7 Shocking Ways West Virginia Health Right Is Revolutionizing Charleston’s Healthcare For The Uninsured

The healthcare landscape for West Virginia's working poor has been profoundly reshaped as of late 2024 and heading into 2025, thanks to the monumental efforts of West Virginia Health Right (WV Health Right) in Charleston. This non-profit free clinic, a pillar of the community since 1982, continues its mission to provide comprehensive medical, dental, and behavioral health services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured adults. The most significant recent development is the unveiling of their expanded East End Clinic, a three-story facility that dramatically increases capacity and introduces new, vital services to the heart of Kanawha County. This expansion, supported by the "Care in Action Expansion Campaign," is a direct response to the escalating need for accessible, quality healthcare in the region, particularly concerning the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) crisis and chronic disease management. The organization's commitment goes beyond basic care, implementing innovative programs like the SCALE® initiative to foster long-term health and lifestyle change for its patient base.

Meet the Visionary Leadership: Angie Settle, DNP, APRN, BC, FNP

The success and recent growth of West Virginia Health Right are inextricably linked to the dedication of its leadership team, spearheaded by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Angie Settle. Her visionary direction has been instrumental in securing the funding and driving the expansion that is now serving thousands of patients across the region.

• Name: Angie Settle, DNP, APRN, BC, FNP
• Title: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), West Virginia Health Right, Inc.
• Professional Background: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), Board Certified (BC), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
• Guiding Philosophy: Her career has been consistently driven by a desire to help people, a philosophy that she has translated into a comprehensive, patient-centered model at WV Health Right.
• Key Achievement: Successfully leading the "Care in Action Expansion Campaign" and overseeing the transformation of the East End Clinic into a three-story, multi-service facility.
• Other Key Staff: The leadership team also includes Deputy Director Ann Hyre, Medical Director Greg Clarke, M.D., Director of Behavioral Health Program Dan Thistlethwaite, M.D., and Clinical Manager Rhonda Francis, CPhT, Adv.

7 Essential Services and Groundbreaking Programs at WV Health Right

West Virginia Health Right is not just a clinic; it is a full-service healthcare hub designed to address the complex needs of the working poor. The range of services offered ensures that patients receive holistic care, tackling everything from preventative medicine to chronic disease and addiction treatment. These programs are what make the facility a true topical authority in West Virginia's free clinic network.

Here are seven essential ways WV Health Right is revolutionizing care:

1. The East End Clinic Expansion (A Three-Story Upgrade): The newly unveiled expansion of the East End Clinic in Charleston is a major step forward, significantly increasing the facility's footprint to three stories. This massive upgrade allows for the integration of additional medical specialists and administrative staff, directly improving healthcare access for the underserved population in and around Charleston.
2. Comprehensive Primary Medical Care: At the core of their offerings is robust primary care, which includes preventative services, management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, and general check-ups. This is the foundation upon which all other specialized care is built.
3. The Innovative SCALE® Program: The Sustainable Change and Lifestyle Enhancement (SCALE®) program is a free, ongoing initiative specifically targeting weight loss for low-income, at-risk patients. This proactive approach to lifestyle medicine helps patients reduce their risk of developing chronic, costly diseases.
4. Integrated Behavioral Health and SUD Services: Recognizing the deep impact of the opioid crisis on West Virginia, the clinic offers critical behavioral health services and a dedicated Harm Reduction Program. Their focus includes working with Kanawha County leadership to address areas most affected by Substance Use Disorder (SUD)-related issues, ensuring patients have access to mental health counseling and addiction treatment.
5. Expanded Health Education with a Teaching Kitchen: Health education programs have been substantially expanded, now including a comprehensive teaching kitchen. This hands-on approach empowers patients with practical skills for nutrition, cardiovascular health, diabetic management, and smoking cessation, moving beyond simple prescriptions to true wellness.
6. Dental and Vision Care: Beyond medical needs, WV Health Right addresses essential but often neglected areas like dental and vision care. They operate a Mobile Dental Clinic and a full dental clinic, alongside providing vision services, which are crucial for overall health and quality of life for the working poor.
7. Focused Women's Health Services: The clinic places a strong emphasis on preventative women's health, offering vital services such as pap smears and mammograms. This focus ensures that low-income women have access to early detection and preventative care that can save lives.

The Critical Impact of WV Health Right on West Virginia’s Working Poor

West Virginia Health Right's role in the state's healthcare ecosystem is indispensable, particularly for the demographic it serves: the hardworking individuals who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Since its establishment in 1982 by dedicated local physicians, the organization has upheld the principle that every individual deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial status.

Funding and Recognition

The clinic's ability to maintain and expand its services relies heavily on a mix of state funding and philanthropic support. It receives vital funding through state appropriations, such as Line Item 72700, which supports West Virginia’s free clinics. Furthermore, the organization has recently received significant grants, including a notable $100,000 donation from the Sun Life Health Access Grant program in October 2024, demonstrating continued external confidence in its mission and impact.

A Model for Free Clinics

WV Health Right serves as a national model for how free clinics can evolve to meet modern healthcare challenges. Their integrated approach—combining primary care, behavioral health, and specialized programs like SCALE®—creates a safety net that stabilizes the health of the community. The clinic's success in managing complex, co-occurring conditions, such as chronic disease and substance abuse, is a testament to its comprehensive service delivery model. The expansion of the East End Clinic, which even drew the attention of the Biden administration's Drug Czar Dr. Rahul Gupta, highlights the national significance of their work in tackling public health crises at the local level. By focusing on the "whole patient" and addressing social determinants of health through education and lifestyle programs, West Virginia Health Right ensures that the working poor in Charleston and the surrounding areas have a genuine "right" to health, fostering a healthier, more productive community for all of West Virginia. The 2024 Impact Report further details the immense reach and positive outcomes of these vital services, confirming the clinic's ongoing, critical role in the state's public health strategy.

Detail Author:

• Name : Mrs. Meagan Wilderman
• Username : valentina44
• Email : ikemmer@gmail.com
• Birthdate : 1990-05-02
• Address : 20276 Deshawn Green Suite 031 East Willietown, NC 44701
• Phone : (650) 837-5061
• Company : McGlynn and Sons
• Job : Industrial Engineering Technician
• Bio : Quae quasi blanditiis eum ut. Similique consequatur est voluptatem.

Socials

facebook:

• url : https://facebook.com/jaquan_gutkowski
• username : jaquan_gutkowski
• bio : Voluptate saepe quam ipsa deserunt. Architecto quas nemo et neque eveniet.
• followers : 5589
• following : 1004

instagram:

• url : https://instagram.com/jaquan5100
• username : jaquan5100
• bio : Hic nostrum nemo quasi facilis est. Deleniti sapiente voluptas omnis et.
• followers : 4542
• following : 954

tiktok:

• url : https://tiktok.com/@jaquangutkowski
• username : jaquangutkowski
• bio : Laborum animi qui sed consequatur beatae. Culpa esse eum accusamus rerum velit.
• followers : 6631
• following : 987

linkedin:

• url : https://linkedin.com/in/jgutkowski
• username : jgutkowski
• bio : Aut totam est architecto fugit.
• followers : 2159
• following : 2793