breathe better, literally. Want to learn more about healthcare careers in West Virginia? Level All has career profiles that walk through education requirements, salary, and more. Click here to explore further and sign up. 

“If you want to do family practice, the reward is amazing because you really do become a part of your patients families and that you can't buy that in gold.” 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 warmth for their aging patients. Want to learn more about healthcare careers in West Virginia? Level All has career profiles that walk through education requirements, salary, and more. Click here to explore further and sign up. 

“At the end of the day, I mean, basically almost 25 years deep, I can think of the differences that I've made.”   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. Want to learn more about healthcare careers in West Virginia? Level All has career profiles that walk through education requirements, salary, and more. Click here to explore further and sign up. 

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 Division. Find Appalachian Care Chronicles at appcarepod.com and on social media for episodes, behind the scenes photos, and portraits of our storytellers.

From cake customers to ER patients, Petra knows that caring is the secret ingredient. 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 cases come in.

Every appointment with Dr. Lindley starts with a handshake and a question: “How can I help you?” 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 assumptions more than once—and why that’s part of becoming the best doctor he can be.

In Whitney and Larresca’s experience, to put it simply, the Quick Response Team approach works. 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 forward.

For Hannah, caring for the patients in the neonatal intensive care unit—“the tinies” as she calls them—is her calling. 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 West Virginia road or amidst the hum of the hospital.

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 behind the scenes in healthcare? Find out this season. This podcast is a production of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Health Sciences Division. Find Appalachian Care Chronicles at appcarepod.com and on social media for episodes, behind the scenes photos, and portraits of our storytellers.

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 hope and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

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 patient feels comfortable, safe, and cared for during their exam.

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. Join us as we explore his personal and professional journey to make a lasting impact on healthcare in Appalachia. 

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 goes far beyond their diagnosis, helping them find dignity in their most vulnerable moments.  

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 what it’s really like behind the scenes in healthcare? Find out this season. Find Appalachian Care Chronicles at appcarepod.com and on social media for episodes, behind the scenes photos, and portraits of our storytellers. 

Take a ride into the world of rural dental care aboard a mobile dental unit with Greta Nelson, a clinical dental hygienist. 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 which dental care providers are fixing so much more than smiles.

Family doctors in rural places fill a special role—and it's exactly what it sounds like—they take care of whole families and overtime, end up becoming like family. 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 the joys and challenges of rural medicine and share what it’s really like to provide personalized care to underserved communities, from toenail trimming and mole removal, to addressing complex medical issues. 

Raised in rural West Virginia, Zach discovered his passion for science and medicine early on. From dissecting animals to conducting autopsies, his upbringing shaped his path towards becoming a pathologist. 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 state and addressing the critical shortage of pathologists. Through his work, Zach ensures that patients receive accurate diagnoses, guiding their treatment and ultimately impacting lives beyond the lens of his microscope.

When it comes to West Virginia food, we often think of pepperoni rolls, Tudor’s Biscuits, and Mountain Dew. But West Virginia is also known for foraged foods like ramps and morels, and farmed foods like zucchini, tomatoes, and cabbage. Registered dietitians help patients navigate food choices that balance the flavors they love and the nutrition that keeps them healthy. In this episode, we explore the work of Angel Cunningham who guides patients towards healthier eating habits, addressing diabetes management and grocery store navigation. With humor and empathy, Angel draws from her upbringing and personal experiences, empowering individuals to take control of their health through positive food choices. Despite challenges, she remains dedicated to her patients’ well-being, exemplifying the transformative power of food as medicine in Appalachia.

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. 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 combating the opioid epidemic (along with compassion fatigue among first responders) has inspired folks engaged in similar fights not just in the Mountain State, but across the country and even the world. Though she recently retired as Huntington’s fire chief, Jan continues to spearhead innovative solutions to some of West Virginia’s most pressing healthcare challenges as director of the Huntington Mayor’s Council on Public Health and Drug Control Policy. In the face of both searing criticism and soaring praise, she has stayed the course, remaining laser-focused on her mission to save and improve lives.

During this episode we visit the classroom of a social work professor at Marshall University to learn about the landscape of social work in West Virginia. With a population-to-provider ratio nearly 50% lower than the national average, West Virginia’s need for new social work and mental health practitioners is immense. During this episode, we visit the classroom of Shikeal Harris, Marshall University Professor of Social Work, to discuss the many forms that social work can take, barriers to care in rural areas, and why Shikeal feels called to help train the next generation of clinicians in our state.

In rural, medically-underserved areas like Logan County, West Virginia, bringing care to patients directly is often crucial to the health of the community. From conducting home visits to helping operate a mobile medical clinic, nurse practitioner Anitra Ellis makes it a priority to meet her patients where they are. In episode two, we delve into the life and career of family nurse practitioner Anitra Ellis. From conducting home visits to helping operate a mobile clinic, Anitra’s priority is meeting her patients where they are. In rural, medically-underserved areas like Anitra’s home of Logan County, West Virginia, bringing care to patients directly is crucial to ensuring accessibility of services and improving overall health outcomes. We talk with Anitra about the importance (and challenges) of building trusting relationships with patients who may be skeptical or unfamiliar with the healthcare system, along with the common misconception that in order to pursue a career in healthcare, your path must be mapped out early on.

When serious accidents or injuries occur in remote and rural places like West Virginia, an emergency helicopter is sometimes a person’s sole chance at survival. No spoilers—but, this episode, we’re in for a wild ride. In this episode, we’re traveling through the sky with Heidi Stump, critical care flight paramedic with Health Net in Beckley, West Virginia. Critical care air transport is a valuable component of any effective healthcare system, but it’s particularly vital in remote and rural places like West Virginia, where so much of our population lives nestled deep in the hills, accessible only by bumpy backroads, often hours from the nearest hospital. When serious accidents or injuries occur in these environments, an emergency helicopter is sometimes a person’s sole chance at survival. For flight paramedics like Heidi (and their teams), these highest-of-high stakes give a powerful sense of purpose to their work.

Curious about the people who are working behind the scenes and on the front lines to care for our communities every day?  Appalachian Care Chronicles is a new podcast bringing you stories from every corner of West Virginia’s health sector. Join host, Aryana Misaghi, to journey alongside a variety of problem-solvers, change makers, and daily helpers. Explore what they do day-to-day, the steps that got them there, and the “why’s” that continue to draw them back. Find Appalachian Care Chronicles at appalachiancarechronicles.com and on social media for episodes, behind the scenes photos, and portraits of our storytellers.