Southern Receives a $51,919 Grant from Coalfield Health

Southern President Dr. Pamela L. Alderman and Robert Stacy Dingess, Chief External Affairs Officer with the Southern Foundation, receive a check totaling $51,919 from Coalfield Health to provide nursing scholarship money. Pictured from left to right are Brent Tomblin, CEO of Coalfield Health, Dingess, Alderman, Todd R. White, CEO of Aetna Better Health of WV, and Jim Smallridge, RN, Lead Director of Community Development for Aetna Better Health of WV.

Logan, W.Va. — West Virginia State University (WVSU) has received a $51,919 grant from Coalfield Health to provide nursing scholarship funding.

The Chapmanville-based nonprofit organization’s $51,919 investment was made possible by funding from Aetna Better Health.

“Southern is deeply grateful for this generous $51,919 grant from Coalfield Health, made possible by Aetna Better Health,” Southern President Dr. Pamela L. Alderman stated.

“This investment in nursing scholarship funding underscores the importance of collaboration between education and healthcare to address critical workforce needs,” Alderman stated. “By improving clinical placements and practical learning opportunities, this support will better equip our nursing students to excel in their careers and enhance healthcare in our communities. We thank Coalfield Health and Aetna Better Health for their commitment to our students’ success and our region’s health care.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Aetna Better Health and Southern WV Community and Technical College to support the future of healthcare by providing vital funding to their nursing program,” said Coalfield Health CEO Brent Tomblin.

“Together, we are fostering the next generation of compassionate, skilled professionals who will make a lasting impact on our communities and beyond,” Tomblin said. “At Coalfield Health, it is critical to have this educational infrastructure and partnerships to help grow and recruit West Virginia’s talent to provide the best possible care to our patients. We know the importance of having a strong nursing school in southern West Virginia to help lead our facility and our community into the future.”

Coalfield Health (CHC) is a rural, nonprofit organization that provides primary and preventive health care services to Chapmanville, West Virginia, and the surrounding area. For more information, visit www.coalfieldhealth.com.

Aetna Better Health of West Virginia serves approximately 210,000 members across the state through the Mountain Health Trust and Mountain Health Promise managed care programs. For more information, visit www.aetnabetterhealth.com.